Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-15
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, April ls, 1888.

WAsHlNeToN, April l2, 1888.
Dear Sir:-since writing day or two ago.
find new subjects enough for another letter to
you.
Regarding the Treasury Department: the fur.
Their rumor is, that two Of the officers of it have
been dismissed, because of their unwiIlugness
70 be Intercepted about the late burning OF
the Treasury Office. The pay Of one, as my
last letter mentioned, was suspended some days
ago: there has been no contradiction given to IT.,
as have heard. The reports and conversations
about the FIRE, and the enormous destruction OF
the Books and Papers consequent upon IT, are
undated; and the developments are more ana
more source Of wsetched matter TO the country.
Indeed, if one-tenth of what Is said and openly
spoken of should eventuare truly, the country
will have cause to lay the heaviest reproaches up
an those whose duty it was to have been vigllant
and guarded, to have prevented the happening
of any such occurrence; the very prevalent OPT
MON being, that il was not by any means an &C
cidental fire.
Very false rumors have gone abroad, that it
was committed by agents aud incendlaries Of the
United States Bank.
IL is as wretched caumny as was ever pro-
pagate,i, aud therefore deserves M sort OF Gre
dit. The truth will out at at last, be- assured;
and 7 think il will turn out to be one OF the most
heinous character.
Millions upon millions of amount are said to
have been annihilated iD the loss OF the building;
and they run back. too. in very early periods OF
the operations of the government; insomuch, as
that the archives are gone of all the great and
leading points and periods of the high, active mea
sures Of the government.
have frequently asked, and asked in vain,
why some effort is not made 10 ascertain, under
responsible characters, aud the full sulemnity OF
oath, what the magnitude and real nature OF tue
losses ares Is the Nation to grope on through
the wretched state Of uncertainty, IN which it
now is. laburing under an incessant state OF
fear and boundless apprehension! Aud are
those, whose losses may be Of the most ruin
Gus cast, to be kept in state OF disquetude,
destined To- wreck them? The idea is, that a
great many private persons are to suffer dread
fully from it; and perhaps hundreds may be beg
cared by it. The truth is, it's duty the Exc
cutiye owes, to remove With all vigilance and in
dustry, as far as possible, the doubts and diff
culties that might exist, until complete inyest-
CATION of it is made. To suffer such an act,
aud such enormous public suffering to be CON-
United upon society, and indeed upon the whole
order aud character of the country, without a
large aud prompt exposition Of the whole occur
renee. and the many matters involved IN it, is,
IN my opinion, such neglect Of public duty, as
to render the Chief Magistrate deeply censur
able.
Passing from this matter, so disagreeable and
paiuful as il is 20 all who think and feel well dis
posed to our country, | must inform you that
the mornings report is, that Mr.. Rives is
currently spoken Of to succeed Mr. Livingston,
as Secretary Of State Others say, that it Is left
entirely to Mr. McLane and himself TO adjust:
that if the latter should 90 into it, the former
will take his place in the Treasury Department.
Let il be III either wav; the Vice President o!
the United States (who lives with the President,
and who orders. moves and unmoves, and directs
every important measure of the Executive,) will
find himself more deceived than he ever was in
any Of his large train of political movements
Mr. Rives has already gone most decidedly into
discountenance in Virginia: the very County Of
Abemarle, in which his residence is. has, but the
other day, turned out Thomas Jefferson Ran
doph, 1.-THE grand son Of Thomas Jefferson, the
great father and instrument OF State sovereign
ty,) for his attachment to the famous Jackson
proclamation; and elected to the Legislature a
thorough. going anti proclamation man, and
full advocate of State Rights.
Surely, this at once proves, that Mr.. Rives is
not, and never can or will De again. otherwise
than politically derided by the politicians Of his
state generally. with, perhaps, but few excep-
tiOns.
Thus, 10 give favor to him, with view Of OBJ
tanning or insuring the future presidential vote OF
Old Virginia, is an hypothesis, that must end in
complete phantom.
MIR. Livingston will take his departure for
France in June. Mr. Barry will be sent abroad
either 10 Spain or Russia. Eaton is still strong
" talked OF to fill the vacancy that will be Gre
ated thereby. IN the General Post Office Depart
ment. The Senate will, however, most assur.
edly veto him.
II any thing further transpires, you shall
again hear from the.