The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1845-03-14

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entered upon the discharge Of my official duties
with deter mnation preserve if possible the prin-
clpie op W hch the post office system OF the United
States had been estabished--he principle that its
own resources should meet its expenditures. This
can De only done by requiring ali who use the post
ONCE for their private purposes pay the expense oil
transportation and delivery of their letters and papers
no more principle essential, in my opinion, 10
pure and healthful administration of the powers
cessariIy vested in the chief of the department.
You, sir, have been pleased TO al.ude in kind, and
may without atiectalion, in unmerIted terms TO
the manner have discharged the trust conhded 10
me. thank you, most cordially do thank you, and
my friends present, for this expression Of their opn-
ion of me. Ii more than compensaes me for all my
toilsoDe labors with them. That have devoted
most assiduousIy my whole time and such talents
have to the labOrs OF my office, is most true, and
you are the witnesses of the fact He who under
takes the management of the General Post Office,
mas no sinecure on which to fatten, bed OF down
on which to repose
The circumstances calculated to embarrass and
cripple the operations of the Department, nerposed
by selfish interests, to which you have referred
duce greatly to increase the difficulties Of my official
duties. But, sir, took the law for the rule of my
ton-the advancement of the public good as the
great end, acted upon principle which have ever
adopted in private well public life first salts
fy my judgment Of the right then pursue it, leaving
consequences to take care of themselves. You, sir
who have been most familiar, not only with my pub
lie acts in the Department but with the various
tives and objects by which they have been prompted,
have this day given to me and to the world your evil
dence of approval sustained by the gentlemen around
in terms most fatterng. They have made upon my
heart Impressions which time cannOt-will not Obllt-
crate. In the retirement of home, surrounded by
family and friends, my memory will often and long
turn to this, than triumph those who have
ignorantly or basely assaed my motives. Upon such
evidence submit my public acts TO the enlightened
judgment of my fellow citizens.
| leave the Department with no regrets save those
which belong to separation OF friends. leave it
with more Joy than entered it, and have cause of
graduation if have left it, under all The circum-
stances, in no worse condition than found it, sur
render its responsible duties cheerfuy to whose
long experience in public affairs whose business hab
its and devotion to the public interests, have long
been conspicuous in the halls of legislation. One
who, unlike myself, has the hope derivable from
majority administration to lean upon and cheer him
in the path of duty. One from whose labor and tall
ens in the discharge of his official duties, the coun
try has right 10 expect much, and, am persuaded
will not be disappointed To him commend each
and every one of you as faithful public servants.
Sir, would not fulfil my whole duty on the pres
ent occasion, nor obey the dictates of a grateful
heart if did not bear testimony to the fidelity and
business talents of yourself and the whole corps Of
officers and clerks who now surround me, and by
whose labors have been so promptly and efficiently
thousands who have been co-workers in our joint
labors.
One thing will say, because it is due to truth,
there is double the labor performed in the POST
office Department, in proportion to the number #
clerks employed, than in any other Department of
the Government.
The allusion you have been pleased to make to the
social intercourse and inequalities of my family calls
Tor the expression of their thanks Let me, in their
name, assure you that they have been than
compensated by the pleasures of social intercourse
with the citizens of Washington. They leave the
society of the metropolis with pleasing recollectons,
and most happy they to know not without the
regrets of kind friends.
There is charm around home, to which place We
shall in few days return, which, in degree, al
leviates the pain at parting with dear friends.
Again, gentlemen, thank you for this manifesto.
ton Of your personal gard and in parting allow
to say that, if any act of mine has, Internationally,
given pain to any connected with the Department,
most sincerely do regret it.. 1t remains for only
to add fan e,oeA May happiness and prosperity al
tend each one of you through life.
At the conclusion of this speech, the whole compa-
ny united in several rounds of applause.
During the delivery of these speeches, silent but
expressive tears were seen to steal down the cheeks
and gsten in the eye of many manly form. The
interview strkingly indicative of the highest and
hottest feelings of our nature and surely
be forgotten by those who participated in it, or were
even admitted as spectators. CosMoPoLiTE.