The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-02-06

lmtcrSSt oi-the country, Woniu G,cS nCt CHI
lqnire into the case? Certainty they would !;
and thus he commended that this power OF en-
lquiry WAS inseparably incident to the great
power of making war.
But besides its residing thus in this House.
it resulted from the general construction of
the constitution. This officer Was RESPONSE
BILE to the President. The Presidents re-
sponsibility only affected his reputation
| while a breach of duty in him might destroy
the nation. 1t might be said that no such inn
minent danger was now to be apprehended /;
but gen. W., was commander in chief, the
charges were heavy, no less than for receiv-
ing money, from foreign nation with whom
the U. 5. were at war for aught Mr.. H. knew
for no person could say what their actual re-
lation with that power was; a negotiation
had been solong pending that its object was
almost forgotten. The charge against him is
OF being Spanish pensioner. The world
Knows though it is subject worthy of fur
ther enquiry that that power did propose
to the people OF the western country dis
memberment from the union: that she did
offer to furnish S 100000 dollars for arms,
and another 1000 for corrupting the public
papers and distributing among the people !;
and that all who lost commissions from their
attachment toher should be Unidentified for
the loss. 1t was known that there was a
Spanish consul in the little town of Frank
tort-Argote. TWAS also known that sums
OF money were coming up the river under the
care of person who had been murdered
and the money made away with. This mo-
ney must have been for somebody !; whether
Tor Wilkinson or not was uncertain
| When they considered the present critical
state OF the union, and that this man was
commander in chief of the army; when it
was known that money had been Corruptly
received in the western country, and that
Wilkinson himself had received money, for
what purpose it was not known, but was wor-
thy OF being enquircd into; when all this was
known, suppose the President were to refuse
an enquiry, should this matter therefore not
BE enquircd into ? Would they after what
had been said inthe public prints and in the
House trust him with the command of our
army against Stain !? There was to be an
enquiry, it was said: but they were not told
OF what nature twas. If you pass this re-
solution, said Mr.. r. the information before
| the House will be laid before that tribunal ;
they VIII have colour of evidence, and the
result may be easily foretold. / will not ex-
! press an opinion on the conduct of Gen. w.
but have long been under an impression of
his guilt. do not know the man; | never
even saw him but l live in part of the
country where much doubt prevails of his in
ltegrlty. lhave been present at an enquiry
before branch of the legislature of Ken
lucky, in which much information came
forth. There is no doubt if this enquiry is
entered into, it will be found that there are
other men enjoying the public confidence,
and trlumPhing in their security, who would
be exposed to their country. am therefore
| opposed to the passage of this resolution, be
cause it would be adding another shade of
doubt to the present obscurity Something
like evidence which might be produced Of
no effect, would pass upon many for a solemn
investigation. Either make the enquiry or
leave 1t with the Executive. have no idea
OF stepping between in this mannner, reliev-
ing the Executive, taking no responsibility
upon ourselves, and leaving the friends of
this man to turn it to the best use to TENN
selves.
The observations of the gentleman from
pennsylvania were inapplicablc. The rights
OF the ,.,rn would be respected and the
gentleman's quotation of the right of the ha-
beas corpus would have no other effect than
to remind the House that this sacred provi-
sion of the constitution ad been infringed, and
no enquiry made into it. Every one regret
ted its prostration, and MIR. r. said he re-
GREETED that no enquiry had been made into
the cause of it. He had no personal motive
tor wishing the conduct Wilkinson to be in
vestigated; he did not know him; and he
hoped he might come out well but his love
to his country urged him to declare that he
wanted an enquiry; the interest of the coun-
try requiredit. TWAS time that those only
should enjoy confidence who really deserved
1T. The public papers had long resounded
these charges from one end of the continent
to the other, and no enquiry had been made
a court of enquiry indeed was said to be cal
led; but we all know, said he, what will be
the result of an enquiry except we conduct
it so as to reach the great point.
He should therefore vote against the resoIu-
ton, not that he doubted the power of the
House, but because it was not such an exer-
else of that power as they ought to make,
and would only operate as a further illusion
cast over circumstances into which they
ought thoroughly to enquire.
(De6ate TO be continued
SATURDAY, Jan. so.
Several private petitions wete presented.
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