Alexandria Gazette

ALEXANDRIA: TUESDAY MORNING, JULY 29, 1834.

POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.

The deposition which follows is taken from the documents accompanying the Report of the Post Office Committee. These matters cannot be brought before the public too often; the infamous corruptions developed in that Department --the condemnation of Mr. Barry by the unanimous vote of the Senate--the fact that General Jackson still retains him in office in spite of his delinquencies--and the disposition manifested to sustain both Jackson and Barry in this position--are the most alarming signs of national degradation that we have yet seen.

Deposition of Mr. Isaac Tompkins.--"Had you any conversation with any contractor touching the embarrassments of the Postmaster General, and did you hear a proposition or plan by any one to relieve him? If any, state the name and residence of the person, and the proposition."

In the fall of, I think, 1830, I had a conversation with Mr. E. Porter, touching the embarrassments of the Post Master General. He proposed that a loan of about $5000 dollars should be made to Mr. Barry; that Mr. B's. salary would enable him to refund it before many months. Mr. P. expressly stated that he acted without the knowledge of Mr. Barry. His plan was that a few of the principal contractors should make up this amount, and put it in some person's hands to loan to Mr. B. who should always remain ignorant of the source from whence it came. Mr. Porter resided at that time in Richmond, Virginia.

"Do you know of any gift or gratuity made by any contractor to any person in the Department, and if any, what, and to whom?"

I have no knowledge of any gift or gratuity being made to any officer or member of the Department, except on one occasion, Colonel Avery (my partner) and myself were in New York, and in consideration of the politeness and attention of Parson Brown, who had spent a great deal of time out of office hours to accommodate us, and expedite our business, we concluded to send him a quarter cask of wine We accordingly purchased one, directed it to him, and sent it on board a vessel I never heard whether it reached him or not--presume it did.

Isaac Tompkins.

In further reply to the first question, I have to state that I do not know whether Mr. Porter's plan for the relief of Major Barry was carried into effect or not. I told Mr. P. that it would afford me pleasure to contribute to his plan for the relief of Major Barry, but the situation of my funds were such that I could not advance cash at that time: but in the course of ninety days I thought I could loan him the amount he desired, $500. A day or two subsequent to this conversation he called on me, and I made a draft in his favor for $500 on Messrs. J. T. Storm & Co. of New York, at ninety days or thereabouts. This draft I understood he had discounted at the Patriotic Bank. What he did with the avails I am not able to say: he acknowledged himself indebted to the amount. ($500 dollars.) and has since sent me word by my partner, Col. Avery, that he is not unmindful that he owes that amount, and that it should be paid before long. The only entry I have of said draft is contained in a small memorandum book, which is in the following words--"Made drafts on Storm. E. Porter, due 1st April; 500 dollars."

The club of Mail contractors making up a secret purse for the Post Master General's benefit, and the presents to Mr. Brown are facts which require no comment.