IJV GEO. \V. £25)1VJ5.11'. NEW SERIES. Select jAoctnj. Eife aicd Death. BY J. S. HOLBROOKE. Awak* ! awak<*! th# ro/y hill* Are abaiipriled with ro-y lt!:t. The waving forest-, warbling rills, All worship God aright. Where trees like emerald pillars rise, Axhild i- kneeling on the -od, iter fare is looking on the skies, Her heart Las gone to God. Her prayer is aid, she raises now, stfje eek- the clear, familiar bower, Shadowed by many a leafy bough, Perfumed by many a iiovver. With fingers pale the bridal vine Still cla-ps her forest lord, and strays Where warm voluptuous sunbeams slime A thousand different ways ; Or hang: fh" curtain that she waves In fold- before the temple fair; A lovely tapestry ol leaves That stirs with every air. The child approached the lone retreat, With quickened step and eager eye ; She called—Awake 1 oh. sister sweet! Put there was no reply. She (few the leafy veil apart. She looked above, but nothing said ; And entering with a heating heart, She stood before the dead. Alone and with the dead she stood.; The dead, asleep among the flowers, That ye-tej night tier band bad strewed, Marked not the changing hours. She knew not it was morning prime, Shall never know the -ilei.t noon, Snail never heed the twillight time, .Nor chronicle the nioou. A broken lily in her hand. A dumping rose on drooping head ; Even Nature seemed to onderslaitd, Her queeiiltest flower lay dead. The child, with aspect sad and still, Stood gazing at her sister's side, Content, if it bad been God's will, That moment to have died. She fcit like Eve. when Eden's gate Had closed on her forever more; She felt that life was (i**-oiate, That Paiudtse was o'er. No tear- are hers, for tears are vain, The heart and not the robe i- rent ; If God w on gives will take again, 'Tis felly to lament. Then drop the curtain, fold by fold, Over the consecrated bower, And veil from curious eye- and rold, The dead and living tlower. What is Hanjttufss ? BY ROBER T JOHNSON. Hours of bliss ar" now departed, >cenes ill childhood, hope a' I joy, All aie gone, we. broken-hearted, Sigh tor days that b!e--ed the boy ; Tlur' some transient gleams of glory Tloat acros- our manhood's prime, Yet old age soon tell-the story, Happiness is not lor tinie. Here 'mid earth's doln ive pleasure ; Golden streams HI prospect flow, Holding out each w i-hed-for treasure, I.ver gliding as they go. 'Till you think you're at the fountain, U hem e to diavv life's pleasure free ; 'i hen like shadows on the mountain, They will leave no trace tor thee. . YY arror, statesman, man of trade, Tell me plainly it you can, Where tins earth has ever made Perfect happiness for roan. 1- it in the halls ot nations t Is it on the tented held f - . Js it linked with riches, stations 7 Tell ine where it can he found. Pleasure's votary, have von found it in the giddy rounds of life 7 Tin' in Bacchus' cup you'd drown it, Has your conscience ceased its strife? In the gilded hall- Of folly There's a drug to clog the soul, And will leave its melancholy Though you drown it in the bowl. \\ here, then, doe- true jov await us YV here's the refuge we can meet 7 \\ Imn all other- -hall forsake us, We would know some safe retreat; I ell ns. then, since man can tell not, Ye bright -eraphs near the throne, II in all thy rounds some bright -pot Ye have found to us unknown. ihen an angel robed in beauty, "-looped while in hi- heavenward ilight, High invested with the duty. Points poor man to joys more bright.. _ Bic- him take, though oft rejected, I hat which Time and seme outlive : though late and long neglected, Joys which nought but Heaven can give. RiGilT OF COLORED PERSONS TO VOTE. Mr. I). L. Smith, a representative from Al legheny county, read in the Pennsylvania Le gislature, a few days since, the following bill : *'U\ JiCT to confer upon colored persons the of Citi en ship. Sec. 1. That from and after the passage of this act, all colored male persons of African or ibixed extraction, who are now or mav hereaf ter become residents of this Commonwealth, be Peemen, and are hereby entitled to all the ci treligious and political rights, as fully and amply, to all intents and purposes, as the same a ' e enjoyed and held by any person, or persons. Giizetjsof this Commonwealth. Reception v the Con stitotion, tiie Governor proceeded to the deiiv- : ery of Ins inaugural address, as follows : INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF GOV E RS 0 R POL L 0 C K, .U.XT.7RY 1(5, 1855. FEI.LOW-CJTI7.ENS :—Custom, sanctions, and j demands, a brief declaration of tin* principles, and policy, to be adopted and pursued by an j Executive about to assume tin* functions of that-, ofiicc. The character of our institutions demon- ! strates the propriety of such declaration. All j the just poweis of the Government emanate from the peopte, and to them sboujd be com municated the manner in which it is proposed to execute the powers conferred. Tim people are sovereign : and in the