Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-06-13

government. This is turning the House
of Representatives into judiciary body,
and au horising Them lowest aiLo. he's hu
.siness from the tribunals ofiustice.
MIR ASTON. ! would not rise, but
for the extraordinary declaration of the
gentleman from Massachusetts, who says
members Of the House knewthat the Pre-
sident was possessed of knowledge Of the
Lenders sailing time enough 10 have
prevented it. He says he knew it. II
so, this sufficiently accounts for the course
now proposed 10 be taken. If the Fitting
out and the destination of The Leander
were known 10 any member OF this House,
| pronounce that member equally crimi-
nsl with The Secretary of State or the
President. For my part had heard a
gentleman of responsibility from New
York say, though some people were pre-
pared for the sailing of The Leandey. he
did not think twenty men in Ncw-Yori
knew The place of her destination. Asto
the course pursued by the House, it is
perfectly ilnrnaterias 10 me, whether the
petitions lie on the table, or are turned
to those from whom they cams-my only
this kind without knowing more abou, it.
Mr. JACKSON. The gentleman from
Massachusetts has told us of Information
possessed in this House Of most extra
ordinary Enthusiastically the. most ex-
traordinary in the apnals OF jurisprudence.
That government had a knowledge ofthis
case, and that they are afraid TO trust the
decision of jury ofiheir country. This
is most extraordinary indeed. For my
part, / regret that the gentleman from
MASSACHUSETTS had so far forgot his own
dignity, and the duty he owes his coun-
try, as to have permitted himself 10 have
become the organ Of these charges. lie
has told us we will discredit ourselves by
reje9ing these petitions. But permit me
to say he has already more discredi,ed
himself by presenting them. The petit
oners say this expedition has received
the applause and encouragement of the
government, and The gentleman says this
is known TO the House. pronounce this
false. ] say it is a base calurnny, of
which the gentleman has made himself
the organ; and in saying so, L bold my
self responsible in any place the gentle
man pleases.
MIR QUINCY. deemed it my duty
to present a petition handed 10 me, let ii
come from what quarter it might -and in
this instance before presented these me-
moiiais | made correct statement of all
their contents, which the House heard,
AID having heard, received them. As 10
the. harsh things which have been uttered
by the gentleman from Virginia it is not
in his power 10 hurt my reputation.
said some information, stated in the me-
MORALS, was correct. / say so now. But
did say the whole information contained
in them, with The coloripg, was true /?
Gentlemen will bear me witness that
said did not believe the faGts could be
proved; but tha, there was ground enough
to justify the going into an enquiry. Now
as to the information alluded TO. re
ceived no information myself from New
York-the information came TO a gentle
man on this fpor. WAS it for me to
bring this Information before the House.
Other gentlemen had the same informa.
ton. have said these lis;ngs as season
for not being too precipita,e. Such con-
duct will look as if we were influenced by
improper motives. In whrt have said
by no means mSan 10 give sanction to
the memorials.
AIR MUMFORD. On the LIST OF Fe-
bruary ! applied to the collector of New
York. He declared he did not know the
real destination of the Leander-she had
| cleared out for Jacinel. The Cd Februa,
~, the Leander sailed from the watering
place at Staten Island. Her destination
was the common subject of conversation.
Some supposed it was TO one place, and
| some to another; but il was generally
coDjeelured 10 be British expedition,
1t was COMMON conversation that Miriam,
da had brought with him credit on c..
Britain, ard l have since been informed
he drew bill on one of the late British
administration.
Shortly after l heard of the prosecute.
on; but never imagine the administers.
tisD had any thing to do with the expedi.
ltion.
ITO be Continued
BOSTON, June q