[We publish this morning, as was promised in our paper yesterday,
another letter from Major Downing. The principal subject
of it is one of great interest to the country at large. The
concerns of the General Post-Office appear before the public in
a most unfavourable light; and it is perfectly natural that the
President, `whose duty it is to see the laws faithfully executed,'
should feel a good deal of anxiety to shield one of his deficient
servants. The Major's suggestions respecting the advantages
of the course pursued by the Postmaster General in keeping
back the knowledge of his official transactions from Congress
are ingenious, and probably furnish the most satisfactory vindication
of that officer that can be—certainly that has been given.
And the mode of pleading what the lawyers call a set-off, in adjusting
the accounts between the losses of the Post-Office, and
the credits of the executive, though they may not be allowed
by the Committee of Claims, will be freely admitted by every
person who holds to the present or the next administration for
the rewards due to pure, disinterested, uncorrupted patriotism.]
