The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-01-29

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two hundred perfons collected for the purpofe
of carrying it into effect. We have not even e.
violence of this. We have indeed newspaper G.
violence, that it was reported that the author of
it was to march at the head of 1000 men, and
that 1000 Kentuckans were 10 follow. At the
fame time, however, we learn that Kentucky
is taking the mott effectual meafures to crulh
it. So far from there being 1000 Kentuckians
entitled, / do not believe there are ten, unlefs
indeed, the fraeglers paiiing through that fate,
are 70 denominated.
The gentleman from Pennsylvania has OBJ
ierved that the members from the wettern coun-
try are either ignorant, or pretend to be 70, of
this plot. cannot fuppoie the gentleman al
luded to any member OF this Houfe. There is
one circumstance on this head worthy of no.
tice- the greater part of the zen aGociatcd
came from the Eatern country, and from
the fate of the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
With regard to the fentiments of the Wetern
country, believe they are as well affected to-
wards the union as thofe of any other part OF
the confederacy. / do not conceive, there is
ground for the alarm that has gone forth. / am,
however, willing to take any proper meaiures
to aid the Executive in cruihing the plot.
1t has alto been obferved by the introducer
of this motion that the expenses attending the
military expedition on the Sabine will be equal
to the expences that would have attended the
propofed augmentation of the army. But 1t
feems to me- that this mutt be altogether milf
take. This expedition was competed of the
regular forces and about five hundred militia,
who were engaged but for a few weeks. The
expences of the former may have been fome-
what increafed by their movement, and the
price of provifions: but no additional expence
has been incurred for their pay. The only i'm
portant item of expence mutt arife from the
militia-rthis cannot be comfortable ; it will not
be pretended that it can bear any comparifon
with the expences of rafting an army of Ave or
ten thoufand men. l am not difpofed to fay
any thing of the expences incurred by the COM
mander of the army at New Orleans, as / am
unacquainted with the fubje6t ; but prefume
it cannot be comfortable.
But, to return to the only queftioH before
us, the Prefident has informed us that there is
a combination, the object ofwhich is to conduct
military expedition againit the territories of
Spain. What is the information which we have
ince received Does it not go to the fame
object , IF the PreGdent is convinced from in
formation ince received, that the object is diff
ferent one, is it not mott probable that he would
have 70 advfed US ? If the fecret information
respecting thofe impeached be divHlged, will it
not put many concerned in it on their guard, &
induce them to efcape? This is the evil ap-
prehend from agreeing to this reiolution, and
none other. Believing, therefore, that the in
formation we may receive will not enable us to
ftrengthen the hands of the executive, lhall
vote for poftponing the further confederation of
this reiolution until Monday. The PRECEDENT
has already advifed us that he has taken fuCh
meafures as are calculated to check the expe-
ditiou, and bring its abettors to puniihment.
He poffefies the power of calling out the mill
tia if he thinks the cafe requires it ; and know
of no acts which we can pats, which can
ftrengthen the hands of the executive more than
the exiting laws.
Mr.. J. RANDOLPH. 1t appears to me
that the refoution is treated, will not fay in
tentionally, with unfairnefs. 1t is a refolution
calling for information, and yet gentlemen OPP
pofed to it call upon as for information TO prove
its propriety. They ak, do you know this
or that I'VE anfwer no--but we with to
know it and that we may know it, we ak
and yet the regulation is oppoied, becaufe we
cannot give them The information it calls for.
If we had the information, fhould fuppofe
that circumstance would be hronger rea(on
for difagreeing to it. If we pohefed the in
formation, we fhould not want it. But it is
faid the danger has proceeded to fuch length,
and the crifs is 70 advanced, that nothing
which we can do will have any effect. Are we
then merely to call in the political undertaken,
to take charge of the body polite which is
defunc:, TO commit it TO the duff. Gentlemen
fay it is too late to do any thing. Either the
affair has proceeded to fuch length that it has
by this time fucceeded to the utmon, or is al
together defeated. But are gentlemen pre-
pared to fay that the partial fuccefs of the con-
fpiracy fhal be conclufve in its effects; that
the nation will fet down contented, if Baton
Rouge or Newt Orleans is reduced ?
While on this fubje6t, permit me to fay that
when / referred TO newspaper information, /
did not refer to the vague reports generally cir
cuIated through thofe organs of information,
but to evidence legally taken in the cafe of
judge Sebaftian, which, though found in the
columns of a newspaper, confder satisfactory
evidence. fit is not, | hope fome gentleman
from Kentucky will get up in his place, and
tell us 70. alluded to this information as ex-
hibitng the intriguing difpoftion of the Spanifh
government from the peace of 1888 to the year
1897.
The gentleman from Pennsylvania has told
us of fome kind Of an armiftce entered into
between the commander of our army and the
commander Of the SpaniGh forces. But fhonld
be glad to know from what quarter he derives
this Information. believe there is no fuch in.
formation. There may be fome tacit informal
understanding but believe there is no ar
mitce. If there is have not heard of it and
will this Houie confide in the tact underftand-
ing between two commanders, when they have
leen the government Of Spain endeavorng to
difmember the union after entering into folemn
treaty with Us. In former days we have heard
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