Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-01-13

Retoived. That the President of the U. S.
De and he is hereby requested to instruct
he Attorney General of tho u. S. to insti-
lutte prosecution against the said Martin
:, vs. =
Mr.. Fisk Of VT. said ne had hoped, and
on SO saying he belle vel he expressed the
sense OF the whole delegation from the state
OF Vermont, that these resolutions would not
have made their appearance. He believed
thatvery few people in Vermont approved
OF that proclamation. He was certain there
were none ct the delegation from that state
who approved it. The actswas uniust;fa-
oie--but It vas the act of the Governor of
a state. The resolution was Objectionable
in several points of view, of which he
would briesy notice only one or two. If
Gov. Chittendcn had committed an offence
against the laws, he was liable to the proper
tr,buE'aa-lt was not proper that the House
lot Representatives should turn informers.
The courts of justice should be as clear
from any improper influence as possible If
the resolution should be adopsctl--and the
weight OF the opinion Of the House of Repre-
sentasiyes were such as il ought TO be. it
would be conclusive against the individual
concerned-if, however, they failed in cons
vincing him, and merely excited public,
sympathy in his favor by their accusation,
it would place this body in an unpleasant If
not ridiculous point ofview. In such case
the House hadno constitutional power & all
resolutions on the subject must be Improper
LAS we'll as for another reason these reso
lutions declare the law to be SO and SO, and
then declare the Governor to have violated
the law. Now. said, Mr.. F our resolutions
lneithermake OF strengthen laws, and there
fore can be of no use. Viewing tho resolu
tons as objectiona bic fnevery point of view
IL Al H. a. ~.
\ Mr.. Sharp said. as the delegation from
/ Vermont appeared to object to the form or
principle OF these resolves, he had no objec
ton to let the m lie for consideration.
4 Mr.. Grosvenor Of New York. said, IL;
I without expressing any opinion on the part
OF this House, the resolution merely diiec-
ted the Attorney General to institute a pro.
secutoa against Governor Chittendea, he,
for his own part, wouldn not object to them.
He had no objection to lettite Judiciary, UNI
der the constitution and law, decide the qucs-
ton at once, whether the Governors who
had acted with Governor Chit,euden, had
or had not acted constitutionaliy. Without
knowing what was the opinion of others, If
that part was expunged which threw the
opinion of this House in the scale against the
gentleman implicated, he should not object
To resolution which should place the ques-
ton properly before a judicial tribunal, where
one it could be correctly decided.
4 Mr. Wright of Md. said. he was CT the
same opinion with the gentleman last up,
but for different reason. He did not wish
the crime in question to be considered as
tine mere breach of a penal law. He held
in his hand the constitution, of the u. States
which defined the crime of treason to be lie
yying war, &c. and affording aid and com
fort TO the enemy. He had no idea of con
filming the offence of Gov. c. either expressly
or by inference to the mere pecadillo of vi
olating law, whenhe appeared to have Vi.
} dated so much more important and author
! litire an instrument.
!, MIR Findley of Penn. said. he had no OBJ
Election to the resolutions lying on the ta-
: Bile but he was totally opposed to this
I rfuuse giving ITS opinion on the law or direc
ting the prosecution of any one. He was
opposed 20 the whole resolutions, because he
helie'e9 no good could Come of them, tho
he h uld for the present, vote for their lying
, on the table. -
i The resolutions were then ordered to
he on the table.
he house resumed the consideration oi
the report of the committee of the whole on
Mr.. Pickens' motion, which was debated for
some time dy Mr.. Grosvenor, in opposition,
and MIR. CASTOR and MIR. Pickering in favor
OF the proposed amendment to the con-
stiuiion. Mr. Murfree also spoke at length
in favor of an uniform choice of electors not
b, districts as proposed but by thoFstate lie
turcs. Alter scme time message was
received from the President. lSec as,
Monday s Argus) -