Madison Whig advocate., 1839-03-30
Posr OFFICE DEPARTNENT,}
Feb. p, 1889.
Hon. R. NJ. JOHNSON,
T. T. and Prcs,dent of The Senate

y. r. and Pfcsident Of The Senate.
Sir;-Just my messenger was about to
start for the Capitol, with several communica- a
tons, including my reply to the resolution of
the Senate, adopted on the 18th inst, received
their resolution of this day, asking why the
information then called for has not been COM
municated.
In reply, | have the honor to state, that the
only reason have to give why il has not been
before communicated, is, that it was not ready.
Very respectfully, your obi serv't,
MOS KENDALL.
The insolencc of this letter excited at once
a general feeling of resentment among all the
most respectable members of the Senate; and
before any one spoke formally, there were
many EXPLANATIONS which showed how the
matter WAS regarded.
Mr.. Tailmadge Instantly rose and character
terized the communication as disgraceful in
itself, and insulting TO the body.
Mr.. Sewer went step farther, and proposed
that the letter should be sent to the President
and that the President should be requested to
remove him.
Mr. Foster then rose, and said in substance.
he would not suppress the feelings of Just in
dignation which the communication of the
Post Master General had excited in his bosom
-he could not conceive of an aggression more
wanton, more deliberate in its character, and
more Insulting to the high coordinate depart
ment of the Government to which il was ad-
dressed. 4 had look ed around, said Mr. Foster
rights and the dignity of this BODY, and from
his age and station here, more competent to
the task than ! am, would not make some
movement calculated TO rebuke the insult and
to sindicate the character of the American
Senate against act of official insolence.
without precedent in the annals of Congress
i teloice, Sir. to find, that the honorable and
spirited member from Arkansas, has throw n |
himself in the breach. The political friend ofI
the offending functionary he is, and vet not |
bind to the fault of friend, nor willing thai /
he should escape his just retribution, the duty |
he is now fulfilling, eminenrly becomes that
Senafor-l could almost envy him the honor he |
acquired in his noble and praiseworthy act
The offence, Mr.. Foster said, did not confne |
itself TO any particular member of anv political /
DIVISION OF the Senate. The call which origi-
mated tins act OF violence the deed of the
'eaote body and the gross outrage was directed
TO Ga-but suppose II could be otherwise, said L
Mr. Foster There are times and occasions. /
when the spirit of party should ily these alls,
md Senators should rally as one man. in de-
lence OF their own dignity, and the dignity OF
he people over whose institutions they are ca.-
ed 70 PFesIoe. II this was not one of those
yreat occasions, he felt that his imagination was.
90 dull TO hgare conceivable case for such
inn and united inferposition- Whence or
rom what school, said Mr.. Foster, has the hi yhI
uncfionary in question drawn his code Of man.
lers-or Is il the sudden elevation recommend
q by talents alone. has intoxicated the for
anafe subject, that he claims the privilege of
ssconading over those who have a ri 81, to