Daily Richmond Whig

THE ABDICATION.

The Washington papers of Saturday, contain Mr. Ingham's letter of resignation, with a previous one, and the President's reply. It appears from these documents, that Mr. Ingham was requested to resign, as no doubt Mr. Branch was, also. What we said the other day, is therefore fully confirmed—namely, that the motives of Messrs. Van Buren and Eaton, were different from those of Messrs. Ingham and Branch. Mr. Berrien is in Georgia, or he too, it is supposed, would have resigned.

Washington, April 18, 1831.

Sir: In communicating to me, this morning, the information of the resignation of the Secretary of State and Secretary of War, together with the reasons which had induced the former to take this step, you were pleased to observe that this proceeding was made known to me as one of those whom you had associated with you in the administration of the Government, and you suggested that I would, after a few days reflection, have a further conversation with you on this subject. But, in recurring to the brief remarks made at the time, as well as to the letter of resignation of the Secretary of State, which you were good enough to submit for my perusal, I have not been able to ascertain what particular matter was intended to be proposed by my reflection, as connected with this event. Under these circumstances, and being desirous of avoiding the possibility of misapprehension as to your views, I would respectfully inquire whether the measure adopted by the Secretary of State and of War, is deemed to involve considerations on which you expect a particular communication from me, and if so, of what nature.

I have the honor to be, respectfully, your ob't serv't

S. D. INGHAM.

To the President of the U. S.

WASHINGTON, April 19, 1831

Sir: I am gratified to find myself entirely relieved, by the distinct explanations at the interview to which you invited me, to day, from the uncertainty as to the object of your communication yesterday, which I had referred to in my note of last evening: and have to make acknowledgments for the kindness with which you have expressed your satisfaction with the manner in which I have discharged the duties of the station to which you have thought proper to invite me, and your conviction of the public confidence in my administration of the Treasury Department. I beg leave however, to add, in my own justification, for not following the example of the Secretary of War, in making a voluntary tender of the resignation of my office, as soon as I was acquainted with theirs, that I was wholly unconscious of the application, to myself, of any of the reasons, so far as I was apprised of them, which had induced them to withdraw from the public service. It, therefore, seemed to be due to my own character, which might otherwise have been exposed to unfavorable imputations, that I should find a reason for resigning, in a distinct expression of your wish to that effect; this wish has now been frankly announced, and has enabled me to place my retirement on its true ground.

I have, therefore, the honor of tendering to you my resignation of the office of Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, which you will be pleased to accept, to take effect as soon as my services may be dispensed with consistently with your views of public interest.

I seize the occasion to offer you my thanks for the many testimonials I have received of your kind ness and confidence, during our official connexion, and especially for the renewed assurance this day of the same sentiment

S. D. INGHAM

His Excellency Andrew Jackson, President U. S.

WASHINGTON, April 20th, 1831

Sir: Late last evening I had the honor to receive your letter of that date, tendering your resignation of the office of Secretary of the Treasury. When the resignations of the Secretary of State and Secretary of War were tendered, I considered fully the reasons offered, and all the circumstances connected with the subject. After mature deliberation, I concluded to accept those resignations. But when this conclusion was come to, it was accompanied with a conviction that I must entirely renew my cabinet. Its members had been invited by me to the stations they occupied—it had come together in great harmony, and as a unit. Under the circumstances in which I found myself, I could not but perceive the propriety of selecting a cabinet composed of entirely new materials, as being calculated, in this respect at least, to command public confidence and satisfy public opinion. Neither could I be insensible to the fact that, to permit two only to retire, would be to afford room for unjust misconstructions and malignant misrepresentations concerning the influence of their particular presence upon the conduct of public affairs. Justice to the individuals whose public spirit had impelled them to tender their resignations, also required then, in my opinion, the decision which I have stated, however painful to my own feelings, it became necessary that I should frankly make known to you the whole subject.

In accepting of your resignation, it is with great pleasure that I bear testimony to the integrity and zeal with which you have managed the fiscal concerns of the nation. In your discharge of all the duties of your office, over which I have any control, I have been fully satisfied, and in your retirement you carry with you my best wishes for your prosperity and happiness.

It is expected that you will continue to discharge the duties of your office until a successor is appointed.

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant.

ANDREW JACKSON

SAML. D. INGHAM, Secretary of the Treasury.