Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1804-03-16

ticles Of impeachment, when John Pick
ering was three times solemnly; called,
but did not answer, or appear either in
person or by counsel. Thr President
Of the Senate then stated, that he had
received i letter, signed X. 6. Harper,
accompanying petition signed Jacob s.
Pickering, who called himself the son
Of the party charged. The petitionbeing
read, il was found to contain statement
of q variety of matter, particularly the
insanity. Of judge Pickering, upon which
the prayer Of the petition was founded for
postponement Of the trial to some flu
ture day. Mr.. Harper was called to
the bar ofthe Senate he entered, and
stated that he wished it to be distinctly
understood, that he did not appear At
the bar Of the Senate, as council for John
Pickering, from whom he had received
no authority for that purpose but that
his object was to support the facts con-
tanned in the petition of Jacob s. Pick
ering, the prayer thereof X
There was q short pause-when
Mr.. Harper rose again, and enquired,
whe his appearance in support of the
petition would be construed as the ap.
pearance Of Pickering, by counsel: The
President of the Senate answered, he
presumed, that Mr.. Harper's appearance
would not be considered as the appear
ance of John Pickering, by counsel.
The Managers, under these cir
cumstances, felt themselves bound to OBJ
iect to Mr.. Harper's being heard in any
other capacity than a. a counsel for the
party who was impeacheds and briefly
stated their reasons for the objection.
/" The Senate Withdrew to a private
chamber where It is presumed the ques.
ton was debated-The Managers again
appeared at the bar ofthe Senate this day
and was informed by the president, that
it had been resolved to hear Mr.. Harper
in support of the allegations contained in
the petitions Of Jacob s. Pickering, and
the prayer thereof. The Managers en-.
quired at what point Of time il was in
tended that Mr.. Harper should be heard
and whether this was measure prelimi-
nary to the trial. The president of the
Senate declared that he could not UNDER
taketo explain the resolutions Of the See
nate but that their sense must be col
lected from the resolutions themselves.
The Managers then offered themselves
ready for trial, declaring that they were
prepared to open the prosecution on be.
half of the house of Representatives -
: and that the witnesses were ready to
prove the fact charged in the articles Of
impeachment. Upon this offer being
made, the President of the Senate stated
he considered it to be the sense Of the
Senate, that Mr.. Harper was to be heard
before the trial commenced. -,--~. ~~
"The Managers considered this as an
irregular step, & not believing that they
ought to discuss anyPetition presented to
the Senate from person who was not
party to the impeachment, and this,
too, before the party charged, although
duly notified, had appeared, either in.
person, OF by attorney, withdrew from
the Senate chamber They will not feel
themselves either bound or authorised
to appear again. until the Senate shall
inform them, that they are prepared to
proceed in the trial, unless specially d.
rected by this house" ID.