University of Virginia Library

TO HENRY DEARBORN.

Dear Sir Being desirous of obtaining for the
Department of War,[102] services which I thought you
could render with peculiar advantage, and hoping
that for a time at least you might consent to step into
that Department, I took the liberty, without a previous
communication, for which there was not time,
to nominate you as successor to Mr. Monroe, who
was called back to the Department of State. I had not
a doubt from all the calculations I could make, that
the Senate would readily concur in my views; and if
a doubt had arisen, it would have been banished by
the confidence of the best informed and best disposed
with whom I conferred, that the nomination
would be welcomed where it was to be decided on.
Contrary to these confident expectations, an opposition
was disclosed in an extent, which determined me
to withdraw the nomination. But before the Message
arrived, the Senate very unexpectedly had taken
up the subject and proceeded to a decision. They
promptly however relaxed so far as to erase the
proceeding from their Journal, and in that mode
to give effect to the withdrawal.

I have thought this explanation due both to me
and to yourself. I sincerely regret the occasion for it.
But to whatever blame I may have subjected myself,
I trust you will see in the course taken by me, a

proof of the high value I place on your public, and
of the esteem I feel for your personal character.
Permit me to add that I have been not a little consoled
for the occurrence to which I have been accessory,
by the diffusive expression to which it has
led, of sentiments such as your best friends have
heard with most pleasure.

Accept assurances of my great respect and sincere
regard