^"'■-K ■^ O^ • • • J. ^^ v^ /■^^ qV- , O " O • ^ A** ♦ •0« THE MISREPRESENTATIONS OF "A MEMBER OF THE HICKORY CLUB" IN REPLY TO DR. MAYO'S "SKETCHES," &.C., REFUTED. BY ROBERT MAYO, M. D. WASHINGTON : PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR, BY GARRET ANDERSON 1837. t JS I \^ J THE MISREPRESENIATIONS OF " A REPLY," &c. REFUTED. By a perusal of the following extracts from the Glohe and the Intelligencer, the Public will, at once, be in possession of the incen- tives which have impelled me to this hasty refutation of certain state- ments, which I had contemplated to defer for a more leisurely and fuller Expose than I have time or space for here. I feel rejoiced, however, that circumstances have induced me to abandon the first purpose of procrastination, as some erroneous impressions mio-ht be- come fixed, in quarters where any future notice might not reach them. Fro7n Saturday nighVs Glohe, September 30. An answer to the publication of Dr. Robert Mayo is in press, and may be had on Monday next, at the bookstore of Garret Anderson, who is authorized to receive orders for any number that may be required. From Monday morning's Intelligencer, October 2. " An Answer to Dr. Mayo's Publication." — This is the title of a publication announced for to-day, in Saturday night's Globe, without the name of the author. It evidently comes from some portion of " the Kendall faction," to whom I am thankful for the notoriety they are giving to my publication among their friends • as it will be likely to serve a good purpose, by insuring a hearing before all parties who are disposed to examine statements on both sides, and judo-e for themselves. I cannot pretend to pro-suppose the purport of this answer. My statements and deductions have been made upon documentary evidence : it will, therefore bo diffi- ctilt for the author of the Answer to gainsay them upon a contradictory suite of documents. But, whatever may be the character of his statements, I shall give them such notice as they may deserve. R. MAYO. From Wednesday morning's Intelligencer, October 4. A CARD. In my Caveat in the Intelligencer of yesterday's date, in relation to the an. nouncement in Saturday night's Globe, of "An Answer" (forthcoming) to a pub- lication of mine, I remarked, that " I could not pretend to pre-suppose the purport " of that answer ; that my statements and deductions had been made upon docu. " mentary evidence ; and that it ^yould, therefore, be difficult for the author of the "Answer lo gainsay tliom upon a contradictory suite of cloc.iimf nts ; but that, "whatever niij^lit be tlie character of his statoiaents, 1 should give them such no- " ties as tliey may deserve." I, accordiiio;ly, procured a copy of this publication, upon its appearance yester- day morning-, and foniid it to Iw a vile com])ound of uii.sr(!prescnlatioiis, perversions of trutJi, and al).soInte falschootls; destitute of asinofle material truth, and scarcely containinir one inunaterial circumstance of truth, excejjt to set off', and "-ive color- ing to, a grosser falsehood. It is, moreover, as I had conjectured, unaccompaniod with a single document or reference upon tiie main issues, to impart even the veri- similitude of truth to its statements ; but jesuitically attempts to chanirc tiie main issues of my publication, by producing a diversion of public attention to personali- ties to me — both false in tiieir nature, and irrelevant to the matters pretended to bo answered. Though this is an anonymous production, and bears internal evidence of its ema- nation from the vilest of sources, I shall not treat it with the silent contempt gene- rally awarded to such effusions. But it will take a largo portion of a book, already in promise to the Public, to comprise the full exposure and refutation of its vile statements; nor, indeed, could I ask it of the Editors of the Intelligencer, or any other journal, to befoul their columns with a suitable rebutter, in kind, to such a tissue of stutf from an anonymous . I shall not be diverted, however, by clamors or false issues, from my settled pur- pose, of giving to the Public that history of late occurrences here, which I have promised ; embracing a refutation of this anonymous libel among them. And I take this occasion to invite the connnunication of any facts, in corroboration of the purport of my promised " Sketches of eight years in Washington," from whom, soever may be in possession of such facts, with refercnces sufficient to entitle them to publicity. R. MAYO. Wasui.sgto.n, October 3, 1837. From Wednesday nighVs Globe, October 4. To THE Public. — I perceive, in the Intelligencer of this morning, a " Card" signed " R. Mayo," attemptiug to deny the statements contained in a " Reply," by a " Member of the Hickory Club." He says : " It is unaccojnpanied by a single document, or a reference, upon the main issues, to impart even the verisimilitude of its statements." Tliis is false, because I quote two resolutions, one of which is up- on the record, and the other is not to be found. Does he not, by his " card," deny the authenticity of the following Resolution, as having been offered by himself? "Resolved, That, as a means of increasing our confidence in each other, and strengthening our number, it be recommended to the members of this Club, that, in their transactions with the citizens of Wasliington, for themselves and as agents for the public, they confine themselves to our political friends." To give the " Doctor" a fair opportunity to vindicate himself, I challenge him to nominate, through the public papers, a friend, to meet one whom I will select in the same manner, to examine the recordfjd proceedings of the "Club," and give their written opinions upon the correctness of the points at issue. Now, then, he has a fan- opportunity of sustaining himself, if he can ; and if he does not accept of this offer, it will be prima facie evidence of the correctness of my documents, and the falsehood of his "suite" of "documents." A MEMBER OF THE HICKORY CLUB. On Friday, the 6th instant, upon examination of the Globe, the above met my eye for the first time, having been infoimed by an acquaintance that such an article was in that paper of Wednesday night. Seeing the pertinacity of the anonymous author, in urging an issue with me upon matters more personal to me than material to the statements of my former publication, which he professes to have an- swered, I determined immediately to address him the following note, through Mr. Anderson's bookstore, whose agencv this " INIember of the Hickory Club" had advertised, for the sale of his " Reply," &;c., deeming that to be the most direct channel I had any authorized know- ledge of, through which 1 could be certain it would reach him. (Copy.) Washington, Septemher 6, 1837. To " ^ Memher of the Hickory Cluh ;" Your name, sir, if you please, is desired by Yours, &c., ROBERT MAYO. Upon calling at the store of Mr. Anderson, on Saturday evening, a note addressed to him, was handed to me for perusal ; and, on Monday morning, a copy of it, here subjoined, was furnished me by Mr. Anderson, who retains the original. (Copy.) Ociobrr G, 1837. Sir : The autlior of the Reply will receive nothing from Doctor Mayo, except through the same channel which he commenced the debate. If he feels himself personally aggrieved, the author of the " Reply" is ready and willing to give him any satisfaction that he may solicit. The author of the Reply has been actuated alone from principle, and that which he thought due to an injured public servant. (Signed) THE AUTHOR. True copy : H. ANDERSON. Having early received some strong surmises who this •'' Member of the Hickory Club" is, I felt some repugnance to noticing him in any other way than in the regular routine of my promised publica- tion, as stated in my Card of the 3d October. But judging, from his reiterations in the Globe, and by further reflection upon the inter- nal evidences of some of his statements, that he has been thrust for- ward by others, as a decoy-duck, to divert public attention from more important matters, which probe them to the quick, and fix that atten- tion upon the rubbish they have thrown together, I determined to pay my respects to the parties immediately, by demanding the name of the putative author. This has been refused, however ; and my alter- native now is, forthwith, to take as brief a notice of this production as possible, necessarily deferring a full Expose, for the general settle- ment adverted to in my Card above quoted. Some apology may be due to the public for giving any serious en- tertainment to these misrepresentations. To say the most charitable thins; possible of them, if their authors are, in reality, so ignorant of facts', as to believe what they set forth, they do but liken themselves unto a parcel of monkeys in a philosopher's laboratory, so confound- ing, breaking up, and besmearing every thing, as to give some per- plexity to the professor to recognise, or make any thing of his appa- ratus afterwards. I shall make the best of it, however, commencing with their first words, and accompany them, step by step, tlnough all their allegations, paragraph after paragraph. First Paragraph. " In noticing the strictures of Dr. Mayo upon the Poslmastor Gonoral, T am ac- tuated by a sense of duty wliich I owe to my follow-men, to candor, and to truth." Here is a prepossessing and solemn