Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-02-19
DEPOSITIONS


VI DEPOSITIONS
From among those accompanying the Report OF
the Committee Of Investigation on the appeal
OF the VICE PRESIDENT to the House OF Re
presenta;i,es.
Deposition of Mr.. Barbour.
I. Colonel Gratiot, the Superintendent oil the pub
lie works a, Old Point Comfort, invited proposals
for,sundry articles wanted in the construction Of
those works. Among Others, $4,000 perches
OF stone were submitted To the loves, bidder.
Elijah Mix was the lowest bidder; Howes Colds
borough the next. Colonel Gra:iot, according
TO ms limited powers, was obliged 10 recognise
Mix as the person entitled to the contract, sub
iect, however, to the final sanction OF the Sec
rotary Of War. Goldsborough presented him
sell at the Department, about the 22d Decem-
Der, for the day is not particularly recollected)
TO insist on his being entitled to the contract:
frs, On the ground Of the great superiority of
hi, stone, and their particular fitness Tor the
works, and, secondly, on the VIGOROUSLY bad
character Of Mix, which, he urged, rendered
him unworthy of the countenancr OF The Go
yerlment Asno offe ial information had oeeD
received from Colonel Gratiot, no step could
then oe taken. | stated 10 Mr.. Goidsboroush,
that the rejection Of the lowest bidder involved
a delicate responsibility, both 70 the publc and
the individual rejected; that | had, in lew
sirang cases, rejected the lowest bidder, on the
ground of his unworthy character; and that
shoald Investigate malurely the objections he
had urged, and, if found Sufficient reasons,
woulI do it in Mix's case.
The Monday or TUESDAY thereafter, SateIlee
Clark called upon me, at my dwelling. lie
stated that he had heard that Mix was seeking
to obtain arother contract from the Govern
mrnt, and that he was satisfied, after the peru
sal Of letter from Mix 10 him, would be OF
an opinion, that he was not entitled To sue al
tenlion from the Government, and, thereupon,
he took from his pocket the letter OF Mix, and
com nenced reading so soon as he had reach
ed the part duplicating the integrity OF Mr..
Calhoun, interrupted him, by saying, that IL
must be foul calumny; Clark replied that he
50 considered il, and that, under that impress
sion, he had brought the letter tor the purpose
Of convincing me Of tie baseness Of MIX; and,
he added, if you give him countenance, you
will be just as liable to the same imputation.
He stated, rha, l might either at once return
him the letter, or, if preferred 10 keep 1t, tor
the purpose of being more fully satisfied, that
he would call upon me, at the office, for II AS
vas Just setting out to the office, and expect
Ell TO meet the rlyal parties Tor the contract,
retained it On arriving at the office, alto: pc
rusing the Report, made some years since, oil
the House Of Representatives, and the accom-
pauy ing documents, on the Rip Rap contract,
among which found evidence OF Mix's having
been indicted for forgery, and his flying from
the prosecution, called in Gen Macomb, to
INQUIRE If Col Gratiot had We, been heard from;
being answered in the negative, told him OF
this letter, and that was so well convinced Of
Its being an unfounded calumGy, that he would
consider Mix's offer as not to be regarded, and,
Of consequence, to accept Goldsboroushs and
tina, ne might state, that my decision was found
ed on Mix's bad character, 10 Colonel Gratiot,
and the parties concerned. The papers from
Colonel Gratiot were not received till Thurs
day.
heard, on Wedne sday morning, from Major
Nourse, that one or more copies OF Mix's let
ter were in circulation, and think he added,
tina, he had seen it, and had heard thar the
original had been shown to me. explained
to him 10 what END it had been presented TO
me. About o'clock, on That day, the Board
of Commissioners on the Navy Hospital Fund,
composed of Mr. Rush, Mr.. Southland, and N.Y.
self, being in session, in my office, note was
sent me from Major Nourse, submitting the
prooriety Of sending Mix's letter to Mr. Cal.
houn. The idea Of taking such step had no,
occurred to me. Considering it an unIoundcd ca
lumny, and the source from which it came as
unworthy of notice, and the sentence which
myself had passed on the author, these consid-
era,ion., when was called to decide the
question submitted, brought my mind at once
70 the conclusion, that it would be indelicate 10
Mr. Calhoun, as it might imply that thought
some explanation necessary. But, lest my views
might be incorrect, took counsel OF Mr.
Rush and Mr. Southland, both OF whom prompt
" expressed coincidence Of opinion with me;
and it was agreed by all, that, as Clark had not
applied for the letter, it ought to De returned to
him. Accordingly, the next morning, the hrs'
thing did, was to enclose II and send II TO
Clark, through the Post, Office, before leaving
nv own house. To the Committee, and 10 all
who know me, 1t is unnecessary TO state, that
the copy or copies Of this letter, alluded to a.
bove, had been taken before the letter was put
in nv possession, and that none were permit
ted oy me, and the fact is adyerted 10 only to
protect me from the differences Of the malig
nant.
After my reaching my Office on Thursday,
Zen Floyd called to saw 10 me that he in com.