The Enquirer

The following is an extract of a letter from a gentleman in this city to a friend in the country:

"I had hoped that the sensation excited, among those who would wish to be thought the exclusive friends of the late Secretary of State, by the change in that department, would have long ago subsided. I confess, sir, it has excited no little surprise in my mind, that they should exhibit so much sensibility at an occurrence which was the result of a voluntary act of the Secretary in his retirement from the Department of State-- The Secretary himself, I am well informed,-- felt nothing of irritation on the occasion; -- for that it was his determination, previously expressed to his friends, to resign his post, for the purpose of enjoying the pleasures of social life, unembarrassed by the trammels of official duties; and that he was gratified at the opportunity afforded him, by the offer of the Russian embassy-- to spend a few months or years in an honorable public station on the European Continent, in exchange for the burdensome routine of office at home. The intention of going to Russia was probably relinquished only in compliance with the wishes of his relatives, who were averse to his taking so long a tour from home. Whatever induced the Secretary to change his determination, I infer that his resignation was not attended with any circumstances of irritation, as regarded his feelings, because he remained in the department, in the performance of the ordinary duties of his office, until the arrival of the time at which it was understood that he proposed to accept the mission to Russia. As therefore I was entirely at a loss, to perceive a motive for the angry ebullitions of some of our public prints, so I am not a little surprised that a more mature reflection has not produced a cessation of those personalities and aspersions of our most estimable citizens, than which nothing could be more injudicious on the part of Mr. Smith's friends.

"Whilst I say this, sir, far be it from me to depreciate the merits of Mr. Smith. I cannot be ignorant that the character and talents of that gentleman were appreciated so highly by Mr. Madison, that on his induction to the Presidency, he was selected for the important trust of Secretary of State --and the fact that a difference of opinion existed between the President and himself argues nothing against his integrity or patriotism: for (blessed be God!) in this nation the doctrine of infallibility has been long ago exploded. Entertaining a becoming respect for Mr. Smith, it would be as gratifying to me and to many who have been numbered among his friends, as honorable to himself, to see him disavow any privity or consent to the publications which are daily made, avowedly by his friends & which derive importance chiefly from their authoritative tone, implying his sanction to their contents.

"I have not heard it denied that the Secretary of State had a right to resign & the President to accept his resignation and appoint his successor, without either party consulting the inclination of the other or his friends; as I have reason to believe that no dissatisfaction, but the contrary, was manifested by the late Secretary on the offer of the Russian embassy; and as the President cannot be supposed to entertain any hostility to Mr. Smith, I trust that those who have volunteered in support of that gentleman (against nobody; for nobody assailed him) will see cause to abandon a course of conduct which he cannot sanction, and in which they are certainly not supported by public sentiment."