Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-03-05

question NnCLnCI TIT Hi'otl,d tois Si''cl - d
Florida as part Of tic United States, a,d IN
the French stilc c1tsld over thein thc -inil FL
can code.
Every man must perceive th&t it is essen
ti:l to the molaiitv O. the affirmative OF tills
question, that the United States should have
Just title to the territory ct West-F lorlda--
fcr without it, Congress could, with no greater
Justice, PISS law arpropriating to themselves
West Florida, th.n one nclgi.Dor could appTc-
pri&te TO lis own use, the adjoining farm
vi !, i bciorgs to anothcc-It was III the e.i-
animation of this material point, In the deter
mination Of which, tbs i.tc gritty Of every MEM
b2r CT the Serate was concerned, as well rs
that Of the Jljtcd States, tlat the irreguianty
imputed 10 Col. Pickering occurred.
I.;r. FT-d!cy, & senator from Vermont, a
good republican, aI.l sometimes calico. the
Grand tlcctcr, III tie discussion Of this cues
ten ii TIC Senate, publicly aliudcd 20 matter
vhIc't h@t! been communicated Ey the tresi-
dent III las Confidential messages 10 the Sc
NATE. aHc, crpcyed facts and Inflammation de-
rived from these communications to cniClLc
his .rguMcrt N favor Ct The title Of tie Unit
ed 9 ttcs--ilo member OF the Senate called
NJ Bradley TO older--ro one suggested a
doubt even, 81 The ilreguagity or proplIcty CT
his hariHg cited CT Tie present occasion ticts
ard information from g confidential message
Oh six ;'ea-3 standing. Col. Pickering, who
differed from Mr.. Bradiey's opinion, not OILY
Il respect to the title of the United states to
West Florida, but in regard TO the importance
OF the confidential message wiich Alr. Brad
ley he'd cited, stated 10 tic Slnate this tjiie-
renee Ct opinion, ;rd particularly II. respect
10 the impolt of the Confidential message
nc objection to this course CT proceeding was
vet MADE, and Coz. Pickering influenced with
cut doubt by this general acquiescence, p.o~
cccded to read from the records OF tic ;5rjiatc
tic letter Fl en- Ta!ieyraud to General AIlI;-
strong, concerning the meaning of which be
had differed from Mr.. Dlacey---ro dissection
is evc. vet made, but Col. PICK, i;s is sut,tr-
ed without interruption &c read the letter quite
ugh--!low and rot before, the h, \ 3tlilcc.
the Memorable, ard the consistent General
Smith calls Colonel Pickering 10 order, Tor "a
breach Of q rl:'c Of the Senate III hilviI g read
while the doors OF the Senate were open, Z "a
PER Coniidertially communicated ry the fresi-
dent 70 the Senate, ard arother Senator IS soon
;fter pre- pared with, and oi!ers vote OF censure
against Col. Pickering for disorderiy beha-
viour! Not word is sad CT aly irree uiari-
ty in Mr.. Bradley, who by first quoting and
reasoning upon the Confidential ccinmuricu-
ton, divulsed it, equally with Col. Pickering,
who read che Of Its dCculce lts. From this
plain statement OF these proceedings, We ce-
ducc the two following propositions.
LIST. The ScGCesccncc Of the Senate, while
Mr.. Bradley and Col. Pickering referred to,
quoted, md reasoned concerning confidential
communication from the President, was evui-
valent IL every liberal view Of the sub iect, TO /,
suspension guoaG Aoc. Of the rule and there
fore neither Mr. Bradley Tor Col Pickering
violated the rule of the Senate, which by not
directing, consented, to their making use in
the course Of debate Of a confidential cornnlu-
nication.
Cd. If Col Pickering violated the rule, bv
correcting the Misrepresentation Ct RIr. Brad
ley, who first publicly referred to, ard quoted
from the confidential communication, most
certainly Mr.. Bradley must have also violated
it, and if Mr.. Bradley's violation of the rule
was excused by the Senate, ga tG,ticri." its
violation BY Col. Pickering ought likewise to
have been excused.
Altho' we are well persuaded, that so far as
regards the sentiments ct liberal men, we
might leave the vindcation Of Col. Pickerinp's t,
conduct upon the grounds We have already
stated, and upon which Col. Pickering him !
self has placed il; nevertheless willing to sub. |
NIT this transaction to more rigorous ties.
and relinquishing ar acquittal proceeding from
courtesy, inp;ltiality, and tho implied aDpro-
baton OF the Senate, we are prepared to shew
that according to the practical and salutary
meaning of the rule, Col Pickering was not in
strlctncss liable to the censurc that has been
passed upon him.
We do not question TIE authority, which by |
construction the senate possesses, to enion it's |
members to secrecy; although We can readily
Imagine that secret debates may become too
frequent; and that the efficacy of that control
overthelr representative, which is reserved to /
the people, and to the useful exercise of which. .
a knowledge of the proceedings of Congress
is requisite, may be impaired or even DESTROY
ed by habitualiy Casting veil Of secrecy over
these proceedings. It is, however, of very
great Importance, that the extent and duration
of these injunctions of secrecy, should he well
<1eHUp md p(lapc Il