exer-j cise of their sovereignty, they have "ordained and established" a Constitution for the govern ment of the State. That Constitution, I have, this day, in the presence of my fellow-citizens, j and of Him who is the searcher of hearts—and j BEDFORD, P.A.'FRIDAY MORNING, JAN. 26, 1855. I with humble reliariceon His wisdom to direct— | sworn to support. The high powers therein | delegated to the respective co-ordinate branches i of the government arecleariv expressed and de fined. Side by side with the grant of powers, ! stands the declaration of the rights of the peo : pie, recognizing the general, great and essen tial principles of liberty ami free government. To guard against the transgression of the povv ] ers delegated : a/id to preserve forever inviolate the rights, liberties, ami privileges ol the citizen, "Ethos declared, will he both a duly and a plea sure, in full harmony with every sentiment of my heart, everv impulse of my nature. Republican institutions are the pride, n,r. justly the glorv of our country. To enjoy them is- our privilege, to maintain them our duty. — Civil and religious liberty freedom of speech, and of to*- press, the tights of conscience, and freedom of worship—ar*- the birthright and the j boast of the American citizen. No roval edict, no pontifical decree can restrain or destroy them. In the enjoyment of these bhs.-ings, the rich and tlie poor, tlie high and the low, meet to gether— the constitution, in its f\dl scope and ample development, shields and protects them a!!. When these rights are assailed, these pn vileges endangered, either by mid ambition, or by influences foreign to the hue interests of the Nation, and at war with love of country that noble impulse of the American heart, which prompts it to revere home and native land as sacred oijects ol its af.'ections—it is then the bal lot box in its-omnipotence, speaking in tlmnder tones tiie will of the people, rebukes the wrong, and vindicates the freedom of the nftin—the in dependence of the citizen. To the American people have these blessings been committed as a sacred trust: thev-are, and must ever be, their guardians and defenders. The American citi zen, indi j endent and free, uninfluenced by j ar tizaii attachments, uhaw ed by ecclesiastical uu thoritv or ghostly intolerance—in the sirengtii i of fearless manhood, and in the bold assertion of j his rights—should exhibit to the world a living illustration of the superior benefits of American Republicanism: proc aiming a true and single allegiance to hi* country, and to no other power but "the God that made and preserves us as a Nation." Virtue, intelligence and truth are the founda tion of our Republic. Bv these our institutions and privileges can, and will be pteserved. Ig norance is not the mother of patriotism, or of Republics. J is the enemy and destroyer of both. Education, in its enlightening, elevating and reforming influences, in the lull power of its beneficent result*, should lie encouraged by tl.ej r:at**yj Not that wre intellect rial cn'fthr** thai leaves the mind a mora! wa>te, unfit to under stand the duties ofthe man or citizen, but that higher education, founded upon, directed and cotitrofed hv sound and, < levated moral princi ple —that recognizes the Bride as she foundation of true knowledge, as the text-hook alike ol the : child and the American Stat, swan, and as the : great charter and bulwark of civil and religious freedom. The know ledge thus acquired is tin* power conservative of States and nations: mure potent in its energy to uphold the institutions j of freedom and the rights n an, than armies and i j navies in tr>*-ir proudest strength. ! The trainers of our constitution understood this, and wisely provided jbr the establishment I of schools and "tiie promotion of the arts and : sciences, in one or more seminaries of learn ing," that tiie advantages ot education might be be enjoyed by ail. To improve tin* efficiency of this system, not onlv hv perfecting our common schools, hut bv j encouraging and aiding "one or more'" higher literary institutions, in which teacbeis can he ; trained and qualified : and to increase tiie fund • appropriated to educational | urj"O's, are objects : which w ill at a!! times rec- ive my willing np i proval. Motley liberally, vet'wisely, expended in the pursuit and promotion of knowledge is ; true economy. The integrity of this system i ami its fund must lie preserved. No division of ! this fund for political or sectarian purposes | should ever he made or attempted. To divide iis to destroy. Party and sectarian jealousies j would be engendered ; the unity and the l;ai tr.onv ofthe system destroyed, and its noble ob jects frustrated and defeated. Bigotry might rejoice, patriotism would weep over such a re ; suit. j In the performance ofthe duties now* devolv | ed upon me, it vv ill he my desire to aid, bv ail : constitutional and legal means, the development j ofthe resources of the State : and to