Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-03-01
SE,NATE of she pN1TED States.
THURSDAY, Feb. II.

Debate on the bill far gfe Punishment offreG-
son, and Of ofher crimes and Offences a.
gainst the United STATES.
(Ihr. CHESS s1leech continued
This clause must evidently be consider.
ed, both as comforting power and limiting
ITS exercise. The word "consist" is The
word comforting power, the word only''
S the word limiting it, exercise The
word consist" is direc DRY TO the gov
eminent generally and not to any depart
ment exclusively. The word (" o,llyr e,S.
Guides from the whole government the
power of introducing all construction or
mmaginary treasons, aud limits It's power
pnlyto the two species of treason included
within that term--to wit, the treason OF
evying war" and "of adhering TO The en-.
emIes of the United States" The word
" only" Therefore in this clause relates on
ly to the species of treasons embraced By
*: and not to any particular acts, which
may amount to treason under either Of
these species. Hence the clear and OBJ
vloGs language of the constitution is this /;
the government OF the United States may
declare what acts amount 10 the treason
OF " lcvying war, and adhering to the en-
emes Of the United States )" bat il shall
not declare any other act whatever tIea
sonsble. The reason ofthis arrangement
viii be the more obvioGs, by reference to
the doctrine of treason IN the country from
which these terms are borrowed. In En-
gland exclusive of the Two species OF trea-
! son recognised by our constitution, there
are various other treasons, and many Of
them constructive; such Is imagining the
',ing's death, &c. showing TOO much ci-
Witty TO the queen or priDcosses, &c. coun-
erfeitinR the kings coin, &c. &c The
great objea therefore If the constitution
was 10 exclude from the government Of
the United States this whole family Of trea-
| sons and the terms used are extremely
proper for this exclusion and for he inclu-
sion of the two species only recognised by
The constitution.
hot it is said treason is already defined
| by the constitution. Is The fact so Let
the enqniry be made and also the extent
TO which the definition goes. Treason
against the United States shall consist on
lIy 10 leyying war against them, and in adj
herring 10 their enemies Giving them aid
aud comfort" Two species of treason
are mere oeHUbO Dut no dCt amounting
10 either pecles of,reasonis defined. Ask
Tie question, what is treason against the
United States The constitution answers,
levying war against them, or adherinG
20 their pemies."--Reverse the question,
wha, is icyyi. war against the u. States
or adheriug 10 their enemies2 The an
swcF is treason. No pcs which will a.
mount TO ether Of these offences, is delin.
ed. This definition although ex,re mely
useful as guide TO the government is of
! no practical use to the citizen, because it
gives him 10 Information ofauy act, which
mounts to treason; and which, ifhs COM
miis, bc wili be guilty OF treason, and sub.
ice, - the highest punishment known Co
nrla,vs. THIS knowledge of the nature
and tegdency Of acts is the only knowledge,
thal can be useful and necessary to the ci-
lzen.
u arreared 20 him wonderfully strange
hat offences the most complicated N tner
nature, The most dangerous in heir effects
% society, ar the mos, fatal 10 the indi-
uduL committing chem, ~hict nould not