Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-10-20
Aithi.1nnh 1srits Current.
Circuit G0art.
MOTION FOR COMMITMENT.
THuRspAY, October 1.


THURSDAY, October 1.
Grn. YlLkinson's testimony continued.
General Wilkinson was about to explain
more fully some of the intcrrogatcries put
to him at his last eXamination--whcn he
was interrupted by Mr. Wickham, who de-
clared that he felt no disposition to inter-
fere with the explanations of the witness,
but was veryanXious TO go on with the cause.
With respect to the motives with which
any act was done, he knew nothing and
Cared nothing. The Chief Justice decar-
ed that gen. Wilkinson had right to ex-
plain Undergraduates !; and again repeated
the substance of the opinion which lie had
before given. Gen Wilkinson proceeded.
4 have been asked whether in October
1906, did not expect immediate hostil.
ties with the Spaniards / was required
to account for the cause of the sudden
change of position of the Spanish array /?
i was Intercepted as to the convention
with the Spanish commandant, and with
peculiar deiicaCy / was asked whether any
money was received as a condition also,
whether had not posted guards on the
highways about New Orleans To Intercept
travellers To these Undergraduates, quite
unexpected, / made such replies as was
then enabled TO do from memorv BY re-
terr.ng to my papers, they Will shew that
did expect war with Spain so early as
September 1908. Here the general re-
serred to an extract of his letter of the
6th or September, and his letter of the 4th
of October 1906 to the Secretary at War,
which were read-see Notes NJ. Nj On
my advance to take the command Of the
barrier post, / passed Tort Adams on the
18th of September. There ] found TWO
letters from col Gushing, detailing his COR
Nsit N IL.
! was then asked for a copy of the oonven-
tien. ! am nov about to do that COR which
my country and gentlemen Of my profes-
sion may perhaps condemn me. Bat uiI-
der the charges and insinuations bv which
my character has been assailcd, / flatter
myself, that should j be guilty of any i'm
pr6prlety, the circumstances in which |
am placed will excuse me. Here are all
the papers relative to that conventions
IGen Wilkinson produced number OF let
tiers containing the correspondence between
him and the Spanish commandments about
thc time the troops OF that nation rc-eroSs-
ed the Sabine. Mr. Martin said, they wish
ed to have the papers, and hoped the court
would have no objection. The Chief JUS
tice observed, that he had no objection,
but wished it to be distinctly understood
shat he would not coerce the production Of
between this country aud any foreign gov
ernment.
MIR Martin said, that would depend up
on circumstances. He held it q sacred
principle that if the government though,
proper to prosecute citizen, they were
bound to produce every paper which might
be necessary for his defence, or give w
the prosecution. Mr. Hay thought il would
be improper to read the papers because
they related 10 4 negotiation with for
eign government, and because thev had nc
relation 10 the subject before the COURT
Gen Wilkinson had, indeed, from the IN
situations which had been made been in
duced to produce those papers; but it was
evidently done with a considerable degree
of embarrassment I; and would not justify
the reading Of them, if it were otherwise
improper. Mr. Wicllham. have asked
for the convention with the Spanish com.
Tnandant, but am told that il is STATE. sc.
crct. ] concur with MIR Martin, that whcr
an individual is prosecuted by tie govern
ment, no state secrets should prevent tht
production OF every paper necessary foi
his defence. Gen TVijkinso4 said he wish.
cd 1t 10 bc understood that these were We
~ imperfect TRANSACTIONS of the letters
from the original Spanish, and therefore
that be could not deliver them but uudei
the stipulation that thcy should be accurate.
" translated before publication e he hat
discovered Gov Cordero and Gov Hcrrar;
TO he officers Of polished education, fron
his correspondence with them. He hat
made this stjpuiaticn as duty which mil
itary men owe to one another Throughout
the world. These letters contain the con
vention n convention without an article
IThe Chief Justice said that nc would no
compel the production Of the convention
unless It's bearing ON the case be shewn.-
Mr. Martin. We have a right 20 it,
hope 1t will be noted that we have made
solemn demand Of these papers ] Gepcr
al Wilkinson proceeded. The next qIes
tion which was asked was. Whether ha,
not made private communications 10 licu
tenant Jones. ] have said that GIVE NJ
orders to lieutenant Jones but if had
here are documents to shew If not n jus;i
fcation Of my conduct in all the mco sue
pursued. At least an cXtepuation. [lIert
general Wilkinson preserved several pa
pcrs shelving tie ag;iated STATE 81 Sew