Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-22
Congre88s
HOUSE OF REPRE5enrAf11ES
WEpNEspAY. JanIS.


printed Agreed. 0sl
The House took up for consideration the
resolution offered by Mr. Rowan on Mon
day. The amendments made yesterday by
Messrs. Rowan and Love being Incorporate
ed with it.
Mr. Aston moved to strike out all the
resolution after the word "Resolved" ex-
cept the part relating TO the transmission
of the evidence to the Executive
Mr. Rowan withdrew his resolution, that
decision on the principle might not ue
evaded by the amendment jdst proposed
and 5fa. ~ ~
Mr. Randolph Immediately renewed the
motion which he originally proposed in the
following words:
Resotved, That the President OF the u !.
States be requested to cause an enquiry to
be instituted into the conduct OF Brigadier
Gen. James Wilkinson, co,ninanderin chic!
OF the armies OF the United States, in re-
lation TO his having, at any time, while in
the service Of the United States, corruptlv
received money from she government of
SDan, or It's agents.
Alter debate of three hours, which
shall be given hereafter, the question was
taken on this resolution Dy Yeas and Nays,
and carried--72 to 80.
Mr. Eppes said he hsd stated on a for
mer day IN his place THAI M Informs ton
had at any time been received by the pre-
sent administration which went TO charge
Brigadier General Wilkinson with beng
a Spanish pensioner TINS statement was
made III reply TO a gentleman from Ken
lucky, who thought it unnecessary Z, for
ward 10 the Executive the evidence es<hi-
bited against Zen. Wilkinson, on the ground
that TINS evidence was already IN poSsessi-
on OF the Executive department. A fact
50, important 20 the pubic ought not o rest
Oh the assertion Of any individual. / cor
ruptioh hA> az any period Of our polite /
EXISTENCE liked ITS fangs On tins govern
neat, II men known to be Spinish pension
ers have at any period been honored with
confluence by any administration tits pro-
per The pc oDle should understand at what
period this confidence commenced, and by
whom 1t was repased. 50 lar back as the
year 1889 or 179o, information was for
warded to the E&ecutive department of
TINS government, that combination be-
tween Citizens OF the United States and the
Spanish government, had been formed, for
the purpose OF d,sine mberine the United
States. THIS information together with
the names of most ofthe persons concerned
IN the combinaJioh) WAS forwarded to the
hrst administration formed under this 90
Vernment, at the head of which General
Washington was placed. 1t was known 70
the second administration underMr Adams,
and additionAi Information Forwarded 70
hlm by MIR E.ficot. Ii General Wilkinson
Was originally concerned ia this ccmbina-
ton, he must have been appointed to Office
by the hrst administered Oh under this 90
vernment, and continued by the seco3d,
With fun and complete knowledge of this
i:ct The present republican party found
Generai Wilkinson m Office, and abundant
proof can be produced mat he possessed
the Confidence Of the two preceding admi-
n'stratiouS If ne was originally menper
OF the old Spanish combination, or has at
any period prior TO the year 1901, been
guilty of any act Calculated to destroy the
public confidence, let the respons bilitv rest
on those who appointed and continued him
10 Office. We have seen in one state OF
the union member Of this combination re-
moved from the important Office of Judge.
on the ground of being Il Spanish pensioner.
charge Of the Same Kind is uow made on
oath by e member of this House, againsi an
ofhcer OF the United States. Ii is time that
all the Information possessed by the go-
verhment OF the United States On the sub
Ject OF this combination, should be brou sht
fairly before the public. WIN view to
obtain this Information, he offered the fol-
lowing resolution:
ReSoIued, That the President of the u.
states be requested to lay before the House
LOT Representatives all the information
which may a; any time from the est blish
meut OF the present federal government to
the presen. time, have been forwarded 10
any department Of the government, touch 4.
ing combination between the agents OF
any foreign government and citizens Of the
United States, tor Remembering the union.
or going to shew that any officer OF the ".
states has at any time corruptly received
money from any foreign government Of its
agents. Distinguishing as far 40 possible
the period at which such information. has
been forwarded, and by whom.
Mr. Randolph seconded THIS motion.
After a few objections to this resolution
from Mr. Quincy, on account Of its being too
comprehensive, not giving the President
power to withhold confidential correspon-
dence, the question was on motion of Mr.
Rnea, ID taken by Yeas and Nays, and
carried uuaHimoUsly, every member pre-
sent, 10 the number Of Que hundred aud
twenty, voting 10 tive qGirnaHUe.
Mr. Rowan said that although decision
on his re o!ution had becn eluded. out Of
respect for the opinions Of gentlemen who
objected to particular parts Of it, be had
modified It, and offered IL as soiiows:
ResOfUeH. That a gfleciaI Committee ~