The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-07-22
WASHINGTON CITY. JuIy 1e


same thing, and believeit'
WASHINGTON CITY, July l6
At a meeting of the cisizens OF Washing
ton, convened by public notice at the Coun-
Gil Chamber, on thursday evening the 4th
OF Jaly, 1903, a numerous assemblage atten'
ding
Dr.. CoRNELIUs CUNNINGHAM was called
to the chair and ]. 3. GOWN appointed
secretary. 1t was, on motion
FesofUe6, That ar Injured Citizen has
claim upon the consideration of every hon
est man in society; and that we have cause
70 believe Gen. Jas. Wilkinson has suffered
persecution or his patriotic efforts in the
service Of his country.
RSsokUea, That a committee be appoint
ed to frame an address to Gen. Wilkinson,
to be signed and presented bv the Oh ,irman,
demonsrrative Of the sense this meeting en-
Vi hts public services and their con-
fdence in his integrity and patriotism.
A committee was accordingly appointed,
and an address reported to the meeting
which being read and agreed to, the Chair
man with four OTHER persons was designated
to wait on the General, present him with
the same, receive his answer, and forthwith.
cause the address and reply, together with
an account CT the proceedings of the meet
ing, to be published in the newspapers.
Signed by order Of the meeting.
CORNELIUS CONINGHAM,
Attest. Chairman.
JOHN B CoLvIN, Secretary.
According to direction, the committee
yesterday waited upon Gen. Wilkinson with
the following Address, to which he returned
the annexed answer:
Waohington, City, Jhiy IA, 1903.
Sir,
1t is the peculiar duty of free and en-
lightened people, while they examine with
the severest scrutiny the conduct of public
men, and regard with jealous suspicion E.
very public character, to paw the tribute OF
their esteem to every confidential citizen
who has falsifed the dishoOorable irputati
ons cast upon his fame. Justice and candor
require, that while they punish with their
censure, they should reward with their ap-
probation for unfortunate would be the fate
Of that country in which calumny only could
be heard, and the confidence Of the people
could not be declared.
| Under these impressions the citizens OF
| Washington offer you their sincere congra-
tulations on the issue of the enquiry that
was lately instituted on your conduct. AS
a respectable portion of the Union they
| we're affected with the livelieSt sensibilitv
when they heard on the floor of the House
of Representatives the heinous charges that
were adduced against SO distinguished 4 SOL
der and citizen and living on he i'm nedi-
ate thcatr-, of action, they watched with pc
culiar interest and attention, every measure
that was adopted and every circumstance
that was disclosed on the subject Of your
character and conduct. The experience Of
Iseven msnths, however, during which the
ei:luiry pending. and the charges IL
.s~f.A ,l.l
had fully prepared them FOR decision SO
honorable to yourself, and SO fatal to your
enemies.
We beheld, sir, the accusation brought
forward under a concurrence Of circumstan
ccs which rendered the motives for is in
stitution doubtful and suspicious. On the
first whisper Of detraction, we saw YOU court
the enquiry which had been solicited by
your accusers, while they, as if conscious of
| their prccipitancy and weakness SIS, cndcavour-
ed to retrace the steps they had taken.
An invitation was given to your enemies
to make a full Development Of their know
ledge on the subject-You defed them to
meet you before judicial tri5unal--but
they denied YOU the honest and impgcsciip-
tible privilege of being confronted with your
accusers they attacked Won On field
which ven were not permitted to enter, and
while they objected to tie weakness aud H.
competency Of the court of enquiry. they're
fused to extend its privileges and powers.
Such was the primary aspect oftheir neon
sideratc accusation and such were the dis
advantages under which you were compel
led to labor in conducting your vindicalion.
But with a spirit of liberality and innocence,
you waved all lagal objections to the intro
ductjon of. the unauthe,tieated documents
which were laid before Congress as evidence
1 q Il =
have ensured your acquittal. you proceeded
to a minute developement os the transact
ous which formed the basis of tic accusati
on. This Development has inccntestibIy
demonstrated your innocence and tho iEdc-
fatiSablc zeal Ct Jour enemies.