encourage ! and promote her agricultural, mining, manufac turing and commercial interests. A kind Pro vidence has bestow ed upon u, vv ith a lib. nil j hind, all the elements of wealth and greatness. Our valleys and plains offer their f"i!i!e soil to tin* plough-share of the husbandman, and re- I ward with their rich productions his honorable ! toil. Cur inexhaustible coal fields; our rich I iron deposits ; limestone everywhere, and just j i where most required : the interminable fbrest. ; and our rushing streams : all invite the energy ; and enterprise of our citizens to the develop- ; merit of their treasures, and promise a rich re ] ware! to their labors. The smoke ofour furnaces, j the crash of rolling-mills; the hum ofthe spin- j j die* . and tlie din of the workshop, attest the energy and manufacturing skill of our people ; j ] and whilst the plough, the loom, and tlie anvil, | unite in the ptoiluction of Wealth, commerce, hv j her Thousand avenues, is hearing their valuable i and abundant products to our marts of trade.— Amidst all these great interests, and their ra- ' ] pid and almost romantic development, it is a ; matter nf congratulation that agriculture, in its | various departments, has awakened public at- i j tent ion to its importance, and claimed and re- j ceived from science the tribute of its aid. Penn sylvania, so deeply interested in the success of j her agricultural industry, cannot be indifferent ; to the laudable efforts now making to perfect and advance this first, and noblest, pursuit of man. This, and all other branches of industry, should receive the fostering care and encourage- j I merit ofthe Government. j The interests ofour great commercial empori- 1 Freedom of Thought and Opinion. jura should receive the considerate attention ofj the Legislature. Her manufactures, trade and 1 j commerce, are of great and inci easing impor- ; tance, and Philadelphia, as consolidated, in pop- j illation, wealth, enterprise and intelligence, ; ranks and livals the first cities of the Union. To i make her the first among the cities of otir coun try, should he the pride of every Pennsylvanian. Her interests are so identified with the interests of the State, that they cannot he seperated with- ] out injury to both. A prudent and liberal sys tem of 1. gislat ion, appropriate to her real wants, ! would promote her own and the interests of tin* j Common wealth. A sound currency is essential to the prosperi- J tv of a commercial people. All classes ol s>- ciety, and every branch of industry, in their I varied interests and economical relations, are in terested in securing and maintaining a safe cir i . • cuiating medium. To accomplish tins result,, wise nne institutions, has become the settled policy of the State.— The checks and guards thrown around them j should not he lessened or removed. Their own sal* ty, and the security of the public, require Their continuance. Notice of numerous intended applications to the Legislature for new hanks, an increase of banking capital and savings institutions, has j been given as required by the constitution.— Without desiring to assume a hostile attitude towards all hanks, the propriety of incorpora ting all that mav be called lor, under the notice given, cannot he justified or defended. The extravagant, improper or unreasonable increase ofbanks and banking capital, is not demanded by the wants of tin* community, and wifT not, and cannot be sanctioned by the Executive. The j present commercial and financial embarrassment i ofthe country: tiie riepressi d state of trade : past ■ expeirertce. and tin* more recent exj**.tience ol j i our sister States, as seen in their ruined banks i ; and depreciated currency, demonstrate the ne cessity of legislating cautiously and prudently j oil tins subject. The number of banks, and consequently the amount of banking capita! should be limited to, j and regulated bv, the proper demands of active j , and healthy trade, and the actual business wants j land necessities q!' < This policy, j Mionestfy insisted upirari(l pursued, would pro tect the country from the disastrous consequen ces of improvident banking. An extraordinary nod unnecessary increase of banks and banking facilities, irr seasons of great general prosperity, leads to extravagant and ruinous speculation.— Such increase in times ot commercial distress, aggravates and prolongs the evils it was design ed to remedy. Entertaining these views] will not hesitate to sanction the re-cl:arlering of old and solvent banks, which hv prudent and care ful management, and an homst adherence to ' the h •ritimat.