Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-07-21
AICHyHO.n.n, TUESDAY .MOR.yIv'G, JULY2l.
POST 0FFICE DEpARTMENT.

pecu tutueu OUT LOT the sake OF MS opinions
The Norfolk Herald seems to con,rovert our position
and refers the ofhc Masters Of Utica an,
Elisabeth Tocn, Che last OF whom is said 10 hav,
been Revolutionary Ofiiccr.)-Thc terms in which
the N. Herald makes this appeal 10 us, so mani,
and liberal call forth all the explanations which
we have been able to Obtain 10 the removals in qucs
ton well to the general principle which is said Il
regulate the course OF the Department.
We have reasons 10 believe, from all that we car
hear. that the changes Of Pomas,es, which refer
rble political causes, may he classed follows:
LIST. Where the Post Office has been, abused for
electone erng purposes te Post Master has indug
ed in such violent and rancorous party spirit justly
to impair the confidence OF the Government or OF the
public In his impartiaity.-2l Where the p MS ap-
poinment has been made by the late Administrations
political purposes and where stronger
menations have been set asde and the voice Of the
people disregarded The ordinary cases OF removals
are, OF course for mal-feasancc in office specific
charges Of crimes offences, (Which usually uoti-
fed 10 the p. NJ or for notorious incompetency
II is said, that no removals have ben made by the
present Pos. Master General, but for the preceding
causes set forth on well authenticated testimony.
The Postmaster Of Utica.
The removal Of the p NJ. at Utica, N. V. il, said
10 have come fully within the I'd division of case. Mr.
James Plat, was appointed BY Mr. Adams in January
1928 He was recommended by 6 federal members Of
Congress- and respectable subscription of the high
toned party of Utica. Augustine g Dandy was re-
commended, al the same time, by 10 republican mem
hers Of Congress from N. York. BY the publican mem
bers the State Legislature (49 having hastily transmit
ted their memoria) by nearly all the higher
rice Of the State Government; and respectable sub
scrpt;on by the republican citizens OF Utica. All these
claims TO the attention OF Administration calling
Republican, postponed and superseded to CRAFTY
federal advocate Of that Administration in the H. Of
Representatives. II was 10 redress this wrong, that
Mr.. Plat has been made TO give place to Mr. Dan6y
The answer OF the Post Master General 80 tho
Committee Of Mr. Platts friends, which the Norfolk
Herald refers, obviously, "a tits expressly conn
ed to the moral character and personal Standing
of Mr. Plat, which had not been made the subject of
investigation And understand il to be contrary to
rule of the Department, TO make the which
have influenced is act the subject of correspondence
with the interested-when no right either public pri-
vate, has been infringed But other requiring
this change, well understood at Utica The Post
Office was 10 Mr. Plat secondary object of attention
object Of revenue merely: His transporting bu-
siness and large warehouse concern constituted the
primary object Of his attention.
The importance Of that Office entities IL TO the en-
tire personal attention and responsibility Of the ndividu
al 10 whom IL is entrusted by the Government Mr.
Dandy il is true, has heretofore been the Editor Of
Journal but il is sad that he will he required devote
his undivided attention TO The Post Office And that
IN all the in which the Editors of political Journals
have been appointed to Post Offices which are Of suf-
fcient Importance to require it, il viii be exacted of
them 10 disconnect the mseves from their publications
Case of the Post Master at Elizabeth To,on, ~. j
The of the Post Master at Elizabeth To,cn, is
said to be of the ordinary class OF notorious iuco
peency and consequent iooseness and negligence in
The conduct of the Office which demanded correction by
the government
ted by two Members of Congress, (essrs Per-on and
Condct,) from that State, 10 the Post Office
signed by the Mayor Aldermen and Common Coun.
pontment Of Col. Barber, (since decessed) The ap
plica,ion was then placed on the event OF vacancy
stating, however, that Mr. Koilock Che =. NJ was
about 10 resign and retire 10 his children in North Co.
rona One Of the Members political friend too, with
in this year, renewed application for another candi-
date stating that he had the kindest feelings for the
present incumbent, but he knew him TO be
ed and believed his family sincerely wished him to
resign the ofliceand would provide honorabv for his
support His deafness and inability were stated in ano
Their communication and, in another, that he had be
come imbecile and VIGOROUSLY incompetent; and refer
made to repeated instances in proof OF this
statement, such as letters lying days IL not weeks
without being mailedond OF persons calling
for letters that actually in the Office and over
looked or queruously denied Finally. it stated
from source which is reported 10 be entitled to the
confidence Of the Post sster General that Mr. Kol.
lock hid told the writer, tina, he would not give IN the
Office, unless he sold his house with -hen he would
secure the p o. to the purchaser:and further that hs
was offered $500 to give il transfer and secure
20 another personaud that he said 10 another he had
better buy his place, and he would secure the p for
him: And when a newspaper was transmitted con-
tanning advertisement by Mr. Kollock for the sale
OF his house cat vendue"-"possession to he given in
fortnight, IL required" the p. o. being in the same
house, the appointment was immediately ordered
Mr.. Shepard Kollock was not appointed to The p 0
by Mr. Jefferson, as stated but by the p NJ General
in Mr. Mcnroe's administration.
Ii has been misfortune TO differ on certain cues
lions with the Editor OF the Norfolk Herald; and per-
haps cannot congratulate ourselves with being able
20 satisfy his scruples upon The present occasion But
the preceding explanations with the truth Of which we
perfectly satisfied leave NOT doubt upon our minds
upon the accuracy oil our original proposition. do
most soemny believe that MIR Barry not persecuior
.hatbe has not turned ont the aforesaid p. Masters for
opinions sake, and satisfied with the correct
ol the motives which have actuaied hs conduct in
both cases. We have doubt, that the facts as here
stated, correc but suppose they should in any
pecturn out 20 he othorwise the p NJ. General, like
all other public officers Is liable 10 involuntary mistake
and designed deception there no evidences
of either in the present ses-That no y. Master.
therefore, has been removed tor opinions sake.
has been boldly said or insidousy nsinuated have
TO manner OF doubt; nor have any doubt, that Mr.
arryis prepared 10 prove il in case whenever
ne may be properly called on for that purpose.
Qainfessenee of lfodesfvi-lt was repored that the
Administration bad been in communication with the
British Minister upon the subject of opening y neeocia-
lion with the English Government respecting the Tariff
An authorised contradiction has appeared Washing
stating that " there is foundation whatever for
such an assertion. But the Sal Int. not satisfied ih
this xplct contradict ton, has the stperlatipe modes
~ TO call in the ofthe People Of the u S." on
dhe DEPARTING Mt Estate, ITO say whether Mr.. McLaue
has been Instructed 70 enter into negotiation for the
reduction Of certain Of our duties upon imports,
equivalent for concessions Of any description the part
Of q. Britain, &c. &c.--We think that paper IL i'm
proving In its tone and manners That Journal at
fached TO minority Of The People, should TO
speak In the Of all the People of the u. Sand
10 call upon the Secretary Of State to sopase the best
interests OF that very people, by producing his insruc
Cons 10 the Minister, just about to sail Tor LONDON
chow bis hand not only to our Citizens but TO the
government OF u. Britain, Is evidence OF modcstY
which bottles almost all comparison with other papers
We shall have these Instructions in due time and for
one, we are willing TO wait for tliem.--But never did
Mr.. Walsh utter juster remark, than the following
which appears in the last National Gazette
1.-THE most absurd intentions ascribcd 10 the
nj Wash loose