Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-04-11

over MS Read; and th1t he publication Of
this testimony is perm .ttc.l, in such way
as to render it most injurious 20 his reputa-
ton, without leaving TO him the possibility
otcombatIng 1t ~ counter proof: his du,v
To that character, which he n IS supported
unlmpeacbel during 4 p.riod of forty
years through all the troubles, difficulties,
and dangcrs of the American revolution
To- hi ''n'iv, whone happiness. rrspeciabi-
i'ty, anil establishment ~ life, are material
IL 'nphc in whatever Concerns his
gooa name; to his country, which has no.
norei him with mary high and important
trusts; to ms Office. ~hich requires repu-
tation not only inspected but unsupported;
aud to himseif--Iorbids him to remain lon
ger in silence.
He therefore respectfully solicits and in.
treats, that youc honorable body will not
suffer an adjourn ent to take place, until
articles at impeachment shall have been
preferred against him. Thus, athou~h
animmediate trial, which his FEELINGS would
lead b'n 10 prefer, nav no, DC possible al
this pro'ra@ted period Of The sess or. suli
he will be enabled, knowing the precise
charges against him, to make vigorous,
speedy and ettsctual preparations for his
defence, to rspei the malignant calumnies
by which he IS industriuusIy and unceas.
ingly assaulted, and fully to yindicate that
innocence, for which he so.ennly anpeaIs
to the Almighty Searcher o hearts. TO the
testimony OF his own conscience, to his
country, and TO an impartial posteritv.-
tie is Ia from arrogatiGg to himself an
exemption from the usual portion of hui
man trailty: But for the purity Of his IN
tentions, for the upriyhtness OF his con-
duct, aad for the faithful and con ci,.nti-
Gus discharge OF MS official duties, On All
occasions, according to the best !iyh.s Of
his understanding he confidently appeals
to that dread Tribunal where he and his
accusers must one day appear, where the
inmost receae es Of all hearts shall be laid
open, ;he most hidden motives oCcoqdnft
shall be revealed and calImnV, malic., AID
party-rage, shall forever be put 10 silence.
he IS che more sCougly induced to
urge this request, and to express his ear.
nest hope that it will not be refused. 5y
those collections which i has not been in
his power to avoid making, on the course
hitherto pursued in this prosecution.
Judge of the supreme court fit object of
impeachment for high crimes and INSIDE
meanors, should have been suffered to
rest in oblivion for four years; although
they are founded on facts perfe t(ly uoto-
rious in their nature, and perfe NV wen
known to the persons who. after 50 great
lapse oftimc have al length made them
the ground of d prosecution lhe most So
Tenn known to our laws that this prose
cuuon, so long delayed, should be com.
menced precisely at the moment when a
politicalchNnge supposed by ,nauv, thou.ch
he hopes unJustiy, to be favorable 70 rs
SUCCESS, had taken place are circums,an.
ces but little calculated to impart conh-
dence 10 The heart of innocence or to quiz
Ct those alarms which she may feel when
opposed to uncontrolled power.
Nor IS the manner Of com ncncinr this
prosecution, nore consoling ,han The
time. A formal enquiry into the Official
conduit Of a Judge, must always be 20 him
a mater of very serious uonent. II
must always expose him to very great an.
easmess and MAJ render him obnoxious
10 the mO5tunlust and injurious suspicious.
1t IS wholly Inconsistent with the humane
ard just principles OF our laws, to SUBJ =
a citizen to evils ofthis kind, without some
specific accusation resting on faEls pre-
clselY stated and supported by such proof,
on oath, - renders their existence at least
probable. No man, however mean his
conditioner howegeveriDfamou 81, char
acte", can DC bound over to underr, the
enquiry of a grand Jury without such an
accusation, and such proof. A grand IN
Wy c9bno. listen to any accusation rgir,t
man, nor enquire into his conduct, much
ies' put him upon his trial by finding a
PresenHnent asains- him. unless such IN
accusation so supported be first ldiIce Z {;
and the person niIiciously ilstig,tinc ,ne
enquiry Is liable, IN case It should BE- re-
Je''sd, 90 a s1it Cor rep,-ltion by The ac-
c1sed party. Az these los, AMI humtn,
provisions ave establ's h-1 ny orr Jaws, Io1
every precedent that deserves or bas r..
ceived the weight of authority c7lclr IN
recurring tie full application of tbs PROVE
sions to the case ofi.npe1chn .1'.
And yet IN this pro5.cu ion 10 these
provisions have been completely 5i.re-
garded. IN enquiry has been Instituted.