* purp i their creation, have merited and received the confidence of the pub lic. Nor will I refuse to sanction the incorpo ration of new banks, when indispensably necer sarr and cb arly demanded by the actual busi ness wants arid interests of the community iti which they may be located. To no other, and under no other circumstances, can 1 yield tiie i Executive consent. "f To promote the welfare and prosperity of the Commonwealth, hv regulating and increasing h-r finances, economizing her re>■ mew, main taining Iter credit, reducing h*r debt, and re lieving lor people from oppressive taxation, will fie the objects of mv anxious desire ; and to the accomplishment ot which every energy ot i mv administration will he directed. I tie pub lic debt, now exceeding forty millions of dol lars, and the annua! taxation necessatv to meet the payment of its interest, seriously affect the great industrial interests of the State; drive la bor and capital from the commonwealth : pre- ; vent the extension and completion of her noble system ol edurat ion, and the prosecution of those 1 laudable schemes of benevolence, which at once benefit, dignifv and adorn a tree and enlighten ed people. 1 * Every consideration of Stale pride, every motive of interest, require ds reduction and speedv liquidation, bv every available and practicable means. To secure this object, rig id economy in cverVTlepartm.ent ot the gov-j eminent : retrenchment in the public expendi tures: strict accountability in all the receiving ; and disbursing officers of the Commonwealth; ; and an honest and faithful discharge of duty by j all her agents, would contribute ninth, and al- ] < so save millions to the Treasury. > Created by the State, in the prosecution and : management of her system of internal improve- : meats—a system characterized by "prodigality, I extravagance ami corrupt political favoritism' ; —tlie sale of these improvements, or at least of ; the 'main iine,'as a means of reducing this debt, . lessening taxation, and saving our financial!] credit, has for many years occupied the atlen- j l tion ofthe people, and their representatives.— ; i Bills for the sale ofthe main line have been,; passed bv three different Legislatures, two of i which were approved by the Governors then in ; J ! office. The people, on the question being sub- | ! mil ted to them in LS+4-, decided, by a large; I ' majority, in favor of the sale ; and yet these ] t works, from the defective character oi the laws ! authorizing the sale, the restrictions contained | *in ihem, and from other causes, remain unsold, i | Public sentiment, found on economical, moral ] t and political considerations, still demands, and ; ] tiie public welfare still requires, their sale. ( The consideration to be paid, the mode, terms ( and conditions of the sale, ought to be carefully t considered. Just and liberal inducements I should l>e offered to purchasers, whilst at the i same time the people should be protected against t * wrong and imposition. By avoiding the errors ' !of former legislation, a safe on terms favorable I | to the State, and beneficial to the purchaser, may lie secured. it is vain to hope for a reduction of the debt, and relief fiom taxation, without a sale of the whole, or part, of our public improvements.— Incumbered with debts, and taxed to support a system, the management of which has been marked bv extravagance, expenditure, fraudu lent speculation, and a reckless disregard of pub lic interests, the people demand relief and re lease from these burdens. The press and the ; ballot box have decfated the popular will on this subject, and that will should he obeyed.— Duty and a conviction of its propriety, will prompt me to give a cordial support, to the ac complishment of this object. In this connection, and whether a sale ofall or any of the public improvements be effected or not, the abolition or reorganization of the Board of Canal Commissioners, and the substi tution of sotre other efficient an I responsible system of management, are suljects worthy of consideration. Every measure of reform in this regard, calculated to increase the efficiency and responsibility of the supervisory power : protect tlie interests of the State ; and correct the real or alleged abuses of the present system, will receive my approval. The people having in the recent election de cided against the passage of the law prohibit ing the manufacture and sale of spirituous li quors, it w ill bec*ime the duty of the Legisla ture and Executive to consider what other leg islation may be necessary to control and cor rect the evils of intemperance. Cur present li cense system, although highly penal, and cor rective of many abuses, is Still defective. The facility with which licenses are obtained for the sale of malt and other liquors, is an **v j| that de mands reform. The number of places in which these are sotd, should he limited by law; and no license gr(tnt"d unless by the courts, and in the manner now required in the case of public inns and taverns : and subject to the sime reg ulations, restrictions and penalties. The desecration ofthe Sabbath by a traffic so fruitful of evil, and so demoralizing in its Je suits, is in direct opposition to the law of God, and the moral sentiment of the people: and is a reproach to tlie age in which we live. A