Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-03-25

Their witnesses were examined, II appear
ed there was material variance, on a
particular fact, between their evidence and
that OF Col. Butler; and it was mentioned
to Mr.. Eaton. by the chairman, that The
probability was, that the col. had been
mistaken as TO that fact, and advised him
to mention the circumstance TO him, that II,
ON reflection. he should think he had fallen
into an error, he might be able to correct
il. This information was given to Colonel
Butler, as Mr.. Eaton afterwards stated,
and the Colonel sent word by Mr.. E. that
he had, on reflection, discovered his mis-
take, and desired the committee TO alter
his deposition; but Mr.. Eaton was request
ed to inform the colonel that he must at
tend to it himself-tbat it could not be
done in his absence, and on the suggestion
of another person.
It's true that Mr.. Burrill did state to
the officer examined, that he would write
out his deposition in fairer hand, and ne
would be called upon to sign it. But it is
fact equally true, and which should have
been stated in COL Buffers last deposition,
that those officers left the city before time
was given for the dispositions to be made
out, and remained absent until near The
close of the session, and after the report
and documents were printed. 1t was not
to have been expected that, after the fa'r-
ness, as well as the kindness OF the COM
mittee towards col. Butler, as it regarded
bis testimony, that he would. on his oath,
afterwards have INDUCED himself in any
reflections on that committee-morc cspe-
cially when it is considered (ii the Stric-
lures be true, and it is believed they were
written under his eye) that he was mista-
ken in another fact that was stated by HIN
that of the governor Of Tennessee be-
ing in Nashvi lie when gen Jackson called
out and organized the volunteers There
is no disposition felt to injure the feelings
Of col. Butler, but he should not have invi-
ted discussion on subject Of such delica-
cy TO himself.
But to silence forever all clamor on the
subject of the dispositions, and to remove
every doubt from the minds of the most
suspicious, they are referred to the origi-
nal dispositions themselves, Oh file in the
Office Of the Secretary of the Senate, and
in the very words used Ivy them, and writ
Ten by Mr.. Burrill, and examined, and APP
proved by the witnesses themselves. And,
fthe trouble be taken to compare the ORR
ginal dispositions with the printed copies, II
will he found that not single alteration was
made, but those Of a vei 81 nature, except
in the deposition gen Gibon, in two para
graphs, which were made by himself, and
at his own request, and with his own hand
in the presence of Mr.. Burril and the chair
man, and after his deposition was in the
hands of the printer.
Having air,ady observed that gen. Glib
son had made some alteration, in his first
deposition, it is necessary, for correct
knowledge and explanation of this subjeet,
to refer to his second deposition, as it APP
peared in the Intelligencer of the 10th
March. In this it is stated that Mr.. Bur'iil
and the chairman bad refused TO let him add
to his statement two letters that he con-
sidered necessary to illustrate the subject.
II is true that gen. Gibson was told that
he might strike out what he thought pro-
per from the deposition, but he could not
add any new facts-for that could only be
done BY majority Of the committee when
authorized to call for and examine wit
nesses that the committee on the subject
of the Seminole war, having made their
report, was out Of existence, and no
power remained with those members who
had composed that committee more than
any others OF the Senate. Gen. Gibson
then stated, that 8" he bad given the letters
in question to Mr.. Eaton, of the committee.
some considerable time before, and re-
quested him 10 lay them before the com
nittee and have them attached to his
deposition" Gen. Gibson was then in.
formed that " no such letters had been put
in possession of the committee by Mr.. Ea-
ton" This conversation took place in the
Secretary's Office. while the senate was in
session. On my return to the senate cham
Der, Mr.. Eaton was asked by me. private
ly, whether or not such letters had been
received by him from Gen. Gibson-he