Memoirs of John Adams Dix; comp. by his son, Morgan Dix.

1845-1853.] MAzLIGNANT POLITICAL INTlIGUE RESUMED. 273

wrote an earnest protest against it so far as he himself was
involved:
"New York, March 9, 1853.
"MY DEAr SIR,-I have just returned from Philadelphia, and found
your favor of the 5th inst.
"You say you intend to present my name to the President for a foreign mission. I beg you not to do so. After all that has occurred, such
an appointment, if made at all, should be voluntarily tendered. I would
not, under any other circumstances, even take an acceptance under consideration. Excuse my haste, and believe me, sincerely yours,
"JOHN A. DIx.
"Hon. PRESTON KING."
The invitation came, however, freely tendered, and again
by the President: he was offered the mission to France.
Satisfied that the circumstances absolved him from any responsibility save that of mere acceptance or refusal; knowing
that he had not sought it, nor taken any steps, directly or
indirectly, to obtain it; and yet not without much hesitation
and careful consideration, he finally concluded to accede to
the President's desire, and informed him that he was willing
to go abroad.
The time fixed was early in the summer of that year. The
President happened to be, for the moment, in embarrassment
about the Treasury in the city of New York; it was without
a head, and he could not immediately nominate. He therefore requested General Dix, as a matter of personal favor to
himself, to hold the office for a few weeks, until the date of
his sailing for France. This proposition was most distasteful
in every way; still, always unselfish and ready to sacrifice his
convenience to oblige others, he agreed to render the President the temporary service thus demanded of him, and entered on his duties at the Treasury. Meanwhile passage was
taken for Havre, preparations for a four years' residence
abroad were made, and every arrangement was completed
which an anticipated absence from home renders necessary.
But political intrigue was instantly resumed, and again
with complete success. I shall not pursue the details of this
I.-18