Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-12-15

Mr.. Smile asked if the motion was in
order, observing that The report consisted
OF number of di..inct propositions which
he conceived were to be considered in the
usual way article by article and TIE ques-
ton would be, either 10 concur or non-con.
cur. The gentleman Mr.. E.) might gra-
THY his zeal lii this way az we'll as in the
mode he had proposed for striking out, and
the result would be the came-it would
furnish an opportunity Tor every member
20 speak for or against each article, as well
as to amend ant.
MIR. l-llio. replied that he was not tena-
cious Of form. His only object was TO oh
tain tistiaEt questions. 1.-THE committee
of the whole were disposed TO pursue the
Course pointed out by the gentlemen from
Pennsylvania, he would withdraw his mo-
ton.
The chairman gave ii as his opinion that
the proper mode of proceeding would be
to take the report up by articles.
On the first article being read,
Mir. Elliot moved 10 strike it out.
The Chairman said tic motion to strike
out the .irs; section was in order, and was
usual in The case of bill in order TO de-
eide upon its meri;s--but in independent
articles like the present it would be pre-.
fcrablc TO take the question OF concurring,
50 that the opinion OF the committee
might lie ascertaiaed on each article.
MIR. SnIiiie expressed an Indifference az
10 the mode OF decision, but lac believed
what he had suggested was corlorrlatIc
70 al former rules and PRACTICES.
Mr.. ]. Randolph, cftor short pause,
said that ;he question of concurrence with
the selecE Committee in lis opinion ought
20 be taken or each article, separately. and
Tor his part he had ma obie@l;on to take il
upon each separate r2ember Of each arti-
Gle, il shy gentleman wished it to be tax
en- in that way.
Mr.. Nicholson observing that there was
no question before the committee, con.
ceived that one ought t. uc presented for
their decision. He therefore EoYed that
the committee OF the whole concur with
the select committee ard agree 10 the first
article. Which being seconded The 9ues-
ton was pat by the chairman, end a e.;Yi-
sion was called for. rs members rising in
the affirmative, it was carried witnUut ~
yersing the qnesiion--78 being mare than
a malorIly Of The whole house had ali the
members been presents
he I'd article under consideration.
Mr.. , awson. This mode of proceed
ing incurs some difficulty which u4ight
be prevented by the motion 10 strike out,
as in The latter case the principle upon
which tho article is grounded would be
tested, and ifthe principle was adopted the
phraseoIogy Nigh. be varied and amend
cd as might he thought proper.
Chairman. The committee has already
determined to proceed in different man
ner, it therefore does net rest upon the
discretion OF The chc;y.
FIR. Smile suggested the proprie;y o.
reading the evidence in support of each
article, as there were many gentlemen
here vino were not present at the last ses-
sion When the testimony was bot. read and
printed.
Mr.. Findley seconded the motion.
Mr.. Nicholson. Reading The testimo-
ny will occupy the whole day, it consti-
tutcs tho volume in my hand Ga volume Of
apparently 900 poges.)
Mr.. Smile would not call FOR It's read
ing on his own account :. he had already
reruscd the testimony, but there were Sc
veral gentlemen now present who were
not here at the last session, who perhap5
have not had an opportunity of seeing tie
documents, end he believed gentlemen
generally voted With more satisfaction on
subjects with which they are well ac-
quainted than on those where doubts or
apprehensions are entertained. Besides
lie deemed it more safe and dignifed to
proceed with caution and due delibcratioo
on 50 serious question as that Of I'M
peaching person holding one oftbe most
important stations IN the government.
MIR. Nicholson. The manner of BRO
ceedn6 in the business ofimpcaohment az
the last session, was 10 read such parisof
the testimony upon the call Of a member
as related to the particular article under
cons deration. Re recollcCed upon the
impeachment of Judge PICKERING that the
gentleman or the other side Of the house
from New Hampshire called for reading
the particular part Of The testimony, most
likely 10 extricate the officer impeacheJ,
orproGuce a conviction in the minds Of o.
theirs such Is nc felt him lf--he bcprd
the same course of proceeding would be
adopted BY the committee, and such nor.
tons would from time To time I've read ay