Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-11-18
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iuSPartments III there had been an
iniraction OF the constitution or laws
by that department., there was a cons
stitutional mode of redress.
Mr.. ID. X. Williams said, as the re.
solution went to call for inforna. ion.
ne felt solicitous TO enlarge its scope
by an amendment which ne held in
his hand. (Mr. Elliot said he had no
objection to such au amendment.)
Mr.. w. said, the gentleman pc rhaps
might not approve of the amendment
when he heard it read. 1t was in these
words -
Also as far as practicable, the
names and places of residence of such
persons as have been detected il, vio-
iating the embargo laws"
MIR. En'o, consented to The amendment.
Mr.. Dana said on the general merits
OF the resolution, having iniormai ION tor
Its object, he should no. suppose that it
was so reprehensible as the gentleman
from Virginia (Mi. Lave) seemed 10 Think
II. They were placed in an unfortunate
.Iiuation indeed II they could never ask
tor Information, except they would 6fst
accuse some one of The departments of
misconduct. He really hoped The gentle.
man did not wish them 10 become accu.
! sers before hey had information on which
an accusation could be formed cr 10 pre-.
Ter complaints before they knew of what
% complain.
MIR. Love said, as he understood the
resolution it stood en- The broad gre unG of
an enquiry into The manner in which the
laws had been executed, and that il was
travelling out OF ;heir province. lie was
not opposed 10 RECEIVING information but
he could not see how risdi6lioa On lh,s
snbJ=ct could be assumed by Congress-
Would they pass Law declaring void
instructions which had been given No.
q then TO use could be- made Of iniorms-
iom when received, he could not see why
should be required. He wished the
gentleman to explain his object.
Mr.. Elliot said, the gentleman from Vir.
gina seemed O object to he motion. first.
because he WISHED 20 hear II dil4.ed on,
and secondly, to know the OBJ CT cunte mp
ated ~ It. Though perhaps Mt So much
"a me haoit of dilauTg as The senls IN IN
ON Virginia, he wnuid cxpisla h,s OBJ.
lecl, and before the sublect was 4ism,ssed,
these would probably o. dDat4 o. suilici-
ent on II. liz hopsd, noIwinsta ding ne
alarming doctrines OF lac advanced IN re.
gard 10 noilons, tha5 no gentleman would
ever rise on this h,or to make u motion
the object OF which he should DC ashamed
To declare and defend.
4 great number Of facts (said MIR E.)
have been stated 10 nie from VARIOUS QUAR-
lers in ,elalion 10 the exc cuGion OF Tie &C..
yurai embargo laws. Indeed l have col.
lec,ed almost enough 10 iii a volume.
winch have If, IN nay mind not d particle
of doubt that the Constitution and laws
nave been almost dany Vtoia,ed Ia The ex.
ecutlon OF the embargo iawS, aud some.
lines IN The most fragrant manner. These
| facts l wiil hereafter stale to ne House.
IL is not 10 be presumed however, because
ne constitution and the laws hive been
violated by subordinate officers whe ther
civil or military, that these violations have
been authorised by the Executive. viii
not presume ii; l have no right to do so;
nor does the resolution. But think II We.
ry proper that It should be ascertalnsd
whether the officers IN these violations or
upp.osed violations of the Constitution aud
laws are or have not been authorised by
instructions received from superior officers.
! IL, when the Information is obtained, il
shall appear that the statements which
nave received on these subjects are erro.
neous; that the Executive has not aulhor-
Used the commission of these violations
which have been stated to me I shall cerA
tsiDly have nothiug of which % accuse the
Executive. Aod Tit shall even appear that
the Executive has gone fur her than he
should, it will moi follow that itwillbe either
my dnly OF disposition to move an impeach-
m=nt. Certainly the Executive officer IS
liable to errors OF judgment; he may
have misin,erpreted hIs authority, and thus
have led to violations without any corrupt
Intention. l have stated in the most ex.
plicit manner my object. mean not to
+ mpeach the head of the Executive or any
other department, for know not oGfei1ly
where, IN any one instance, orders have
been issued which amount To a violation Of
the Constitution or law. Although have
not diia,sd so much as the gentleman per.
hsps could wish, he must be convinced Of
he prophecy Of the motion.
Mf Love said, since tue gentleman had
explained his object, he would withdraw
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