The Sun.
London, England, 1801-05-27 00:00:00

, The peculiar caution adopted by the present Con-
' spirators,
.and noticed -in the former part of this
Report, by which the knowledge of their- plans and
operations, anti even of their places of meeting, is
endeavoured to be confined to a very seled'bod?.,
who avoid as much as possible all written,evidence
of their transaaions,
,affords at this time an addi-
tional motive for preserving the means of discovery.
It is obvidus, therefore, that the greatest inconve-
nience and mischief, might arise from any proceed-
ing which would subject the Government co the in.
dispensable necessity of making public the informa-
tion and evidence on which they must in many
instances have aded, in the exercise, of the powers
entrusted to them, of- committing and detaining
persons for suspicion of Treason and Treasonable
PraOices.—On the other hand, Your Committee arc
aware, that without bringing forward such evidence,
it would be impossible for the Government to ex-
hibit and explain the true grounds of their conduct,
so as to justify theMselves against a charge, ow-
eVer ill-founded it might be, of any :undue exercise
of those powers. It is indeed true (as:has-been al-
ready stated) and it has been most satislaaory to
your Committee to observe, that the information on
which Government in the first instance. proceeded,
has been confirmed by so many collateral and co_
temporary sources of positive information, as well
as by subsequent fads, as to leave no doubt of 'its'
authenticity.. But while these circumsrances of
confirmation shew in the strongest manner the .Value
and importance of the information thus obtained,
and the advantage which has been derived to, the
public security from the use made of it, thcyfurnish
additiOnal reason for not suffering particulars of so
delicate ,and perilous a nature to be -made public.
At the same time the Committee think it -right to
call the attention of the House, to the comparatively
small number of persons detained, and to the eft-ea
happily produced in preserVing the peace of the
Country in spite of that restless and persevering
spirit which under so many trying circumstances
h'ts laboured to disturb it. This consideration of
itself furnishes strong presumption that these
Powers have, .on the whole, been, cautiously and
.svaringly, but at the same time judiciously exec.
ctsed :.But your Committee beg to have it under-
stood, that their opinion floes not rest on this ge-
neral presumption ; they have thought it a Material
part of their duty to investigate, carefully and
nutely, the grounds on which the several persons
Who were in Custody have been apprehended and
detained and they are bound in -eonsequence to
state their deliberate opittion, that the warrants for
apprehension were not issued but upon such ground
of suspicion, as at least justified bringing the parties
for examination ; that according to the result of
such examination and further enquiry, they were
either discharged or bailed, or .finally committed;
and that such commitments were in all cases founded
either on such clear and positive charges, supported
by oath, or by authentic documents, or. on Such
grave and solid grounds ofsuspicion arising our of

the cireurnstance—s of the case, as abundanily war-
ranted the proceedings ; and that Government could
not have foreborne in any instance the exercise of
those powers, without a criminal and dangerous
neglea and disregard of the public peace and safety,
Under these circumstances, your Committee can,
not forbear submitting to the wisdom of the House,
the propriety of such an a& of indemnity, as may
protea all ,persons concerned in these commitments
from ,the effeCts of any legal proceeding,
.without
subjthing them to the necessity, either of suffering
for a conduct in itself meritorious, or of disclosing,
in their own defence, those particulars, which every
consideratiOn of humanity; good faith, and policy,
must render it their duty to conceal,