Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-03-19

involved III wall II wa r ~ 1890, - "
trust should exist in one part OF the coin'nu-
nifty against another; and he therefore regret
ted that a Complete investigation could not DC
had before the papers were papHshed,
Mr.. RANDOLPH wished tosay che word,
and only = word, il addition to hrs preyiotis
observations. lie rose for the purpose OF
surrcstias to the house whether, ii 1t were
their intention TO set with any thing like DIS
IAtch or cfficacy in thissbusiness, it was not
necessary Immediately to decide whether these
papers should or should Tot be referred to
committee and that committee clothed with
power to send for persons and papers. For
il WAS perfectly obvious, if this days session
was spun out on the mere question OF print
ing, it was giving the party, whom II would
certainly be the object OF the committee TO
examine, fair notice to abscond--ior, whatso-
ever may have been the rank and grade OF the
gentleman, and however respectable IN some
ewes it might appear, he would hardly De am
bilious Of exhibiting himself here.
Mr. T. said he could only say, as he was
up-he certainly should not have risen tor the
purpose of saving ito the gentleman from
Kentucky, that when he had examined tue
subject, he could give that gentleman and the
house his opinion Oh it. Till then he must
be excused had much rather, Said MT n
that nv opinion should JolozO an examination
than trecede it.
Mr. ROYD made some remarks in favor OF
printing. This was the old course OF Britain,
divide and conquer. The existence OF such
agencies was sufficiently known before. Lae8c
papers only went to prove it. The President
would Dot have sent tLcse papers publicly to
Congress, if he had not intended they should
20 to the public.
Mr.. WRIGHT rose in explanation Of bis
toroer remarks. He wished it to be distinct
+; understood tha' he had no objection to the
publication Of these papers.
Mr.. MINOR said his purpose III rising
now was to express the anxious desire he 1elt
that OH dis question there might not be Tie
least division Of sentiment manifested IN me
house. lie should be extremely sorry at any
time; above all, at a period OF our natonai
progress when It was thought that change OF
circumstances Of the most important KIND was
about to take place; that at this time An oplrll-
ON should be ilnbhed that any portion OF the
people Of this country were favorable to Eng
Ind The can,lor Of the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Wrigh) redonndcd to his no.
nor. II was extremely glad to and gentle
men acknowiege, with respect TO the l':ty III
which he stood enrolled, whatever might be
our Internal differences, &c. that they conid
not be suspected ct hostility 20 the Unioh
there could be no idea entertained ~ sensible
men Of either party that there was amongst
Us any considerable portion OF men who are
inimically disposed to inc union OF tic state
That these papers proved disEonorable at
tempt on the part Of the British government
Mr.. NJ said he had 10 doubt. Ai;ho' i strong
sensation would probably be produced by the
discovery of this circumstance, & 1t might he
perverted much to the injury Of the feelings
of particular individuals, he hoped the good
sense of the community would induce them,
whilst they properly appreciated thus attempt
of foreign government, rot to be led Into rash
or iniudicious measures. lie really wished
the affair might be probed to the bottom; and
that the British minister having In one case
come forward with a dioayowal tor his govern
ment, would say in some shape or other what
was the rca! state Of the case now before the
house
Mr.. RHE.A again spoke III amplGcation Ct
his former remarks. He SAID that be tiis man
MIR. Henry, who he might, he had done an
important service to the country in exposing
the views of the British government; and it
beloved the house to ascertain their truth,
Sc.
The motion for printing zvas unanimously
agreed 10.
Mr. BIBB moved to amend his motion for
reference to the Committee of foreign rela-
tpns so as 10 give the committee power to
sind for persons and papers.
Mr.. TROUP said, that on occasions Of this
k,ud, great care should be taken lest the house
BIZ buried by o momentary excitement into
an act of precipitancy. He had confidence in
tie discretion of the committee of foreign re-
laions, but the vesting such power III the /!