Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-19
Ifiebrnunn 3srire Current.
Gnrl9re89.5
no USE OF REPRESENTATTvES
DEBATE

.r1OUSh VI NISF NE . EIF1 n ~ co.
DEBATE
On the Resolution for requesting The Pre-
sident TO cause an enquiry TO DE made
into the conduct of GENERAL WrLKTS-
SON.
TUESDAY, January S.
Mr.. MILNoR felt great doubts as to the
probriety of proceeding on the resolution
Itself, and still greater of referringita as was
proposed, with power to send for persons
and papers. Ifthey were about to try Gen.
Wilkinson, if he was TO be brought to the
bar of the house, and his guilt or innocence
was obe there determined, MIR M. should
be willing to appoint committee to send
for persons, papers, &c to act as a grand
jury, and enquire whetherthere were a suf-
ficient degree of guilt to warrant trial.
But as ne believed the house had no right
to call general Wilkinson before, them, he
had no idea Of proceeding in this way to
collect evidence when they had no authori-
ty to act upon it. 1t had been said that a
court of enquiry had been called: Mr.. M.
had heard himself, and had reason to. be-
Geve the information was correct, that an
enquiry had been asked for and ordered
If so, was it proper that the house should
go into the snbiectl Was it right, when
court Of enquiry was called, when every e.
violence would be sought for on this and e.
very other charge brought before the court,
that the house should endeavor in an ex-
parte manner to ascertain the guilt or in
nneenee of any person about to be tried by
the proper tribunal 1t was,extrcmely i'm
proper, to go into any enquiry on the sub
ject. If, when the gentleman from Virgil
MIA brought his resolution forward, he had
IL - L.. l.
he should have had 10 hesitation in voting
That they should be transmitted to the ex-
ecutive, and should have voted for a mott
on to that effect, because he-believed that
when any information came before the
house with respect to the conduct of any
officer, it should be laid before the proper
authority. But positive declaration of the
House that inquest ought to be held on the
conduct of any officer would convey to the
public mind and to the court strong i'm
preston of his guilt; and this would be gi-
wing an undue influence in an enquiry.
Believing that it would be improper in
the fioc-e 20 investigate the subject, or 10
influence an enquiry virtually saying that
they believed gen w. to be guilty, it is
hopedthe present motion would be agreed
20, and afterwards that they would decide
against the reference. He had no hesita
tion iu SAYING itwould be improper to con-
stitute any committee or court of injury
on this subject, and under this impression
should vote.
Mr.. GARDENER was somewhat eurpris-
ed at the opposition which the motion he
had made had met with, and yyas also sur
prised that the propriety of pursuing the
Course which he had re recommended. 10 an
point committee Of iDvestlgation) had not
struck gentlemen more forcibly thanit had
He WAS therefore reduced 10 the necessity
OF stating the reasons which induced him
60 make the motion, and which now com
PEELED hiri to persist in it. The charge
brought against gen. Wilkinson was calcn.
lated not only to occupy the attention Of
the House, but of the Whole Ameriean peo.
pie. Whether they consider that he was
an officer no less than commander in CHIEF
Of the army of the u. States-wbetbei
they considered that department of gov.
ernmeBt by which he had hitherto beer
protected and cherished, no less than the
observation-disclosures they considered that
his charge was no less than against gen.
sral or commander in chief for bargaining
and selling himself, his army, and hi.
country 10 foreign or a hostil,
power---whether they considered thc
tiItC HutN bilh accusation WdS sDTOupl
forward, a time whenthe destiny ofthe ma
ton, It's slavery on one hand and It's librr
~ on the other, depended not or tie cana
city alone, bat dreadful to say, on the Fl
deity OF the commander in chief-wheI
they considered 70 whom this charge wa
submitted, 20 the grand inquest OF the ma
lion, that body whose duty II was to watcl
with uncessing vigilance the safety of th,
commonwealth, to use the language O
an ancient writer, nc o1ad ReflrsbHeo de
srimeHG Cqfiat--in whatever view the,
consider 1T, its decision required assured
ly all the wisdom, all the patriotism, an,
he would add, all the Independence of thi
body.
The original resolution Of the gentleman
from Virginia had been met at rs thrcsh
old by an objection, the more surpr,sin,
as it proceeded from those who had hi
therto affected an exclusive and almos
hysteric jealousy of Executive power--t
his mind an objection more to be execra
sed, as II struck at the very root Of repub
ncan government; AS 1t went to depriv
those OF the right Of institutine an enauir
into f3ie conduc; Of an officer, who posse
sed rbt right Of inpeaching the Presider