Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-06-17

mateiy decid"Sl, the memorialists shall
think themselves acgrieved, it will be time
enough 10 come forward with their CON-
plant.
Mr. EARLY. The memorials have
been presented at time and under cir.
cumstanccs so extraordinary, as in my
pinion, to call for. at the hands of this
house, something more than is contained
IN The motion Of The gentleman from Ken
tucky. These pccpliarities of time and
circumstance have been already noticed
by different gen,icmen,a and a:e of a nature
so striking that they cannot escape the at.
ten,ion of any. shall mot, therefore, de.
tain the house with any arguments, or
with detail of them rise for the ppr.
pose of offering resolution which think
the occasion calls for, and in favor of which
hope the gentleman from Kentucky will
withdraw his motion.
Mr. EARLY then offered the following
resolution
Resafr'eti, That the charges cont aimed
in the memorials offs. G. Ogden and Viii
liam smith are, in the opinion of this
house, unexpectedly any evidence which
in the leas; degree eliminates the execu-
tive government Of this country-,hat the
said memorials appear TO have been pre-.
scented at time and under circumstance 8,
insidous!y calculated 10 excite unjust sus.
PIGEONS in the minds of tie good people
bofthis nation against the eyisting almini.
straaon of the general government--and
that it would be highly improper in this
house to take aay sep which might influ
e2ce or prejudice cause now de pending
in legal tribunal of the u. S.-rhere.
fore, resolved, ,ha, the said memorials be
by the clerk Of this house returned 10 those
from whom they came.
Mr. LYON withdrew his motion.
MIR CLARK said THE resolution was
susceptible of division. He, had no oh
lection to the latter part of it, but he did
not wish to give hasty decision on the
former, as he was not acquainted with all
the circums,ances referred to. He would
therefore move 10 strike out the srst par,
Of the resolution.
Mr. SMILE. We are now to give a
vote whether these charges aretrue or not.
Relieving ehem to be untrue shall vote
against the motion to strike out.
Mr. CLARK. do not believe they are
true. But it is not proper TO condemn a
cause nnhea,d. These men think them
q Ives sgrieyed--ihey set forth certain
charges, and We at once give our opinion
that they ar false. ! can never agree 10
this course.
Mr. DANA. These memorials con.
tain statement of certain fae.s in the ma
ture of allegations against certain officers
il, this government. Whenever allegari-
tons of this kind are made, such language
ought TO be used as is best adapted to con.
vey the ideas of the petitioners. These
memorials contain two things. In the
first place they charge the executive of the
United States with Q participation ia Mi
randa's expedition. As to this charge, I
am fully sensible of the Improperly of the
house interfering. Uoder law of the
United States the equipment OF a vessel
against power with WHICH we are a,
peace, is considered as misdemeanor
punishable by fuc and imprisonment :
and if general Miranda misled these men
under belief that the president and sc.
! cre,ary Estate did countenance, though
in fact they did not, this enterprise, they
may, if found guilty by jury, avail them
| selves of this circumstance, in mitigation
of their fire and imprisonment. Il does
not become this house by any declaration,
10 give an opinion on this point either one
| way OF another. On the other point re.
lative to the conduct of TIE Judge, I am
not so satisfied relative to the course TO be
pursued. Is not every man accused en-.
tailed 10 a fair trial? And if the charges
are true, and the man guilty, and yet the
Judge has erred-he has abused his au.
thority. | will rot say peryerseIy, but he
has not pursued the usual course of admi.
nis,etirg criminal justice. As TO this part
| of the memorial, therefore, am willing i,
should lie on the table while / am per.
feet!y ready as to That part which respects
the executive to reject it.
MIR ALEXANDER. wish TO be in.
formed of the correctness of my impre 8.
sion, that he mover Of the me morial pray.
edit should be printed. Before the house
give their consent 10 publish such vo
luminous piece Of calumny, should be
glad to hear some REASON assigned for il.
~ first blush, as has been represented by
the gentleman from New York, this an.
pears TO be an unjust and uncandid al.
tempt to obtain the interference of this
house. should be glad gentlemen would
show us any case in which il would be