Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1801-01-27


le'a of the dutics and rights with which
public opinion aud the lava Of my coun-
try have Unveiled me. In conformity with
them, 10 reporting the proceedings and de-
bates OF the Houie, have invariably aa,ed
the truth.
Sptdter. Inrny opinion, your condua,
ever iincc you have been on the floor, has
mad no other obi-G shso to difgrace me aud
the govsrnmeut.
see Editor, Suffer me to fay Mr., Speak
r, that thefc remarks appear to me alto
gether improper to be made by the Speak
er. am fully imprcifsd with the necef-
hiy of treating YOU in this interview with
reipea. But if remarks, fuch as have
jue been made, and which convey reae9i-
ons that declare to be nnfounded, are re-
peated, may from the unavoidable vindica.
ton of my own character, be drawn into
the exprsiiicn of opinions shat may give
offence.
The Speaker fufpcnded his remarks.
Editor. Returning 10 the que;sion !
iobmisted / with to koow whether as a
citizen, am excluded
Spedfer. The object OF the order was
to prevent you fon giving any further
ltstements of the proceedings of the
Houfe.
Editor, Candour may require me to
FAY, that in all events, ihall continue to
pubiiih ita,emcnt of the debates and pro-
ceedings of the Houlc.
SPEAKER. II that be your Object, you
cannot be admitted.
Editor. dn not FAY ,bst that will be
the otjee of my pcrfonal attendance. If
were, l do not Zee how the order OF the
Speaker can apply 10 it. The order may
apply to the aa Of attending in the gallery {;
but any thing which haIi be done hy the
Editor afterwards out Of the gallery, u a
diitina thing. 1t is, however poiEbIe,
that. hearing the proceedings Of the Hoo(e
from the gallery, as the Editor would, he
might correa, Hhouid there appear auy in
accuracy in them, aat.mSnta obtained in
other ways.
SSedker. re The attendance be with any
view TO give 20 the public she proceedings
OF the HOMIE. you mua coniider youilelf
a5(olusely excluded.
Editor. il then only rc,nains 20 enquire,
whether, having Ain in view the fame OBJ
jea Of obtaining corte6 aa,sment of the
proceedings ofthe Houie, may have acce(s
10 The clerks office, aad obtain copies OF
official papers,
Speaker. have no objection to your OBJ
tsiGirg copies of thole papers thar are pro-
per to BE publilhed. Bus yuu mai know
il would be uianilealy wrong TO publiih pa.
pers that relate to trsnlaaions in an incl
pient Gate. For iuRance, a member may
make motion that refers TO particular
fubjett. 1t may be made inadvertently.
lie meaning may be equivocal. To Puhliih
it in this immature tate, before the hourc
has decided upon 1t, might BE- to produce
nlIiconcept;ohs, and might ehentially injure
the refpea of the people for the govern
ment. Such papers ought not to be pub.
iiihed. But in cafesin which tie houfc hag
cOme to decifon, you may pubiith what
is decided upon
Editor. My ideas, Mr. Speaker. are 20
completely at war with shole you have ex-
preGed, that can entertain no expectation
OF coming 10 an harmonious correspondence
~ lentimeut. | have always believed, asd
do Till believe, that the only refpett which
the government Of republican countiy
ought to receive, is that, which flows from
a'knowledge of iis acts, and OF the manner
in which lhofc acts are paned; except 10
peculiar cafes that may require fecrecy
However, / s& pardon for troubling you
with my ideas. My ouly Object is to under
aaod the prec,ie line you draw between
different kinds of papers that L may know
how 10 sa.
1t appears to me that fball be very
much enhsrraled in finding the line. For
inaance, committee, 10 whom aey buff
neis lie referred, reports that report 10 Iait
over by the houie for confederation, with
the exprefs view that it be publifhed for tn.
confederation of the citizens YET, pre-
fenting n.esfure Of the houle in an iocipi.
ent Gate, and involving opinions Tot saei
opou by the houte, it would leem TO come
within the limiJs of your reafiaioD, The
fame remarks will fully apply to al the
Cages through which bill goes, until its e.
nal pa1sge.
Speaker. 6nd that you do not under.
fsnd me now any better than you did be
fore. I think I have sxoIained ,,,,C-ir