The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-07


sentatives from the Printer to that body, for
not being able to furnish its members with
printed copies Of the Message as early as
they were furnished to the Senate, or, as
early as they have been usually furnished TO
the House
We have been induced to lay the subjoined
statement before the members, in order that
they might judge whether the fault, if any, is
our own.
We made due application for an early CO.
py of the Message for the purpose Of supply
ing the House, and were answered verbally
that "the same course would be taken with
it as at the last session."
We again addressed a communication to
the President of which the following is
copy.
To his Excellency,
MARTIN VAN BuRES,
+ President of the Uniied States.
SIN: yesterday had the honor Of addressing the
President note respectfully soliciting an early copy
Of his forthcoming message as printer to the House
of Representatives, for the purpose of preparing it
for the use of the House, and received verbal an
swer that the same course would be taken with
this session as at the last" l beg leave therefore
again to address the President and TO remind him OF
the usual practice in such cases, and that the printer
of the House at the last session received copy Tor
the purposes Tin parD aforesaid. beg also again to
state that it will be received under the usual injunc
tions and be used for other purpose, until after
the proper time, than that before named.
With great respect,
., i have the honor to be,
Your obedient servt,
THO: ALLEN,
Printer to The House Of Reps.
Washington, Dec 4, 1887
In part reply to the above our messenger
was referred to the Secretary Of State, who
rendered the use Of the State Departmental
Documents for few hours, which not being
available, for so short a time, were declined
We again addressed the President in the
following terms:
To his Excellency,
MARTIN VAN buren,,
President of The United States.
Sin: had the honor to address note to the Pre-
sident this morning repeating solicitation made
yesterday for copy of his forthcoming message, for
the purpose of supplying the House with printed CO
pies as am expected to do by those who elected me
to perform that Office In reply was referred to the
Honorable Secretary of State and have since receiv
ed a communication, of which the following is
copy
"GLoBE OFFICE, w..
Washington, Dec 4, 1887
Sin: We have been directed by the President of
he itadS In aS
of his Message you may need to lay the tables
of Members of the House Of Representatives, to be
delivered to you when the House receives 1t. Please
inform us at what place shall make the delivery
to you
BLAIR g. RIVES.
THOMAS ALLEN, Esq. 30
Printer 10 the House Of Representatives."
beg leave, very respectfully to decline acceding
to the arrangement contemplated by the parties to
the above communication, as on those terms should
be compelled to purchase the copies required by the
House, and thus deprive myself of my rights as an
officer of that body, without gaining any privilege
from a responsible Office requiring bonds of forty
thousand dollars, but such is enjoyed in common
by every citizen Of the United States.
With the highest respect,
have the honor to be-
Your obedient serv't,
THO: ALLEN,
Printer 10 The House Of Reps
Washington, Dec. 4, 1887
In the mean time we received commune
cation Of the following tenor
"GLoBE OrrIcE,
Washington, Dec 4, 1887
GENT We have been directed by the President of
the United States to furnish you with as many copies
of his Message as you may need to lay on the tables
Of Members Of the House of Representatives, to be
delivered to you when the House receives il. Please
inform at what place we shall make the delivery
to you.
Respectfully,
Messrs. GALES g. SEAToN,
Printers TO The House Of Representatives."
On Tnasdnu morning we RECEIVED note of