pledge of truth, candor, and duty, which, as far as naked words and professions go, would not dis- credit a prelude to the most righteous ceremonial. Hut when it is discovered to be the preface of the vilest of misrepresentations and dis- ingenuous perversions of truth, to give coloring to grosser falsehoods, it must be viewed as sheer profanity — aggravating the sin of his false statements. In the second sentence of the same paragraph — He alleges that I am possessed of a grovelling, seljli^h, and petulant disposition, as evinced by every act of my life. There is not one act of my life that evinces a grovelling or a selfish disposition. He has not cited one, and I defy him or any other man to do it. On the contrary, the crectness and the munificence of my whole life, would establisii the very reverse of this gratuitous and malignant assertion. The most ample documentary evidences of these facts are in my possession ; and the facts themselves are suffi- ciently known to all who have had an early and continuous acquaint- ance with me, to dispense with a detail of them here, to rebut a gra- tuitous assertion of an anonymous slanderer, without reference to proof. As to the other count, if I am not the best tempered man in the world, or even if I am far otherwise, I am not singular in that respect. I believe, however, that I have never shown a want of equanimity or moderation of temper, except when I have encounter- ed some vile knave, or some intolerable fool ; and common repute will declare, that there are enough of these in every man's walk, oc- casionally to discompose the even tempers of the most philosophic, intelligent, and honest of purpose, in every community. I am charged with having become so unpopular in Richmond, that I was com. palled to remove — having been engaged in several encounters with individuals. As to the precise nature or extent of my want of popularity, I can- not vouch, nor can any man safely aver for himself in such a matter. But I will recount a few circumstances, by which the reader may form some estimate of this equally gratuitous assertion, as, in every other instance, without even an attempt at proof. When I first cam^ to Washington, some time after the inauguration of General Jackson, when nearly all the principal offices here had been distributed among his political friends, I was recommended to the President, by about ifty of the most respectable citizens of Richmond, for the olhce of Librarian to Congress, " should it be in his contemplation to remove the then incumbent." Among these, was the late Governor William B Giles and the Mayor of the City, several members of the Com- mon Hall, the Bar, and the Faculty. This document, I believe, is yet in the possession of General Jackson, with many testimonials of the same purport, that have not been returned to me, as others have been, all goin^ clearly to discredit the scandalous intent of the above assertion. That 1 was unpopular with some of the citizens of Rich- mond, partly on account of my advocacy of the election ol General Jackson, and partly from some personal causes of trivial import, (not afFectincT the honor of a gentleman,) I have no doubt ; but no one will say 1 was ever backward to meet and respond to any personal arievance, real or imaginary, even on political grounds. But, that I was under any influence whatever, in leaving Richmond, other than my own free choice and preference, i? utterly and maliciously talse. And any one who knows me, knows that 1 am among the last in the world who could be actuated by any other than a free, open, and up- right demeanor, regardless of any ulterior views to popularity. Popu- lat-ity is a thincr that 1 never sought. It is a whimsical sentiment that as rarely /oZ/ott's merit as eschews it. Where is General Jack- son's popularity, now, in his own State of Tennessee, and in the very ^ district of his dear Hermitage ! Who will say that Amos Kendall could be elected for a Justice of the Peace, or a Constable, in any liamlet of this Union, upon leaving the Post Office Department! Popularity is too often an inconvenient commodity, which requires such an equipoise on all sides, that few men can find the means to ba- lance. I seek it not, nor has it ever entered my brain to modify my conscientious convictions of right conduct, for such a tinsel ; it it comes, I have no objection ; but all I ask of the world h civility ^xxA justice— and let any man beware of withholding these. It is true, that 1 have had several encounters in Richmond. I have flogged some persons there, and have evinced my readiness to add to the number, il neces- sary. I have also done the same here, and have no doubt 1 shall take a hand again soon; but what does this prove? Not that the cases cannot justify themselves, as they have heretofore lully done. Perhaps we here find somewhat of a reason why this Anonyme se- cretes his name. Yet I am not particularly fond of the sport, except when wantonly offended. Probably 1 also rendered myselt un- popular with some persons, by espousing the maltre^atment oi the prisoners when I was Physician to the Richmond jail,* out of which * I must refer to [ A ] in the Appendix, for the law ^^S^l^f^^^^^^^Yer^l,'^^^^^^ these institutions throughout the State, as a representative of all the other docu- ments on this subject, too numerous to be introduced with it. 8 resulted not only my discontinuance as Physician to the jail, but that which was greatly more grateful to my soul than the place 1 lost — the reform of the whole jail system of police throughout the Slate, by the Act of the next Legislature. Probably 1 farther rendered my- self unpopular with others, by exposing, through the colunms of my paper, to a subsequent Legislature, the enormous Atvoritisms extend- ed by the President and Cashier of the Virginia Bank to the house of Rogers and Harrison, in discounting their tvind-drafts* without laying them before tiie Board of Directors, by which they were en- abled to engross something like a monopoly of the tobacco trade of Richmond ; for the investigation of which, with other matters, a com- mittee of the House of Delegates was appointed, who reported, there- on, a forfeiture of the Bank charter ; but, from the advanced period of the session, the report was not definitively acted upon, — ^and, be- fore the next session, the President and Cashier had, no doubt, mended their ways, and a conciliatory spirit probably interposed for their forgiveness and peace. In the former case 1 was admonished by a friend, that I would lose my office ; in the latter it was intimated to me, that I would bring on myself the denunciations of the moneyed power; but neither had the effect to divert my course, or abate my ardor. And those who know me best here, well know that, in the enterprise of detecting a fraud upon the public faith, or exposing an abuse of trust, 1 look not to the preservation of my rations, or the conciliation of favor from the hand of corruption. Here is a case, in which one who is accused of a mercenary or " selfish disposition," brings to the bar of public opinion the President and Cashier of a powerful and popular money- ed institution, and, as it were, holds their faces to the grindstone for a season ; and another case, in which I sacrificed office for the public good, before I came to Washington ; and five times have 1 done the same thing since I came here ; yet this profound casuist would pretend, in the conclusion of his first paragraph, that 1 have been fighting for office all the while. The idea of fighting for office, while continually _^^A/iVig- one's self out of office, betrays a fatuity of intellect, only befitting the mind that could make such a stupid jum- ble of falsehoods and nonsense that characterize the whole of the pamphlet under review. Such an intellect could never comprehend the nobler motive of sacrificing one's self for the public good. And, indeed, I fear it is too rare a virtue, in the present day, to be fairly appreciated by many. However that may be, none of these conse- quences ever came on me by surprise, nor would I change my course, were it at my option to do so. * I must also refer to [ B ] in the Appendix, (being an extract from the report of the Committee of Investigation,) as a representative of tlie other documents on this subject. Second and Third Paragraphs. It is here alleged that the Hickory Club was established to disseminate "demo, cratic principles," &c. I have already shown, in the other jrablication, that this was the plausible declaration of its object, by which a great number of per- sons were induced to aid in its establishment, and to become meni- bers. And 1 have also shown, that Kendall, who originated this scheme, as a means of promoting his own ambitious views, has been the most flagrant violater of those principles, in various ways ; and, particularly, °in appointing all the members of his family to office, to the tune of # 12,000 a year. Who is there, among his then zealous proselytes, who could have anticipated this, while they were aidmg him to disseminate his plausible doctrines ! or that his professions of democracy would degenerate into Fanny Wrightism, under the newly invented disguise of loco focoism, to gull the " democracy of num- bers" withal, and enrage their phrenzy against the settled institutions of their country, and the peace of society, threatening anarchy and