Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1807-11-04

specs for my feelings il the manner IN which
he introduced them TO the knowledge of
The house. He had during the last suns
smer received from me personal notice AZ
his own house, Of my issension Of applying
for the Office Of clerk OF the house ofrsprc
sen,aiives. He ought then 10 have stared
the objections he had 70 my character, OF {
have taken the course usually adopted a..
gains.a candidate. Had be given me 90. I
tee of his intention Of stating publicly 10
the house his objections TO me, would
have been prepared with such evidence as
must have removed all unfayorabte i'm.
prrssions from the minds Of those who
were unacquainted with me. But to rise.
suddenly in his place, and that too after a
second ballot for clerk, to addressa public
body, many of whom were unacqualnted
with me, to bring charges against my cha.
|rac,cr without leaving me the power OF
self defence, was course of conduct, the
proprie,y ofwhich must leave to himself
10 explain, and 10 the public to judge.
Butitis not the object Of this address to
recriminase; nor shall adver, to the sin.
gulari.y Of permitting apublic denuDeiasiou
of the character OF private Individual TO
have lis intended effect where the privilege
of self defence is not also permitted. 10y
shall briefly state the circumstances which
gave rise to Mr.. RandoIph's impressi
ons.
Art commencement Of the secret pro-
ceedipgs of the first session fih. ninth
congress, 90 precaution was taken by the
house 70 have doorkeepers stationed a,
each Of the passages leading to The hall
ofthe house to prevent persona from listen.
ing. It was no, therefore 80 be wondered
atIf the nature and subject of the debates
.shnold acciden.ly transpire while curiosity
respecting them was so much alive. A
gentleman by the name Of Charles Evans
did discover what was the subject Of. those
debates, and heard the Speeches Of Messrs.
Randolph and EppSs. He communicated
the substance OF them publicly, and i'm.
medlately afterwards communicated what
/ had heard from him to Mr.. Bedinger,
|,hen member from Kentucky, with the
express view Of convincing him how easy
| ii was forthe proceedings of the house to
become pnblic Notwithstanding The order
for closing the doors and it ishighly pro-
bable thar Mr.. Bedinger repea,edto other
members, without being particular in re-
lating also the manner in which became
possessed ola knowledge of the debates.
And it is a matter OF notoriet. that such
is the strength aud clearness Of the voice
Of Mr.. Randolph tha, it can be heard even
out side of the walls Of the capitol.
Mr.. BediDger after my communication
10 him, Frequently assured me that he was
taking every precaution 10 prevent the
possibility of any prejudice 10 my cha
cter, which nigh, result from the nature
Of the, communication had made to him
l have written to him TO yerifv this
stasemen.. Had Ibeen guilty of any breach
Of confidence, is il to be supposed would
have communicated what had so impro-
perly discovered to- a member Of the very
body whose secret proceedings am charg
ed with having disclosed! Or being az
officer tina, would 10 so paIpable man
ner, have exposed myself to The censure
Of the house and to public disgrace.
Ii has been said ,hatl was found list.
ening 10 The committee room adjoining
The house Of representatives This charge
/ also declare to be unfounded- never
was ia that committee room but one during
the session of the house with closed doors,
end then was in company with Mr. Birch,
Eiun. one of the clerks, upon business re-
slatiug TO The Office. Aud besides the Ser
|ieant at arms aud a late clerk in the Office
were In the room at the time We catered il,
ard | ddnot hear any thing Of what was
going on in the house. The. charge of
listening at the gallery door ! absolutely
deny.
The gentleman from Virginia, my IN.
- -. - - IL 49, a