Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-01-30

~,
ealhng on the President for ihJornia-
tion, &c.
Continued
Mr.. FINDLEY considered the resoluti-
on as OF some importance and worthy of
consideration before it was adopted. He
therefore moved its postponement till Mon
day.
MIR. BURWELL said he had a single
remark to make in reply to the gentleman
from North Carolina, who had intimated
that he might be acquainted with some
circumstances not in possession of the House.
He begged leave to inform him, and the
other members of the House that he was
acquainted with no circumstances other
than those which he had obtained thro' the
newspapers or from official communicate
ems.
Mr.. LLOYD. When thisresolution was
laid on the table, it appeared to me so sim
pie that nobody could doubt its propriety.
For my part, shall not enter into a con-
slderation ofthe measures of the last sess-
on the propriety or improperly of which
are not now at issue. The only question
before the House is this-is 1t proper for
this House, when the country Is threaten
ed with an instruction or an invasion,
when there is reason to think imminent
danger exists, to request the necessary in
formation, to prevent the injurious conse.
quences that may ensue, without the APP
plication ofproper remedies have heard
but three objections made to this resolution,
neither of which seem to me entitled to
the least force. The first is, that if the re-
solution be carried to the President, he
will consider it his duty to communicate
| all the information in his possession. But
gentlemen who make this objection surely
have not attended to the language of the
resolution. Docs it not expressly confine
the request to the communication of such
Information as the President may think pro-
per, and such as may not defeat any objects
he may have in view? If, then, he has re-
celyed anyinlormation, which he may deem
1T improper TO communicate, he is author
ised by this very resolution toswlthhold it.
should have very little confidence either
In the ability or integrity Of the executive.
1T in contravention of the wishes of this
House. and in direct hostility to the objects
intended to be answered by this request,
he should communicate informatio which
ought to be withheld. The gentleman from
North Carolina (Mr. Alston) who has spo
ken of the resolution as compelling the AK
ecutive to communicate information i'm his
possession, must surely have overlooked it's
discretonry language.
The gentleman from Pennsylvania has
observed, that the resolution appears to
him as expressive of want of confidence
in the executive. If the doctrine of conf
dence is TO be carried 20 this length, that
you, who are the guardians of the people,
shall sit idle spectators of every impending
storm, shall never subscribe to it. Howe
yer may confde in the integrity & wisdom
IF fnfap
nor can sit here merely to legislate under
executive patronage. / want facts on which
to act: If the resolution shall be adopted,
it will betray no want of confidence in the
executive; it will only manifest the zeal
of the House to possess information, which
1t is necessary for them to have before thew
can be prepared to act.
Mr.. ASTON. The gentleman from
Maryland says this call on the executive
is necessary. But what is the state of the
case at present Is 1T not the duty of the
President, under the constitution, at all
times to give such information to the legis-
lature, as he may deem necessary and pro
per for them to act upon? And what is
the language of the resolution ITO give
such information as in his Judgment shall
not be improper? On this ground, then.
1t is not necessary to adopt it. But take
the subject in the view in which before
presented it. If we call on the eX ecutive
i'll this way, he will deem it his duty, to give
the information called for. have not par
ticularly attended to the phraseology of the
resolution, but question very much whe-
Their the qualification in The fore part of Il
applies to the latter part, which re fers to
the measures taken, or intended to be ta-
ken by the executive. 1t is clear that some
parts of this information may be improper
to be communicated. For my part, believe |
that such communication on this subject.
as is proper, will be laid before us as soon
as practicable. On the point of confidence
in the executive magistrate, ] will say, that
j am not in the habit of subscribing to the !
opinions of any man, or set of men whatever.
An implicit dependence on the opinions Of
others is altogether contrary to my habits
but can any man doubt that if there il anv |
thing in the possession of the President. |
proper in his opinion TO be communicated, !
nc would have conceived himself bound TO |
have communicated it before this dsv I
As said before, two or three DAYS may
bring us a western mail, and news of the |
extent and state ofthe conspiracy. Let us
wait till this time the state ofthines NAV
then induce us TO call on the President for
It's but few DAYS since we
have heard from Orleans there appears
to exist here the greatest confidence in the
executive, anda force sufficient TO meet auV
force that may be brought from the upper
Do We know the extent of this
or all the characters impli-
-afed IN ~ nj xvhcr. 49,, ..a..,