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THE SUN, LONDON, THUESDAY EVENING, APRIL

AMERICA.

Indianola by his Government to obtain some in..
formation as to my movements, and that in the
hurry and confusion in gettirg and towing out his
boat left him. The officers commanding these ves-
sels had been particularly instructed by me to allow
no strangers, or other than Americans, to remain on
board—no one but their crews, engineers, and fire-
men. As these were all strangers, the officer in com-
mand could not distinguish between them and other
strange persons on board, and did not know that he
was on board until he saw him wounded. Imme-
diately on my arrival here !I sent him in a cot to
the castle, where he now is, This officer, Lieut.
Bryson, is not to blame. He knew nothing of his
coming on board or of his being on board, until his
condition di,elosed it, whcn he sent him to me.
" On our part, I am glad to be able to report to
you the small loss our vessel sustained in this en-
gagement. -I have bukone man mortally wounded,
who is still alive; ono seriously, and several slightly.
This is the more remarkable, as the engagement
lasted from a half to three-quarters of an hour, and
the firing was incessant during that time. But it
must be remembered that it was at night. On the
part of these people the loss was much more severe.
Twelve were brought on board my ship severely
wounded, three of whom have died. I have sent
all the others to the hospital on shore. The wounds
in almost every case being by Minie rifle bullets
are very severe. I should have remained at Anton
Lizardo until the General Miramon was got afloat,
but the doctOr requested me to come up at once
with the wounded,.whom he said it was impossible
to move in any other vessel.
" I cannot close this despatch, sir, without ex-
pressing my extrdme satisfadionlwith the conduct
of all the officers and men of the expedition. My
own officers and men, who unfortunately had but-a
small share in the engagement, by their alacrity,
activity, and promptitude to obey and execute or-
ders, taught me to feel with what confidence I could
depend upon them if my ship should at any time
be called on to defend the honour of our flag. I
have already spoken of the conduct of our officers
and men on board the Indianola. and the Wave.
On their part it was a brilliant affair. I have
omitted to state that the vessel of Captain Marin,
called the General Miramon, did not hoist her co-
lours at any time before, during, or after the en-
gagement, and that it was a brilliant moonlight
night, when he could have most easily satisfied
himself that the Saratoga could not possibly have
been a vessel belonging to any Mexican power or
party. I have also omitted to state that the clearance
papers of the Marquis of Havana certify to only 33
persons on board ; whereas I am informed by the
officer now in charge of her, that after 30 of them
had been removed to our ship there remained at
least 40 on board of her. As this ship was
sent immediately back to assist in floating the
General Miramon I have been unable to make an
accurate report of the number of persons on board.
About the time the General Miramon was taken a
boat escaped from her to the shore, said to contain
officers of Gen. Miramon's army.
" The statement which I have herein submitted
to you of all the important details of this affair will
be testified to by every officer of the expedition.—
I have the honour to be, sir, very respectfully, your
obedient servant, T. TURNER.
"P.S.—As every effort will be made by the
parties who have been suffered to misrepresent the
facts of this affair, I have desired to be as accurate
in my statement as possible. I have said that the
General Miramonhadloo men on board. I removed
from her 50 men before leaving Anton Lizardo, who
are now on board my ship, But it is possible that I
shall never know what number of men she had on
board, as some escaped in a boat to the shore just
before she was boarded. There may have been more
there may have been less, than 100 on board. I have
said that the pivot gun of the Marquis of Havana
was a 24-pounder; it may have been a 32. I do not
wish to overrate or underrate the armament of these
vessels. On my arrival here from Anton Lizardo
my ship unfortunately grounded in the bay, and I
was all day endeavouring to get her off. I had no
time to give my attention to anything else. That
vessel left the next morning at daylight, since which
by a gale of wind from the north, I have been cut
off from boils vessels. I herewith inclose depositions
of the first-lieutenant, of the purser, of the orderly
sergeant, and of the marine guard of the ship, who
were all in the poop during the action, as to the fact
that the Marquis of Havana fired musketry during
the engagement; and also'the certificate of Reuben
Applegate to a conversation with the engineer of
the Marquis of Havana, whn died of his wounds.
find, in the haste with which I have written this
communication, that I have committed the mistake
of saying that I had placed 3:5 men on board the
Wavo; that vessel had on board only 19 men."
"FROM CAPT. JARVIS TO COMMODORE TURNER.
" United States' ship Savannah, off Vera
Cruz, Mexico,
March 11.
" Sir,--I had the honour of forwarding a com-
munication to you on the 3d inst., by the English
mail steamer, in which I stated that the English
Government was trying to effect an armistice be-
tween the contending parties in Mexico. Since
then I have been informed that Miramon has made
proposals which have been rejected as inadmissable
by this Government. I have not been able to as-
certain if they have made any
counter-proposition.
On the 3d inst. General Miramon having arrived
at Madeline, I sent Commander Turner, with the
permission of this Government, to commsnicate
with him, and I herewith enclose Commander
Turner's report to me. On the 4th inst. this
Government withdrew the exequatur from
Mr. B. B. I. Twynaan, American Consul,
for good and substantial reasons, they
say. The whole of the facts, I presume, will be
reported to the State Department by the Legation
here. At the request of the Secretary of Legation,
I have given Lieut. Meire, of the Marine Corps,
permission to accept, for the time being, of an ap-
pointment from him of Vice. Consul, which, I trust,
will meet your approbation.
" On the 6th inst. two vessels,apparently of war,
appeared at anchor off Antigua—a small place abbut
14 miles to the northward of this, without any
colours flying. After lying there some time they
got under way, and proceeded to the southward and
eastward. They paid no attention to the flags on
board o
af
gun the
men-of-war,
nor to the castle, from
was fired, to call their attention to the
which
fact. They treated all with contempt, and proceeded
to Anton Lizardo, where they came to anchor.
Under these circumstances I felt it my duty to as-
certain who they were, and I therefore sent the
United States' ship Saratoga' Commander Turner,
upon that duty. As the wind was directly ahead, I
availed myself of the offer of two small steamers to
take her in tow. For further particulars of the un-
fortunate occurrence that took place afterwards I
must refer you to Commander Turner's report. I
do not see how it was possible for Commander Tur-
ner to do otherwise than he did; and I think that
he and the other officers deserve great credit for
their promptness in defending their flag.
" I shall send the two steamers to New Orleans
as soon as possible, and I have ordered Commander
Jenkins, of the Preble, who will accompany them
with the prisoners, after delivering the steamers to
the United States' Marshal, to take the prize crews
on board his vessels, and proceed to Pensacola for
provisions. I have been under the necessity
of employing a part of the engineers, firemen, &c.,
belonging to the two steamers, to carry them to
New Orleans, and I have directed Commander Jen-
kins to pay them for the time they may be employed
at the same rate as is paid for their grade in the
navy of the United States.
" This place is at the present time closely be-
sieged. On the night of the 6th inst. they attempted
to carry it by storm, but were beaten off, and from
present appearances I think the same result ' will
occur should they again attempt it. From all I
can learn they have as many troops in the city as
the besieging party.—l am, sir, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
" JOSEPH R. JARVIS, Captain.
" To Hon. Isaac Toucey, Secretary of the Navy.''

