Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-05-16

DEBATE
Continued. J

if we examine precedents we shall find
that it IS not warranted by them. None
mentioned compare with the case under
consideration. The precedent in the case
of Lord Boiingbroke, does not compare
with this. In that case the House of Com
mons raised a secret committee to examine
the negotiations made for a peace. The
committee was not:raised to impeadh Lord
Bolingbroke; but to investigate the nego-
Citations of the ministry; and on the dlsclo-
sure Of facts which took place On that occa-
sion the impeachment was grounded. Such
aiso was the case in the instance OF the
Western Expedition. The house appolnt-
ed committee vested with general powers
to enquire into the causes OF It's failure,
without particular reference to the conduct
of any person.
five turn our attention to British prece-
dents, we shall find that committee has
I,neverbeen raised to investigate the ottlclai
conduct of any person contemplated to be
impeached. In the case of Hastings, Mar.
Burke came forward and moved an I'M
parchment directf~: nall cases this course
has been pursued in the British House OF
Commons. So far as we have had prece-
dents In this country, similar course has
been pursued. In the instance OF Cover
nor Blount, the Executive transmitted do
cuments to this House, which contained, as
it was supposed, evidence of his guilt; they
were referred to a committee to examine
them, and also to determine whether it
was proper to print them. The committee
reported that, in their opinion they con-
tanned evidence OF his guilt, ard he was
impeached. In the case OF Judge Picker
ing, the same course has been pursued
The Executive transmitted documents to
the House which contained, as it is sup
posed, proofs Of misconduct, and the house
proceeded to an impeachment. Thesepre-
cedents confirm the principle OF those
drawn from the practice of the British
House of Commons. What course is now
proposed? Without any charge against the
Judges, without any man saying they are
guilty of any misconduct, we are about to
appoint secret committee, to determlae
whether any charges can be made, and
whether any proofs to support them can
be found, Although am willing that the
conduct of these gentlemen shall be lnves-
tigated-for am sure they must desire 1t
and although have no objecuon to I'M
peach them, if gentlemen wish 1t and exhl-
bitproper proofs on which to ground IT. yet
/ cannot consent to pursue course SO I'M
proper as that now proposed. FOR this
reason am against the resolution, rot be-
cause am hostile to an investigation, bat
because | cannot consent to the appoint
Ynent Of a secret committee to search IN the
first instance for an accusation, and to look
for proofs to justify it. .
Mr.. Findley rose to explain. he said
i. was not the object Of the House, IN their
investigation of the causes OF the failure OF
the western expedition, to make new az
Engagements, but to enquire into the con-
duct of certain officers who had directed It,
viz. the Secretary of War, the commander
In chief, and the commissary.
Mr.. Nicholson said he happened not to
be In the House yesterday at the moment
when the resolution uader consideration
was Introduced !; and when he entered he
found the gentleman from Connecticut
(NIr r. Gflswold) on the floor, who con-
Guided his remarks by moving postpone
ment. Mr. II. did not think it correct to
offer remarks upon the main question, but
as the resolution itself was now under con-,
sideration, and the subject Of no commooa
nature, he could not think OF passing ST.
lentvote uponit.
When he rose to-day for a few moments
on the motion to amend, By Inserting the
name of Judge Peters, he bid then declar-
ed. and ne nov begged1tav to repeat II,