Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-11-20
RICHMOND, VA, WEDNESDAY
RICHMOND WHIG.
OPPRESSION IN TIE DEPARTMENTS.

NO. v.
To the Editor ofks Wig:
On the day on which received notification from Mr..
Rhodes the Commissioner Of Patents that my services
the chief clerk of the Patent Office no longer re-
CURED requested Mr.. Benjamin. the Attorney General
to inform me Il be gave his sanction to my removal;-
when he suggested that he could only take cognzance oil
the matter on an appeal himself from the action Of bis
Commissioner.
Having previously submtted to Mr.. Bspjsmin my
rougb.dra letter. to Ar De Ysmpert of Ala, Furnished
in No. of my series of communications for your paper,
under the caption above together With the statement
hs the letter just referred to evidenced want OF ca
pacity in discharge the duties Of my Office, to the
mind of Mr. Benjamin, the Attorney General, then,
would n Difference to his Judgment rs the Head Of
the Department Voluntarily ressa position AZ ohio
clerk of the Patent OalOs
also advised him of the fixed purpose Of Mr. Rhodes
tho Commissioner of Patents to force my resignation by
such studied and persistent annoyances rendered my
situation simos intolerabe. he then observed that 1t
chose resign because my associations with Mr. Rhodes
tho Commissioner Of Patents disagreeabe to my.
self that was matter for consider and added
that doubtless other Departments of the Government
would be glad 10 avail themselves Of my services and
that ne would use his influence to procure ne another
position but that If Mr.. Rhodes sought my removal lie
must shou cause ere he got bis sanction. r'
lief Mr. Bepjamn's office, with feelings of gratitude
for his proiered assistance and with the full conviction
ha. whatever oppression Mr. Rhodes the Commissioner
might contemplate to practice, full justice would be
done me by the Head of TIE Department Consequent.
N in my appeal from the action Of the Commissioner to
Mr.. Benjamin, the Attorney General, observed, that
az understood such acts OF subordinate offers OF
any Department are, matter Of right to the party
affected by such aciop revisabe by the Head Of the De-
partment" This appeal, Mr.. Benz njsmin stated, twas
we'll founded" in bis letter to me- in which he gives HE
approval to the action of Mr.. Rhodes on the ground
that he OR. Rhode) was "the cole judge Of such mat
ters," which letter will appear below.
Your readers will, therefore, observe, that wholly
relied on the merits Of my case that desired and inv
ted an investigation, ard that confident both of
the disposition and authority Of Mr. amin the Head
OF the Department. to deeda the matter specifications
and procf or in some other mode Just and equitable.
Judge of my surprise hen at the receipt Of the fol-
Loving letter from Mr. Be- amin, the Attorney General
in reference to my said appeal:
RICHMOND Nov. 9th, 1861.
SIR: The appeal made to me, on the ground that you
were dismissed from your position chief clerk OF the
Patent Bureau without assigned well founded.
Since then the Commissioner has assigned for oause n
competency 1eficiency, and inattention TO duty.
On the grounds thus assigned your dismissal from
office be approved, ss he alone must be the judge
in such Inatters
Y'r ob't ct,
j. p. BENJAMIN,
Mr.. J. L. G. DAMER. Atty Genl.
Richmond