spect to the persons and property of American citi-
zens in that city,* ibr event of his taking it.
" He repliod, w}thout hesitation that, as in the
case of all foreigners, he should respect them and
it, and should afford to-both American citizens and
their property all the protection which it was in his
power to give.
" I then said, Having received this assurance,
sir, I am further instructed by Capt. Jarvis to say,
that in your at tack upon the city, in the event of your
gaining possession of it, he will cause to be hoisted
at the flagstaff of each house covering 0. Ameri-
can citizens and property the flag of the United
States, in order that, - as far as it is possible,
they and it may be preserved from danger and di-
wage by bombardment, and to insure to the occu-
pants of those residences that respect on the part
your troops, with which you haveyoursclf expressed
your determination to regard them.'
" He replied that he concurred in the wisdom
and necessity of such an arrangement, should bear
it in mind, and hoped that it would be effectual in
preserving them from harm and injury.
" I remarked, in conclusion, that I was happy to
take back such a reply, which could not fail to be
satisfactory to my commanding . officer, and thus
ended the official part of my intercourse. In
his deportment towards me General Miramon
was grave and reserved, but respectful and
courteous. On the other hand, General Robles
received and treated me with the greatest cordiality
and kindness during my entire interview. On
leaving, I said to him that I desired to remain in
the town until the cool of the.evening for my re-
turn, and that I had several communications from
persons in Vera Cruz to members of their. families;
who had taken refuge in Medeline, which I should
like to deliver. He replied, Go where you please,
stay as long as you like, and deliver what you have
to whomsoever you like,' with which I took leave
of him.

