[Translation.], January 15, 1868.

[Translation.]

I have had the honor to receive the communication you have been pleased to address to me under this date, informing me that the President has thought proper to appoint me secretary of state of the department of treasury and public credit.

Deeply grateful for this further proof of confidence with which the chief magistrate of the nation has again honored me, I make known to you that I accept the charge that he has confided to me solely from deference to the desires of the President and respect to his sound judgment, but by no means believing that I possess the qualifications necessary to its proper discharge.

Indeed my inclinations and my habits have not permitted me up to the present time to study in a conscientious manner the financial questions of our country, and for this reason I can only carry with me to the difficult ministry to which I am now called the firm determination to administer with purity the public funds, the disposition to avail myself of the lessons of experience in order to establish something that may be considered as a financial system, which we have hitherto lacked, and the intense desire to co-operate with the President in the great and patriotic work of consolidating the peace, order, and institutions of the republic.

I renew to you the assurances of my very distinguished consideration,