The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-03-17

30 eXactiy conceded with the Conduct OF
some gentlemen in the quarter in which he
lived, that he was led tn believe in their
truth. 1t by no means followed, because
this man had been aspy, that he could not
tell the truth. When Ne LOOK back to the
times at which his letters were written, we
must believe in their substantial truth. He
called upon gentlemen To say ii the conduct
of certain characters in those days did not
warrant all that was stated of their designs.
Let the papers be priated, said MIR. w. and
every one will be able to judge for them
selves. Are we to shut our proceedings
from the public view in this way, by refu-
sing to publish these things. 1t is ono of
the most important communications made to
congress at the present session, and why
should not the people see it Let them see
and judge. / will make no comments, sir,
on this business but will say, that it is well
known that at the time alluded to in those
documents, an opposition to the laws and
government was organized. Mr.. w. said he
had full confidence in the truth of these do
Cuments, and he had therefore no disposition
to keep them from his constituents. The
House was in duty bound to give full pub
Lefty to these papers by printing them.
a. Mr.. PITKlN disavowed any intention to
oppose the printing of these papers. seq, g
Mr.. GHOLSON said, it was a source of
qualification to him, that, so far as the
papers communicated by the President
could be considered evidence at all they
were certainly highly honorable testimony in
favor OF the eastern section of the Union.
An emissary, of great talents had been en-
ployed by the British in a nefarious scheme
20 disnie;nber the United States, and to en-
gender treason in the very bosom of our
country [: and yet, (said Mr.. g. it does not
seem that this spy has been able to connect
with himself any citizen of the United States.
1T ne. had held correspondence with any
persons of distinction, the presumption is,
their names would have been disclosed in
the papers that have been read. Mr.. CT.
was happy in cherishing the belief that the
liberties of this country would always find
sufficient guarantee against Vaccinations of
this sort, in the patriotism of every PORTION
OF the Union. This communication, for
which the House was indebted to the Presi-
dent, was (Mr G.. said) highly interesting
and important in one point of view. 1t de-
monstratcd as matter of fact what had here
tofore remained only speculation aud conjec-
ture--th&t the British government has long
meditated the separation of these states !;
and what is more, that they have actually
attemptedth execution of this wicked de-
sign, and have endeavored to convert our
own citizens into traitors He would say no
more.
Mr.. QUINCY said, he was much obliged
TO the gentleman last up for the view which
he had taken of the subject. 1t had struck
him previously with much force, and he
meant to have taken the floor to have ex-
pressed it. If ever there had existed, in
the British government or any other COVER
1nent, an idea that there was party in this
country who would associate with it to dis
solve this union, he thanked God that the
project was exposed. If it was true, as
these papers stated, that this man had been
80 employed, &c thanked God that the mis-
sion had been detected. Administration; in
bringing the subject before the house, had
done worthily, and the subject nnght &c be
eaquired into What, said Mr.. Q. is the
fact. admitting that all this person has
said to be true Why, that an agent from
the British government, under circumstan-
ces peculiarly suspicious and suitable to his
purpose, goes to the spot which he repre-
SCENTS as the hot bed of opposition, to stir up
disunion, and hrs papers do not contain an
Elimination that he dared to mention such an
idea as that Of dissolution of the. union to
amy individual. No, sir: and dare to say
that he never did mention such thing to
eany distinguished individual. AS far as
know the sentiments of gentlemen in that
quarter, they hold this union dear. and look
upon such a connection as is supposed in
these papers with as much adherence as
any man., however attached he may be to
the administration of the government
Whenever a ACKNOWLEDGMENT, of the Union
has been talked of, it has been, with awe
and with fear. that the present course of
public measures would lead to such an
event; not with a view to bring it about.
Sir, i know that other ideas have been
spread over the country for the purpose of
serving party views. !. But here, in this tenn
pie of our liberties, let us reason with one
another according to the evidence before us.
! rejoice that the subject mas been brought
forward, and that an agent so peculiarly
adapted to the business in which he was en-
ployed has not been able to furnish any evil
dence of even the connivance of any indivi-
dual at his mission. !, .,.
Mr.. RIEA said, at the time he had made
the motion for printing, he had not the least
idea that any opposition, would be made to
1T. He did not say whether these papers
were true or not true whether they attack
cd any people or not He hoped therefore
The discussion of these points would cease.
IT was no reason against the publication of
these documents that they had been disclos
ed by British agent. The speaker OBJ
served, that no objection had been made by
any gentleman to the printing! All the
transactions respecting Andre and Arnold
had been printed, so far as the Congress
could lay their hands on them-and why not
these If this man be British spy or trail
tor as he has been called, and what he
States is not true, one thing is admitted that
L. e Il.