Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-26

ny
On receiving the first animation of the
anathema pronounced against me on the
tioor of Cong ss, by member of that no.
norable body, (Mr. John Randolph as
highly distinguished for decorum and mo-
Iteration as he is for impnrtiality and can
dor; appealed to the proper authority
for an Investigation into my conduct, by
that tribunal which is secured to me by the
constitution and the la%, and YOU gentle.
men have been ordered to sit in judgment
on me-
The occasion was certainly unexpected,
vet lit was NOT the less desirable, and altho'
he occurrence so recently after the ordeal
at Richmond, may dispose some inviduous
persons to derogatc from the motives of
my honorable accuser, the candid and in
telligent part of the world, when possessed
of all the, facts, will do him ample Justice
for surely no unmanly vinciictive personal
ity can be ascrihed to gentleman of Mr..
RandolPh's lofty carriage and sublimated
nonr. Indeed when we survey the course
which the accusation has travelled to this
court, aad examine the manner of its in
PRODUCTION into the House of DELEGATES.
II would imply an unpardonable degree of
scepticIsm 60 doubt the dsinterested MAJ,
riotism, which has guided the procedure
before that honorable body; much less to
complain of Il failure in those chaste obser-
yances and delicate regards, which are
uue to the unfortunate, who may become
the subjects OF pubic accusation.
Though highly fiattered by the manner
OF my "ccuSer, must confess that my re-
pvgnance TO unrighieous and unnecessary
innovations, inclined me to prefer the plain,
regular, aud invarial,!e course TO military
enquiry, by complaint to the saperior-be-
cause it secures to the individual a consti-
tutiona! right, prevents the obtrusion of
Concerns purely executive, upon the atten-
ton ct the legislative body, and SPARES
gentlemen of glowing sensibili,ies, the
deep regret inseparable from the ANALYSIS
ct individual charao ter, on exparte testi-
mony, or no testimony at all.
The victim Of suspicion and oblouuv for
more than thirteen years, | have treated
with friG!d indifference the paragraphs and
who have pointed their dag
gers at interpolation, resolved TO respond
to their calumnies, by redoubled zeal in
the discharge of my duties; but I must now
'hank the fafric1 who has given the outline
of my offences, for the opportunity he has
furnished me to mcethim on the ground of
his preference, and there TO defy him and
l.
spirators who participate their sympathies.
The hlghts with which men invited for
the ruin of their country, had recently at
tempted to sully my humble fame, in ccnse-
quence of my feeble efforts in her defence,
served but To excite my pity and contempt !;
did indeed believe that the scene of per-
sccution had been closed forever, and began
to hope, after a long and not inactive life of
military service, ] might be permitted to
wear out its remnant, somewhat cheereCl,
under those privations Of the heart which
leave us little to wish for, by the retrospect
NJ days wiShcut reDroach. and the consci-
BUSINESS that ~hstever might have been nv
utility,l had lived without dishonor.
But had forgotten that had sinned be-
yond forgiveness, and that my destruction
had been sealed in New Orleans by a band
NJ hardened traitors, whohaye advanced so
far, that they place their safety in thei,
success /; and now for the first time stand
before a military tribunal, TO
vindicate all for which have lived aud for
which will die. The precious gift of my
father-thc inestimable inheritance of nv
soldiers honor after IL has
been worried, and torn, and mangled, and
degraded, by whom Let expire ssive silence
mark the avengers Of traitors cause And
may the angel of mercy blot out the remem-
brancc ofny wrongs. For my services shall
live and be remembered, when the disciples
nj dctraction, those pestiferous vermin who
feed on cnlunnies, shall have persisted and
are forgotten.
ihere are certain terms in our LANGUAGE
50 offensive to an American ear, that to con
pie them with mans name is sufficient TO
'arn'sh his character, such are corruption.
bribery, pension, poison, and poltroon-my
enemies aware Of this, and knowing that n
stain on military honor, like an aspersion
On female chastity, sinks deep and is not to
be erased
-" To make assurance doubly sure
"And take bond Of fate
"Ihat then might tell pale hearted fear
CIT lied"
Have not been content to arraign me before
my country. but in their rage for personal
vengeance, they have condemned me TN
heard, ard stigmatized me TO the world.
On the evidence of made up documents, per-
luTies and iorgeries; am sensible of the
irreparable injury done me, and vet, in this
our government of laws, have found nv
case remedies have therefore suffered
IN silence, consolin5 myself with the hope,
that the example ofmy prosecutions, might
be future protection to the war worn vete-
ran, and useful exampie to those, who too
readily credit the tale Of detraction.
IL is an easy matter 70 charge virtue it
self with corruption, and alas, in these
times we find II almost as easy to- sustain the
allegation by the oaths of proflieate aban-