The Charlotte Journal

ANOTHER CIRCULAR.

The President seems determined to make all in the employ of the government toe the mark of duty as well as propriety of conduct in party matters. There is hardly any field in which the successful exercise of this power could be more productive of good to the country, and exercising it to the end here set forth, certainly no man can wish him other than complete success:

Department of State, March 27, 1841.

To M. St. Clair Clarke, Wm. S. McLean, John P. Ingle, and James B. Thornton, Esqs.

GENTLEMEN: It is the desire of the President to be fully acquainted with the state of progress in which the public works in this city now are, and with the degree of skill, fidelity, and economy with which those works are carried on.

For this purpose he has appointed you a Commission of Examination and Inquiry, and he wishes you to direct your attention to the following points:

1. What is the number of persons employed on the public buildings now in progress in the city, exclusive of laborers?—This is the more necessary, as many of these persons hold offices not created by specific provisions of law.

2. What is the respective duty of each of these persons!

3. What prices are paid to them for their services: and whether, in any case, the compensation is unreasonably large?

4. Whether there has been, or is, any just ground of complaint against those persons, or any of them, either in regard to their own diligence and skill, or in regard to their treatment of laborers employed by them.

If you have any reason to suppose that any one has been guilty of misconduct you will state the charges to him and give him an opportunity to answer it: and will report no evidence of which the party shall not have had notice.

You will inquire into no man's political opinions or preferences; but, if it be alleged that any person, having the power of employing and dismissing laborers, has used that power, either in employing or dismissing, with any reference to the political opinions of those who may have been employed or dismissed, or for any political or party object whatever, or in any other way violated his duty for party or election purposes, you will inquire into the truth of such suggestion; and if you find reasons to think it well founded, in any case, you will state the particular facts and circumstances on which your opinion is formed.

It is not intended that this Commission shall be of long continuance, nor be attended with any considerable expense. You will use as much despatch, therefore, as the nature of the case may allow, and make report to this Department. A reasonable sum will be allowed to you for your time and service out of the appropriate fund.

By the President's Order:

D. WEBSTER, Secretary of State.