The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-10-20

To THE EDrToRs:-I send you the copy Of a
note from HUGH A. GARLAND, Esq. Clerk to the
House of Representatives of the United States,
dismissing me from Office. The note is as
follows:
PETERSBURG September %, 1910.
"SIR: By this note you informed that your ser
vices as Chief Clerk of the Office Of the House Of
Representatives will not be required after the first day
Of October next. st
"You will deliver into the hands of BENJAMIN B.
FRENCH Esq who has been appointed your successor,
all the papers, keys &C. apperaining to the said Office
HUGH A. GARLAND,
"Cerk House Representatives U. g.
"To Col. SAMUEL BuRcHE."
As have been so long in office, and conse-
quently so well known, and am in the habit con-
stantly of receiving communications from all
parts of the country on public business, deem
il proper to make this public communication Of
my discontinuance.
have been in this Office thirty six years, (hav-
ing entered it at the age of l6, under that able
and accomplished man, john BEcKLEY, the best
Clerk Of Legislative assembly our country has
produced.) Twenty six years of this time ]
have held the appointment of Chief Clerk but
performed the duties several years longer Dur
ing the whole of these thirty-six wears have
not been absent from the Capitol, whilst Con-
gress was in session, single day, unless CON
fined 10 bed with serere illness. Nor have !,
during the whole Of that time, whilst Congress
was in session, been absent, in the entire aggre-
gate, twenty days-such has been my devotion
to the duties of my office. In almost every in
stance in which was confined by Illness was
consulted at my bedside, and gave directions
and advice in making up the business OF the
day.
have not for more than twenty years, during
a session of Congress, dined with my family,
unless on the Sabbath day, and often, very often,
have been compelled to spend that day in the
Office, or suffer important business TO get behind
hand thing | never did, no matter what exer-
ton il required to keep il up. Generally, did
not dine at all, not having had time 10 do so.
have usually been employed in my duties
and with scarcely moments intermission, until
six or nine o'clock at night, and frequently to a
much later hour; yes, often, very often, have
remained in the Capitol, entirely alone, until
twelve O'Clock at night.
The consequence Of this incessant devotion
have been that, for several years, at the end OF
session Of Congress, my health and strength
were so impaired that | have been visited with
long and distressing spells OF sickness. three
years ago was brought so low that my physi-
clan informed me that my constitution was en-
tirely broken down, and that had little OF life
to hone for. NV visits TO the Virginia springs
and nv travels in Europe last year, however,
have done much to restore me-
There is not now living single person VINO
was an officer of either House of Congress,
when became an officer of that body OF the
Members of Congress, there are, believe, only
two Senators and seven Representatives alive;
and Of the many hundreds Of public officers en-
poyed mt the seat of Government, there are
only six or seven left who were contemporary
with myself.
Your publishing this note may communicate
information to the Public, and will obige your
obedient servant,
SAMUEL BURCHE:
Late chief Clerk Office Ho 81 Reps Z. >
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 1870