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

ry OF the court at Richmond, and there was
certainly sufficient on which to ground
an enquiry.
Mr.. Taylor observed, thnt ne accorded
with those gentlemen whohad al asserted, that
in this important crisis it was of the highest
Importance, that the character Of the COM
mander in chief of the armies should stand
fair and unimpeached that on the first
and hasty view he had taken of the subject,
IT had appeared sufficient motive for
making the request to the President, as
expressed in the resolution but from the
IDEAS expressed from different parts of the
House, he had been led to consider the
proposed measure in n new and different
point Of view. The gentleman from Vir-
glnia had given the House certain informal
ton, and on that information had founded
his resolution. 1t was true that this reso-
luton contained nothing which would inn
peach any other person than the General {;
but gentlemen had called on the delegate
from Orleans for information corroborat-
ing the statement of facts he had given |;
aud the delegate had stated that he had at
divers times given information to the Elk
ecutve, and at other times endeavored to
give 1t to the Executive, out that depart
ment had turned deafear to his commu-
mcations or the subject. The resolution
then after this assertion, that the executive
had turned a deaf ear 10 the subject, as
sumed new characterize amounted to
this; that as you have net heretofore done
your duty, we the representatives of the
people now request you to do it. Was the
House prepared thus to publish TO the ma
ton their want of confidence in the execu-
tive, upon the ex-parte testimony which
Is now before them Were they prepared
now to interfere thus with department
of the government, which in this instance
they had not constitutionally a right TO
control--and TO say, as that department
had not done its duty, they would assume
to themselves the important charge oftak.
ing care that the republic shall suffer no
injury! He hoped not. He hoped that nei-
Their the important crisis alluded to by
gentlemen, nor the necessity of the case
itself, or their sense of Justice towards the
gentleman accused, could draw them into
such commitment of themselves, in OPP
position too. 20 the declared sentiments of
great majority of the nation, who had re-
Gently declared that this Executive had
deserved well OF its country.
Gen. w. might be guilty or he might be
innocent. Mr.. T. had his own opinions,
perhaps prejudices on this subject. When
a
nal which had competent authority to com
pei him, should demand of MIN publica-
tion of those opinions, he should give them :;
but like the delegate from Orleans, he
would not volunteer the affirmative vote
of this House, for if such vote should be Ia
ken, it wou be volunteering he should
not vote with them; he believed that the
Department of State was by the constitute
on free of their control, in respect to the
proposed measure They might, and he
hoped would send the papers or documents,
in the hands of the mover, TO the execu-
tive, without any resolution on the subject.
When they had given the information,
they had fulh led tlier duty. But, as res
pected the general himself, would he stand
the same chance OF acquittal by court of
enquiry or court marital, or by executive
scrutiny, when the poise and weight of AZ
accusation from this House was set against
him He was for giving this officer fair
play and the advantages of fair and inn
partial trial.
MIR. Randoihh said the gentleman last
up was mistaken in supposing that the G.
violence which he had laid be fore the House
had been offered to the President of the
U. ). and rejected. Nor WAS this at all a
question OF confidence or otherwise in the
Executive, and he was astunished that any
gentleman should attempt to convert it in
TO question of that SORT II was 10 such
question. A member in his place ha, of
tered to the House copy of an order of A
Spanish governor Tor rather u translation
OF which the original could be producea)
to pay 9640 dollars 10 gen. Jas Wilkinson
ne had also offered a copy of letter, GER
tihed by The governor Of NatcheZ, and i'm
mediately alter governor Of Lou siana.
which, unless possibly forged, established
beyond doubt the fact OF the guilt of this
commapdant, not under the articles of war.
TOR 1t had been tins day suggested to Mr.
X. that an officer was not amenable to mi.
litary law for Al offence committed so long
ago-nor did he say under the commonlaw
or statute law--but that sort of offence
which incapacitated that officer from the
situation which he now held, and from
which the President OF the ". S. alone was
competent to remove him. What lid thev
ask the President of the u S. to do by pas
sing thisIesoiution To enquire they left
the mode OF conducting that enquiry to lis
discretion. 1t was to enquire merely, and
surely 1t was a strange doctrine tosay thar
asking the President to enquire respecting
the conduct of persons ia high Office under
him, was an expression ofdiffidence in the
Executive. Far from il: if any thing, il
would shew a confidence in the executive.
expressing a conviction that he would in
stitute an enquiry, and upon the result Of
that enquiry do what was proper to be
done. And what had this to do with diff