The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-10-10
OFFICIAL INSOLENCE.

A correspondent of the NJ Y Times, in a letter
dated London, June 27th gives graphic description
Of the nsolence Of the subordinate officers IN the TO-
vernment departments in London
.sMy remarks Of yesterday the moral character Of
Government officers here, have been confirmed to the
letter by my observation and experience to-day. My
friend then adverted TO, had occasion to pursue his
business through the Office Of the Masters IN Chancery
With much difficulty he found this office in by alley
court leading out of Chancery lane. Having exc.
cuted his requisite papers there he next to proceed
the office of the Secretary of State for the Home
Department, a cabinet Office. To make OF his d.
recton, he asked the chief clerk deputy OF the Mas
in Chancery if the papers next to be deposited
in the Home Office The reply was, IL cannot tell
YOU" "Wil YOU" said my friend have the good
ness to inform me in what street shall find the Office
Of the Secretary Of State for the Home Department.
The reply was, 81 cannot tell you there great
number of agents and attorneys in this vicinity who
will attend to your business"
We understood the Specification Of this remark, and
the disposition Of this brief authority man, without
difficulty. We could not believe him ignorant Of the
locality Of principal office in Her Maesys Govern
ment"-in Her most gracious Maesty's Govern
ment," should have said, to be in keeping with the
fawnng spirit Of this city towards royalty-and we
could not but place his reluctant and unsatisfactory
swers to the credit of welconcerted method Of in
voking patronage for branch Of the Government
craft Or, perhaps, he too like the deputy heretofore
named, was IN the habit Of receiving donccur for at
Masters in Chancery and none had been offered him by
my friend. BE that as 1t may, we quilted him, and
with new admiration Of the spirit that characterzes
Madame Vicorias under officers in London.
Having atlength found the Home Departmental State,
and again obtained the requisite authorization Of pa
pers inquiry made by my friend for the street in
which he should find the Attorney or Solicitor Gene
raj Office To utter confusion, the was 81
| cannot tell you! can gre you no direction" We
said, half inquiringy, and half rebukingy, AS these
papers be next lodged in that Office, from your
office, we supposed you could direct to it." mo,
can give direction" was still the reply.
We left this office with little respect for the grey
hairs which hung down the head Of its deputy as we
had been learned entertain towards the other speci
mems of British Government officers whom we had en-
counered And we could not but contrast in the minds
eve with feelings Of exutaton, the split Of freedom
Of openness, Of frankness and Of accommodation that
charactezes the inmates Of offices under the American
Government at Washington at New York, at New Or
leans, at Boston, the seaboard IN the INTERIOR and
every where with the close mouthed, sord and equity
spirit Of men in corresponding ranks under Her
gracious Malestys Government" And what can en-
gender this spirit here What begets it Is because
being taxed for every thing by Government to support
its eyravagances the citizen forced to seek revenue
from every thngto every thing in turn that comes
within his province and is 1t IN this way that
munity Of feeling grows up, which prompts every Co
vernment officer to favor regular, though silent sys-
TEN Of imposing taxes the shape OF extra fees
il not for his personal benefit immediately at least
for the benefit Of Of the exclusive classes of
nobility gentry upon all business Of official charac-
like this, and like nothing short Of this-and il il be So