Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-06-16
EONGRES
OF THE
UNITED STA T E1S.
HOuSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Saturday, .9aauary z.
Debate on Mr.. Rapdoph's motion fer the ape
pointment of committee Of enquiry into the
official conduit of Samuel Chale-
(Jur. Danna's abeech Concluded. J

ment of the gentleman from Pennsylvania,
vet he knew that this discussion would pro-
duce vague and underlined censure, which
he believed the Judges in question ought
to have an opportunity Of repelling. He
therefore moved the following amendment
by way ofpreamble 20 the resolution.
WHEREAS information has been given
to the House by one of its members,
that in a certain prosecution tor treason on
the part of the United States, against Ger.
tain John Fries, pending inthe circuit court
OF the United States in the State OF PEN
sylvania; Samuel Chase one of the associ-
ate justices of the supreme court OF the u
nited States, and Richard Peters district
Judge for the district Of Pennsylvania, by
whom the said circuit court was then hol-
den, did inform the counsellor the prison.
er as the court had formed their opinion
upon the point of law and would direct the
Jury thereupon, the counsel for the prisoner
must conhne their arguments before thel u
~ to the question OF facr only. And where-
as it is represented that il consequence OF
such determinationof the court, the counsel
ton of fact, and the said John Fries was
found guiltytof treason and sentenced by
the court to the punishment m such case
by the laws of the United Syates provided,
and was pardoned by she President OF the
United States.
Resolved chat committee be appointed
to investigate the truth of the said alega-
tons and to report statement of facts in
the case aforesaid, with their opinion
thereupon. whether the said Samuel
Chase and Richard Peters, or either Of them
have so conducted them selves on the trial
aforesaid, as 10 render necessary the inter-
position of the constitutional power OF this
House.
/. This amendment embraces nj the facts
stated by the gentleman from Pennsylvania
points out specific charge as the toun-
dation of the proceeding, and yet when at
tached to the resolution gives to 1.-The con-
miftee the power of general enquiry.
We are told that the facts have been
seated by member q" III Hoor, aud there :
Is No re.son fo---earing them in the resolu-
ton. " i'll the statement of the gentleman
from Pennsylvania appear ON your journ-
ais, how will it hereafter be known that any
fact was stated as the foundation on which
to erect committee with general inquisi-
torial powers? Posterity Will only sce.the
resolution, and TO them 1t will be prece-
dent which will Justify the creation OF CON-
mittee of enquiry into the official conduct
OF any officer without the allegation Of
single fact, whenever member may chuse
tobe of opinion, that avexatious and expen-
sive proce ding shall be instituted. Ii WIS
therefore thathe wished to resist the prin-
ciple and for that purpose moved the a,
RE dment.
Mr. Huger said he had before stated 8
he now repeated, that he was not AYERS,
to aninvestigatien but he did not consI.
der himself bound to vote Tor rcsolutioo
SO vague. IF the amendment of the gen
teman from Maryland were adopted he
would vote fer heresolution.
Mr.. Nicholson moved to amend the a.
mendment by striking out the whole Of 1t.
after the word 6 Whereas" and by insert
ing. &C members of this House have stated
IN their places that they have heard certain
acts of official misconduct, ailedged against
Samule Chase one Of the associate justices
of the Supreme Court of the United States
and Richard Peters, judge Of the district
court of the district of Pennsylvania.
Mr.. Huger had no objection to the In
sertion of the last amendment, but he had
to striking out the first, he therefore CALL
ed for the Yeas and Nays upon striking
out.
The question was taken by Yeas and