SOUTHAMPTON, WEDNESDAY.
The United States' mail steamship Fulton, Capt.
J. A. Wotton, arrived off Cowes about 2 p.m. from
New York with mails of the 31st ult. for England
and France, and has gone on to Havre. She
brought 24 passengers for this port and 130 for
Havre; and on freight 200,000 dols. in specie for
France. The Fulton sailed from New York in
company with the screw steamer Teutonia. Ou
the Bth inst., in lat. 49.30, long. 23, she passed an
English screw steamer with two red funnels, upper
part black and white, supposed to be the Nova
Scotian from Liverpool ; on the 10th, in lat. 49.48,
long. 9.2, she exchanged signals with the ritish
barque Ceres, steering west; off Start Poi' she
exchanged colours with a French barque rom
Cork, steering east. she
From Washington we learn that the President
had sent in to Congress the official despatches re-
ceived from American officers in the Gulf concern-
ing the seizure of Spanish vessels by the American
squadron off Vera Cruz. They are as follows ;
" OFFICIAL ACCOUNTS.
"REPORT OF COMMODORE TURNER.
" United States' ship Saratoga, off Vera Cruz,
March 8.
"To Captain Joseph Jarvis, Commanding United
States' ship Savannah.
" Sir,—On the morning of the 6th inst. two large
steamers appeared off the harbour of Vera Cruz
without any flag being hoisted, although a gun was
fired from the castle and the Mexican flag run up
at the same time to induce them to do so. They
were evidently confederates, as they were hove to
for some time communicating with each other.
After several hours, and after communicating with
the Spanish vessels of war at Sacrificios, which
sent out a boat to them, they stood down the coast
in the direction of Anton Lizardo. You directed
me immediately to place my ship in tow of the
small American steamers here, the Wave and
Indianola, which were placed at your disposal, to
follow them and to ascertain their character, where
they were from, of what nation, where they fitted
out, and what was their object upon this coast, and
to report to you the result of these inquiries with
all practicable despatch. In obedience to these
orders, I left here about sunset in tow of those ves-
sels, on board of each of which I placed a detach-
ment of about 35 men and marines, in case they
might go into shoal water, where my ship, with her
large draught, could not follow and communicate
with them. The detachment on board the Wave
was commanded by Lieut. Joel R. S. Kennard, of
the Savannah, accompanied by Midshipman Wm.
Whittle, jun., of the Preble. That of the Indianola
was commanded by Lieut. Andrew Bryson, of the
corvette Preble, accompanied by Master J. N.
Miller, of the same vessel, Lieut. Andrew I. Hays,
of the Marine Guard of the Savannah, and Lieut.
Julius E. Meire, of the Marine Guard of the ship.
I proceeded down the coast, making direct for
Anton Lizardo, 15 miles distant, where I expected
to find them. About midnight two large vessels
were reported at anchor at Anton Lizardo. I stood
directly for them, and had directed my pilot to
anchor me immediately between the two ves-
sels. At the moment when I had nearly reached
this point and the tow was cast off, both the
little steamers being ahead of me, they hailed,
and reported that the larger steamer of the two was
under way and endeavouring to escape through the
southern passage. I hailed and ordered them to pur-
sue her and to get on board, if possible, as I was
ordered to communicate with the senior officer, who
I supposed was on board this vessel. At the same
moment I fired a shot ahead of her to bring her to.
As soon as they got close to her, which took but a
few moments, to my extreme astonishment, she
opened a heavy fire of great guns and musketry
upon them, and it was reported to me at the
same time that the other steamer was slipping her
cable. I immediately gave her a broadside, as I had
not the remotest doubt of her being in complicity
with and under the orders of the officer of the
other steamer; and I was afraid she would go to his
assistance, in which case I should have been obliged
to, all my vessels, or to witness their capture or
destruCtion ; And as she had the audacity to fire
into me without any provocation whatever I was
determined to seize her if I could. They ran up the
Spanish flag as soon as I fired. In the meantime the

