The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-07-05

the constitution which inculcates respect
for the good opinion of our fellow men.
" The crime with which l an charged,
is the darkest i'll the gloomy Catalogue ot
human villainies and, to Il soldier OF senti-
ment and of honor, is more frigltful than
plague or pestlence more aff letting than
the loss of life or liberty. To substantiate
an offence of such magnitude, it was GER
tainly to be expected that my accusers
would have pointed to some overt act, exhi
bited some respectable living witness, or pro-
duced some memorial in my own hand wri-
ting: But they have appealed only to the G.
violence of unanthenticatcd documents, TO
the vile suggestions of biack-hearted calum-
ny, and to the Wondering tenants of the
grave: To suspicion l have been called on
to oppose legal testimony-to simple asserti-
ons, the solemnity of oaths and it has been
imperiously proclaimed that l am guilty
and undone, unless l can prove negative,
before the affirmative has been even plan
sibly verified. From the malicious aosur=
dity Of snch logic, might securely shelter
my fame under the maxims of law & the COM
mon sense of mankind but military man,
when he enters on the protection of his no
nor, scorns to avail himself of any rules,
however wise; of any sentiment, however
Just, which might furnish the wicked a
specious preteXt to arraign his motives. In
battle for his country, he employs the arts
and the implements of war; but in defence
of his reputation, he presents no weapon
but pure reason he uses no art but guile
less truth.
1t magnanimous man had spoken of me
with disdain, should indeed have fet myself
mortified & humbled !; but surely it can excite
little Surprize that should remain calm a
midst ungenerous practices, although inten-
ded to destroy me, when their authors are
known, and when you reflect that there al
ways exist in the political world, men who
iced and fatten upon caiumnies, as the stork
does upon serp-nts.
my accusers affect to wonder, that
should adopt mode Of vindication, which
involves the integrity of their own charac-
tiers; but you will perceive, gentlemen, they
have placed me in situation which admits
no other course of defence. I'm ordinary
cases, it is held thar every man shall be con-
sidered innocent Until he is convicted of guilt
but with respect to me, the rule has been re-
vcfsod, G i am declared to be guilty, until ]
can prove my innocence. Twill ask you, gen
tiemen, is itpossibie TO substantiate by positive
testimony, that man has not committed
this or that act! The more spntless the &C
cused, the more difficult is it for him to bring
witnesses to eXculpate himself from particu-
lar crime alledged against him for the non
existence of the fact battles the application
| OF testimony.
| repel the Infamous charge, Of having
received base brides from the Spanish 60
vernmert for corrupt purposes. BY the ho-
: liest affections of the soul, and the most no.
bic feelings of the heart, | protest it is the
fabrication of fcroCious revenge and being
false, my only avenue to justice is to shew,
that those who prefer it are governed by i'm
pure motives, and auc unworthy of credit
1t they are deserving OF faith. must be
cuipabie; but if prove that they are not,
demonstrate my own innocence. At once
prosecutor and witness, they urge the trial
and furnish the testimony but ifyou attempt
to cross-examine them, and expose their
manouvres, they question your authority, and
shrink from fair enquiry.
1t is imposed on me, in defence of nv
dispersed honor, to unyeil the actions of nv
enemies, that / may expose the foul inter
ests by which they are moved: The Office is
a painful one, and the anticipation wounds
my sensibility.
"Hallowed forever be the feelings Of no.
norable minds respected the obligations o.
social correspondence If, in the course Of
this vindication, draw your attention to the
contents of private letters in corroborati-
on OF my reasoning, trust the necessity OF
the case, and the proceedings of my adver-
saries, may speak my apology"
The general then proceeded to investigate
the charges adduceA against him, the sub.
stance of which we shall from time to time
give to the public, as correctly as notes, foun-
ded upon recollection, will enable us unles.
wa should succeed in our endeavours to pro
cure a complete copy of the proceedings.
riie deposition of Mr.. Clark was the mair
subject Of the Generals consideration: AND
here he went into a minute scrutiny Of all it.
parts, adducing several dispositions which
! 90 10 ,nvaii,iate its most material alterations
and produced great number ofletters from
Col. Clark, the uncle and patron ofthe pre-.
sent Daniel Clark, together with many from
the latter, (all of a date subsequent to the
period of the generals alledged connection
with the Spaniards,) which vindicate the ge-
neral from the charge of a Spanish connexi.
on, speak of him in terms of ardent Affect.
on, respect, veneration and gratitude, as a
man firmly attached to the interests of the
United States and always prepared to asser,
their rights. III some Of the letters of Mr.
Clark, the writer represents himselfin Gu
iious character; as person who can play A.
ny part TO attain his object capable of cant
ing, whining, &c. to dive into the views Of
men And in other letters, there is an e.
quivocal squirting at Burr's project, a glance
| at what he calls the " Ia1,d ar proJ,,;se {,