The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-01-23

L
information before the House on which they
could act, he should oppose the resolution
he had been i'll favor of reference i'll or
der to obtain that evidence which was ne
ccssary tor proceeding ON the subject. Be
ling now without amy evidence which would
authorize resolution, he felt compelled to
| vote against it.
Mr.. G. ". CaMhhsN rose r. enquire whe-
Their the House were iii possession of any
documents ornot relating to this subjectf
! The Sneaker said they were NOT.
Mr. C.. then said that he should vote against
tthe resolution If they were in possession of
the House (and this was sufficient reason for
his present vote) he would vote to transmit
them to the Executive of the u. S.
Mr. Gardncr said 1T had been stated that
an enquiry had been instituted; he was will
ling to believe it; If such was the case, thew
might obtain the enquiry without the pro-
posed resolution, but the proceedings of the
House would have bearing on the public
mind. Mr.. G. was Sorry that evidence bad
been brought forward in this way, and had
reduced the House to such a situation. that
adopting or rejecting the resolution must con-
vey an expression of their opinion. He was
unwilling to vote for resolution CARRYING
with 1t such weight as this resolution must.
III the resolution were rejected after eyi-
dence had been produced from two different
sources, what impression would it convey,
II ne were to vote for its rejection, he should
not give full credit TO the evidence. which
had made such an impression on his mind
that he felt 1t his duty to give this informa-
ton to the suitable authority to make the en-
curry but he was sorry thar the question
should have been proposed to the House in
this manner. He could wish the resolution
might be disposed of in some way, and that
the measure recommended by the gentleman
from Connecticut should be adopted.
Mr. Bur.oeN said before the question was
taken upon the resolution he must be permit
ted to explain his vote. 1t would be recollect-
ed by the House, that he had a few DAYS
since declared that lac considered it DroDer
that an enquiry should take place tito the
conduct OF the officer implicated, that it was
due to General Wilkinson himself, the eo-
Vernment, the people, and the army under
MS command. 1t was peculiarly important
at this time, tn understand thoroughly the
character and disposition of an officer hold
ing so high command in the service of the
-. States; there were then some doubts ex-
pressed, as othe form In which the subject
was presented, but a vast majority seemed
to be favorable to adoption, for the same
reasons which influenced his mind, q which
were expressed to the House. He could not
tell what had produced change, and nitro
duced such diversity, if not a complete re-
voiution, III the opinions of gentlemen he
had paid the closest attention to the discus
sion, and still thought the House might adonf
the resolution, without Offering disrespect to
the Executive branch of the government
| without transcending their constitutional DOW
erS, or dong injustice to the person whose
conduct was involved. They were now told
a Court OF enquiry had been ordered, and thar
IL was unnecessary to proceed. This Mr..
b. said might or might not be the fact; n.
MAD no doubt the members who made the de-
| claratlon had been so informed But run,or
| had never been considered sufficient authori
ty to arrest the proceedings of Congress On
any subject before them. The deliberations
| OF that body could only be Influenced by in
| formation laid before them in a manner Jess
| susceptible of doubts.
Mr.. b. said he wished the House to recol
lcct that they were not sitting in conclaye
with closed doors, every thing which passed
upon the floor was reported not an exDressi
on or idea but what was known to the peo
pie, who would be ableto separate that part
| OF the discussion irrelevant to the subject. &
appreciate properly that part relative to it.
What then was the inference? With this
! copious stream of light the true motives or
every member would be readily discerned
he felt the fullest confidence in the Executive,
and was certain the conscientious DISCHARGE
OF his duty would never be construed into The
contrary MIR. b. said the President would
never lmpute to men who had here and else
where uniformly evinced the waImesl attach
| mcnt to their country, and the most liberal
support OF the administration, dishonorable
motives, when others would so readily ex-
| plain their conduct for he had TOO much
good sense, and was too we'll acquainted with
| the constitutional duties of members in this
| branch OF the government, to imagine any
| dIsrespect was intended to him. But said
! Mr.. b. the facts stated by the gentleman him
| self, who originated this motion, preclude the
possibility of this imputation they express
| ly tell you the information upon which they
act has never been in the possession of the
| Executive department how then could ne
| act on evidence, the existence of which was
utterly unknown to him The gentleman a
| few days since declared he had ONLY been
himself in the possession of it two or three
| DAYS.
Here Mr.. Randolhh interrupted Mr.. 3.
| and observed some of it had been put into
his hands the very morning preceding the
! motion
Mr. b. said it was still more impossible to
| attach blame. The delegate from Orleans
had equally eXculpated the President The
! intelligence he intended to have impaired,
we have been told, did not relate to the sub
ject of the resolution. 1t was WORTHY of re-
mark, that at the same time they were in