ALS. Says that he has received a letter requesting his resignation but wonders why he is so being asked. Says that he always thought his conduct was satisfactory and had so been informed by former congressman J. M. Thornburgh. States that no one can accuse him of corruption or neglect. Says that he has conducted his official duty without fear or favor... Claims to know of no reason why he should be discharged. States that he has not resigned and has come to Washington to find out why he is being asked to do so. Says that he has heard from rumor that he is being asked to quit because W. T. Clark has reported that I indulged in excessive drinking. If so, the truth is that from October 1877 to the last of January 1879 not one drop of spirituous or malt liquor, wine or cider passed my lips. And he was unaware that being abstentious was a job requirement and in any case Clark himself is a periodical drunkard, liar and a scoundrel...He has rolled his countenance in his own vomit, until it looked like a half done beefsteak smothered in scrambled eggs. Also, he says that limiting the time period of abstention to up to January 1879, he did not mean to imply that subsequent to that time he has drunk to excess. I have never taken anything of the sort except at rare intervals and then so lightly as not to warrant the charge made against me. Asks that the matter be investigated.