revolution, by the adventitious aid of foreign paupers, to glut their desperate cupidity, and advance his ambitious aspirations to have our " infatif* Government placed under his tutelage, and put into lead- ing strings of his fabrication ! There can be no doubt, that all the facilities of the Post Othce Department are now in full requisition, to advance and mature these schemes ; and that the spirit of mobocracy, which has been so contagious for several years past, originated in a conspiracy of this father of loco focoism. When these convictions becran to beam upon my mind last winter, I immediately resolved to expose them ; which I did, in part, in the columns of the Washrng- tonian, and in the " Sketches," he, recently published. Will Amos Kendall deny the authorship of another " declaration of principles, pubhshed in the New-York Evening Post, over the signature of " Loco Foco," which lays the axe of revolution at the roots of all our corporate institutions. State and Federal ? Will he deny that he wrote letters to Harrisburgh, a winter or two ago, ui-ging the revoca- tion of the charter of the United States Bank of Pennsylvania ? Will he deny his agency in establishing the Democratic Herald, of Philadelphia, as a stronghold, and place of refuge, for himself and loco focoism, should be be turned adrift from the Government here? If he denies these two facts, I have the proof that he lies. It is also asserted, that Mr. KendaH took no part in the prosciiptive memorral, &c., but that the first movement wa&made by nse. Tliere can be no necessity for me to exhaust time or space here, upon this falsehood, as 1 have shown, by Kendall's own letter, in * See an extract from Kendall's speech, at the Hickory Club festival, recently published in my "Sketches." 2 10 connexion with other statements in my former publication, what part he took upon this occasion, being the third tdition of proscription, I have, also, there stated what part he took in the second edition, which he oritrinated by invitin-g«"t b"^^"«^^' ^-"'"Haf while months, or more, in succession, at the same tune drawing their full pay, while those left at their desks have to assume increased burthens. 6th " Without knowing how general this practice may be, it is statea lo mo, that a clerk in one of the Departments was permitted to --Hhdraw from ^^^^^^^ about the first of March, and date his resignation, to take effect the first ot April, drawing his salarv for a month after he had withdrawn from the City. 7th "The payment of the salaries of deceased clerks for some time after their deaths, has, I am credibly informed, been a very general practice. 12 recently intrusted to liini, [ meaning my compilation of the Pension Laws, as a clerk of the Pension Office, ] 1 have heen brought con- siderably in contact with him, and have found him attentive, well- informed, and capable." [ Dated May 2, 1833. ] Fourth Paragraph. " The Pector was then out of omployraont, and instead of seeking it elsewhere," &c., «fcc. Here, this egregious blunderer, leaps over a space of four years, and all the remarkable incidents it evolved, in the Land Office, in the Patent Office, and elsewhere, to write a tissue of falsehoods in relation to the office 1 now hold, to which I was appointed this day year ; not, as he says, by the Chief Clerk of the War Department, but by an arrangement between the President and Governor Cass, upon the President's return here from Tennessee, and before the lat- ter left here for France. As this blunderer also seems to think it material to state to the public that my salary is ^'600 — his malice in that, may likewise be exposed, by stating the fact, that my salary is {^95 per month, being within a fraction of ,^'1,200 a year, out of which I live as parsimoniously as possible, devoting all I can spare to liquidate debts, incurred here, and unavoidably postponed and jeo- parded, to the injury of innocent creditors, by the cruel loss of time and employment that 1 have suffered at the hands of delinquent friends of the Administration, who actually deserved a worse fate than mine, vvhile I should, at least, have been protected, or have been heard. But let ine ask this mouth-piece of Kendall, who gives the salaries ? Shall I be subject to such niggardly jibes, if they are dis- tributed upon the principles of favoritism, like those practised by Kendall to the youthful members of his family, as well as the decre- pid of age, over the ratio of services they can ever perform, to the exclusion of more capable men. 1 am content with what I get, 8th. " There are those who perform little or no service for their salaries, but devote their ofBca hours, sometimes to walking the streets and fr quenting the Hotels, at other times, to reading the newspapers, talking on politics, and othfr irrelevant matters, in ofRce, to the greit annoyance and interruption of those associated with them, in utter disregard of the o;ith of office. 9th. " There are those who patronize, by their own practices, gambling to excess, intoxication to excess, and frauds upon creditors, apparently as a systematic busi- ness. 10th. "There are those who empoison the avenues of public intelligence, by defa- matory denunciations against the Administration, vilifying the President and his friends, regardless of the obligations of decency, of justice, or of trutli, and in vio- lation of their oath to be faithful. 11th. " There are a great many who entertain the most relentless hostility to the union of the States, who declare their adhesion to Duff Green and Mr. Calhoun, and openly denounce the President and his friends, while they advocate disobedience to the laws and the Constitution, under the disguise of nullificitioii and secession, preparatory to the establishment of two empires, with the Potomac for the dividin? line." ^ 13 thouc^b 1 might be entitled to more, on a comparison with others, who get double as much. Fifth Paragraph. I am here charged with " causing the removal of Alexander Mclntyre, and endea- voring to remove Dr. Craig, then Superuitendent of the Patent Office, to make room for myself." This is false in all its bearings. I knew not of the President's inten- tion to turn out Mr. McI., and was surprised to hear of it, when it was done, though 1 was put in his place. All I ever said of him to the President was several years before this occurrence, in the pre- scriptive list, upon information furnished by Thomas B. Reilly and others, in connexion with statements of much more reprehensible facts against friends of the dominant party. The allegation is equally false in relation to Dr. Craig. Both himself and Mr. McI. had re- cently been brought to a severe test for their official conduct, by an investigation* ordered by Mr. McLane, then Secretary of State, and * Hers follows the letter of the Secretary of State, in which that investigation resulted. I have only to say, that if these facts had been discovered in any man- ner through my agency, no appointment would have been given me in that office, as the heads of Bureaux are, as a general rule, permitted to keep about them those who are " agreeable to them." Department op State, Washington, March 28, 1834. Sir : I have examined the charges preferred against you by Mr. William P. El- liot, together with the evidence taken in the case, accompanied by the report of the Commissioner appointed to conduct the investigation. In the progress of tliis examination, I have seen much in your conduct, and in that of Mr. Steiger, which is deserving of censure, and much that it is difficult to excuse ; but I refrain from doing more, at the present time, than to lay down the following directions : You are, hereafter, to preserve and file all the official correspondence, of whatever character ; you are to keep a book corresponding to that which was formerly kept in the office, under the name of the " Caveat Book," in which are to be entered all such descriptions as are received from persons not desirous of immediately taking out patents for their inventions. The ninth section of the Act of Congress, of February 21st, 1793, is to be care- fully observed, and no case is to be considered as exempt from its application, until the patent is actually issued. The roguhitions heretofore prescribed by the Depart- ment in regard to copies of drawings, and to the employment of clerks, in prepar- ing papers relating to business which is to be acted on by the Department, or copy- ing papers on file or of record in the Department, the former of which bears date on the 17th of October, and the latter on the 16th of December last, are to be strictly obeyed. And in the construction of the former, all the drawings upon the same sheet of paper, representing diffi;rent parts of the same invention, are to be consi- dered as one drawing, and to be charged for accordingly. No original papers are, at any tune, or on any account, to be suffisred to be taken from the office, without the special permission of the Secretary of State. You are desired distinctly to understand, that a failure to comply with either of these directions, if discovered, will be promptly noticed, and will be considered as good and sufficient cause for your removal from your present station. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ^ LOUIS McLANE. John D. Craig, Esq. 14 published in pamphlet form, (in compliance with a resolution of Con- gress ) of which I had no knowledge whatever, until after the ren)o- val ot Mr. Mel and my appointment. 