Alexandria Gazette

COMMUNICATIONS.

GENERAL LAND OFFICE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.

In your paper of yesterday, a communication from Washington signed "M. C.," on the subject of the General Land Office, has been read.-- M. C. appears well conversant with the precise point "where attack is merited, viz. the head of the Bureau, whose mismanagement is so notorious." Now as regards the "Head of the Bureau," by the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, abeo, quovis gens, res ibidem locus sum.

If I understand the report of the "indefatigable and able Secretary of the Treasury," such has been the increase of the business of that Department, (the Land Office) that the present number of Clerks are insufficient to do the duties necessary, and that $30,000 a year, for ten years, is needed to enable "the Head of the Bureau" to perform the duties of that office, over which he at present acts; but "M. C." says "that the Secretary has since named $50,000."

Now, Sir, I do not wish to call into question the motive by which M. C. is actuated in endeavoring to throw the censure on the Commissioner. I would more willingly receive, than do an injury. I may be wrong in the opinion of the source from which that communication has come: therefore will not apply the old anecdote about "a glass house."

"Various persons have been named as likely to succeed the present incumbent, any one of whom would have the confidence of the House of Representatives." I do not doubt it, and further doubt not, that but few offices exist under the government, already supplied, but there will be found "various persons" anxious "to succeed the present incumbent, any one of whom;" (in their own estimation) deserves the confidence of the House of Representatives "or "the kind feeling" of the President."

Q.

Fairfax County, Va. Dec 31, 1834.