[2] On May 18, 1838, however, Lawrence wrote Hennen a letter firing him: "In taking this step," Lawrence wrote, "I desire to be understood as neither prompted by any unfriendly disposition towards you personally, nor wishing to cast the slightest shade of censure on your official conduct.
[2] On the contrary, ... a sense of justice to you demands that I should do what lies in my power to repel any unfavourable inference that might be drawn from your dismissal ...
In appointing [John] Winthrop to succeed you, I have been purely actuated by a sense of duty and feelings of kindness towards one whom I have long known, and between whom and myself the closest friendship has always subsisted.
[2] Hennen then petitioned the United States House of Representatives, requesting an investigation of Lawrence.
[2] A special committee of the House recommended on February 11, 1839, that Lawrence be impeached for his actions concerning the Clerk of Court.