The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-27
WHOLE NO. se3.

~ WHOLE NO. 3s3.
| tore them in pieces with the intent Of entirely
destroying them, and, In so doing, tore in some
measure the envelope, and that this package
was the first and only package he had received
from me. ! have no idea that the letter of Mr..
Rives was, when enveloped, in dirty or soiled
condition, as il was fresh from the printing office
and we all know that the work at our folding
room is very neatly as well as expeditiousy
done A friend has forwarded me perfect
copy OF the Columbian Register Extra of the
18th March, and, by comparing il with the frag-
ments annexed TO the deposition Of Mr. Adds,
learn that they are identical. That paper is
printed at New Haven, and Is distinguished for
an Inscriptions support Of the present Admit
nistration. No one can suspect me of having
forwarded such sheet TO any person whatever.
am free to say that among all the outpourings
OF a prohgate party press never saw such
tissue Of falsehood and blaguardism as is com
prised in this publication thus unceremoniously
trdnked by one of the minions Of this Admins
traiion. Among other things there is para
graph in which the editor tells palpable false
hood about myself and then adds gross libel
on one of my colleagues, so that not only are our
seals violated, but our franks are used TO propa-
gate falsehoods and caumnies against ourselves.
fully believe that in this transaction we have
only glimpse OF the abuses al present practised
in the Post Office Department, and thank YOU
for your efforts TO awaken public attention to
those abuses, TO which the People will, doubt
not, at no remote period, apply an effectual cor
receive. our obedient servant,
TRUMAN SMITH.
Hon. john M BORIS
b. PETERSBURG INTELLIaENcER,
Nov. u, 1889.
To our Subscribers and the Public generally.
We call the attention Of our subscribers, and
the Public generally, to the high-handed mea-
sure of the Post Office Department, which the
following explanations will expose Some days
since the postmaster at Petersburg called upon
US, and informed us that he had received cir
cular from the Post Office Department at Wash
ington requiring him to call on US for report
OF the number Of papers which we issued the
post Office TO which they were sent, and the
number Of subscribers al each post Office, under
penalty OF having our papers stopped in the
petersburg post office, and examined by the
postmaster, in order that he might make the re-
port which We refused TO make. Not choosing
10 furnish MIR. Amos Kendall with statement
OF our private affairs, we peremptorily declined
complying with this demand. On Monday last
the postmaster at Petersburg informed us that,
unless the return was given in by Saturday, he
should be compelled TO stop the papers and make
the required examination. We replied that he
should hear further from us on the subject
Yesterday we addressed him the following
| note:
PETERSBURG INrELrIdENcER OpFlcE,
Nov 90 1889
" MY DEAR SIR: Will you be kind enough TO fur
nish me with the authority by which you demand of
me report of the circulation of my newspaper
Yours, respectfully, JOHN w SYME
To Thomas Shore, Esq. Postmaster
With this request the postmaster complied
and furnished US with the following circular
which we lay before the Public:
" Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT, APPOINTMENT OrrrcE
Washington, Aug 10, 1889.
SIR To enable the Postmaster General TO an
swer the calls of Congress relative TO the amount of
printed matter transported by mail am instructed by
him to request you TO ascertain may be- and
report, the following facts, viz.
The number of newspapers sent through your
Office for one quarter subject TO postage the
number subject to one and half cent postage and
the number sent free
The number of periodical magazines and pam
phets, with the rates Of postage, well the mum
Der of each sent free.
As means of procuring this information most ac-
curately, it is recommended that you request each
publisher To furnish you, under the certificate of him
sell or clerk, statement of the number of newspa-
pers periodical magazines, and pamphlets, sent from
his Office by mail daily weekly, or otherwise with
the names Of the place where sent; informing him
that in of his refusal TO furnish such statement
you are instructed to ascertain the numbers from an
examination Of his packets which, if necessary will
be detained for that purpose These statements you
will digest into table, showing the numbers charge
able and free sent from your Office to other post Offices
severay.
You will also for the purpose Of embodying into
resting statistical information, request the publishers
to state in manner equally authentic, the number Of
newspapers, magazines and pamphlets, issued by
them daily weekly or otherwise which are circulated
without the aid of the mails.
This information you will also report to the De-
partment. The pamphlets, not periodical sent by
mail from your Office, quarterly, with the postage
thereon, as nearly as you can ascertain estimate.
All other printed matter sent through your Office
quarterly if any, not chargeable newspapers, ma
gaines pamphlets and charged with letter postage,
as nearly as you can ascertain estimate /
You will also procure and forward 10 this office
addressed TO me, number Of each newspaper, and
each periodical magazine, and pamphlet, including
the different impressions, such daily, tri-weckly, |
and weekly newspapers, that the Department may be
able to form an estimate of the weight of the printed
matter which is transported in the mails.
" You will also estimate the probable weight of |
other printed matter sent from yonr Office quarterly
including printed documents sent members of Con
gress and others enjoying the ranking privilege
"ROB. JOHNSTON
Second Assistant Postmaster General"
Believing that there is no authority which
would justify Congress or the Post Office De- |
partment in laying editors Of newspapers under |
stricter conditions for the use Of the United
States mail than are imposed upon other citizens;
and being unwilling TO aid a system of espoin-
age into the affairs of editors, by making an ex-
hibit of our own, we have declined complying |
with this requisition. In consequence of our
refusal 10 obey this edict Of Amos Kendall, who
under this Government, is aspiring 10 the post
held by Fouche under Bonaparte, our Saturdays |