1 had, however, been but hen recently .n omied by Mr. Kendall, that Dr. Craig would proba- bly be dismissed, without learning upon what grounds, and he pro- mised personally to solicit the President fo.' the appointment, for me. 1 doubt whether he ever did, however, and 1 certainly did not. Sitth Paragraph. The purport of this parac^raph is to charge-that I endeavored to procure the removal of Colonel Ashton, at that tin.e Marshal of the District, that I might ob- tain his situat.o„_and that, if appointed, I would remove Mr. Dyer, on whose ac count I had reproached Col. A., &-c. I did present Col. Ashton to the Grand Jury, as has been stated i., niy foriner publication ; but it is false that I ever desired the office of Marshal. TionriasB. lleilly, the brother-in-law of Col. Ashton, was the indindual who first mentioned to me that Col. Ashton's dismissal was confidently expected, in consequence of some irregularity about the fees of his oflice, a.id suggested to me to apply foiMhe situation. I told him instantly, and distinctly, that I would not have it if it were offered tome ; that my habits of life were sedentary and unsuited for the activity it would require ; but that even were it suitable in every respect, 1 cou d not hope to succeed, or 1 should before now have had more justice done me in other respects. After this, I heard no more of that matter. And as to the case of Mr. Dyer, I am free to say, that when I first came here, he, whom I knew not, and a great many others, equally then unknown to me, had already been turned out of office purely lor opinion's sake, whatever may have been the valid charges that justified the removal of some re^v others. I also found that Mr Dyer was very shortly afterwards appointed to office by > M i'°"' ''',]° ^^;:\^'"^^bted for his appointment to the removal ot Mr. Kinggold. This impressed me as a most damning incon- sistency ! If Mr.^ Ringgold was a fit subject for prosciption, and it so Jar met Col. A. s approbation as to reconcile it to himself to accept his despoiled office upon the same principle he could not appoint Mr. Dyer, who had also been found a fit subject for party proirin- tion at least, in another branch of the absolute government of exec- utive unity and indivisibility ! I, therefore, as a green novice, thought JMr. Dyer s apponitment (in the abstract, without knowing him) was culpable in Col. A., or, that there was gross culpability elsewhere, in the boasted unity ! Following out these reflections, is no evidence of my desirmg the removal of Mr. Dyer. I utterly deny, and before the world defy such an inference. But how stands the case since I have become acquainted with Mr. Dyer ? Before God, I aver that 16 I never met with a nobler hearted man ! Nay, more, from the ac- quaintance I have since formed with several others, who were also turned out of office, before 1 came here, in the same unceremonious manner, neck and heels, taking them as a corps, I have been as- tonished to find so much merit ejected from the public service INor is that all -—only behold the contrast— aye, the contrast ! and mark me • should that happy time ever arrive, when the Congress ot the United States shall be sufficiently dispossessed of the fiend ol party, to permit the glorious impulses of patriotism to resume the dominant sway of their hearts, and, among other things, contrast the group oi officers turned out and officers put in their places— looking at this group and then at that, their souls would sink within them, sickened with the mixed feelings of mortification and chagrin, indignation and shame ' ' ' \nd has it come to this, that such a toul blot upon the nation's character, under the operations of the first edition of reform, before I came here, should now be attributed to me as my work, when, in fact, I have done more than every man besides, to put a stop to it, and verily believe that it is forever exploded. Seventh Paragra'ph. This anonymous wretch next charges me witli ingratitude to Amos Kendall ! alleging that I had received " relief from his private purse," &c. Incrratitude to Amos Kendall ! the last man in the world to know what^gratitude is, or to perform an act by which a debt of gratitude could be incurred by another towards him. This charge, I presume, is founded upon some representation of Kendall's, which is worse than fahe. . , 1 .• The facts are these : In those, to me, trying and treacherous times, I could not comprehend why 1 was permitted to be made a sacrifice, for aiding, by invitation, in furnishing the information sought for, to enable the Executive to fulfil the pledges to the country, of a saliUary reform. It was about this time, after being dismissed frorn^ the Pen- sion Office, while I was continually receiving broken promises to re- store me to employment; with professions of good wdl from ^^endall and others in the matter, that Kendall ./?rs^ suggested to me the idea of " leaving Washington," as a piece of friendly advice. 1 his hypo- critical counsel rent the veil of delusion in which I had been wrap- ped, and exhibited to my mind a revelation of duplicity that really astounded me. I did not rashly determine, however, Irom this, that his professions of good will were entirely insincere, though his letter from Baltimore had already shaken my faith in him. 1 resolved, therefore, to put him to a more substantial test, of trifling amount withal, that the inference might be divested of all doubt il so tritlmg an amount should be refused. I asked him, at one of these inter- views, to lend me two or three dollars, believing that if 1 was des- 16 lined, in hU opinion, to he sacrificed, he would refuse ; but if not, that he would find no difficulty in making the loan, on the prospect of a future provision to be made for me. He did refuse, however, so j)itiful a loan, I urged my situation, and hope of appointment : He could not be moved. 1 told him a mutual friend in office (Major Thomas Harrison, then in the General Land Office) owed me five dollars, which he would pay at the end of the month, when I could return the tiuee requested. He then rdaxed, and said if I " would bring kirn an accejjtcd order an that gentleman, for jive dollars, he wauld let me have it! ! — which was done the next day. This docu- ment, if yet in being, I hope to produce before this is through ^the press; if not, the gentleman is in this District, and will no doubt cer- tify to it.* A.nd this is the marvellous act of kindness that Kendall now boasts of, through his anonymous tool — but, in fict, it told a tale of his heart, that he little suspected could be read by me, ever since which I have kept my eye fixed upon him, and have noted the con- firmations of these suspicions, as I have partly published in the pamph- let, that this toad-eater of his professes to answer. Eighth, Tenth, and Eleventh Paragraphs. I look npon the 8th, 10th, and 11th paragraplis, devoted to a panegyric on Amos Kendall, in relation to his agency in the removal of the De[)osites, &lc., &i.c., as a full confession of the conspiracy charged in my former publication. \. merit is made of this acknow- ledgement, I presume, as he probably thinks the loco-Jhco cause is fret- ting to be a strong one. Ninth Paragraph. Here, this liberal advocate affects to charge me with something new, or unknown, before, as the political editor of the Washingtonian, published here during the last session of Congress. This has never been denied or concealed by myself, but freely avowed to every one that choose to inquire. Moreover, the publisher was requested to refer any inquiries that should be made, to me. Did Kendall or any one else make any such call ? They did not. The other assertion, however, in his 9th paragraph, that I was then soliciting office from any one, much less of Amos Kendall, Is utterly false. At that time, for several months before, (and ever since, which. * Here it is r Washixcton, October 13, 1837. Dear Sir : I certify that you drew an order on ms, in favor of Amos Kendall, in October or November, 1833, for five dollars, which I accaptad, and paid at the end of the month. Yours, respectfully, THOMAS HARRISON. Dr. R. Mayo. 17 is a long time for me, I was in the oflice 1 am now in, and hazarding dismissal, if there were not an end to proscription for opinioii's sake, and officers of the Government, as well as others, allowed to breathe a little more freely. Twelfth Paragraj^h. In this paragraph there is, perfectly in character, some foolish stuff about my giving information to Mr. Wise, ' --P-tat'ion hat Kendall would have the justice to pay it ; if he had, t would have been an agreeable disappointment. Secondly ; Becau e t was a more valid and equitable claim than many others I'hich had om^t^ rLt u n^'' °"' ""'' -^i ''"^'' ^"°^^'^*^ ^"^^ P^id in several of the Executive Departments, without the merest shadow of a pretence that lie App.naix, cidss [ U,] with the remarks accompanying it. 21 the services claimed had ever been performed; and, thirdly, if ^//tV account should be rejected, I should have a strong case of the penuri- ous injustice and oppression of this Government oi unity in one De- partment, to set off its reckless prodigality and low favoritism in the same, and other Departments. So that here are, I presume, reasons that look to the public good, as well as reasons