Richmond Enquirer

THE POST MASTER GENERAL,
On Wednesday the Clerks of the General Post Office waited on Judge M'Lean, and, in an address delivered by Mr. Coyle, the chief Clerk, in the name of the whole body, expressed their deep regret on his relinquishment of the superintendence of that important office. The address and reply are published at the request of the gentlemen of the Department.

MARCH 10th, 1829.
Peter Force, Esq.--Sir--I am instructed by a vote of the gentlemen attached to the Post Office Department, subordinate to the Assistant Postmaster General, to furnish for publication in the National Journal the enclosed copy of an Address to Judge McLean, on the occasion of his retiring from the office of Post Master General; which was signed by all those gentlemen, and presented to him this morning; together with a copy of his reply to the same.

Permit me to hope it will be convenient and agreeable to you to give them a place in your paper.

With great respect, your ob't humble serv't,
ANDREW COYLE.

General Post Office Department,
March 11th, 1829.

HON. JOHN McLEAN:--Sir--The undersigned, attached to the General Post Office Department, with the knowledge that you have ceased to administer its concerns, respectfully present to you their warmest acknowledgments for the uniform kindness and courtesy which you have extended to them severally and generally--and to express their admiration of your public and private worth as an officer and a man.

A review of the affairs of this Department since your administration of them, cannot but redound to your honor, and force conviction upon every unprejudiced mind, of the superiority of the mental excellence, which, connected with an untiring industry, has achieved so much, in so short a time, for the character of the Department, and the benefit of the nation.

The good wishes of the American people are with you, Sir; and in the high and honorable station to which you have been elevated, a general confidence is felt, that you will be alike useful and distinguished.

We proffer you, Sir, our best wishes for your future welfare.

[Forty-seven signatures are attached to the above.]

ANSWER OF MR. McLEAN.
Gentlemen--I reciprocate, most cordially, the kind feelings expressed in your address.

The official connection which has existed between us for several years is dissolved, and it would be an affectation of indifference of which I am incapable, were I not to admit that the separation is painful.

We have been united in a laborious course of public service, and I have witnessed your assiduity with great satisfaction. Our efforts have been successful, and we are amply rewarded in the high character of the Department, and in the advance of the public interest.

Within less than six years, there has been an addition of more than one third to the mail establishment of the country--half a million, annually, has been added to the revenue of the Department.

It is still rapidly advancing: and only requires the same unremitting efforts six years to come that has been used for six years past, to give it a still greater elevation. Knowing your ability and faithfulness, I hope to see your labours attended with as much success in the future as in the time past.

For you, individually and collectively, I entertain the warmest friendship, and I shall never cease to cherish the most lively interest in your prosperity and happiness,

JOHN McLEAN.
11th March, 1829.