" I have the honour to be, sir,
" Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"T. TURNER, Commander.
"To Hon. Isaac Toucey, Secretary of the Navy."
But little business of interest was done in the
Senate on the 26th. A joint resolution, offered by
Mr. Green, that Congress adjourn from the 20th of.
April to May 21, was taken up, and after a short
debate was rejected by a vote of 12 to 19. The Bill,
supplementary to the Act to protect citizens who
may discover deposits of guano, was amended, and
passed. So was the bill to prevent desertions and
facilitate enlistments in the United States' army.
Mr. Grow, having lost all hope of the house taking
any action on the Pacific Railroad Bill, gave notice
that he should call up that measure on the following
Thursday. In the house a message was received
from the President, protesting against the proposed
investigation of his official acts. After an exciting
debate it was referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary, with power to report at • any time.
Subjoined is a copy of the President's message :
"To the House of Representatives,—
"After a delay which has afforded me ample
time for reflection, and after much and careful
deliberation, I find myself constrained by an im-
perious sense of duty, as a co ordinate branch of the
Federal Government, to protest against the first
two clauses of the first resolution adopted by the
House of Representatives on'the sth inst., and pub-
lished in the Congressional Globe on the succeed-
ing day. These clauses are in the following words :
"'Resolved,—That a committee of five members
be appointed by the Speaker for the purpose,
first, of investigating whether the President of the
United States or any officer of the Government has,
by money, patronage, or other improper means,
sought to influence the passage of any law apper-
taining to the rights of any State or territory ; and
second, also to inquire into and investigate whether
any officer or officers of the Government have, by
combination or otherwise, prevented or defeated, or
attempted to prevent or defeat, the execution of
any law or laws now upon the statute-book, and
whether the President has failed or refused to com-
pel the execution of any law thereof.'
"I confine myself exclusively to these two
branches of the resolution, because the portions of
it which follow relate to alleged abuses in the
Post-office, Navy-wards, public buildings, anilotllep
public works of the United States. In such cases
inquiries are highly proper in themselves, and
belong equally to the Senate and House, as incident
to their legislative duties, and being necessary to
enable them to discover and provide appropriate
legislative remedies for any abuse which may be
ascertained. Although the terms of the latter
portion of the resolution are extremely vague and
general, yet my sole purpose in adverting to them
at present is to make the broad line of distinction
between the accusatory and the remedial clauses of
this resolution. The House of Representatives
possesses no power under the Constitution over the
first or aequisatory portion of the resolution, ex-
cept as an impeaching body, while over the last, in
common with the Senate, their authority as a le-
gislative body is fully and cheerfully admitted.
" It is solely in reference to the first or impeach-
ing power that I presume to make a few observa-
tions. Except in this single case, the Constitution
has invested the House of Representatives with no
power, no jurisdiction, no supremacy whatever over
the President. In all other respects he is quite as
independent of them as they are of him. As a co-
ordinate branch of the Government he is their
equal. Indeed, he is the only direct representative
on earth of the people of all and each of the sove-
reign States. To them, and them alone, is he re-
sponsible, while acting within the sphere of his
constitutional duty, and not in any manner to the
House of Representatives.

