Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-04-03

4wirhou, any thing of this kind being done;
that a vote of impeachment, resting on
no precise or specific charges oriacts, and
supported only by ex-parte testimony, IS a.
bout to be left hanging, for whole year,
over his head; and that the publication Of
this testimony is permitted, in such way
as to render it most injurious to his reputa-
ton, without leaving to him the possibility
of combating it by connter-proof: his duty
to that character, which he has supported
unimpeached during a period of forty years.
through all the troubles, difficulties, and
dangers fthe American revolution; to his
family, whose happiness, responsibility,
and establishment in life, are materially
implicated in whatever concerns his good
name; to his country, which has honor
ed him with many high and important
trusts; TO his office, which requires re-
putation not only unspotted but unsuspect-
ed and to himself -forbids him to remain
longer in silence.
He therefore respectfully solicits and H.
treats, that your honorable body will not
suffer an adjournment to take place, until
articles Of impeachmetit shall nave been
preferred against him. Thus, although an
immediate trial, which his feelings world
lead him to prefer, may not be possible at
this protracted period OF the session, still
he viii be enabled, knowing the precise
charges againsl him, to make vigorous,
speedy and elfectual preparations for his
defence, to fePel the malignant calumnies
by which he IS industriously and unceasipg-
! y assailed, and folly to vindica,e that IN
nocence, for which he solemnly appeals to
the Almighty Searcher of hearts, to the
testimony o. his own conscience, to his
country, and to an impartial posteriY.-
lie IS Tar from arrogating to himself an
exemption from the usual portion Of hui
mar frailty: but for the purity of his IL
tentions, for the uprightness Of his con-
duct, and for the faithful aud conscienti-
Gus discharge of his official duties, on all
| occasions, according TO the best lights OF
his understanding; he confidently appeals
to that dread Tribunal where he and his
| accusers mus one day appear, wherethc
inmost recesses OF all hearts shall belaid
open, the most hidden motives of conduct
shall be revealed, and caiumny, malice,
! and party-rage, shall forever be put TO 81.
| lence.
/ He IS the more strongly induced 70 urge
! this request, and TO express his earnest
hope that it will not be refused, by those
! reflections which it has not been in his pow
I er to avoid making, on the course hitherto
J 1,l,rsDe6 IN tl,jS r,rr,s,ect,ft5tT1
!, That charges SO wei3hty as TO render a
! judge OF the supreme court a fit object OF
impeachment for high crimes and INSIDE
meanors, should have been suffered to fest
in oblivion for four years; although they
are founded On facts perfectly notorious in
! their nature, and perfectly well known to
/ the persons who, after SO great a lapse Of
! time, nave at Eengih made them the ground
| Of a prosecution the most solemn known to
| our Laws; that ibis prosecution, so long
/ delayed, should be commenced precisely at
| the moment when political change sup
/ posed BY MANY, though he hopes unjusry,
to be favorable to its success. had taken
/ place; are circumstances but little calce-
lated TO impart confidence to the heart of
innocence, or to quiet those alarms which
she may feel wien opposed to uncontroul-
/ ed power.
Nor is the manner Of commencing this pro
| cYtion, more cor{aliHg thar lie tine. A for
nal enquiry into the ci6cislconduct Of judge,
NUT always be to bin a tna,ter Of very fer us
moment. 1t must always expofc him to yer,
great nneafinefs and may render MIN obnoxious
! 10 The most unjQa and inj1lioas luGpicions.
is wholly incohfdsnt with he humane and iut
PRINCIPLES ofour avs, to fohjsd c,tizsn % G.
wills ii this kind, without ionae fpec &c acculstion
refng en tacts prsci(sly ftatSd, and Imported By