Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1805-01-18

on for defence, as the drawing up his an
sMer, twill not, Ipresume, be denied
that he ought to have an opportunity of
obtainining the best bvofessionGi assis-
lance, which it may be IN his power to
procure. \Ihis assistance is rendered
peculiarly necessary, by the very preca-
rious state Of my health-I have At this
season of the year especially, but short
and uncertain intervals, Of fitness for
mental or bodily exeIsion. Should my
answer be required in short time, l
have no reason to suppose, that l shall
be able to obtain such assistance Of this
kind q. so much need, andas probably,
I shall otherwise have in my power
Professional gentlemen, engaged exten.
sively in b1si ness, are at oil times too liz
able to interruption aud too much oeeu-
pied to devote themselves exclusively
70 an affair Of this nature, so as to CONF
plete it within short P.5iod; and at this
season Of the year, they I've for the most
part particularly and ipda pensably en-
gagged A,z,s,s.
lowance Of time Tor preparing the answer,
derive great additional force from one
further consideration which I hope that
/ NAV without improperly present to
the view Of this Honorable Court. Re.
putation Oh ht to be more dear to every
man, and is more dear to me than the
honour, or the era oluments of Office. In
cases OF impeachment, the facts which
appear, the explanations which are gi-
ven, aud the arguments which are urged,
NJ the trial are sometimes wholly omit
ted in the statements given to the public,
and often mlsre Presented, or stated too
indistinctly to be generally understood.
1t 10 To the answer that the world
must look Tor the iusti6 cation Of the ac-
eused. 1t is by his answer alone, that
he can FURNISH clear, concise and au-
thentic explanation Of his conduct and
his motives supported by such state
ment ofhis proofs, as can De extensively
read, clearly understood, and easily re-
Hnembered. He may therefore, claim
from justice, and expect from the high
dignity and responsible character of this
honourable tribunal, such time for pre-.
pairing this very important document, a.
may enable him to bestow on it all the
care and lsbour which it requires, and to
give it all the force Of which it is suscep-
0ble.
In stating these considerations. Mr..
President, IN support Of M request for
acontlnuance of this case, Iaisclaim all
intention of affected delay. Feeling a
consciousness Of my integrity, and Jus,
pride OF Character, which p bee me far
above the fear of events, l. I'm anxiou,
70 meet the proseeutson, ana I rejoice
In an opportunity Of refningit. Ifnow
that nay conduct, though liable to full
portion OF human error, ha, at all times
been tree from Intentional mproprietv.
know that in all the instances selected
rs the grounds OF accusation, Ihave dis
charged NV ofh&ial duties, with a sacred
anu inVioiate -egard to my oath, my cha
rac'tr, the la" Of nv country, and the
rights OF nv fellow citizens. know
that can prove NV innocence a. 10 ali
the matters aIledsed against me. Acri-
A1onieuS as are the terms in which many
OF The accusations are conceived harsh
and oppFobr'oas as are the epithets
~nere"'tn it has been IT, ought proper to
assail M name and Chararier, bythose
who were '7uting IN their nurse S arms
whilst vas contributing INV utmos, aid
70 ny tn ground work of American H.
b>E'y; | vet thank my aeeusers, whose
h!Ac1ons as n1emoes. of tue government
OF ny e"u7tf.%, highly respect, for hav.
ing Al ''s5t" put sh<iF Sa&..,ss into "a dc.
hr.lve form, susceptible of refutation ;
and for having thereby afforded me : an
opportunity ofvind,eating m innocence.
in the face Of this honeurable court. of
my country and of the world.
Be-. this vindication, situated As am.
and as this case is, cannot be the work
OF few weeks. Much time has been
employed In preparing the accusation