Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-03-19
THURSDAY, MAncu 10, 1919.

! Sir, to remain silent under the imputasions
thrown, or attempted to be thrown, upon that
section OF the u. States from which come, by
the papers Just read. will repeat my wishes
that the whole business may be fully & prompt
! ly developed.
| MIR. Bbb said he agreed with the gentle
| man Just sat down on one point, that a full in
yestigation ought to be had. 1t was due 20 the
Congress, to our connections with c. Britain.
that an enquiry should be made into the trans
action now exposed TO view /, and, in addition
| to the motion for printing, he should move a
reference OF the message to the committee Of
Foreign Relations.
ne. Widgery said, it was an old saving n
mong gunncrs, that yon MAY knozu tie 5poulF-
ed Pigeons 6y their .fatfering. lie would not un-
derta1e, as The gentleman from Connecticut had
done, TO eSonerate his constituents in a body
from any implication in this business one
thing, he said, he knew; that the relation ei-
ven IN these documents, so exactly co-ncided
with the conduct OF some gentlemen in the
quarter in which he lived, that he was led TO
believe IN their truth. 1t bv no means follow
ed, because this man had been a spy, that he
could not tell the truth When we look back
to the times at which his letters were written.
we must believe in their substantial truth He
called upon gentlemen to say, if the conduct
OF Certain characters in those DAYS did not war
rant all that was stated of their designs Let
the papers be printed, said Mr. w and every
one will be able to judge for themselves Are
we TO shut our proceedings from the public
view iii this way, By refusing to publish these
things 1t is one of the most important com
muncations made to Congress 1T the present
session, and why should not the people see it !?
Let them see and Judge. l will make no COM
ments, sir, ON this business; but viii saw,
that it is well known, that ut the time alluded
to III those documents, an opposition 10 the
laws and government was organized Mr. w,
said, he had full confidence in the truth OF these
documents, and he had, therefore, no disposit-
on TO keep them from his constituents The
House was in duty bound to give full publici-
ty to these papers by printing them.
Mr.. Pitkin disavowed any intention TO op-
pose the printing of these papers.
Mr.. Gholson said, it was a source of graft
hcatiOn to him, that, so far as the papers com
municated by the President could be consider
ed evidence at all, they were certainly highly
honorable testmenyjn favor of the eastern sec
ton OF the Union An emissary of great talents
had been employed by the British in nefari-
Gus scheme to dismember the United States.and
TO engender 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 U. States If
he had held correspondence with any persons
OF distinction, the presumption is, their names
would have been disclosed in the papers that
nave been read. Mr.. g.. was happy in cherish
ing tie belief that tie liberties Of Ibis ccfsy
would always find a sufficient guarantee a
g1inst Vaccinations of this sort, in the patrio-
tism ofeVery PORTION of the Union. This com
| munication, for which the House was indebted
to the President, was (Mr. c. sadly highly in
terestinS and important in one point of view
II demonstrated, matter of fact, what had
heretofore remaiRed only speculation and con-
f,ot H.. p,,4
meditated the separation of these states and
what is more, that they have actually attempt
ed the execution of this wicked design, and
have endeavored to convert our own citizens i'll
to traitors He would say no more.
Mr. Quincy said, he was much obliged to the
gentleman last lp, for the view which he had
taken of the subject 1t had struck him pre-
viously with much force, and he meant TO have
taken the floor to have expressed it. If there
ever had existed in the British government, or
any other government, an idea that there was a
party in this country, who would associate with
1t to dissolve this Union, he thanked God that
the project was exposed. Ii it was true rs
these papers stated, that this man had been so
employed, he thanked God that the mission
had been detected Administration, in bring
ing the subject before the House, had done
worthily, and the subject ought to be enquired
into. What, said Mr.. Q. is the fact, admit
Why, that an agent from the British govern
ment, under circumstances peculiarly auspici-
Gus and suitable TO his purpose, goes to the
spot which he represents, as the hot-bed of OPP
position, to stir up dsunion and his papers
do not contain an intimation that he dared to
mention such an idea as that of n dissolution
OF the Union to any individual. No, sir and
dare to say, that he never did mention such
a thing to any distinguished individual. AS
that quarter, they hold this Union dear, and
look upon such connection, as IS supposed in
these papers, with as much adherence as any
man, however attached he may be to the almi-
nistratiOn ofthe government. Whenever dis
memberment 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 IN event; not with view to bring IL
about. Sir, know that othcr ideas have been
spread over Che country for The purpose Of ser
wing party views. But here, in this temple Of
our liberties, let us reason with one another ac-
cordng to the evidence before us. ] rejoice
that The subject has been brought forward, AND
that "a agent so peculiarly adapted to the bu-
sinoss in wlii.h he was employed, has not been
able to furnish any evidence Of even the con-
nivance Of any individual az bis mission.
Mr.. Rhea said, AZ thc time he had made the
motion for printing, hc had not the least idea
that any opposition would be made 90 IT, lie
did not say whether these papers were true or
not true whether thcy attacked any people or
not ne hoped therefore the discussion Of these
points would cease. Il was no reason against
the publication Of these documents that they
had been disclosed bv a British agent. T1he
! Speaker observed, that 40 objection had been
( made bvany gentleman TO the printing! an
the transactions respecting Andre and Arnold
had been printed, 50 Ear rs the Congress could
| Ivy their hands ON them--snd why not these
if this man be British SPY or traitor as he has
! been called end what ne states is not true, one
lnir-- Is alniLted lhal The nrLtiah arc c.nahIa