Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-02-27


viii be made III the bill for the punishment
of the infractions Of the const itution in this
respect
Unusual punishments shall not be inflic-
ted" 1t was intended by this provision
that such punishments should notbc inflicted
after trial; yet here are heavy punishments
inflicted before trial, imprisonment, sc.
Many were alarmed that the constitute
on provided for this miserable spot of ten
miles square ;-was not then expected to
become court of kings bench....It was not
expected that we were all to be brought here
to trial.
Declaration of Independence--" transported
beyond sea for trial." Was it ever expected that
such case would occur here'
Whether the parties proceeded against are
traitors or not, is n,mateEia to the present ques.
ton.
On the conduct of the commander in chief. the
lee, said at present perhaps the better; yet he
had always thought there were more rogues than
one.
He looked NOT to motives, but 10 facts. fla
man stole his horse, lie would prosecute him,
and have him executed SO would he viola,or
Of the constitution.
a.T Randolph here adver,ed to the proclams
ton OF the English king in l766, or whereabouts,
prohibiting the expectation of corn in the time
OF dearth. The people appauded, though it
was : violation Of their constitution. snd when
the biN tor indemnify was brought forward, lord
Msnsh ID prevented its adoption.
We are now called on to say whether the con.
sntuuon shall be pack thread, ink and paper, or
something effective,
Mr Broom withdrew his motion TO refer the
resolution TO the committee of the whole, and
moved Its reference to = select committee, with
lesye TO report by bill.
Mr. Broom asked for the ayec and macs
Mr. u W. Campbell thought the proposed en-.
curry useless and improper-It is intended TO M
nish future NOT present infractions OF the Cum
stiuuon. AS ii can have no egea on VIVA, is
past, and there is no appearance of i,s being
wanted, and IS there are modes TO punish ;n-
fractions, by a suit for false imprisonment, he
couia see no need ofgoing into any enquiry
on The subject.
We have given strange direction to this de-
ba'e--One would suppose we were investigating
Inc gum or innocence of general Wilkinson,
MT E.liet had said, thai if guilty of any crime
NiessfS. Doliman and Swartwout could only be
guilty OF msprison of treason: Mr. CamDbelI
oonIended that if guilty all, they must be gull
~ Of treason
Mr. Campbell con,ended thar the laws of the
o!hefem states had already every necessary pro-
Viti'n on the susjG6 of the writ of habeas corDus
ne could not Consider the quarter whence the
resolution came Niihout jealousy. lie consider.
cd ii rs an attempt to make the people believe
nat they The fedrralists1 had become the de-
lenders of the rights of he people, while the
friends OF he administration were neeIectful of
their duty.
Mr. Holland waa opposed to the reference.
G So tue resolution as nnneccs.ary--He
ala hol Ike the quarter whence it came
Mr Holland said much as,ains, monarchy and
a'i'toc'aey' and spoke highly of democracy he
'hohSht Burr wished to establish 4 monarchy +;
ara hencc perhaps the sympathy of 4 certain
parry towards Rollman, Swartwout, &c. ard ,s
ihat party wished monarchy, and Burr mean,
10 est2b.Ish one, they could not consider these
PERSONS IS very criminal in merely trying 10 o.
Ve.'hrow republican form of governments
Mr, Aston Why have not gentlemen d;sco.
vered before nov, these fifteen years past. the
need OF further q curing the rivil scft III swrit.
Mr.. Randolph. Where are WEI Is ,ais tbe
mouse or REPRESENTATIVES And are we here 70
near Tie aagrant doctrine advanced. thar remr.
hs'a'ion 10 to be made by a suit for false i'm.
resentment. or Tor assault aud battery If there
"'e traitors aud con'pi atCrs, give them law,
s"ter law, bar LEI them have law
" Dead men tell no tales "--I'll put 4 case.
suppose Aaron BUR a traitor, and one who
wI5ned 20 sever the union; let him die IF 80 :.
oct if person who has en.ieavored 10 ssvsr I2,r.
lucky from the union has conspired with Bury.
no doSOt uch person would wish Burr dead. for
SIC could tell no taies.-Supuose a mem.
I eeT o' TINS house be arrested, taken 70 the ma.
iioe barracks, The cOnimandant there refuses IN
ae"Yer KIM 70 the civil authority, and tiansDorts
h'm to Orleans 10 be tried by dependen; court
- Is this our criminal codel Viii you be con.
tented wrh such
One word on the qua ter whence this resou
w" enc Are the house 10 be rallied under the
DINNERS OF party IN the discussion of great
cons 'uu2nAI question TIE people will soon
hiu CUT iha' rePub,canism and federalism is OH
y acoiiest OF the ms and outs--The pronle will
is'th 10 them (the federalis.s) If they see them
protecting their rights--I hope they will not need
90 70 listen say It candidly. The rederaIists
N 20 hau majority they are now a minority.
ou' q. & Incoming republican, while the o9her mar.
y are becoming otherwise
iaTieu.ar gentlemen say they do not Sc, then,
serves up as the champions Of the contribution
ana The law am glad Of it; God help ths Law
"Hd the constitution if they were.
II you do not guard better your rights, the
ums I'll come when you will be driven our of
inns house at the point of the bayone,
MI randolph here spoke of the press--Itmav
6ecome The engine of tyranny when it supports
the sword. P''''
En- M Williams regretted that any thing
haa oeen said about par,ies-fle was fully in IA.
Vor OF the resolution and its commitment. and
spoke at some length 20 shew the necessity of
III ,theT provision on this subject
Mr. Campbell rose 10 explain. He said r.
hlabeen misunderstood or willfully rnisyepresen-
ted. lie explained
Mr. Campbell said he was not an evc1,.;,,
& O. ~. e..