The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-01-26
IN TIRE
IN rBE
HOUSE o., REi'RESEN-1A1Ii-ES,
DEBATE
Jan. S.

TUESDAY, Jan. S.
DEBATE
On the Rcscfutio, for requesting The Pre-
sident TO cGnSe on enquiry TO Be made INFO
she conduct of Gen. bfikinsoa.
(coNrINuEp.)
Mr.. Trouh wo,iid make one observation
in addition to what had been said by the
gentleman last up. Whether the evidence
before the House was material or not, whc-
ther the charactcr of General Wilkinson
wasahove suspicion or not, or whether it Was
unimportant that the commauderin chief of
the army of the u. 5. should sustain II good
character, it was not necessary for him To
SAY but before it was determined to increase
the regular force of the country the Honse
should be prepared to say that James Will
kinscn, who was to command it, was quail
fed TO direct that force Tor the defence of
the nation against its enemies, and that it
was impossible for him to direct it otberw&e
The army, to enable them to do their duty,
mast have confidence in their general, and
the people Of the country mnst be satisfied
that the ambition of general Wilkinson was
limited, and that his integrity and patriotism
would forbid the abuse of his power For
this reason, and this alone should he vote for
an enquiry. The sooner the conduct OF this
man was justified if he were innocent, or
eondcmnedif he were guilty and if his con-
duct stocd in the eyes of MIR. L. as white as
the driven snow, he should vote for an en-
curry after the evidence and charges which
had been exhibited,
Mr.. Quincy did not consider himself on
this occasion as passing on the cerduct of
ger. Wilkinson, nor did he consider itneces-
saly on this occasion to canvass the conduct
Of the Executive or of any officer of the 60
Nernmeut. Their only object now was 70 I'M
tlerstand their own situation and form cor
rect opinion. He should make to the House
81 very short statement of what he thought,
and the reasons which would determine his
vote. They were called upon to do what ,
To vote for an enquiry, No--to make re-
qaest for an enquiry Some gentlemen had
doubted whether they would exercise a cen
sututional power III requesting an enquiry.
Mr.. Q. considered that they had right to
express feeling or wish; and that they
had right to express their sentiments and
opinions On any subject, if the evidence pro-
duced to them or if their own knowledge
would warrant such opinion. A gentleman
in his place had stated to the House that he
had evidence in his possession relative to this
public character; not only that he had this
evidence, bit also referred to another vino
could give Information on the subject. And
what had the House done on the occasion
II had neither asked the gentleman to pro-
duce the documents which he had, nor had
called upon the delegate to give information
en- the subject. Mr.. q. ccaid net reconcile
this to his sense Of consistency. 1t appeared
to him there had been evidence sufficient
produced to the House, to induce them to eX-
press wish to know more
There had been but one objection Of weight
ms!e TO the present rcSolution-~that it
would bear hard upon gen. Wilkinson. The
- III o,ss placed ia sasir Situation, tha
they must do something. Whcther shonld
they adopt toe resolution or not? In the one
case they did all they could to further an en-
quiry by laying evidence before the Execu-
tive and requesting him to cause an enquiry
thereupon; in the ether they did all they
could to smother an enquiry. Without al
luding to evidence and Information which
had been adduced on this floor, it appeared
TO him that it was perfectly within the
right, perhaps the duty of the House under
general reports, whether correct or not he
would not say, and from some circumstances.
70 request an enquiry; and that, under ez-
lStng circumstances, they had right with
out the evidence produced, to express their
opinion on the subject, and to request an en-
.quiry, even IN justice to general Wilkinson,
that lie might have an opportunity to relieve
his character from the clouds with which it
was overcast. Under this view, it appeared
TO Mr.. Q. that the House wonld not exercise
the rights with which they were vested for
the pQSic1gncd, or do their duty to the peo-
pic, II fitey did not adopt the resolution.
AT. Chaaate;. said gentlemen appeared
60 urge the adoption .of.ihc resolution, to fur
nish the Executive with information which
the House had in its power. A gentleman
had risen in his plaeeaand read to them
letter which he lfa1@Sta.ed to he from Mr..
Power, and other papers some Of which were
Srid to be trans,a ,inn5.
Mr.. &. knew OF no way in which to ret shis
evidence to the President 1f the II. s. except
the papers were laid upon the table. Ifgen-
tlenen possessed evidence which would be
sufficient to convict gen. w. of II crime of a
sivil nature, let them inform the Attorney
General Of the L. s. that he might institute
suit against that officer. If the evidence
impeGcaed his conduct as q military officer,
send the evidence to the court which would
SIT on Monday next to enquire into Sis con-
duct as military man. Ii the TTGuS. were
TO act on this subject in any manner, il must
be to procure evidence TO lie sent to court.
lie did think it necessary for his part that an
enquiry should be made. An enquiry was in
progress; and he should therefore vote g.
gainst the resolution.
THURSDAY, Jan. Z,
Mr. Ranioihh having moved the consider.
alton of his resolution.
Mr.. BureeeH offered the following resciuti