The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-08-30
sFoR THE KNp UIRER.

sentatives of the United States. The Report is !
requested to be published in consequence of the
recent appearance. in many papers in different
parts Of the States, Of some letters addressed
by Philip B. Key, member OF Congress, to the
Secretary of War. Mr.. Key, who has stained
his hands in the blood Of his countrymen, during
their struggle for independence, is still serving
most faithfully his king and master in our public
councils, and opposing every measure of the 60
vernment whichs calculated to give security to
the American People. ~
Mr.. Keys conduct affords one memorable ex-
ample of the dangerous British influence which
exists among us. Any person who will take the
trouble to examine the following Report, will be
satisfied that Phil. b. Key was Pensione, IF Great
Britain during the whole time that he acted rs
a Federal fi.dge, and that his REIMBURSEMENT or
resignation of his hay pay was made to MIR. Frs
kline, after Key was elected n member OF Con-
Eress. 1t is humiliatng to reflect that the people
of Mr. Keys district should be so lest to their in
terests, as to repose confidence in man whose
life reflects dshonour on himself and on them
His election to Congress was by no means honor
able to the district which elected him, and his
continuance in Congress is by means honorable
to that body. Strange and unaccountable indeed,
IS it, that man who has raised his traitorous and
parricidal arm against his country-who has
committed the sin of fighting in the ranks OF her
enemy, should be exalted to power and clothed
with confidence by portion of that very coun-
try.-Equaily strange and understandable is it, that
he should be suffered to retain a seat in the coun
ellis of the nation which he has so deeply injured
Mr.. keyis, perhaps, highly favored by being per-
United to reside among people, whose cause lie
abandoned, when they fought and blod in pc
rilous contest with foreign oppression. Policy
and prudence should have induced MIR. Key 10
r0urt o6scuitr--he might have hoped that the
mantle of oblivion would have concealed from
public view and shielded from public indignant
on, his former transgressions-He could not ra-
GOnaily have promised himseta full pardon for
his but he Irbt have koDSd for a
an. generous forge ttulness of them. But his doom
is now sealed, and the ndehble marks of dlisho-
nor and disgrace distinguish him" Fsenum ha-
bet in cornu." His insolence las invited scruti-
ny into his conduct. and he cannot complain, if he
is exposed to the execration of every American
patriot. The Report of the committee of the
House of Representatives will speak for itself.
EXTRACT FROM THE JovRNAL.
&c The committee to whom was recon,nitted
the subject of Mr.. Keys election, on the sug9es-
ton of his beng pensioner or hafpay officer of
the King of Great Britaih"-Report the follow
ing facts: 49,,
the said Philip B. Key joined the British army,
and in the year 177S, he accepted a commission
provincial regiment IN their service. In No
yember, 1779, he embarked with his regiment
for Jamaica-Aiter remaing there for some time,
the regiment was ordered for Pensacola At the
surrender of that place to the SpaniarCls, he was
made prisoner, sent to the Hayannah, from thence
he went to England on parole, and never was ex-
changed until the general peace in '83. When
the peace took place, the corps he served in
disbanded and the officers placed half pay. In
1875 he returned to Ma ylant, being entitled TO
draw his half pay Ia 1894, he was elected re-
preventative to the General Assembly of Mary
land, and continued to be elected to and served
IN the said Assembly for several years succeed
ing. Ths. previous &c his said election, VIZ in
the year '94, he sold his half payto gen Forrest,
(biS brother lay0. and mutual bonds
sed and under this contract gen. Forrest regu-
lary received Mr.. Keys half pay, uBtil just pre-
Ceding his bankruptcy 1T July, 1902, at which
period, gen. Forrest owing Mr.. Key large sums
of money, the contract rescinded and the
bonds cancelled and destroyed. Notwithstanding
which, Mr.. Key, from friendship to gen. Forrest,
This family being much embarrassed from his
bankruptcy permitted him to receive his half
pay till his death, which happened in July, 1905,
Mr.. Key received six months of his half pay in
Dec. 1815-since which time he has received
none. In January, 1906, Mr.. Key wrote to his
agent q mes Brooks, Esq. then residing in Lon
don) directing him formally in his name 60 go to
the war-ofice and provincial pay Office and re.
sign all his right and claim to half pay, and ais
rank, If any could be supposed TO exist IT does
notappear to your committee, whether MIR Brooks
ever received this letter from Mr.. Key or whe-
Their any thing was ever done by him in conse-
quence thereof, as no answer nor any information
has since been received by Mr.. Key from Mr.
soIOOhS OH lue subject YIN LUS Z4ti1 oCtODGT,
1907, Mr.. Key addressed letter 70 Mr. Erskine
his Britannia Majesty's ambassador at Washing.
ton, referring TO his former resignation by his a.
gent, Mr.. Brooks, in which letter he states, that
the object of his letter in the most formal
manner to repeat his resignation and request him
to notify his majesty and his government of bis
resignation of all half pay. rank, annuity or claim
of every nature and kind whatsoever, that might
attach to him in virtue OF having been heretofore
an officer III the British service. This letter was
delivered to Mr.. Erskine by Notary Public of
his district, employed by Mr. Key for that purpose,
on the 23th or 29th of October, 1917. II does nor
dbpeG- 70 jour committee, that Mr.. Key eyer took
AN oath OF allegiance to the king of Great britain
But since his entering into public service IN the
state of Maryland, he has taken those oatls which
the laws of that state require to be taken of all
other public officers.
The committee Of opinion that nothing in
fIie evidence laid before them, 20 E.s as re5i,rcts
the suggestion Of Mr. Key's being pcnsoner or
half pay officer Of the king Of Great Bri,s ain. au
thorises them TO alter the OMISSION or y. resell;
tion submitted with their former report"
Such is the portrait of p y Key, drawn at full
length on the Journal Of the House Of Represen-
tatives OF the United States at their last session
Such is the man who Fed from his country, when
she was oppressed and prosecuted, and who has
pow the efIrontery, the uneqtalled arrogance TO
recornfuanH Gt more IN fl,