The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-02-27

report OF the Secretary OF tue Treasury is
one OF the clearest, ablest and most explicit
state papers that graces the annals of the
country. The circumstance of deficiency
of the revenue is easily accounted for with.
out attaching any blame to him, when it is
considered that for one half the year the
embargo cut off our revenue. The gentle.
man who moved the resolutions must him.
self be convinced of the impvoprietv of in
shutting an enquiry on ground in which no
one can conhde. Whilst there is an enlight.
ened committee of Ways and Means in this
House to superintend the operations of the
treasury Department there can be no pro-
liability of any misconduct in that depart
ment escaping inquiry. Whilst i believe
that the Secretary of the Treasury would
be uninjured by any enquiry. Cannot with
ont reason. consent to institute an enquiry.
IT the House investigate such charges, they
may sit the whole year and do nothing else !;
for not a day passes but some newspaper
brings new Islander on the officers Of go.
vernment.
Mr.. BurgvcH withdrew his motion to
postpone the question.
Mr.. Ic.tor asked what these resolutions
were-and, according to the scope of opera
ton which they were to take, what did they
involve! The high attribute, the vindictive
prerogative of the House, of impeachinr
public officers. Should a subject of that
magnitude be trihed with Should they
fornewspaper scraps make use oft? There
is. said Mr. L. principle which, it appears
to me. ought in this case to govern every
gentleman on this floor, viz: that such an
enquiry ought not to be sanctioned, unless
there be an impression, that that enquiry
ought to be made for the purpose of punish
ing the officer in question. confess, when
the mNtIQu fret nc afle th- io,
entertain of the individual involved in it,
my impression ofhis being immaculate would
nave induced me to vote for it, for reason
different from its object, but that it was a
course which l never would adopt, but at
the request OF the party concerned.-
at first was inclined to vote for it, be-
cause knew it would evcntuate in clear
ing the character denounced jim the paper,
from all improper imputations. That is
not the purpose of such resolutions. 1t is to
probe guilt, and bring it to punishment. We
are not here, by legislative acts, to plaster
up characters. It's not our business. unless
the officer himself, feeling the denunciat
ons made to rest so heavily on him, that
he could not perform tine duties of his Of
tce with advantage to his country, should
apply TO the House for an investigation.
will not exercise this attribute to clear the
character OF any man, uIless he himself
requires it. The mover of the resolution
tells you, that according to his impressions
the charge is a calumny, and that he be-
heyes an investigation will eveutuate in tn e
acquitta' OF the character denounced. Even
justice OF the peace, in such case as
this, would say, he could not proceed to ex.
anime person charged with q crime; when
no evidence whatever appeared against him.
There is rot before the House a little oftes-
timony. Shall this House, then, cheapcn
the high attribute of bringing to condign
punishment the officers of the natisn. The
House cannot proceed step in this case.
NO gentleman who does not believe in the
guilt of the Secretary of the Treasury, can,
IN my opinion. with any propriety vote for
The resolution on the table
MIR. SmiHc said, he was of opinion, that
the House ought to act at once on the reso-
luton. He wished, sincerely, that the mat
ter was so situated, that the House could
with propriety go into an investigation OF the
public character of that officer I think
(said Mr.. S. that may say, that there is
not man in the u. States that knows him
better in his public, or in his private capacity
than myself. If the most distant suspicion
rested on my mind of any foundation for the
charges. would instantly move an impe ach-
ment, and proceed regularly with the mat
ter. This enquiry is proposed on such a
ground as never legislative body acted on be.
lore, an anonymous publication. If the
blouse institutes an enquiry on such ground,
II puts itself In the power of every calumni
ator who can WELD a pen. Is this the first
instance in which the highest characters in
the government have been assailed f? How
many calunnies were daily heaped on the
late President ot the United States Is il
noU known TO the House that at this very
Gay 1T is said in the public papers, that the
president has in his possession a treaty With
france which he dare not shew9 Whv
then should this ca;umny be selected for ex
ANIMATION Hit was possible TO bring to pu.
hishment the vile author of it, ] would a.
gree to 1t; as it is a serious and fragrant Ii
bel but that is out Of our power. The
grand objection to this course, however, is
that can see no end of il. IF there be n
gentleman in the House who thinks it DOS
Sible that the Secretary Of the Treasury can
he guilty, he will vote for the resolution. -
~: me other hand decided negative will
check the calumny at once.
sSNrr Johnson sad he could rot permit the
question to I've taken without expressing, his op;n
ION N relation TO it. rs to the individual npi.
Gated IN this motion, (said MIR. ~ nm attach
ed to BIN from consideration of his merit and or
'he services done 10 his county, aud for no other
reasons, having hut little personal acquaintance
,"ph nm THIS IS rot the first charg. which had
'eep made against this great and good man, and
N""ao'e cii'cer. have heretofore smiled with
contempt upon these publications engenderetl bv
maiice and have felt pity for their misguided a,i
lNors. ie people Of this nation know the man
ne persecution OF good men, as of Arislides
az" socrates, one of whom was banished and