I hereby resign the office of Secretary of the Navy, to which, by & with the advice and consent of the Senate, you did me the honor to appoint me.

Under the circumstances stated in the letter of the Hon. Mr. Buchanan, resigning the office of Secy of State, of this date,1 I respectfully ask that this act of resignation may be accepted to take effect on and after the 7h day of the present month.

In thus dissolving the official connection which has existed between us, I avail myself of this occasion to express to you my grateful appreciation of your kindness and confidence, during your eventful administration, and my ardent wishes for your health and happiness.