stringent and comprehensive law, remedial in its provisions, and vindicating tlie great law of the Sabbath, in its physical and moral relations to u an, is required, not only by the moral sense <>f community, hut would be justified by every sentiment ot humanity, every consideration ot philanthropy, every impulse of pure and gen uine patriotism. The history of intemperance is written in tears and blood. Pauperism, tax ation and crime follow in its train. A remedy ] should be applied ; and public sentiment, with the full force olds moral sanction, will approve ail prudent and constitutional legislation on this subject. The pardoning power /—the harmonious blend ing of mercy and justice in our Constitution w ill be exercised with a just regard to both these important principles. With every desire to extend mercv to the unfortunate and repen tant transgressor, justice, in her stern demands, will not be overlooked by tlie pardon of the vicious and hardened criminal. This power has been conferred on the Executive, not to overthrow the administration of justice, hut to aid and promote it. It should be exercised with great caution, and onlv upon tlie most sat isfactory assurance that it is due to the con demned, and that the rights and security of the public will not be prejudiced by the act. To prevent the abuse of this power, and fo protect tiie Executive from imposition, notice of the in tended application should be published in ttie city or county where the trial and conviction took place. Experience has demonstrated the impolicy of subscriptions hv municipal corporations, to the stock of railroad companies. This is especially true m relation to county subscriptions. The practice should be avoided, or at least not en couraged bv future legislation. Legislation, so fin* as practicable, should be genera! and uniform. Local and special legis lation ought to be discouraged, when the object can be obtained bv general laws. Its tendency is pernicious: and general principles, and pub lic good, are often sacrificed to secure personal and private benefits. "Omnibus legislation" being improper in itself, and demoralizing in its influence, can not receive my sanction. The views and practice ofjnv immediate predeces sor on this subject, meet*rny cordial approval. Pennsylvania, occupying as slra does an im portant and pioud position in the sister-hood ot States, can not be indifferent to the policy and acts of the National Government. Her voice, potential for good in other days, ought not to he disregarded now. Devoted to the Constitution and tlie Union—as she was the first to sanction, slu* will he tlie last to endanger the one, or vio late thp other. Regarding with jealous care the rights of her sister States, she will be ever ready to defend her own. The blood of her sons poured out on the many battle-fields of the Revolution, attests her devotion to the great principles of American 4 freedom—the centre truth of American republicanism. To the Con stitution in all its integrity ; to the Union in its strength and harmony : to the maintenance in its purity, of the faith and honor ofour country, Pennsylvania now is, and always has been pledged—a pledge never violated, and not to lie violated, until patriotism ceases to be a vir tue, and liberty to he known only as a name. Entertaining these sentiments, and actuated by an exclusive desire to promote the peace, harmony and welfare ofour beloved country, Ihe recent action of the National Congu ss and Executive, in repealing a solemn compromise, only less sacred in public estimation than the Constitution itself—thus attempting to extend the institution of domestic Slavery in the terri torial domain ofthe Nation, violating the plight ed faith and honor of the country, arousing sec tional jealousies, and renewing the agitation of vexed and distracting questions—has received from tlie people ofour own and oilier States of TSERAI*, §2 PER YEAR. VOL XXflf, NO. 24. the Union, their stern and merited rebuke. With no desire to restrain the hill and entire constitutional rights of the States, nor to inter fere directly or indirectly with their domestic institutions, the people of Pennsylvania, in view ot the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, the principle involved in it, and the consequen ces resulting from it, as marked already by fraud, violence, and strife : have re-affirmed their opposition to the extension of slavery into , territory now free, and renewed their pledge "to the doctrines of the act of 1780, which re lieved us by constitutional means horn a griev ous social evil: to the great ordinance of 1787, in its full scope and all its beneficent principles; to the protection ol the personal iights of every human being under the Constitution of Penn sylvania, and the Constitution of the United States, by maintaining inviolate the tnal by jury, and the writ of habeas corpus : to the as sertion of the due rights of the .North, as well as of the