larger steadier was hotly engaged with the forces
on board my two little steamers in a running fight.
Finding she could not get out of the southern pass-
age, she immediately changed ker course, put her
head to the northward, and passed inside of me to
gain the northern passage, and to keep out of the
way of my guns, followed by my vessels, warmly
engaged with her all the time. She was evidently
too fast for and was gaining upon them. As she
shot ahead of them, I got a gun to bear upon her,
and shot away her smoke stack. I found now that
it was impossible to fire without danger to my ves-
sels, as they were all together. The chase was con-
tinued in the midst of a hot fire on either side. I
could not but admire, atithis moment, the daring
gallantry of these fine fellows contending with so
superior a force. They closed in upon and grap-
pled with her in spite of her efforts to shake them
off. Finding it impossible to escape, I suppose
they ran the vessel on shore ; at all events,
pressed closely by them, she grounded, which I
was not aware of at the time. They were then dis-
tant about a mile from my ship, and my anxiety
was intense for their safety. I could afford them no
possible aid. My three largest cutters were inboard,
and before I could have manned my boats and got
to them the affair would have been ended. I was
not, however, kept long in suspense, for almost im-
mediately I heard three cheers, and was informed
that they were boarding her over the bows, which
could be distinctly seen by our glasses.
" I now return to the steamer anchored close to
me. While the engagement continued between the
other vessels, and at the moment that they were
passing this ship, the first lieutenant, who was on
the poop, called to me to say that this steamer was
firing musketry. I directed again a division of guns
to be given her, which was done, I then hailed and
ordered the commander on board, saying if he did
not instantly come on board I would send a guard
to bring him. He came on board, and informed me,
in answer to my inquiries, that his ship was the
Marquis of Havana; that he had been employed by
Captain Marin, who commanded the other ship, to
transport stores and munitions of war, and that he
was Spanish.
" In the meantime I had sent an officer to bring
Captain Marin on board. As soon as he had reached
my cabin I asked him how he had dared to fire
upon my vessels. He replied unhesitatingly, and in
presence of a witness, that when he observed my
vessels steaming into the harbour he had informed
his crew that he was sure they were American ves-
sels of war, and positively forbade them to fire, but
that it was a mixed crew of various nations, having
been but recently taken on board, and not being yet
properly disciplined he found it impossible to con-
trol them. I observed to him that it was a great
outrage for which he would have to answer, and
which he pretended most deeply to regret. All of
which I knew to be untrue, because during the ac-
tion he was distinctly heard calling on his men to
board with him. You will perceive how all this con-
flicts with the accompanying depositions of four of
his crew. It only remains for me to speak of the
force and armament of those vessels, as far as I
have been able to ascertain. The larger steamer,
called the General Miramon, carried two broad-
sides, one pivot, and several howitzers, with a crew
of 100 men. I am not positive as to the calibre
of her guns. Supposing that she would follow me
yesterday, I expected to have been able to give a
more minute account of her, but still she is aground.
The Marquis of Havana, carries also one pivot and
two broadside guns, with about 70 persons on board.
Her pivot gun is a heavy 24-pounder. The captain
of this last vessel threw overboard large quantities
of ammunition, much of which was picked up float-
ing in the harbour by my boats, in chests and kegs.
When she was taken possession of her guns were
all dismantled, and were lying upon the deck by
the side of the carriages, which I have no doubt
was done after the captain found she was captured,
and before I could get a boat on board of her. lie
assumes her to be an unarmed vessel; and her papers
of clearance, which I herewith enclose, made out at
Havannah, do not speak of her having any guns on
board. Yet her armament is such as I have reported
it, and there is not a doubt that the vessel was
equipped at Havannah as a part of the force with
which Capt. Marin was to act on this coast.
" It now becomes my painful duty to speak of a
circumstance which has occasioned me the deepest
concern and regret. About two hours after the
engagement a boat came alongside from the In-
dianola with a person very badly wounded, dressed
in citizen's dress. Upon inquiry I was informed it
was General Lave, of the Mexican army. Imme-
diately I had him taken to my cabin. It seems by
his own account, as he related it to me, that as I
was about leaving Vera Cruz he was sent off to the

