The third report was made on the 21st of July, and related to the management of the department of weighers and gaugers.
The fourth report, made on the 31st of August, related to the appraiser's office. In acknowledging the receipt of this report on the 12th of September, I stated:
"The recommendations made by you will be fully examined in detail, and be acted upon cotemporaneously with the proposed change in the leading officers of that customhouse."
Two other reports were made, dated October 31 and November 1, 1877, the latter containing suggestions as to the recommendations of legislative amendments to various existing laws and usages.
After the receipt of the report of August 31 the President, who had carefully read the several reports, announced his desire to make a change in the three leading officers of the New York customhouse. He wished to place it upon the ground that he thought the public service would be best promoted by a general change, that new officers would be more likely to make the radical reforms required that those then in the customhouse. The matter was submitted to the cabinet, and I was requested to communicate with these officers, in the hope that they would resign and relive the President from the unpleasant embarrassment of removing them. On the 6th of September I wrote to Richard C. McCormick, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, who was then at his home near New York on account of illness, the following letter. I knew that Mr. McCormick was on friendly terms with Collector Arthur, and that he might better than I inform him of the wish of the President to receive the resignations of himself, and Messrs. Cornell and Sharpe:
"Treasury Department, } "Washington, D. C., September 6, 1877.} "Dear Governor:—After a very full consideration, and a very kindly one, the President, with the cordial assent of his cabinet, came to the conclusion that the public interests demanded a change in the three leading offices in New York, and a public announcement of that character was authorized. I am quite sure that this will, on the whole, be considered to be a wise result. The manner of making the changes and the persons to be appointed will be a subject of careful and full consideration, but it is better to know that it is determined upon and ended. This made it unnecessary to consider the telegrams in regard to Mr. Cornell. It is probable that no special point would have been made upon his holding his position as chairman of the state committee for a limited time, but even that was not the thing, the real question being that, whether he resigned or not, it was better that he and Arthur and Sharpe should all give way to new men, to try definitely a new policy in the conduct of the New York customhouse.
"I have no doubt, unless these gentlemen should make it impossible by their conduct hereafter, that they will be treated with the utmost consideration, and, for one, I have no hesitation in saying that I hope General Arthur will be recognized in a most complimentary way.
"Things are going on quietly here, but we miss you very much. Hope you will have a pleasant time and return to us in fresh health and vigor.
"Very truly yours,
"John Sherman.
"Hon. R. C. McCormick."
On the next day I wrote him a supplementary letter: