The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-01-09

III suca case, Ienerai w llklnson beng mile
taiy and not a civil officer, whom the Presi-
dent alone, had power to remove.
None OF these points were decided either
directly orby implication.
In the course ofthis devious discussion the
succeeding observations on The main subject
were made by different gentlemen.
Mr. W. .dLst5n had heard nothing in the
documents read to-day impeaching the cha
racter of Gen. Wilkinson more than what the
newspapers throughout the Union had tenn
ed with tor two years, except indeed letter
from Mr.. Power and who was MIR. Power,
OF what credibility could be attached to any
thing cmanating from him ? Every person
in the u. S. who could read knew his charac-
ter. He was opposed to coercing evidence
on considering resolution proposing an en-
qulry, even if he were in favor of the enqui-
ry. ~
Mr.. Smile thought the debate which had
already taken place on a reference totally
improper. lie had heard sufficient evidences
on this subject to convince him that such an
enquiry was necessary lac did not think that
there could be any further doubt on the sub
lJcct The House could nottrv Gen Wilkin-
son, he must be tried by another tribunal.
| hey owed 1T to the country and to Gen. w.
himself to request an enquiry, and he hcped
| there would not be dissentient voice on the
! question of agreement to the resolution He
could not give an opinion as to the guilt or in
nocence of Gen. Wilkinson, but he thought
1t absolutely necessary that an enquiry should
| be had.
| Mr.. Gardener was satisfied of the impro-
prlety OF proceeding on the consideration of
any question ofimportance too hastily, more
especially in a case so materially affecting an
officer OF high rank in the United States He
wished to have time TO consider fully before
he could vote on subject of as much mag
nltude as this; they should not act from first
Impressions. If the subject were referred to
committee with power to send for persons
papers, &c. the testimony on the subject
would come before them in a proper shape,
and not with the inaccuracy which must al
ways attend information given in this man
ner, but in condensed form in which its
force might be fully felt. He did not wish to
De preclpitated into an enquiry too soon
neither did he wish an enquiry to be made
because 1t was due to Gen. Wilkinson. II
this enquiry was coulted bv and this motion
intended as favor to Gen. w. he was aston
lshed that it had not been brought forward
before. There certainly had been ground
enough sfewn for an enquiry into mis- conduct !;
put II Gen. WIS conduct had so far evnced
MS purity as not tocXcite in the administra-
ton even suspicion against his character,
II no enquiry had been made on the charges
winch had resounded from every part of the
union. Mr.. O.. did not wish now merely for
the sake of doing justice to that officer, to
press an enquiry which the Executive had
not thought proper to make. Neither did he
wish rashly to decide on this question, be-
cause in doing this they would add the weight
or their accusation to the cries of the whole
nation; the united force of which no indivi-
dual could repel
| Mr.. Chandler said this was a subject which
had been long before the nation, and with
which they were all well acquainted: fthat
officer were innocent it was due to himself
and his friends, that an enquiry should be
! made; If he were guilty it was due to the u.
states. The evidence produced was suffici-
ent on which TO ground an enquiry, and he
was ready to decide without further time.
| Mr.. NichotdS had no doubt but an enquiry
ought to be made after what had been heard,
| ii General Wilkinson were the lowest officer
| OF the u. States, he should be of opinion that
an enquiry ought to be made, but he doubt
ed whether this was question on which they
were now prepared to decide. For this rea-
| son he had seconded the molten for referring
the resolution to select committee who would
| consider whether TINS biect properly came
under cognizanCe OF the House !; he consider
ed the House as mere legislative BODY eX-
| cept in the single case of impe. chment He
was not prepared to say what was proper to
| be done with this resolution, but MS hrst i'm
IPression was against acting Oh it 1t would
open doors for receiving Complaints of the
| misconduct of any officer; he did not think
this power was lodged in the House, and ne
had no wish to assume powers which did not
pertain TO them. AS tc the question " ne
ther there should be an enquiry or not, no
man could doubt. An enquiry must be made
Would it be said that an Office of import
ance should be suffered to be retained bv a
man who had received a pension from TO
rel gu government! He thought il coutd not !;
and therefore he wished an enquiry to be
made into the truth of this charge
Mr.. Bur7veU was decidedly opposed to re-
ference to any committee whatever. 1t seem
cd to be the universal opinion that an enquli-
~ ought to be had on the conduct of the com
mander in chief of the army of the u. States !;
and it was highly important that the subject
should be acted upon speedily. Ifthe nation
was (as appeared probable) to be involved
in war, it was necessary that the command
CT in chief should possess the confidence Of
the army, the people, and the government.
MIR. Johnston said the good people of Ken
lucky were interested in this subject Ma
ny reports to the prejudice Of Gen. Wilkin-
| son existed there; nothing more certain had
appeared against him, but the people enter
taincd doubts on the subject, there were cir
cumstances which they wished to be investi-
gated if nothing could be found against him,