" The people have thought proper to invest him
with the most honourable, responsible, and digni-
fied office in the world, and the individual, however
unworthy, now holding this exalted position will
take care, so far as in him lies, that their rights and
prerogatives shall never be violated in his person,
but shall pass to his successors unimpaired by the
adoption of a dangerous precedent. He will defend
them to the last extremity against any unconstitu-
tional attempt, come from what quarter it may, to
abridge the constitutional rights of the Executive,
and render him subservient to any human power
except themselves,

" The people have not confined the President to
exercise the Executive duties. They have also con-
ferred upon him a large measure of legislative dis-
cretion. No bill can become a law without his ap-
proval, as representing the people of the 'United
States, unless it shall pass after his veto by a ma-
jority of two-thirds of both houses. In his legisla-

-tive capacity he might, in common with the Senate
and the house, institute inquiry to ascertain any
facts which ought to influence his judgment in ap.
proving or vetoing any bill. This participating in
the performance of legislative duties between co-
ordinate branches of the Government ought to in-
spire the conduct of all of thorn in their relation
toward each other with mutual forbearance and re.

spect ; at least, each has a right to demand justice
of the other. The cause of complaint is that the
constitutional rights ►nd immunities of the Execu-
tive have been violated in:the person of the Presi-
dent. The trial of an impeachment of the Presi-
dent before the Senate, on charges preferred and

prosecuted against him by the House of Represen-
tatives, would be an imposing spectacle for the
world. In the result, not only his removal from
the PreAdential office would be involved, but, what
is of infinitely greater importance to himself, his
character both in the eyes of the present and future
generations might possibly be tarnished. The
disgrace cast upon him would in some degree
be reflected upon the character of the American
people who elected him. Hence the precau-
tions adopted by the Constitution to secure
a fair trial. On such a trial it declares that the
Chief Justice shall preside. This was doubtless be-
cause the framers of the Constitution b2lieved it
to be possible that the Vice-President might be
biassed by the fact that, in case of the removal of
the President from office, the same shall devolve on
the Vice-President. The preliminary proceedings
in the house in case of charges which may involve
impeachment have been well and wisely settled by
long practice upan principles of equal justice both
to the accused and to the people.
" The precedent established in the case of Tudge
Peck, of Missouri, in 1831, after a careful review of
all the former precedents, will, I venture to predict,
stand the test of time. In that case Luke Edward

Lawless, the accuser, presented a petitidn to the
house in which he set forth minutely and specifically
his causes of complaint. He prayed that the con-
duct and proceedings in this behalf of the said Judge
Peck may be inquired into by your hon. body, and
such decision made thereon as to your wisdom and
justice shall seem proper.
" This petition was referred to the Judiciary
Committee. Such has ever been deemed the ap-
propriate committee to make a similar investiga-
tion. It is a standing committee, supposed to be
appointed without reference to any special case, and
at all times is presumed to be composed of the most
eminent lawyers in the house from different portions

