Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-01-11
IHE VICE PRESIDENT " IBG u. D.
From the Alexandra pneuix Gsz tie.

From the AlexahGris Pneuix GaL tie.
Most of our readers, we presume,
have either heard or read of the cee.
brated Elijah Mix, whose name has
been so often associated with Castle
Calhoun aud the Rip Raps. This dis
tinguIshed parsonage has again made
his appearance in the political world,
much to the annoyance, however, of
those who contributed, and were still en-
deavouring to contribute, to his for
tune and consequence. lie has kicked
up a dust in Washington, from which
the whole tribe of his late associates are
flying in every direction, denouncing
him with an intensity of bitterness, e
1ualled only oy that of their previous
friendship. ltappears that the War De-
psrtmeat was yesterday about to close
contract for further supply of stone
necessary to the completion Of the forti-
fcations at Old Point Comfort, and that
this same Ethan Nix had made the low
est proposals, but just when he and
some of his particular friends in the De
partment thought that every thing was
as snug as heart could wish gentleman
opportunity arrived from New York,
and as the Roanoke Senator would say,
blew them sky high, sir! sky high,
The Gentleman alluded to is the au-
fhor Of several articles, signed Han-
cock, (Which appeared in the New York
papers, scrutinizing the official account
of Mr., Calhoun, while Secretary OF
War-To this gentleman Elijah Mix
addressed a letter, under date Of the Ist
November, 1875, charging Mr. Calhoun
and Mr.. Vandevester, of the War De,
partment, with direct participation in
the notorious Rip Rap contract. and
stating that he had the receipt of the lat
Ter gentleman for SIS SEQ, portion of
which was declared, by him, to be for
MIR. Calhoun's use. The letter was
marked "confidenial," but Hancock, got
choosing to con.ider il SO, eommuniea-
ted IT Yesterday to The Secretary Of War,
whe im'asdiately rejected Mix's propo-
sails, deeming him unwortny to be par
ty ia a contract, and thinking, probably,
that such man might have the hard.
hood hereafter, to make Ala attempt upon
Ais reputation.
We have procured copy Of the let
ter; which will be fouul Glow verbatim
ct htsratis What course viii be pur-
sued in regard to it; we cannot saw.
But it is rumored that a call will be
made for it by the Senate to day. For
ourselves, we acauit Mr.. Calhoun of "a
NY participation in the profits OF con
tracts made by him. but we are rot dis.
posed to acquit him of conaipance, nor
can we disbelieye the charge in relation
to Mr.. VandeVenter, who IS the brother
in law of Mix. until be shall have vnd-
Gated his Character and punished Mix
TOR so unprlncipled an outrage.
GEoRGgrowN, November /. 1925.
TO THE AU rd0R OF HANCOCK.
Ii any information is wanted on the
subject of Mr. Caikoun's infidelity,
have 1t IN my power, think to furnish
you matter sufficient to awaken any
unbiased mind, that he was concerned
in the Rip Rap contract, either directly
or indirectly, ands have written letters
of Nsndeyenter's which cost positively
mention, that he GCalhoun1 was enga-
ged, and received some portion of the
Contract. knew that Fandeventer was
making traffic of il, and represented
to him calhoun the injustice of com-
polling me TO pay the amount of the adj
vance which Vsndeventer had received.
lie told me his decision was final, and
that there was no appeal ALTHOUGH he
must have knnwn the injustice of the
decision, and | gave him, at the same
time, a!receipt winch had received from
sandevehter, which ne [Calhounl refu-
sed to reeeive-Let me hear from YOU
as early as possible, and state what way
shall direct you. Your obedient.
~, r. MIX.
NIB On the subject of General Swift
3on are mIsinformed; and can out YOU
Ia the way to know another person
whom you have not suspected.
The following note from MIR. Mix an.
fesred m the inteligencer of Friday
morning:
TO THE EDITORS:
haVins seen publication in the Alex.
andrla eazei'e OF this date, purpo,ting
20 be copy of a letter addressed he
me to some person in New York. tal,e
the earliest opportunity publicly 10
pronounce that publication NOT ~ ba :
11e copy q 10y letter psnned by me,