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Correspondence of JAMES K. POLK
FROM PETER D. VROOM
Dear Sir,

I have received your favour of the 30th ult. in which you have kindly tendered to me office of Attorney General of the United States. I feel very sensibly the honour you have conferred on me by selecting me to fill so responsible a situation, and one so intimately connected with the Administration of the government. No one should be willing to take an appointment by which he is brought into such close connection with the Executive, who does not feel that he can cheerfully accord with and fully sustain the views and leading policy of the Administration. As to these I have no difficulty. I cordially approve them. They have been wise and patriotic, and greatly advanced the honor and interests of the whole country.

I feel, nevertheless, constrained to decline the office, and from motives entirely disconnected with public or political considerations. My professional engagements are so extended, that I could not abandon them, at this time, without great sacrifice. The duties also, which I owe my family are such as I may not neglect. These are grounds which are imperative in their nature, and upon which it is not needful I should enlarge. Under other circumstances it would have afforded me great pleasure to have accepted the appointment.

I beg that you will receive my acknowledgments for this unexpected mark of confidence, and believe me to be . . . .

P. D. VROOM

A. McCLELLAN

ALS. DLC–JKP. Addressed to Washington City. From Polk’s AE or AEs: received June 7, 1848; “note on June 8th 1848 I tenderd the office to the Hon. Isaac Toucey of Connecticut.”

  1. State identified from postmark and Polk’s AE.