...concerns of the Navy Department would be peculiarly interesting to him ; " but I shrink," he adds, " from the harsh cares and turmoils of public and political...but I speak of myself as I am, not as I ought to be. ... I really believe it would take but a short career of public life at Washington to render me mentally...

...in his cabinet as Secretary of the Navy. Though his alleged reason for declining — that he was " too sensitive to endure the bitter personal hostility,...the press, which beset high station in this country" — was genuine, he did not wholly agree with the policy of Van Buren's administration. The most definite...

...in 1838, the navy portfolio. This he declined on the characteristic ground that he would be unable to endure ''the bitter personal hostility and the...the press which beset high station in this country." Irving lacked no essential of loyalty to his country, he took real interest in government, but "the...

...in 1838, the navy portfolio. This he declined on the characteristic ground that he would be unable to endure "the bitter personal hostility and the slanders...the press which beset high station in this country. ' ' Irving lacked no essential of loyalty to his country, he took real interest in government, but...

...bitter personal hostility, and the slanders and misrepresentations of the press, which beset high 254 station in this country. This argues, I confess, a...am, not as I ought to be. Perhaps, had my ambition led me to a higher career, and aimed at official distinction I might have become enured to the struggle...

...the secretaryship occasioned some delay. On 30 April 1838 Irving explained his reasons to Van Buren: am too sensitive to endure the bitter personal hostility,...the press, which beset high station in this country. ... I really believe it would take but a short carreer [sic] of public life at Washington to render...