1#7,/ /7_;,co

T 4

DPRICE AraD . TAMPED, -

of the country,''..iv hose acquaintance with judicial
proceedings and whose habits of investigation qua-
lify them peculiarly for the task. No tribunal,
from their position and character, could in the nature
of things be more impartial. In the case of Judge
Peck the witnesses were selected by the committee
itself, with a view to ascertain the truth of the
charge. They were cross examined by him, and
everything was conducted in such a manner as to
afford him no reasonable cause of complaint.
" In view of this precedent, and, what is of far
greater importance' in view of the constitution and
principles of eternal justice, in what manner has the
President of the United States been treated by the
Ireu32 of ltep:2scntatives ? Mr. John Covode,
representative from Pennsylvania, is the accuser of
the President. Instead of following the wise pre
ceden t of former times, and especially that in the case
of Judge Peck, and referring the accusation to the
Committee on Judiciary, the House have made my
accuser one of my judges.
" To make the accuser the judge is a violation of
the principles of universal justico, and is condemned
by the practice of all. civilised nations. Every free-
man must revolt at such a spectacle. I am to appear.
before Mr. Cosode, either personally or by a substi-
tute, to cross-examine the witnesses which he may
produce before himself to sustain his own accusa-
tions against me, and perhaps even this poor boon
Lay be denied to the President. And what is the
nature of the investigation which his resolution
proposes to institute ? It is as vague and general as
the English language affords words in which to
make it. The committee is to inquire, not into any
specific charge or charges, but whether the Presi-
dent has, by money, patronage, or other improper
means, sought to influence,' not the action of any in-
dividual member or members of Congress, but the
action of the entire body of Congress itself,' or any
committee thereof. The President might have had
some glimmering of the nature of the offences to be
investigated had ,his accuser pointed to the act or
acts of Congress which he sought to pass or to de-
feat by the employment of money, patronage, or
other improper means.' But the accusation is
bounded by no such limits ; it extends to the whole
circle of legislation, to interference for or against
the passage of any law appertaining to the rights
of any State or territory.' And what law does not
appertain to the rights of some State or territory ?
And what law or laws has the President failed to
execute ? These might easily have been pointed
out had any such existed.
" Had Mr. Lawless asked an inquiry to be made
by the House whether Judge Peck, in general terms,
had not violated his judicial duties, without specifi-
cation of any particular act, I do not believe there
would have been a single vote in that body in favour
of the inquiry. Since the time of the Star Chamber
and of general warrants there has been no such pro-
ceeding in England. The House of Representatives,
the high impeaching power of the country, without
consenting to hear a word of explanation, have
endorsed this accusation against the President, and
made it their own act. They even refuse to permit
a member to inquire of the President's accuser what
were the special charges against him. Thus, in
this preliminary accusation of high crimes and mis-
demeanours' against a co-ordinate branch of the
Government under the impeaching power, the house
refused to hear a single suggestion even in regard
to the correct mode of proceeding ; but, without a
moment's delay, passed accusatory resolutions under
the pressure of the previous question. In the in-
stitution of a prosecution for any offence against
the most humble citizen—and I claim for myself no
greater rights than he enjoys—the Constitution of
the United States and of the several States require
that he shall be informed, in the very beginning, of
the nature and cause of the accusation against him,
in order to enable him to prepare for his defence.
There are other principles which I might enumerate,
not less sacred, presenting an impenetrable shield
to protect every citizen falsely charged with a
criminal offence. These have been violated in the
prosecution instituted by the House of Representa-
tives against the Executive branch of the Govern-
ment. Shall the President alone be deprived of the
protection of these great principles which prevail
in every land where a ray of liberty penetrates the
gloom of despotism ? Shall the Executive alone be
deprived of the rights which all his fellow-citizens
enjoy? The whole proceeding against him justifics
the &ars of those wise and great men who, before
the Constitution was adopted by the States, appre-
hended that the tendency of the Government was
to the aggrandisement of the Legislative at the
expense of the Executive and Judicial Depart.
ments.

