Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-09-05


Congress to print extra copies of all documents
of value in order that they may be forwarded
by the members to their constituents, and the
people thus be enlightened on important public
matters. The number printed, is we believe ne
yer less than six thousand and very frequently
by special order, thirty and fifty thousand. II
appears that during last winter, that the con-
stituents of Col. Watmough and MIR. Binney, OF
PHILADELPHIA, complained that they had been ne
elected by these gentlemen, in consequence OF
which their friends made a representation to
them on the subject and received for answer
that they had been in the habit of daily mailing
and Thanking to their constituents large num-
bers of the most interesting public documents
and that if they had not reached the persons to
whom they were addressed, It was the lault OF
the Post Office Department. Upon this assn
rance committee of their friends waited upon
the Postmaster Mr.. Page, to ascertain whether
there were anv documents in the office framed
by either Mr.. Binney or Col. Watmougb, AID
received for answer that there were, but that
the Letter Carriers could not find the residences
of the parties addressed in order to distribute
them! These documents were then demanded,
in order that they might be distributed 10 the
parties to whom they were addressed, but the
Post Master refused to deliver them without a
special order from the parties whose franks they
bore This was considered mere device TO
underestimate their reaching the parties TO whom
they were addressed, but Notwithstanding thls
conviction, Messrs Watmough and Bnney were
written to- and the necessary orders Tor thelr ue-
livery procured Armed with these, the Posi-
Master was waited upon and the documents IN
his possession demanded. At first but small
parcel was delivered with the assurance that
it embraced all the documents sought for; but
on the declaration of the gentlemen that they
bneu there were other documents, and had been
inf, hx,a Office.
second bundle or bag was found and delivered.
These documents were addressed 10 individuals
as well known in Philadelphia as either MIR Bin
ney or Col. Watmough, and it at once became
apparent that there was no truth in the plea that
the residence of the parties could not be found,
and consequently that there existed base de-
sign on the part Of the Post Master to withhold
them altogether. This was the more apparent,
as many of the documents were addressed to
merchants and others to whom the carriers
were in the daily habit Of delivering letters and
newspapers!
Upon this discovery, Mr.. Binney and Colonel
Watmough determined thereafter, to send on
their documents in boxes to committee OF
friends and ask Of them the distribution rather
than longer submit to such infamous IMPOSE
tons from the Post Office; and from that time
forward they did not mail single document, but
forwarded them to Philadelphia in boxes at
their individual expense, while the Post Office
was left as a safe channel Of conveyance to such
only ofthe Pennsylvania Delegation in Congress,
as are known to be the Subservlent tools OF the
Kitchen Cabinet
Both Col Watmough and Mr.. Binney well
knew, that not the tythe of their documents anu
letters had reached their constituents but as
this could not be proceed, they had no alternative
but to submit. in silence and abstain IN iuture'
from entrustng either documents or letters
no. their franks IN their hand writing,
either to or for The Philadelphia Post Office. 1t
appears however, that recently the Post Master
has been selling dead ews-papers at six cents
hundred, and behold one lot containing Sia
bags Of an hundred freight each, Is discovered TO
be almost exclusively composed Of public do
cuments directed to the citizens of Philadelphia
and ranked by Mr.. Binney and Colonel Wat
mough!!!
These documents embrace nearly all those
forwarded by these gentlemen during the first
three months Of the late session OF Congress, and
had been suppressed and were in the Philadel-
pha Post Office at the time the order OF MIR.
Binney and Col Watmough was produced for
their delivery! They are directed to the Mer-
chants, Traders, and Manufacturers of Phila'
delphia who are well known to the Post Office
carriers, and TO whom they have constantly
been in the habit Of delivering newspapers and
letters. Many Of them designate the name and
number Of the street where the parties reside.
as " L. Sites so V Inc street fhilddelpBia, ana
Of course, the plea that the residence of the
parties addressed could not be discovered, falls
to the ground, and the whole transaction bears
the stamp Of an infamous party fraud-a base
and dsgraceful prostitution of the Post Office
to political purposes-a nefarious suppression
of documents and letters which morally speak
ing. is as palpable and Infamous crime as the
robbery of the mail and purloining of money
from sealed letter.
The facts are about being brought before the
public under the soemnity OF the oaths of the
parties interested, and we indulge hope that
the detection and exposure ofthe infamous prac-
tees which have so long disgraced the Post OF
flee Department, will open the eyes of the peo-
pie. The solitary fact, that for months past,
the conspicuous politicians of the country oppo-
sed to the administration, have not dared to en-
trust sealed letter to the Post Office, the super
scription Of which was in their own hand wri-
ting, ought to raise the people to consciousness
of the deep disgrace which an irresponsible Ca
bal has brought uponthe country. Anespionage
similar to that which Gisgraced France during
the days of Fouche. has, there is too much reason
to believe, been established and the Post Office
r ~, md ha