South, and to tire • integrity of the Union." The declaration of these doctrines, is but the recognition of the fundamental principles of freedom and human rights. They are neither new nor startling. Thev were taught by patri otic fathers at the watch-fires of our country's defenders; and learned amid the bloody snows of Valley Forge, and the mighty throes of war and revolution. They were stamped with in delible impress upon the great charter of our right, arid embodied in the legislation of the best and puri st days of the Republic : have fill ed the hearts, and fell burning fiom the lips of i orators and Statesmen, whose ntemosies are im mortal as the principles they cherished. They have been the watch-word and the hope of mil lions, who have gone before us, are the natch word and the hope of millions now, and will be of millions vet unborn. In many questions of National and truly American policy—the due protection < I Amer ican labor and. industry, against the depressing influence of foreign labor and capital", the in>- provement of our harbors and rivers: the Na tional defences ; the equitable distribution of the proceeds ofthe public lands among the Slates, in aid ot education and to relieve from debt and taxation : a judicious "homestead hill reform in the naturalization laws: and the protection of our country against the inui igration and im portation of foreign paupers and convicts—in all these, we, as a State and people, rue deeply interested : and to their adoption and promotion every encouragement should be given. To the people of my native State, who have called me to preside over her destinies, ] re turq the tribute -of my warmest gratitude for the honor conferred ; and my pledge to them this day, that "I will try" to realize their ex pectations, and not betray their confidence, in assuming the responsibilities of this high office, I would be false to myself and to the feelings that now oppress me, should I hesitate to affirm my unaffected distrust in my ability to dis charge its appropriate duties in a manner com mensurate with their importance. If I cannot secure, 1 will labor to deserve the confidence and approbation of my fellow citizens. ]do not expect, I date not hope, to escape censure. Deserved Censure I w ill try to avoid, all other to disregard. Conscious of the rectitude of my intention- : with no ambitious desires to grati fy : no resentments to cherish : no wish, but for tiie public good ; ii will be nty endeavor to per form every duty faithfully and fearlessly, ami having c n* this, will abide the judgment of a generous people: assured that if they condemn the act, they will at least award to me tile meed of good intention. With the constitution for my guide; "equal and exact justice to a!!'* nay desire: the great est good ofthe greatest number mv object—and invoking the aid and blessing of the Cod of our fathers, and desiring to rule in his fear—my outv, and highest ambition, will be to promote the true interests of the State, maintain our civ il and religions privileges, defend the honor, and advance the prosperity and happiness ot our Country. JAMES POLLOCK. ROUSTING OF A MOLNTAN. —We learn from a gentleman in Scott county, that a mountain, about five miles from Waldron, has exploded three times dui ing the last week. The explo sions were very loud and terrific, causing the earth around to quake, throwing up stones and earth, and filling the atmosphere with clouds of dust and smoke. The repor tof one of the ex plosions was heard in the vicinity of this town a few mornings since, a distance of forty-five or fifty miles. The earth on the mountain has sunk to a considerable depth. The people in tiie vicinity are very much alarmed.— These are the facts as far as we are able to learn : but we hear more fully and particularly in a lew days. What does it mean ? Are we to have a volcano in our State, belching forth fire and smoke, and hurling red-hot stones into the at mosphere, and filling the valleys around with melted lava?— Fort Sntii.h lhuld. Dec. lb. DAMAGICS AGAINST A RAILROAD. —Horace Colt, of Massachusets, has recovered §B,OOO damages from the Southern Ruiliead Company for alleged personal injuries, it appears he was standing up in the cars at the time of a col lision, and received a slight shock or jeik, as one would be liable to in such a case while standing. From this shock, it is said, spinal affection has resulted, which has doomed Mr. Colt to the life of a helpless cripple. He sued lor -$'20,000 damages. MR. BUCHANAN. —The Lancaster (Pa.) 1 ntelliuen cer says that from letters receiver! by friends of -Mr. Buchanan. >n that city, it >eems he intends to re turn home in the month of October next—and not in the spring, as stated by some of the papers. He will then have remained abroad more than two years, the period he expected to be absent when he left. Mr. Sickles, his secretary, who returned home in the Atlantic, tendered his resignation before leav ing London.