that sustain individual rights, while they hold up the mirror to the perpetrators of prodigality to favorites and oppression to the friendless, at the expense of the people's purse, and in mean and secret derision of their misplaced confidence ! ! That my brother extended to me a participation, in loan, of his scan-, ty purse, I have always freely avowed ; nor is this the first time that Kendall has had the meanness to advert to it. But what are the cir- cumstances? We were partners in misfortune long before we came here ; nor was it, by any means, the least of our misfortunes that we ever took it into our heads to advocate the election of General Jack- son, against the remonstrances of friends ; one of whom, a distinguish- ed military officer, in the frankness and sincerity of his heart, used the homely but expressive admonition to me, ne siitor ultra crepidam ; but all was in vain : I was an enthusiast, and would not be diverted from a purpose thai had plausibly promised so much public good — a sad delusion ! Yes, my companion in misfortune, my brother, fol- lowed my destinies here, buoyant with the exultations of a Jackson victory, and when we thought we could encounter the expenses of house-keeping, we clubbed our little means, to pay for furniture, Sec, &SC. Who objects ? Does any man but Amos Kendall ! My brother had command of whatever he wanted, and I would have sold out, at any time, to refund him, if he had desired it. In fact — be it spoken to his in-finite praise — his wants were but small, and he ever regard- ed mine with more heartfelt concern, than his oivn ! ! In conclusion, I feel myself bound to say, that I have ample cause for revenge upon my persecutors here, and not those alone who secrete themselves behind an anonyuious tool. Not for the loss of ten years of the most precious portion of my life and my professional pa- tronage, heedlessly pledged upon a party-colored card ; — that was my own look out ; not on account of my own personal sufferings ; nor yet to avenge, alone, the death of my brother, by over-exertion in the Post Office Department, to please those about him, though to me cause enough for revenge in the sight of God ! but there have been other fatalities growing out of these persecutions, operating through maternal sensibilities, that entwine around every nerve of my heart, and shall never be effaced from it. Washington, October 14, 1837. APPEN DIX. [ Class A. ] [The following communication was made to tlie Richmond Compiler, to show the authority on which I had ordered certain comforts for the prisoners, and the legal provisions, to the same effect, that grew out of it.] From the Richmond Compiler, 1823. [communicated.] Richmond, 19th February, 1823. To the Honorable Court of Hustings : Gentlemen : I beg leave to solicit your attention to the accommodations and discipline of Henrico Jail, where the prisoners of your Court are confined, jointly with those of the County Court and the Superior Court of Law. That you may understand the ground upon wliich I presume to makethis request. Hay before you the following copy of a letter I addressed to the County Court on tiie 3d inst., and a copy of the order of that Court consequent thereon. (Signed) R. MAYO. Richmond, 3d February, 1823. To the Honorable Court of Henrico County : Gentlemen : You will perceive by the resignation of my brother, Dr. E. Mayo, as Physician to the prisoners of your Honorable Court, that I have authorized him to nominate me as a candidate to the vacancy. But, before you have decided upon your choice, I beg leave to propound a single query which may possibly have some effect on your election, either in my favor, or against me, as its affirmative solution will be essential to my acceptance of the appointment. The query is — whether do you not conceive it to be the duty of the superintend, ing physician of any public institution to have cognizance of the causes which conduce to health, or disease, as well as of the means of curing or palliating dis- eases when they actually do occur ? And that the attending physician may visit and inspect such institution, from time to time, at his discretion, and appeal to the authority from whence he derives his appointment, if he discovers noxious causes which he cannot procure to be otherwise corrected, &-c.. &c. Yours, &,c. (Signed) R. MAYO. After the above communication, I was told by one of the presiding magistrates, that the Court were pleased with my suggestion ; and the next morning the Clerk handed me the following order. In Henrico County Court, February 3d, 1823. Ordered, Tliat Dr. Robert Mayo, he requested to superintend the prisoners in the Jail of Henrico County, until an appointment is made by this Court. Copy — Teste, J. B. WHITLOCKE, C. H. C. Under these circumstances I felt myself authorized to examine, immediately, into the condition of the prisoners ; and the result was a discoveiy of evils calling most imperiously lor instantaneous relief. Accordingly, I have caused them to be reme. died at the smallest possible expense, with the full confidence that the measure will be sanctioned by the Courts concerned. Other defects were also apparent, but not being sources of momentary and grievous distress to the prisoners, may be corrected 24 at leisure. I will proc.notl to tho separate detail of theso frripvaMCis, sincl concluda witli a linv remarks on tlie discipliiio tliat seoiiis jiropi'r to he observed by the turnkey. &,c., &.c. »« * « i.« r* *,********** * [Omitting the detail of these documents, here follows a sketch of the Law that grew out of them, which is their substantial representative.] SKETCH OF THE LAW. " H ireaflcr, every County and Corporation Court shall keep in good repair a suffi- cient jail, well secured with iron bolts and bars, &.C., and with apartments sutfieient for the conveniant accommodation of the prisoners; so that convicts and slaves, may be kept separately from each other, and from other prisoners ; such apart- ments to bd provided with adequate windows, and fire-places or stoves. In case the jails do not come up to this description, the Court shall forthwith proceed to take the necessary measures to make them conformable to this act ; under the same penal- ties as are now imposed for failing to erect and keep in ner. 2d. A special cliarge from the Secretary of War to compile and superin- tend the publishing the Pension Laws, together with the opinions of Attorneys General, and regulations of Secretaries of War, lu regard to the execution of those laws, with an analytical index to the wliolo. -j ki Is The ffi-st branch of business still continues to exist to a very considerable extent, and greatly exceeds that stage of increase at which I was brought into the office • there bein^ still retained in office twelve or fourteen persons who were in- trod^c^d 2' 'myself, not as clerks, but as,W...orA-.r.. and who might be presum ed to bo liable to be dispensed with, as the business subsides to the stage at which h stood when they were engaged. For, to dispense with those who were employ- ed on 10 first stage of increase of business, and retam, as clerks, tlK,se vvho we e employ d as job-writers, since the date of the Secre^tary's notice, of 28th March, and that, too,^ without non.ination to the Secretary himself, appears to me to be a double viola ion of the spirit and the letter of that notice. The business I wa first employed on in the office, in stating the quarterly re urns, is now " ore tha four-fold ; and that on which I am now engaged, is still abundant m my desk. In execntin. the business intrusted to me, there has not occurred a blunder to my charge " A few have been reported to me for correction, but they were always t ace^ o other hands, or ascertained not to bo errors, but strict y correct, and I can nuot^> the instances. Not so, however, in relation to some of those who are retain- Srwio came i. as job-workers, since the notice of 28th March ; their blunders are fume rous aid flagrant, and come, frequently, under the observation of the Commi^ Soner° so that the good of the service, if not seniority of employment, might have ji^fotorl 1 rliffi>vent nomination for dismissal. - Od In reS ion to the special charge from the Secretary of War to publish the Pension Laws iU^utterlJ^ impossible, in the nature of the work that ^t ^l-uW be finXd before the Secretary of War returns, and that was fully known to him be £p he lef the seat of government; for the analytical index, which is yet to be mad out nius? be submifted to the Secretary, for his approval, before it can go to ™ress. This engagement, alone, in my view, necessarily retams me in office until ''^:F^i^h is'mosfSpe^^fuUy submitted to the consideration of the Acting Secretary of War, by his very obedient .