Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-04-07

f, to expel him, were the most prompt
TO reinstate him. I confess that my
own feelings were much excited, and
what verinAuence Ipossessedwasused
to effect this object. Mr.. Williamson
appeared highly sensible of the d}sin-
terested and candid manner in whiAh
had acted, and returned me his thankS
in the terms of the warmest gratitude.
My conduct in the first instance was
dictated by justice to the public, in
the second, by justice to one whom L
thought an niured man. And the
same would be my conduct to John
Clarke, were it. possible for him to
| shew as good title. But too well
do | know that to be impossible. !!
Great complaint was mad, in the
house as well as since, that tAis testi-
monv was not heard. And why was
this done the aIidavits and accounts
with my explanation all lay for seve-
raj days on the table of the house of
Delegates. They had Seen for many
weeks on the table CT the committee.
and If they were not read, examined
and understood by every member of
the house as we'll as committee, it
was because they were too indolent,
or were restrained by other motives.
1t was only necessary to CO npare them
with the facts established by other
means, to shew that they could not
render the smallest service to John
Clarke. But according to the expla-
nation here given, would have scaled
his ruin and disgrace forever.
Even before this explanation was.
made, the report of McRae, Heath &
Mlnford had been proven to be falla-
cious. So far from the charge, which
in that report was stated to be false &
groundless, John Clarke had no other
mode ofJustifyiug the enormous drafts
OF money, but to admit certain facts
which completely established that the
charge was true, and that the terms
false and groundless, was applica-
BILE to their own report.
Thus have I brought before the pub
iANy ttidl
ing which, there has been so much
weeping and wailing, as we'll as so
much misrepre entation. repeat
that the account and testimony were
open to the examination OF any MEM
her ofthe committee, during the whole
investigation; and might have been
examined by any other person. They
had been before that in the council
cha nher, and after the report was
made, thew were deposited on the ta-
bic of the House of Delegates, so that
they might also have been examined
by every member Of the house. Why
then is there so much mounting and
believing, so much whining, and such
pathetic appeals to the people.
Such an account, and such testimony
believe were never before seen or
heard of, nor have they any thing like
! them, neither in the Heavens above,
nor in the earth beneath, nor in the wa
tiers under the earth. They are sui pc.
neris, and suitable to the cunning heads
and wicked hearts, by which thew
were ingeniously contrived and fabri.
Gated. Bat when examined, appeared
fit only to deceive those who, tho they
have ewes they see not; tho they have
ears they hear not; and tho they
have heads thev understand not.
Such are the miserable, the dis
graceful shifts to which the friends of 7.
Clarke are reduced: They say that he
is prosecuted man, that justice was
not done to him, that he and they are
the only true patriots, me friends of
justice, of law, Of the constitution, and
Of their country, and in the true stjle
OF Semprohius, the mouthe at Caesar
til they shake the Genate.
HENRY BANKS.
L.