The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-01-18


devoted to the dissemination OF correct
principles, that letter itself made conspi-
C1ous figure. He had supposed this would
have been the end OF its eXistenCe-and in
decd that it had been a favorite of fortune
te meet with SO much distinction. Judge of
my surprise, then, said Mr.. NIL. when
gentleman in this house arose in his place &
With much gravity said he was about cal
ling for Information more important than
any other within the Executive reach, the
subject OF retaliation excepted and that
this information was certain facts relating
60 Turrean's letter, But it after wards APP
peared, MIR. NIL. said, that this letter had
not yet arrived at the zenits of its conse-
quence and he was still more surprized
than at first when he discovered the same
gentleman again to rise in his pace, recall
his first resolution, aud substitute the very
extraordinary one which had yesterday
been rejected. This letter 1t appeared was
TO be no other than the stone cut out OF the
mountain, which comprised the hopes OF
gentlemen in opposition which was to
smite the image with destruction, and IN it
self become an exceeding great mountain;
and t. e Importance of which it would be
resumption to suppose the discussion OF
yesterday had in any degree checked. Now
Mr.. NIL. said, not the importance of this
subject, but the progress of the debate yes
tsrday, had excited in his mind a curiosity
60 enquire into its origin, and the circum
cumstances connected with its existence
ne therefore hoped the house would consent
to TIE adoption Of this motion.
MIR. Post of n. Y. opposed the present
motion on the ground of insuificiency; be-
cause member had declared the document
In question to be already in his possession,
and he only desired authority from the
House establish its authenecity--which
object could only be attained by the motion
yesterday rejected by the House. If the
gentleman wished full enquiry, the proper
course would be for some gentleman in the
majority to move a reconsideration of the
motion.
MIR. Roberts replied to MIR. Post. His
object was to obtain full and complete in
formation this subject, and to institute an
enquiry how this withdrawn letter had come
into the possession of those who now say
they have it. That information, when de
manded yesterday had been refused by those
in whose power it was to give it.
Mr.. Grosvenor of n. Y. adverted to the
remark of Mr.. II berts yesterday, that com
mon fame was sufficient foundation for pro
ceedings on the part of this House. Now
common farae had informed all gentlemen
that no such document remained in the De-
pactment of State. Not only was the sub
jert so treated last summer by the persons
and papers who met it, but in addition the
paper itself was presented to the House.
So that no suCh paper would be forthcoming.
But the gentleman had pledged himself. if
she paper was NOT produced, To pursue the
enquiry TO the most satisfactory result. He
called upon the gentleman, not TO abandon
she pledge, thus solemnly given; for not
withstandihg his bandying about of epithets
IN the Hou}e concerning the purlonm ent of
papers, there was not a man who had any
connection with the production of that do
cumeRt e. fight who would not be proud to
meet it. lie hoped the gentleman would not
sontent hi qbself with the motion now propo-
sed. But khy send to the Department of
State for this inform alton when common
fame told them thar they could not get
there the Information which they professed
60 desire ? Thk object was to have the con-
tents OF r$sper once an official document,
but now n3longer So before the house, in
order 10 see what were the sentiments ex-
pressed blythe agent of France at that day
ana 10 know whether on any subseq oc-
casion he had retracted or apologized for
the insult thus offered to our government.
The material fact the paper itself, could
not b obtained by the course proposed
Mr.. G.. went and re stated the facts
which had bren before stated on the sub
iect In relation to the idea of the letter
heing the stone cut out of the mountain. if it
were not crum5ied TO dust in this house, it
nigh grow to a mountain over which gen
tfeTnen would stumble. MIR. G.. said he was
for giving every thing Of this kind a chance
for fair operation in this country. If this
is a matter of Any importance, said he let the
enquiry DE eifectual.
If there be purity in the Executive, let
that purity be made more apparent if the
reverse it ought distinctly to appear to the
American people. Eitherlet this question
be treated as frivolous and disregarded en-
tireiy, or let The treated accordingly to it's
importance, in that manner which. will lead
To the most satisfactory result. Whilst he
was in favor of an enquiry which shonjd ex
pose the whole truth to the people,. he
ahouId never consent to a mode of enquiry
which, instead of disclosing all the facts,
would smother thentfor ever.
Mr.. Barnett, of Georgia, said, the only
real question before the house these two
days was, whethcrthe house should go in at
the door or climb over tie walls of the pub
lic Offices to get at the necessary informant
on. Mr.. B. was for the first course and {
gentlemen on the other side, said he, are de
Term ned togo ever the wall. let them re
ceive that denunciation which il is said those
shalt have who go over he wall.
ar Webster, Of II RI. avowing a wish
.tlat if the enquiry was made, it should be
e4Gspal, watch he conceived it could not be
nrser the present motion, moved to amend
the motion by substituting therefor that
which was Yesterday rejected