Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-12

the newspapers throughout the Union had
teemcd with for two years, excep. indeed a
letter from Mr.. Power and who was Mr..
Powet, or what credibihty could be attach
ed to any thing emanstIng from him Every
person In the u. States, who could read,
knew his character. He was opposed to C .
ercing evidence on considering n resolution
proposing an enquiry, even if he were in
favor of the enquiry.
Mr.. Smile thought the debate which had
already taken place on a reference totally
improper. He had heard sufficient evil
dence on this subject 10 convince him that
such an enquiry was ne cessary I; he did not
think that there could be any further doubt
OH the subject. The house could not try
gen. Wilkinson. he must be tried by ano-
thert tribunal They owed il to the country
and to gen. Wilkinson himself to request an
enquiry, and he hoped there would not be
adissentlng voice on the question of agree
ment to the resolution. He could not give
an opninn as to the quit or innocence of
general Wilkinson, but he thought it alb o.
ldtely necessary that an enquiry should be
had.
Mr. GARDENER, was satisfied of the i'm
propriety of proceeding on the considera-
tion ofany question ofimpoftance too hasti-
ly, more especially in case so materially
Affecting an officer of high rank in the u.
States. He wished to have time to consi.
der fully before he could vote on subject
OF rs much magnitude as this; they should
not act from first impressions. IL the sub
Joct were referred to a committee with
power to send for persons, papers, &c the
testimony on the subject would come before
them in proper shape, and not with the
inaccuracy which must always attend infor-
nation given in this manner, but in con-
densed form IN which its force might be full
ly felt. He did not wish to be precipitated
into an enquiry too soon neither did he
wish an enquiry to be made because it was
due to general Wilkinson. If this inquiry
was oourted by, and this motion intended
ss favor To general w. he was as,onished
that II he'd not been brought forward be-
fore There certainly had been ground
enough shewn for an enquiry into his con-
duct; but if gen. WIS conduct had so far
evinced his purity as not to excite in the
administration even a suspicion against his
character, if no enquiry had been made on
the charges which had resounded from eve
ny part OF the union. Mr. G.. 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 de-
eide on this question, because in doing this
they would add the weigh of their accusa-
tion to the cries of the whole nation; the
united force of which no Individual could
reptl.
Mr. Chandler said this was subject
which had been long before the nation, and
with which they'were all wei acquainted
If that officer were innocent it was due to
himself and his friends, that an enquiry
should be made; if he were guilty it was
dn 30 t.a
duccd was sufficient on which to ground an
enquiry, and he was ready to decide with
OUT further time
Mr.. Nicholas had no uht but an enqu-
ny oushtto he made after what had been
heard, if general Wilkinson were the low.
est officer of the u. States, he should be Of
opinion that an enquiry ought to be made,
but he doubted whether this was question
on which they we're now prepared 70 decide.
For this reason he had seconded the motion
for referring the resolution 10 a select com.
mitte who would consider whether this SUBJ
ject PROPERLY anne under cogri aace Of the
house he considered the house as amere
legislative body except in the S n yle case tf
impeachment. he was not prepared TO say
what was proper 20 be done with this reso-
luton, but his first impression was against
acting on it. II would open doors for re-
CFlVlDB Complains OF the misconduct OF any
officer he did not think this power was
lodged in the house, and had no wish to as
sumo powers that did not pertain to Them
Asto the question whether there should be
an enquiry or not, no man could doubt, An
enquiry must he made Would it be said
that an office Of importance should be suf-
fered to be retained by man who had re-
Ceivsd a pension from foreign govern
ment! BE thought IT could not; there
fore he wished an enquiry to be made into
the Truth of this charge.
Mr.. BuyToeH was decidedly orrosed ,o
reference 20 any COMMITTEES whatever. TEL
seemed TO lie the universal OPINION lhat an
enquiry ought TO be had on the ccrduct oil
the commander in chief Of the army Of the
United States; and it was hishIy important
that the subject should 5e acted upon speed
lily II the nation was (as appeared proba-
ble) tn be involved IN war, IL was necessa-
~ that the comm nder in chief should pos
sess the confidence of the army, the people
and the government
Mr.Johnston said the good people of en-
lucky were interested IN This subject Ma
nv reports to the prejudice If gen. Wilkin.
kinson existed there nothing more certain
had appeared against him, but the people
entertained doubts on the subject, there
were circumstances which they wished 10
be invest gated II nothing could be found
against him, the SCORER his iunacence was
known the better Knowing this he should