-servant, ^q (Signed) \ 4. ] Department of War, March 28, 1833. S,n ■ Tn order to prevent disappointment, and that the gentlemen now employed inthe Pension OfSc'e may have'cJnplo time to make other arrangements as soon a. 28 the reduction of business there may render their sorvices unn?cessary, you will please to make known to them, that, as fast as the public interest will permit, the number of clerks will be reduced. Those who hold ap])oiiitmcnts under laws exist- ing previously to June, 1832, will bo permanently retained. All the otliers, being temporarily employed, will be subject to discharge whi-never their s:'rvic:>s are not wanted. Mr. Evans, Mr. Sj'lvester, and Mr. Rice, are indicated as three who will be continued, while business, under the Act of June, lS',i'2, requires their services. The others will be selected on the nomination of the Commissioner of Pensions, when tiie period arrives rendering a selection necessary. This information is thus early given, that all the gentlemen interested in the subject may be aware of tlie tem[)orary nature of their duties, and that the discharge of some, and the retention of others, can give no just cause of offence to any, as no one has a claim to preference. Very respectfully, I am, sir, your obedient servant, (Signed) LEWIS CASS. To James L. Edwards, Esq., Commissioner of Pensions. True copy : JOHN D. WILSON. [These papers were thus endorsed and returned to me by the President.] •' The Acting Secretary of War [ John Robb ] reports, no duty for those clerks to perform," therefore their further services not wanted. (Signed) A . J. [ The above endorsation not being satisfactory, nor the report true, I addressed the following letter to the President, with its enclosures, which follow it. On these papers a reference was endorsed, to " be laid before the Secretary of War." The Secretary of War always acted towards me with the greatest kindness, but did not undertake to overrule the injustice of the above action, thouorh he con- tinued my engagement on the compilation intrusted tome, till completed, as shewn by my report to him, [ 6 ] of the 15th August, 1833, at tlie rates of my salary as clerk. ] [ 5. ] Washington, July 12, 1833. Your Excellency is entreated to excuse me for conveying to you the inclosed statements, which substantiate the points taken in my former communications on my case. I am now literally unhorsed and unarmed, (except with truth,) fighting in an open field, against a numerous enemy, armed with poisonous weapons, behind forti- fied batteries, while my followers have been wounded and dispersed in the onset. Standing out to the last myself, though mortally wounded, I know not how to give up, except as a martyr, while I cling to my unwavering trust in you. Cannot my case remain statu quo ante bellum, until Governor Cass comes home ? Truly, R. MAYO. To the Presiddnt. s [ «■ ] Washington, July 11, 1833. Dear Sir : In compliance with your request, I state, that, in January last, after General Van Ness and myself were appointed commissioners to investigate certain charges, having relation to the Ordnance Department of the Army and Navy Com- 29 missioners Office, we gave notice to Mr. Burdine, now said to be a clerk in the Pension Offico, wlio had been in the Ordnance Office, to appear before us for tho purpose of giving testimony. He did not appear, as requested by us, and we di- rected our clL:rk, Mr. Jourdan, to ascertain to wliat office he belonged, that we niight procure an order from tlie head of the appropriate Department, directing him to attend, according to an assurance to that effect w'.iich had been given, I think, by the Fr-sidcnt. Mr. Jourdan reported that Mr. Burdine had been transferred from the Ordnance, to the Pension Office ; but being dissatisfied with the arrange- ment, had not reported for duty, and was not then considered under the control of government. We, therefore, took no step to procure any order directing him to at- tend, and he did not attend, though several times requested. With great regard, your obedient servant, AMOS KENDALL. Dr. R. Mayo, Present. [The following remarks accompanied the above letter :] Thus it appears Mr. Burdhio was refractory. He would not work, nor would ho give tesLiiaony. To suit his views, he was no officer of the Government, and under no control, for which his salary was discontinued by the Secretary of War; but, for other views, he is now considered an officer by himself, and Mr. Edwards, wiio set him at tlio head of a division in the Pension Offics, on the 2d of July, one d;iy after I was dismissed, for want of work, as he alleges. On the 3d Jidy, Mr. Burdine withdrew again, and has not been to the office since. It cannot be disguised, that Mr. Edwards has taken this course towards me, not because there is not work to employ me upon, not because I am any way deficient, but, because I am too efficient, and too observant of errors committed in the office. This is the true misery of the case. R. MAYO. [ 6.] War Department, August 15, 1833. Hon. Lewis Cass, Secretary of War. 1 have the honor to announce the completion of the publication of the Pension Laws, of which I have had the superintendence, according to your order, and the delivery of the same to the book-binder, Mr. Sergeant, as per inclosed receipt. The documents herewith accompanying, marked A, B, and C, were delivered to nie by Mr. Edwards, by your order, as part of the materials for publication, and for which I passed to him my receipts. Those marked D, wei'e obtained from the At- torney General's Office, to sup])ly imperfections in the afore-mentioned. The print- ed laws which I used, belonging to the Pension Office, were returned some timo since. The copy of laws which I had the use of, from the War Department pro- per, will be delivered to the messenger to-day. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. MAYO. [ Class D. ] [ 1- ] [The following correspondence will speak for itself; it took place on the occa- sion of my dismissal from the Patent Office by Mr. Ellsworth :] Washington City, July 18, 1836. Dear Sir : In seaman's phrase, I have completely boxed the compass, and have found no harbor of repose, no anchorage, no resting place. 30 In conversations last evening witli » » * » and » * * *, I learnt that all the arniniroinents trrowing out of Mr. * * *'s iippoiiitnicnt in * * * *, and contem- plated resignation here, have been made nearly six months ago ; and that sucli is the case wltii almost every vacancy that occurs in the * * * * *, or ' » * * », before tiie public generally know of their existence. Thus it is obvious that none, but thosa innnodiately in connexion with that service, have a possible chance of success for any thing in tliat wav. I\Iy chance was as bad at tho * * • *. * + • » returned to me this morning my pipers, which had been r 'ferred to him by * * + * ; from which I have sepa- rated my letter of application to * + * +, and here inclose it for your jjcrusal. In order to be certain that tho statements therein were correct and authorized by Mr. Ellsworth, I showed him tho letter, and received his confirmation in presence of a third person, before it was sealed. How far the appointment of Mr. Hand, (who has always been considered to be an opposition coalitionist, and who was already provided for, as he has been for years) can be considered a payment of a political debt to Connecticut, is not for me to determine. But viewing my case, as it now stands, you will perceive that I have done every thintr in my power without success ; and that as a tinal resort, I am under the ne- ccssfly of consoling * * * *, with a hope that, if it should he in your power to offer me any thing in the Post Office Department, you will do so, and thereby con- fer an obligation ever to be remembered by Your respectful and obedient servant, (Signed) R. MAYO. Hon. Amos Kendall. [Kendall took no notice of this letter, but seeming to avail iiiniself of my expres- sion of reliance on his spontaneous tender of appointment, when it should bo con- venient, passed the matter in silence. But 1 was resolved to bring him to his speech, as I had many reasons to believe he was working the under current against me, which shall be made public hereafter. I therefore, some time after, urged him for an answer, which was made in the following Jesuitical and evasive strain, yet, half promising, but leaving me to doul)t, while, in fact, there were several vacancies hi the Department at that time, as was notorious hero, though he affected to con- ceal it.] [2. ] Baltimore, August 4. 1836. Dear Sir : The arrival of my family for the purpose of taking passage with inc in the rail-road cars, prevented an answer to your letter to-day, before I left Wash- ington. In compliance with your request, I have now to state that all the places in the Post Office Department, of the character you seek, have been filled ; that one gen- tleman is retained temporarily until one of the newly appointed arrives, whom I shall feel under obligations to provide for permanently, if an opportunity should present itself; and that there are two others so circumstanced, that I should feel myself obliged to prefer them to recent applicants.* On the whole, there is no probability that I can give you employment in any short period, nor do I think it right to promise it at all ; and I trust you will be able to find occupation elsewhere, which shall be suited to your inclinations, and •will yield you the means of comfort. I am, very respectfully. Your obedient servant. Dr. Robert Mayo- AMOS KENDALL. * I was not a recent applicant, nor did I specify any place, as he insinuates. 