Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-01-09

Extract of letter 10 the Editors Of the Dalt Prio''
dated Washington, 3dJan 1879.
Yesterday we had an interesting thouS"
short discussion on the subject OF Roads, oe-
tween Mr. Mercer and Dr.. Floyd, both OF VT-
einia. A bill had been reported Tor the gr, at
road from Washington TO New Orleans; ana
call was then pending for the report OF the en-
gineers on uniting ihr James and henha~a IL
1ers Dr.. FLOYD, with his usual gall, thfe"
out his thread bare insinuations against 'he
Administration for presuming to Tread on
Virginia soil in execution of us plans OF imS
nrovrmcn,, and charging them with under'a>
t;ny the work from electioueering views. Mr.
! Mercer. with his usual felicitous manner, ana
with his almost unrivalled accuracy and extent
1 of knowledge, met his colleague, and put Elm
! down on every point. IN relation to the union
/ of the two rivers, he showed that, 1t there was
/ any blame in the undertaking., il belonged not
! at all 10 the present Administration, bur to
thirty or forty members of Congress. who, un'
der Mr. Monroe's administration, had Fet-
tionedssMr. Nj. 10 have the survey made. AND
as to the road to New Orleans, he Informed his
! colleague that ,he project was child oil Mr.
! Calhoun, while Secretary Of War, also under
Mr.. Monroe's administration Thus both mea.
sures, which Dr. FIoyd's spleen had Gas often
before made themes of abuse of the present
administration, he satisfactorily showed had
their origin before the existence OF the present
administration, and in part with those who are
now his fellow labolers in the pure and virtu-
Gus cause of opposition.
Dr.. Floyd further permitted himself to make
positive and repeated assertions in relation TO
the priority the Virginia and United States
Surveys, which Mr. Mrrcer's superior rnfor-
nation Instantly stamped with their true cha
rscter Of di,erging from fact. The Doctors
amiable feelings led h'm also to arraign the
Heads Of Departments (meanug OF course the
Secretary Of War, espeei aliy) for answering
calls for information by sending to the House
statements made to him by his clerks; once
more forgetting that in this he was again CEN
surfing his very good friend the Vice President.
rhi, practice (which had long existed in the
Treasury Department. vas broughtto admi-
rable perfection by Mr.. Calhoun, when Secte.
tary & was by him technically called organi--
alton. II has many advantages; and If any
disadvantages, Dr.. Floyd may pass them TO
the credit Of Mr.. Calhoun. ltrarely happens,
tina. man so completely whips his friends, as
Dr. Floyd did in these few remarks Such. a
case, however, forcibIy impresses one the
idea, how unfortunate it is that person Of Mr..
MERGERS high aud delicate feelings, should be
compelled TO come INTO collision with one so
strongly the re erse. There is not in the house
nor in the nation man of more pure and cle-
waited character and feelings than Mr. Mercer.
And with the character of the most perfect
gentleman, he uniies talent, zeal, and ASST
duty, and an extent Of information, which are
scarcely TO be- found in another As Speaker,
in any other place than hall so celestial in its
expansr as 10 exceed the strength Of his voice,
he is second 10 none for the mos, finished ease
and elegance in the self eliop Of language, the
lucid and forcible arrangement Of ideas, and
all thu courtesies Of manner and Of feeling
which give the last polish to public speaker.