Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-04-27
CONC REss
OF THE
UNITED STATES.
HOUSE OF REPRESENT ATIvES.
THURSDAY, January 5.
THURSDAY, January 5.
DEBATE
0s 4gr. Raadolfh's notion far the appoint
.nen. efaeanamittre 81 enquiry iat0
ias 6eial c0ndact IF
s NOEL HASE.

Mr.. T. Randolph said, thar no people
we're more fully impressed with the impor-
lance of preserving unpoiluted the fountain
ofiustice than the ciazens OF these states.
With this view the constitution OF the y.
States and Of many Of the states also. had
rendered the magistrates who decided Ju-
dicially between the seate, and its offending
citizens, and between man and man, more
independent than those OF any other coun-
try in the world, IN the hope that every in
ducement, whether OF intimidation or Sc
duction which could cause them 10 swerye
from the duty assigned to them might be
removed. But such was the frailtv Of M
man nature, that there was no precautlon
by which our integrity and honor could be
preserved, In case we We're deficient IN that
duty which we owed to ourselves. Incon-
sequence, sir, said Mr.. Randolph, of this
unfortunate condition of man, we have
been obliged, bat yesterday, to prefer an
accusation against a Judge OF the United
States who has been found wanting IN his
duty to himself and his country. At the
las session of congress gentleman from
Pennsylvania did, IN his place, (on the bill
TO amend the judicial system oftue United
States) state cer:ain facts, in relation to the
official conduct Of an eminent judicial cha
racter, which | then thought, aud still think
the house bound to notice. But the late-
ness of the session (ior we had, if mis-
take not, scarce fortnig ht remaining pre-
Gliding all possibility Of bringing tie sub
Jet to any etnciert result, lid not then
think proper to take any steps in the busi-
ress; finding my attention however thus
drawn to consideration of the character
ofthe officer in question, / made it my bu-
siness, considering it my duty, as well to
myselfas thos- wnom represent, to inves-
ugate the charg S then made and the offci-
acharacter Of the judge, in general. The
result having convinced me hat there ex-
lists ground Impeachment against this Of
hcer, demand an inquiry into his conduct
and therefore submit TO tbs house the fol-
loving resolution:
Resolved That a committee be appoint
ed to enquire into the official conduct Of
SaSiUEL Gil ASE, one OF the Associate
Justices OF the supreme court of the Unit
ed States, and TO report their opinion, whe-
tier the said Samuel Chase hath so acted
IN his Judicial capacity IS to require the IN
deposition OF the constitutional power Of
this house.
After tie motion made by Mr. J. Ram
dolph had been read from the chair,
DR.. Mitchell said before the question
was taken he should be glad, from the no.
yelty and serious nature of the proposed
measure, TO hear a statement by his TREAD
from Virginia Of the reasons in detail on
which twas founded.
Mr.. J. Randolph observed, thatwhen he
was up before he had stated that the gen
teman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Smilie)
had, at the last session Of Congress, given
description Of the official conducs OF the
ohcer, to whom the resolution referred,
which he considered the hoGse bound to
notice. Ii could not be conceived that the