Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-05-28
paiNct.EowARD CorsfF,
May p, 1872.

- May p, 1872.
/ SlR-By inserting the follow
mS IN your Paper, you viii oblige a tRIENI
TIE sbominable ill-discharge OF duty ofsomc
who have been honored and enriched with
places and salaries in our post office establish
mcnt, particularly in Virginia, has Justly ex-
cited the odium aud reproach of the real and
virtuous friends of this useful institution and
loudly calls for the adoption OF such measures
as viii speedily remove the evil.
The neglect OF Post-MAs,ers 10 forward any
letters or Packages by Mail, designed thus TO
be conveyed to any other Office within the linn
IT'S OF the United States--the interrogation, de-
tenton, or obstruction of any such Letters,
Packages or Papers or the enclosing them in
Mails carried ~ routs directly opposite TO those
IN which they were designed TO be conveyed
are alone direct violations of the rights of o.
thers and the sacred laws ofjustice Il is true
some Irregularities may innocently exist in the
management of Papers deposited in s,-Ofii-
ces, particularly in our large towns, between
which and every other section of the Union
communication obtains through the medium of
the Mail. The expedition with which these
Mails are to be made up, so that they may be
thence conveyed, at fixed hours of the day,
may from the great pressure of business, be
productive of some disorders, sufficiently great
10 prevent some communications from reach
ing their places OF destination But the towns
Of this State have not yet become so extensive,
as TO afford an excuse for many errors ofthis
kind. The facility of apologiLing for the me-
glect of duty gradually diminishes, as the re
queney and greatness Of these disorders in-
crease.--When the thirst for offices of honor
and profit exceed the motives of Justice in
their requirement and a disposition To dis
charge their duties with fidelity and honesty,
little advantage, can be expected, will result
to those whose interests they were particular
ly intended to promote But as the interest
OF the Public is so frequently sacrificed to the
pride and caprice of individuals, a custom long
tolerated, so individuals now, who uniustly
live and fatten upon the industry and substance
81 others, may find some excuse for their course
OF conduct, by declaring that they strictly fol-
low the example Of their predecessors. But
are men TO err wilfully and cternally, because
they have an example and that founded upon
no priaciple of right Ought virtue, honor or
justice ever to yield to the power Of interest
Are the wise and enlightened inhabitants of
this country, designed by God and Nature for
the peaceful abode of the happiest of mortals
to tolerate course OF conduct whereby the
rights and interests ofthc Community may be
in the least impairedl Are our treemen, the
sovereigns of this country, TO look silently on,
wnen anV ofncer under their authority, wlltuuy
neglects, or partially performs his duty Mo-
Il becomes those in whom this sacred trust of
power resides, to scourge with naked arm The
delinquent wherever he may be found
1t IS believed here that our failure in getting
our papers, &c. by the Mail, particularly from
the northward, is owing to mismanagement al
the Office in -. How far this Is the case
am unable to say, but think from the repre-
sensations that have been made to me and Other
circumstances that there may be Just cause of
complaint. And while the injurious effects
resulting only from similar causes are to be
deplored, so in a more eminent degree is the
mischIevous conduct of many after having
| learned and long practised the more shining
| virtues that adorn human Titturc,--Iye feel in
common with others repugnance at unjust
eensure and injury, and were all impressed with
like sensiblity, reproachful language would
be found amply sufficient TO check the icenii-
\ GUS and impress them with such a sense OF JUS
| tee, that the viii no longer persist in their
l erroneous course.--It is to be wished that no
cause of like complaint may exist hereafter, and
| that severe measures may not be required TO
cause the rights of the Public to be respected,
so far as they are dependant on the duty of
| Post-Masters.
| We have taken the liberty to strike out the
name of the piace-there being no satisfactory
4 eVtda cofti