" I again declare emphatically that I make this
trot( stfor no reason personal myself, and Ido it
with perfect respect for the House of Representa-
tives, in which I had the honour of serving for five
successive terms. I have lived long in this goodly
land, and have enjoyed all the offices and honours
which my country could bestow. Amid all the poli-
tical storms through which I have passed, the pre-
sent is the first attempt which has ever been made,
to my knowledge, to assail my personal or political
integrity; and this has been done as the time is
approaching when I shall voluntarily retire from
the service of my country. I feel proudly conscious
that there is no public act of my life which will not
bear the strictest scrutiny. I defy all investigation.
Nothing but the basest perjury can sully my good
name. Ido not fear even this, because I cherish an
humble confidence that the gracious Being who has
hitherto defended and protected me against the
shafts of falsehood and malice will not desert me
now when I have become old and gray-headed.' I
can declare before God and my country that no
human being, with an exception scarcely worthy of
notice, has at any period of my life dared to ap-
proach me with a corrupt or dishonourable proposi-
tion ; and, until recent developments, it had never
entered into my imagination that any person, even
is the storm of exasperated political excitement,
would charge me, in the most remote degree, with
having made such a proposition to any human
being. I may now, however, exclaim, in the
language of complaint employed by my first and
greatest predecessor, that I have been abused in
such exaggerated and indecent terms as could
scarcely be applied to a Nero, to a notorious de-
faulter, or even to a common pickpocket.'
" I do, therefore, for the reasons stated, and in the
name of the people of the several States, solemnly
protest against these proceedings of the House of
Representatives; because they are in violation of the
rights of a co-ordinate Executive branch of the Go-
vernment, and subversive of its constitutional inde-
pendence; because they are calculated to foster a band
of interested parasites and informers, ever ready for
their own advantage to swear before ex parte com-
mittees to pretended private conversations between
the President and themselves, incapable, from their
nature, of being disproved, thus furnishing ma-
terial for harassing him, degrading him in the
eyes of the country, anrdeaeverintnugalliyighsouublsderhveiebnet
a weak or timid man, en
to improper influences in order to avoid such
persecutions and annoyances; because they tend
to destroy that harmonious action for the com-
mon good which ought to be maintained, and which
I sincerely desire to cherish between the co-ordi-
nate branches of the Government ; and finally, be-
cause, if unresisted, they would establish a prece-
dent dangerous and embarrassing to all my.succes-
sors, to whatever political party they
might be
attached.
" JAMES BUCHANAN.
" Washington, March 28."
A large fire broke out in Independence, Mobile,
on tile night of the 29th ult., which consumed
nearly the whole south side of the city. The Inde-
pendence Hotel, two drug stores, 10 or 12 business
houses, and a number of dwellings, were destroyed.
The probable loss is about 150,000 dols.
The examination of the Chinaman charged with
the murders on board the sloop Spray was con-
tinued at Jersey City. Several witnesses testified
as to the sloop leaving New York for Guildford on
the 15th ult., and parting with vessels off Norwalk,
Connecticut, in which harbour it is supposed she
anchored for the night. Others, who saw toe sloop
returning through Hurl Gate the following Satur.
day, stated that only the prisoner Jackalow was
seen on board. The particulars of the finding of
the sloop off Barnegat and the stories told by the
prisoner were repeated. In the afternoon several
other articles were taken from the cabin, on which
were stains of blood. The case was to be concluded
on the 31st.

The Arid, which had arrived at New York from
Aspinwall, brings later news from the seat of war
in New Granada. The State forces had defeated
the armies of Carrillo, the leader of the revolution
in Cauca, in several engagements. In a combat
which took place on Feb. 22, Mosquera's troops,
under General Obando, gained a victory over the
Federal chieftain's men, killing their commander,
General Plias, and 300 of them. Mosquera is now
" master of the situation."

Intelligence from California to the 9th ult was
received by the OyerlAnd Mail, ;klucll excitement

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