Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-03-14
FROM TEE AMERICAN CITIZEN.

FROM TEE AAkRIezN CITIZEN.
The first remark which occurred on
reading the extraordinary note of s. G..
Ogden IS, aud in order to an eieGtual ex-
posure of the traducements of the exec.
utive which are industriously circulated,
il is important to notice, that it is d-
reel and successful resutation Of tho ma
IicIous slauder which appeared in Mr..
Lang's paper of yesterday, to wit, that
tbs testimony of MIR. Ogden did impli-
cate the general government in fitting
out tho Leander. MIR. Ogden expressly
states that his testimony did nOt impli.
cate the executive. SO far one federal
writer involuntarily rises up to knock the
other in the head. do not however
give Mr.. Ogden any credit for this his
victory, for 1t is evident, from the tenor
OF has noe, That the Object oft is 10 mis-
r'eitresent tie csaiucs otthe government.
Mr.. Ogden states, first, that his arrest
was MegaL--2d, that he was forcibly de-
tanned a whole day before the judge-Sd,
that he was denied the privilege of
counsel, and, therefore Il presume the
remarks are meant as lnduction) that he
was obliged to answer questions which
he conceived to be illegal-but, in res.
peel 10 the government, continues MIR.
Ogden, I acted svith e:ctreme eaufion-T
Suas nor so much Pressed OH this head IS On
Others. Very ingenious!
AS TO his conceptions Of the iNegaLl;fy
Of the srrest--of the forcibie detainer-
of his bsing denied the privilege of coun-
sal Of, III ~yt, n hpx
bliged to give to what he conceives TO be
illegal questions, / think he may be al.
lowed to enjoy his opinion in perfect re-
pose, rs it is the opinion of one who il
cannot be presumed is at all acquainted
with what are the iega! courses on such
occasions. So much may with propric-
iy and truth be said of the,opinion Of MIR.
Ogden, for he is not versed in the modes
and technicslities of the law.
Let me now ask Mr.. Ogden in what
his opinion Of the Kcgal proceedings is
founded? Task this Question as of right,
Tor who can implicitly receive his opini-
ons of what is legal and what is not :
On all questions touching the quality Of
Sugar, his opinion would indeed deser-
vedIy have weight, for it is TO. be presu.
med that he is well acquainted with that
article. But when he launches into
subject whose depth is immeasurable to
his faculties, and presumes publicly to
give an opinion upon it, we naturally ask
tor the why's add the wherefores. He
has not however troubled US with these.
Perhaps his ayocations did not afford him
leisure Shall explain for him!
fI,o IL. Gsr,~ Ia
was on The customary warrant issued up
on the oath of witnesses. Was this lille.
gal AS to the forcible sdetainer; why
witness who shall! be examined in courts
whole day may with equal propriety
complain. The moment Mr.. Ogden was
arrested, he was brought into court, and
as soon as his examination was compIe-
ted, he was at liberty to leave it. Where
then was the .forci6ic detainer He was
however, as he states, denied the frtpi-
tcge, as he terms it, Of counsel. Was
this illegal : Mr.. Ogden was examined
IN a double capaci,yz-in the character
the accused add ia that of a witness. AS
the accused, his declarations, which a.
mount 10 nothing, we're voluntary not
OF oath (: they were not To be used a.
gainst him. Is il the Privilege Of one so
standing in court to have counsel put
this question TO professional men, and
am well advised when say that it is not.
As q,1fness, he had no prelension TO
counsel. What witness was ever known
to bribg counsel into court with him So
much for the mode of proceeding.
But Mr.. Ogden, in court, acted with
erfreme caution in restsctto The govern
ment. Let me tell him that the govern-
ment is under no obligation to him for
his e.rfreme caution. Judging however of
his caution by his note, | should take j,
TO be, at least, Of dubious kind. This
note, in respect to the government,
nrnnnnnce To be. insidnonA. and in CO..