Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1807-11-06
Fran the United Stafes' Gazette.

hat can the President of the U. Sites
mean by saying in his message to Congress 8
shall think ii my duty to lay before yaa the
9 proceeding and the evidence publicly ex-
g. hibited on the alraigHment Of the principal
IS offenders before the district court of Yirgi-
8 MA - Now | should think it his duty not
70 NEEDLE WITH the subject In any way, unless
by the exercise OF his power of pardoning.~
With the exception Of this power, the presi-
dent fhs as little right to intermedaie with a
prosecution depending before the judicial de-
partnlent Of our government as tic king of
s England has. But even Il he, had a right to In
EteFineddie,we should he glad to be Informed
how he becomes possessed of the e proceed
ilgs and evidence publicly exhibited INA
court. Has the president had the autlacity to
sreqnire any court OF the United States to re-
port ito him their proceedings, and the esi-
dsnee exhibited before them and has any
court been dastarliy enough to comply with
such 4, rsquisition? We gyenture to say, no.
nv hat sources of information does he possess,
then, which are not common to every men-
Der Of congress And what have congress ia
do with the subject, after the information IS
laid before them That whole paragraph Of
the message which relates to The state prose
cutions in Vifgi nia is one Of the most indecent
things that ever appeared in state paper
Neitherthe presidentnor the ess have
aay more business with the proceetlinss and
tho evidence in those cases than they have
with the proceedings and the evidence.in the
case Of the man who wac the other slay tried
before Judge Washington in this city for nur-
der on the high seas.
Perhaps a more strocious usurpa,ion
Of power was never. attempted IN a govern
ment of laws, thar thar By which Mr.. Jsf..
.ferson claims The right Of reviewing ane..
controlling the proceedings Of the judiciary
Speaking, 10 his message 70 congress-, Of
the prosecutions in the district of Virginia,
he says, 6 You will be enabled 10 Judge
whether the defect was in the testimony,
ia the law, or in the administration Of the
law aud wherever shall be found,s the
legislature alone can apply or originate the
remedy.
Thess IS much important aud alarming
meaning in these few words. g You will
be enabled 10 Judge whether THE DEFEcT''s
&c. How does il appear that there was
any dsJsct2 Why, simply thus. A. the
last session Of congress mr.. JeA.rson usurp-
co the pyerogatiyes of court and jury, By
fossivesy prenoulcisg upon the guilt Of
Aaron Burr. Afterwards he was put np,s
On his trial by due process If law, and two.
separate 5aries pronounced him not gully.
Now Mr.. JrRerson, ass0fnina The position
that his sentence pronounced WITHOUT Trial
IS right, aud that the sentence Of the courf
a3djafy, formed upon patent and sedi. /
pus investigates Is wrong ;nsers that there
is defect, and that this defect exists either
IN the sesti noay, 10 the law, or in the ad !
ADMINISTRATION Of The law. Let as gran, for
q momens thai g dsfscs has rsally appeared
in one Of ibeses hrse points; still we would
ask VIVA, business has cishsr the president !
or scongrsas with it1s Suppose the defscs
Be 10 me testimony thatis il was insGfi I
cieatto tcyaa q cossviotien uposa. Are con- !
sass g naake precision for Supplying such