Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-08-11

removal was so well calculated to produce was ne
vertheless in part lessened, by rccolectng that Mr.
Barry had previous to his leaving Kentucky, frequent
~ made the declaration to gentlemen of respcctabi-
ty that should be retaned and that the difference
IN political opinions, which had ugtated the country
and in which he and myself had taken opposite sides,
SHOULD have with him no Neutrality-suspicious. this de-
siarasioD however, by rcnarking that, probably
might come under some general rule of policy which
stac Administration might deem it polite to pursue
and IN that event, aud that only should he removed
Taking it for granted, from these declarations so
frequently, aud solemnly made, rested if not sa-
tished and content with dsInsson at least wi,linu
TO submit presuming, as was necessarily bound to
presume, that plan of general prescription, or at
tcot, some general rule had been determined on by
the cabinet, and that was embraced within it. Judge
then OF my surprise, when accident, rather the
klndness OF friend, gave information for the first
time, that memorial had been forwarded Oh to Mr.
Barry, containing charges against me, in which my
character as inau, and my reputation public
| officer were deeply involved. The following is the
extract:
Extract Or .Ntnsoral tie Postmaster, General dated
.ipru 3OM, 1929
flames w Hawkins, although believe him 10 be Il man
of honor and integrity, certainly of aiabe manners and
ieeiiss is subject nevertheless habits, which opinion,
dsqoay hi for the station he hois-His convivia
make HIM the companion Of PERSONS place the leai, &c
s'ran on such course. and tine midst of public duties
The causua miscfes resulting course alluded TO-
might he borne with as merely growing of temporary
dsti'aiiicaton, hut Mr. Hawkins feeling,
winch III times OF political contest, mus, destroy all trust in
one on; party to that security in the Post Office, which is
of his political attachments, induced place unlimited
confidence III the most active, and indeed,
tive Of his party He has frequently devoved on them all
the duties OF his station, committing them the keys u his
Office, and giving them it, at times when he can
have supervision their Some OF the persons
thus entrusted ought to he allowed private
part OF the office, under circumstances vigilance
be sufficient guard against the audaci,y and vany OF
which they are khown to Ire capable where opportunity
offered tleIn-Ihere can be Posmase
frankfort, winch can paiate the employment rrespons
s persons his public duties who have VIGOROUSLY commit
ted frauds IN trusts IN which they had been previously engaged
ana Tor winch they were directly responsible the State gov
eminent
DuFng the late political struggle in Kentucky, office
% MIR Hawkins made the medium of a system of I'M
many :" ue 9ae elecons, and especially i'll the late cleo
7 ton OF the Chief Magistrate central committee vas or
auspices of Mr. Clay considerable sums OF money were con
t'e, which were eXenie'! in publications. and great guam
I'acks"n and be In the shape of 'Extiu Kcntuckians
were provided for distribution among people TO effect
ton, II was necessary TO circulate fee postage This
Was monv ny aeposl'ng packages in the Office Frankfort
directed TO femasieTs throughout the State were willing
TO lend themselves the design were. delivered
date nesohoos ro this De poc ssd"%s% res sI' ,s
Inc agents employed by the government tax
the dissemination of Intelligence among the people so far om
evyhg the duty, became themselves the sngeers through
from postage had been made comun all parties the
sequence would have been tGerabe as cfi,c,g only
maud upon the revenue; but in giving extraordinary priv;
eges 10 the advocates then i'll power secure the teica,
their opponents, it ,cuded sulvrr the public right 10y de-
sroyng the equality among all classes OF citizens, by which
the institution can only he maintained This combination
WIN the losnasters, inconsistent with the proper discharge
of their functions and which, if pursued ON am extensive
scale, would be Incompatible the existence of the es,a-
poycd as Justification; and color of law, may
rant the most dangerous of abuscsbe public only
to tine discretionary vested in the Postmaster General
enabling him to pleasure, deputies employed by
him. as atiordng remedy for the mischief
we ieel confidence that the responsibility executing,
M .uY III thls instance, referred To- res;s in one, who Will
not lear to execute IL and who viii allow personal consd-
s @dssi, ia Vas asa ss >se
"Signed (say Maj Barrv) by ,aiaefe6 Of NE 1,o,y
Die and 'nt'age"t cti=ens Of Ffaatlns cos,y'
1t will be recolected, that this sextract, was fr
nshed by Mr. Barry for the unLoy purpose of d.strov
ing me IN the estimation of the individual to whom j,
was addressed and circumstances warrant me in 81 "
ing that he never intended ii should meet my eve
10 make use of hash epithets, applicable to- those
VINO signed this memorial, is not my intention Mr.
barry has been pleased say ut the end Of tho nv
tract thus rnshedb by him, that the memorial aranst
'he was signed by nineteen of the respectable
and intelligent citizens of Franklin county" II will
be sufficient for me to say, that probably no instru
mHnt OF the same length was ever penned emho,3v
ing more OF misrepresentation. and utter disrcosrd of
decency anu truth than is continued in this IN norinI
ana aItHough am not III the habit, atterlv olive
turing, yet hazard the remark. with perfect conf
drnce III its correctness, that there is not citizen
ei'her Oh intelligence or responsibility, in Franklin
: county, who has signed this memorial
Upon receiving this extract thus kindly handed mo
F., addressed Mr.. Barry the following letter.
i =. , Frankfort, 1871 June 1929
,whayhg learned previous TO your leaving kentucky,
uh YOU hai substantially remarked iIiy ;aa ina;
you did nos intend removing from Office, without was
embraced III some general plum of policy, which Adina-
o might deem proper TO pursue, had Intended 10 have
addressed you upon the subject of my dismissal That was
so embraced IN the general rule had TO belle
because charges OF any description preferred against
couu moi Tor moment entertain the idea, in accord
ance general usage Post Office regulations ,,o, ,,e
SUBJECT should have been furnished with copy OF those
cnaSe ana suhcent length of time given vs. explain or
repc them I'm this just reasonable exnccai;n se
rave been dlsaPponc for understand, for the first time
hdt memorial has becG forwarded 10 the Cepa r;u,ent
cont aiming charges affecting my character as man and si
g"ahs anu dlssraceiul 70 me, public int
O "Se charges haze been ye1nOUed waive all discussion
OF the proPey Of the course, which has been pursued
upon eSPae statement aud would beg leave respect
iuy, OUT confidently, TO appeal COURTESY as a
man. aud Inc high and sacred obligations w,;-h ogici lin,
imposes, hd may be furnished with copy Of those cha res
j. w. HAWKINS.
hau oeen guarded in its phraseology, aud part-