Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-04-07
MESSAGE.
Gentlemen ofthe Legislative Council,

Gentlemen Of the Legislative Council,
and Of the House If REPRESENTATIVES,.
WE have been officially informed that
the "reputed leader of the conspiracy"
which has menaCed our safety and disturb
ed our tranquility, was q in the hands of
the civil authority at Natchez ;" and It is
now confidently reported, (although no OFF,
cial information upon the subject has been
received by meg that many of his adhcrcnts
have also arrived in the Mississippi Ter
ritory. Among them are two individual S,
who are represented to have evaded by
flight from the state Of Ohio, that punish
ment which the law in Justice and in mer-
Cy, would have awarded against them.
One of these persons have most salts
factory information for stating, did, in Sep
TENDER last, propose 70 a citizen in whose
veracity entire confidence may De placed,
fto join in plan to bring about dissolu-
ton of the union; and after pointing ont
the advantages which would result to trad
ing men, from the erection of a separate
government on this side of the mountains,
and observing that the people were ripe
for such a measure, he said their fkon
would be TO go on with an armed force to
New-Orleans, to seize that hiace, and after
getting the money in the banks, the militia
ry stores, and the French artillery there,
to force the country to a separation from
the Atlantic States, by operating on its
comGlcrcc.-In charity to human nature, l
cannot suppose that all concerned in the
conspiracy were prepared to support OBJ
iectS so hOrriblc.---On the contrary, | am
persuaded many have been seduccd into the
association by article and misreprcsenta-
tion; and 20 ali such trust q generous for-
:giUeneSs may be extended
Cannot, however, disguise from the two
houses of assembly, how greatly regret
that the existing laws do not afford ade-
quate means for the prevention OF conspi-
racies OF this diaboliCal nature, for the dis
covery of the parties concerned, and for
their punishment. / have recently been
advised, (and from source entitled to Gre
dit) Of the approach TO this city ofan agent
of the Conspirators 81 am informed OF MS
name, and the rout he takes, and have but
little doubt as 20 the objects of his mission
And yet believe it IS not in my power
to adduce such proof as would justify CT
vii magistrate in committing him To prison.
And should / arrest him upon my oen au-
thority, a writ Of Hqbeds C0rhus would
most probably rescue him from my posses
sion, and he might then be enabled to full
fiji the reasonable duty with which he may
be charged
Assured of the fidelity and patriotism ol
the great body Of the American people
assured also, that by the vigilance If tine
general and state governments, many q
the adhercnts OF Che Conspirator5 with
their boats and supplies have been arrest
ed on the waters Of the Ohio, and that tn,
arm Of the nation is raised against them
/ apprchend no permanent misfortune, MOI
can this territory in The zvOrst offfmeS, ex
perience, other than a temporary evil
We however owe it to our immediate safe
ty 20 continue for the present our measure
Of precaution; and in addition to those al
ready adopted, the ezpediency of suspend
ingf 11 8horf time, land under such res
tricGons az may be best calculated to pro
tect the innocent) "the priv eye of tn,
writ of Ha5c7s Corhus," is recommends
20 your consideration.
(Sigued.)
WILLIAM G c. CLAIBORNE.
Eew-O rieans, Feb 10, 1907.
fOr receipt Of the foregoing message
bhe House Of Representatives thought !
advisable to ask the opinion Of the courts
and the United States district attorney, a
20 the cons,itutiona'ity Of tie measure
The following answer was retlrned;l