31 [ This evasion did not suffice for me. I was determined that he should bo more explicit, in some way. I therefore addressed him the following-, on his return to Washington, infusing into it a little of the spicy stimulant, which would more pro- bably bring him to his speech. It did, accordingly, in the reply that follows, in which he lays off all disguises, and under the firm conviction that I was now, in- deed, dependent upon him, crying out, come help me, or I sink ; — he seizes the fit occasion, and plunges me to the bottom, as he thought — but he only attempted the dastardly thing that I expected, while I resolutely stood my ground, and held him at defiance. ] [ 3.] Washington, September 10, 1836. Dear Sir : I called yesterday to greet your return home, and to express my thanks to you for yoMX friendly letter from Baltimore, when 3'oa left — but did not have the pleasure to see you, being then engaged, as the messenger informed me. On perusal of your letter, 1 was sorry to find your good will to befriend me, de- feated bv so many little obstacles, which I thouglit would have yielded, in some shape or other, to ihose friend ly impulses, wliicli I know to sway your bosom. Perhaps I go too far in my views on this subject. If I know myself, I think I could safely say, that a political friend, of suitable qualifications, would never leave me with a negative to his application for employment, while there remained an ene- my in my service, whose dismissal would enable me to grant his request. But I ought long since to have learnt, that my impulses do not afford the proper rule to govern, or criterion to judge, the actions and policy of others, as many recent occur- rences, in several of the Departments, will sufficiently attest So far from it, I must be reconciled to see political enemies, who have been provided for ten and twenty years, and who are ready to plunge the poignard to the hilt, when the occasion shall suit, still further advanced and promoted, instead of being dismissed; while political friends are frowned upon or neglected, and in one case, even turned out, in order to make room for an enemy, (under the pretence of paying a political debt to a State,) whose citizenship had been long abandoned, and whose politics were of an adverse stamp. To be reconciled to these things, indeed, is saying rather too much ; but to submit, because it is impossible to kick against the pricks, is inevitable, even though it be with an ill grace. That you would have proved a host, in the cause of Jacksonism and Reform, none doubted ; and that you will discountenance, as far as is in your power, the pre- ference of enemies, and the oppression of friends, I fully believed. Much have you done, and much remains for you to do : nor will I permit myself to doubt, that in the progress of this holy work, you will extend a hand to me. But that I should feel some restlessness under the delays that policy or convenience may render neces. sary, will not surprise you, when you review, in a brief sketch, the procrastinations and sufferings I have already endured. I have been engaged twelve years (by writing and otherwise) in advocating the cause of Jackson democracy, and lost my professional patronage, at an early period, by it. I have been nearly eight years of that time in Washington, maintaining a forlorn struggle, against fearful odds of political enemies, who, nevertheless, enjoy the pa- tronage of the Administration I have supported. In the early part of this period, and under the better prospects I then thought I had before me, I acquired the delicate obligations of a family : but sliortly after- wards, the overpowering numbers of political enemies in the Bureaux, having be- come bold, from indulgence of their superiors, marked me for destruction, even under the eye of the President. ♦ • * * f2 In the whole of this time, we liavo never had it our power to pny a visit to our friends in Virorinia, during which I have lost tlirce brothers, two sisters, and several other near relatives. And with a continuancv) of this unrqual struggle with my enemies, wliere the power, too, entirely rests with my political friends, I may lose all my family in V^irj^iiiia, before I may have it in my power to pay them a visit, or introduce my wife for tiio first time. I may bo mistaken, in supposing that, were it in my power, I would strain a point for a fri.Mid, under such circumstances, and conclude his sufTcringa. I know we cannot always tcdl how we would act, until we are vested with the power, and placed under tiie responsibilities of the new situation. Therefore, prob;;bly iimch greater allowances ought to be made, than I am prepared to appreciate, for my po- litical friends' seeming tardiness in relieving me from this protracted torture. Yours, &.C., &c. (Signed) R. MAYO. [ 4. ] [In fact, I did not expect an appointment from him. I was in pursuit of a dif- ferent thing ; and here it is :] Washington, September 13, 1836. Dear Sir: I have received and read your letter, of the 10th instant, having re- ference to employment in some of the public otfices, and of the Post Office Depart, ment in particular. In reference to this Department, circumstances have not changed since I wrote you from Balimore. Pardon me for saying, that, vpon a dispassionate view of your whole case — the past and the present — / think you ought to give up the hope and desire of being em- ployed in the Public Offtccs in this City. I feel the more free to say so, because I know that such would be my own resolution in your case. A little reflection, I think, and casting your eyes on those who move around you, and the ckcumslances in which even those who would befriend you are placed, will satisfy you as to the grounds of this advice, and make it unnecessary for me to recapitulate them. With great regard. AMOS KENDALL. [ Had I been more plain and explicit, I should have failed to kill the Devil with his own weapKjns ; he would not have come forth ! But I knew my secret assail- ant, in all his disguises ; and now I dismiss him, naked ! prostrate ! completely un- riddled, and harmless I ] [ Class E. ] Dear Sir : I enclose you the copies you requested ; and inquired of Dr. Hunter (who has all the files of applications for Clerkships) for the recommendations of your deceased brother, and he could find none. I am, very respectfully, dear sir, your obedient servant. C. K. GARDNER. Dr. Robert Mayo. November 23, 1836. 33 Copies from the files of the Post OJice Department. [1- 1 General Post Office Department, To the Estate of George Mayo, doc'd, Dr. To six months services as a temporary Clerk, from the 1st of Septem- ber, 1831, to the 1st of March, 1832, (having been employed part ot the time in the First Assistant Post Master General's division, and the greater part of the time in the Second Assistant's division, and alter- wards received an appointment as a permanent Clerk, at fSOOayear; but for his services, before rendered, he never received any compensa- tion,)— the customary rate of temporary Clerks being $800 a year ^^ — six months, ^ Washington, October 28, 1836. Presented by Robert Mayo, representing the deceased. [2. ] Statement in explanation of the accompanying Bill When these services were rendered, I was a clerk in the First Assistant Post Master General's division, as Register of Letters. About the 1st of September, 1831 in addition to my regular duties, under a pressure of business in the Depart- ment several other matters were detailed to me to perform, such as preparing a re- port of the emoluments or nett proceeds and salaries of the various Post Offices, &,c ; and to address and distribute a new edition of ten thousand Post Office Lists. The 'deceased was living with me at the time, and was invited to come to my room in the Department, and undertake the duty of directing this edition of ten thou- sand Post Office Lists— which he performed according to the instructions of the First Assistant, (then Acting Post Master General,) while I performed the other jobs, in addition to my regular duty. I have now in my possession the old Post Office Lists, which was placed in the hands of the deceased, with erasures and cor- rections by the Acting Post Master General, for his guide in addressing the new edition. The deceased performed this duty entirely to the satisfaction of Col. Gard- ner, as I understood, (except a small portion of it, which was done by Mr. Whar- ton,) and was afterwards transferred to tlie Second Assistant's division, and took charge of a set of books there, which will show that he continued there tdl a few days in March, following. When Major Barry returned to the office, during the fall of 1831, application was made to him for a permanent Clerkship, under the recommendation of Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Archer of Virginia, which was promised to him. But the long delay of the appointment, under the daily expectation of receiving it, at once pre- vented the claun for temporary services, while it would seem fully to justify its being made ; and it is now revived chiefly for the benefit of his grave, which has laid exposed ever since his death— which, too, was mainly brought about by his ex- treme application to his duties, notoriously averaging more than ten hours a day, when office hours were only six a day. (Signed) R- MAYO. Washington, October 28, 1836. P. S. I refer to Col. Gardner and Major Hobbie, for a distinct recollection of the services as stated, &c. ( Signed ) R- M. 5 34 [ 3] Washington, A^ou. 10, 183G. Dear Sir : I called at the Post Oflicn Doiiartment this morning, to lay beforo yon the enclosed papers, but rcgretlod to leuni that you were aiisent in consequenco of indisposition. As soon as you are able to attend to business, I wish you would have the jjood- ness