Rhode Island American And Gazette

MR. Branch's Letter. -The late Secretary of the Navy, Mr Branch has published the subjoined letter in a Raleigh paper addressed to a gentleman of North Carolina. The tone of the letter is spirited, and it shows that Mr. Branch since his retirement has been thinking to a good purpose. The papers hint that a letter may also be expected from Mr. Ingham, which will make Van Buren & Co. feel smaller than at the present time. Universal harmony still prevails among the great Republican family.

Washington City, May 3d, 1831.

My Dear Sir—You have no doubt, before this, seen in the papers, accounts of the resignation of the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of War, and the dismissal of the other members of the Cabinet.

The letters of the two former, addressed to the President of the U. S. present their reasons; and the motives or the dismissal of the others are assigned in the answer of the President to the Secretary of the Treasury and myself. In these, the President admits that the dismissed officers have faithfully discharged their respective duties. But intimates that the want of harmony in the Cabinet, and the protection of the two retiring Secretaries, "from unjust misconceptions and malignant misrepresentations," made it necessary the others should go out also.

So far as regards the members of the Cabinet, this measure is comparatively of little moment. It is, however, a matter of deep concern as affecting the character of the Government. In this point of view the American people have a right to know the whole truth, from whence the alleged discord originated; by whom and for what purpose, it has been fostered; and in what respect and wherefore it has been connected with the public administration of the affairs of the Nation. The President is bound to make these explanations to the people.

If it were intended to be intimated that I am responsible for the want of harmony in the Cabinet, the charge is unjust. I deny that I pursued a course that invited hostility. On the contrary, I went as far as a man of honor could go in endeavoring to promote a good understanding and cordial official co-operation with all the members of the Cabinet. But it seems I was expected to go still farther, and not doing so, it has been held good cause for my dismissal. If it is asked, why I did not abandon the Cabinet and expose to the world the malign influence by which it was embarrassed? I would reply, that I constantly looked forward to a favorable change. That especially I relied for this upon the wisdom, firmness and justice of the Chief Magistrate, I have been disappointed. I have had the deep mortification to see him gradually discarding from his councils and friendship his old and long tried supporters, and throwing himself into the arms of persons whose cold hearted selfishness and artifices were played off upon him for true and faithful service.

Rest assured, however, that whatever may be the public judgment as to the merits of this question, no consideration arising from personal feeling will induce me to take a course which I should not believe calculated to maintain the character and promote the interest of the State which gave me birth.

Business of importance, especially as enabling me to settle down permanently in North Carolina, will probably require my presence in Tennessee, where I may be detained until August next. On my return to my family, I hope to meet you, when I shall be highly gratified to renew that social and friendly intercourse, which heretofore, so much to my satisfaction, has subsisted between us.

In the mean time, I beg you to receive assurances of great respect and esteem.

JOHN BRANCH