Year: 1876

vindicate his good name, TO meet, answer
and dispose Of any threatened legal pro.
cecdings against him, cofdently relying
on the fairness Of British court OF jus.
ticc. On the 9th he inquired If he could
be permitted to make q publication in
London OF his telegram sent the day be-
fore, and was informed that the President
did not think it necessary to act on the
telegram and that such publication was
not admissible. On the 11th Of February
telegram was sent him stating that the
President retained full friendship for
him, regretted the bitterness with which
he was assailed and adhered to the opin.
ion that his connection with the Emma
mine was an unfortunate indiscretion,
but without improper motive on his part,
and he had hoped his early withdrawal
therefrom would have quieted strong
public criticism, and also regretted that
such had not been the result; that
his telegram Of the Sth threw on
the President the responsibility Of ac-
cepting or declining to accept the ten
dered resignation, and in the latter case
Of appearing to insist on his retention
in the face Of public demand more or
less strong, and in which the President
had remained quite in the full conviction
that his conduct had been free Of any
wrong purpose, and in the absence OF any
expressed willingness on his part to re-
sign; that now having voluntarily ex-
pressed his readiness to relieve the Presi-
dent from any embarrassment which his
position might involve, with kind feel
ings toward him, he felt that under the
circumstances his resignation would re-
lieve him from embarrassment, and that
it could be made either by telegraph or
by letter, and to take effect when his sue
cessor should enter upon the duties OF the
post. On the l4th OF February, General
Schenck telegraphed that he failed to
reconcile the telegram Of the 9th, inform
ing him that the President did not think
it necessary to act on his Of the Sth, with
that received Saturday, communicating
his views OF his offer, but he promptly
acceded to the suggestion and would send
his resignation in Immediately. On the
2lst Of Feb. Gen. Schenck telegraphed that
having placed his resignation at the Pres
idents disposal, pending the inquiry
ordered by the House Of Representatives,
he asked leave to repair to Washington
to appear before tho Committee. On the
23d Of February he was informed by tele-
graph that leave OF absence with leave to
return 10 the United States was given; that
an inquiry had been made by the House
to ascertain the action taken by the Execu-
tive Department OF the Government in re-
lation to his connection with the Com
pany and the prosecution Of the claim;
that report had been sent to the Com
mittee, which would report soon. On
the oath Gen. Schenck 'telegraphed that
he would 60 to the United States
as permitted, provided the inquiry into
his conduct proceeded; that in the mean
time he awaited the committees report
and the Presidents action on his resigna-
ton sent on the Goth Of February. AS
Gen. Schenck had expressed desire 20
return aud appear before the committee
he was informed that the committee had
reported the information furnished by the
Department, which was recommitted and
that the House had adopted resolution
authorizing the committee to inquire
further into Schenck's connection with
the mine and to send for persons and pa
pers.


On the first OF March he telegraphed
that being informed OF the House resolu-
ton ordering further investigation,
with power 10 send for persons and pa
pers, he claimed the right to appear be-
fore the committee and would sail on the
l1th in the Java, and by subsequent tele-
gram OF same date first OF March) he
said Lyons statements concerning him,
published in London that morning, were
tissue OF Infamous falsehoods
and asked TO have Park Stewart and
others summoned and protested against
n parte proceedings in his ab.
sence, and added that he would sail in
the Abyssinia on the 4ih. On the I'd OF
March, Gen. Schenck telegraphed that he
had rendered his resignation. When the
action OF the Executive was questioned,
and that as his own conduct was now the
subject OF charges and investigation, he
assumed that the Presidents decision on
his offer would be suspended while thi.
proceeding was pending. On the Sd OF
March, he was advised that the President
had taken steps to ill the place i'm
mcdiately, and on that account and for
other reasons could not delay acting
on his resignation. On the 4th Of March
dispatch was received from General
Schenck, dated the 10th Of February, in
closing letter Of resignation addressed
to the President, dated the 18th Of Febru-
ary, and on the 9th Of March his resigna-
ton was accepted. There has been
no correspondence whatever with Her
Brittanic. Alajesty's Government or with
or from any agent or representative OF
that Government in reference to General
schenck, either before or since my com
munication to You of the 10Th Of Feb
ruary.


[signedl HAMILTON FISH.