to examine this claim and order its payment, if you Hnd it just and reasonable. According to the statement of Dr. Mayo it appears to me to be a fair claim ii))on the Department, and should bo allowed. However, I do not pretend, myself, to know any thing of the facts or merits of the claim, but j)rosumo that Messrs. Gard- ner and Hobbie, to whom he refers, arc well acquainted with the case. The Doctor has requested me to lay this claim before you, because he felt a deli- cacy, he said, in presenting it himself. I should have done it in person had I found you at the Department. Respectfully, (Signed) W. B. LEWIS. To Hon. Amos Kendall. [4.] Official endorsations of the above Papers. Respectfully referred to Col. Gardner for the facts of the case, according to his recollection. (Signed) A. K. I have no recollection of the time the late George Mayo served in the Post Office Department, previously to his being employed by authority of the Post Master General, which, I find by the record, was June \st, 1832. I can only call to my remembrance, that he was previously employed, as I understood, by his brother, Robert Mayo, to aid him in addressing a new edition of the Post Office List. I never was " Acting Post Master General," according to the provision of the Post Office Law ; though Major Barry was much absent. Respectfully submitted, ( Signed ) C. K. GARDNER. It does not appear that Mr. George Mayo was employed by the Post Master Gen 1 eral, or that he even expected compensation — his service having been merely in aid of his brother. If it were otherwise, there is no fund out of which the claim can be paid, there being no appropriation to which it is chargeable. ( Signed ) A. K. Novemher 19, 1836. The Auditor will please file these papers, and inform Dr. Mayo of the state of the case. ( Signed ) A. K. [ 5. ] Auditor's Office for the Post Office Department, November 21, 1836. Sir : Your letter of the 28th ultimo, and the accompanying account for services of your deceased brother, as clerk, prior to his employment by authority of the Post Master General, have been considered by the Post Master General, and ho has 35 instructed nie to communicate to you the following, as his decision : " It does not appear that he was employed by the Post Master General during the time stated in the account, or, that he ever expected compensation, his services having been merely in aid of his brother. If it were otherwise, there is no fund out of which the claim can be paid, there being no appropriation to which it is chargeable." I am, very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, ( Signed. ) C. K. GARDNER, Auditor. R. Mayo, Esq. [ 6.] (Copy.) Washington City, November 28, 183S. Sir : 1 have received your letter of the 21st instant, and a copy of the papers on file in your office, relative to the services of Geo. Mayo, deceased, in the Post Office Department in 1831, and in 1832. 1 am sorry to perceive, from the endorsation of the Post Master General thereon, referrino- them "to Col. Gardner for the facts in the case, according to his recollec- tion," and from the endorsation of Col. Gardner, in answer, that the final endorsation of the Post Master General was made without any reference to Major Hobbie for his recollections on the subject. Possibly, the Post Master General's reference to Col. Gardner, was intended to embrace an inquiry of Major Hobbie, eqrfally with Col. Gardner, for his recollections in the case. But, as it does not appear that Major Hobbie has made any statement, and as he is a very material witness— (Jeorga Mayo having been transferred to the room of Appointments in his division, by an arrangement between himself and Col. Gardner, at an early period of the servicea claimed, say about the 1st of October, one month after the services commenced, and continued to serve in that room, with other clerks under the direction of Major Hobbie, some of whom are yet in the Post Office Department, and would recollect the facts, in part. Doctor Lacey, for one— I beg leave, respectfully to request, through you, the indulgence of the Post Master General, to re-open the case, in order to make the inquiry for the facts more complete. I am encouraged to make this request, because I am confident it would enable the Post Master General to reach very diffi;rent conclusions from those he endorsed on the papers, viz : that " George Mayo's services were not authorized by the Post Master General — that he never expected compensation — his services having been merely in aid of his brother." It will be in my power to show, by a full inquiry, all the facts adverted to in my note explanatory of the bill rendered, viz : that, though I invited George Mayo to my room in the Post Office, about the 1st of Sep- tember, 1831, to address an edition of the Post Office List, yet, this, and other jobs, had been brought from another division of the Post Office Department, to me, to perform, on account of the pressure of business in the office, (as was then stated to me ; ) by which it is obvious my aid was put in requisition to assist that division : and upon the principle that despatch was desirable, I requested my brother's aid ; which, so far from being objected to by Col. Gardner, (then head of the office. Major Barry being absent,) was performed under his occasional supervision, and to his entire satistaction, as was frequently expressed to me. Application was made to Major Barry, on his return to Washington for compensation, but no formal action was taken on it ; true, it was not allowed. When that job was finished, about the 1st October, George Mayo was transferred to the office, or room of Appointments, under Major Hobbie, as above stated, where he continued for the balance (five months) of the time claimed. If then, the invitation to my brother to assist me in despatching masses Ot work, (under the supervision of Col. Gardner, and appearing every way acceptable to hun,) in which, too, I was assisting another division of the Department, may tairly be considered in the light of '• assistance rendered me merely," yet, surely, from the time of his transfer to another division of the office, by an arrangement between Col. Gardner and Major Hobbie, in which I had no agency, his services cannot be 36 considered as " merely in aid of me," for I never know the function in which he was there employed : but were such as ought to have been remunerated by the De- partment. , Moreover, these services were rendered, pending the almost daily expectation ot a perniament appointment, according to promise of Major Barry to Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Archer, from the commencement of that session of Congress, which placed George Mayo in a very delicate situation, by protracting his services, under delusive expectations, which, at the same time, prevented his pressing or reiterating a claim for remuneration. Suppose this temporary employment had been protracted for a year or two, with the 7>fljs fatuus of a daily expectation, from pro7nise deferred, to have a permanent appotntmcnt— might it not, in equity, constitute a fair claim for compensation ? or would not common sense call the procrastination and refusal to compensate, an egregious take-in ! The application to M^ijor Barry, in the first instance, for com- pensation, was not based upon the authority of my invitation to George Mayo, to assist me, but upon the satisfaction given to tho Department by his performance, and the recognition and continuance of his services, with promises of a permanent appointment, injuriously postponed for months, to him, wliile his services were ac ceptable and beneficial to the Department. Under this view of the case, I am con- fident the honorable Post Master General will confirm the claim ; and if there be no fund out of which it may bo paid, will include it among other estimates for an appropriation, to be laid before the Post Office Committee, or otherwise, as to him may seem fit. I have the honor to be, &c., ( Signed ) ROBERT MAYO. Hon. C. K. Gardner, Auditor of the P. O. Dept. [ 7- ] Auditor's Office for the Post Office Department, January 3, 1836. Sir : Upon the subject of your last communication, respecting your claim to com. pensation, for services of your deceased brother, as Clerk, I beg leave to state, that before the conflagration of the Post Office Building, the claim, as explained in that communication, was again brought before the Post Master General, who adhered to his decision in the case, communicated to you in my letter of the 21st November last, there being no appropriation, out of which the claim, if considered well founded, could be paid. I return the papers, except the communication above referred to, which, although not probably lost, has been missed since the fire. I am very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, i Signed ) C. K. GARDNER, Auditor. Dr. R. Mayo. [Such are the ideas of equity entertained by the Head of one of the great De- partments of this Government, who next turns about to charge me with fabricating a fraudulent claim, while claims have been granted in profusion to favorites in tha same Department, for nothing done ! 1 !J 39 W ? • 3s? 'T'j. -., . ^ /,5^^^'* ^^ ^^^ .*>^ I ' ^.^•'^•'.♦°' O N ^ % '" J^ O. °^ i-^-n^ v^v %-^*/ v^-/ %* -■ % y^'A%ik\ /'-'M'-X y-'M.^'^-'- 1 1- '■ « o xS" S. 0> .1 WERT BOOK^INT^JNG » 4 ^A,^ *- Z ' JAN ^M^ ° GrfflnviUe,