Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-03-25
REPLY ,othe STRUCTURES on the RE-
PORT ofthe COMMITTEE of the
SENATE.
From the National Lntelligeneer.
TO THE PUBLIC.
,as Continued.


TO THE PUBLIC.
(Continued.)
These documents never before having
been called for, were not previously trans
mitted nor was this design Of taking St
Augustine, CATER the close of the war;
known to the committee until this disclo-
sure; and it was thought necessary that the
documents should accompany, and be ia
ken notice Of in the report. Iffurther evil
dence be necessary TO convince the most
incredulous SHAT no improper or unneces-
sary delay was observed in making the re-
port, it will be furnished by the following
facts:
The Senate of the United States is con-
nected, by the constitution, with the Exc
cutive, IN the exercise of the treaty-making
power.
On the 9th OF 10th of February, the
chairman of the committee was conhden-
tally informed that the treaty with Spain
would probably be brought to a favorable
result, in a short time and a suggestion
was made, that report on the subject OF
the occupation of Florida might by posi-
biliiy, affect the negotiation, if made pre-
vious to the signing Of the treaty.
These facts and suggestions were inme-
eiately communicated to majority of the
members of the committee, and more espe-
cially Mr.. King, whose experience in d.
plomatic concerns gave him full oppor-
,unity of forming correct judgment on
the subject.
This gentleman, with Two other members
of the committee. besides the chairman.,a
greed that the report should be kept back a
few days, until the treaty was received
On Monday the 22nd of February this trea-
" was sent to the Senate; on the Gath It
was ratihed, and on the same day the re-
port was made. And this accounts for the
only delay that was not occasioned by the
difficulty Of obtaining the evidence proper
10 an understanding of the case, and which
it was impossible for the committee sooner
10 obtain.
Thus il appeared that the charge, in the
structures, that the report was kept back to
iniure General Jackson, is totally without
foundation. And il is equally untrue that
s.his Eiends'* OF the committee had no OPP
portunity of making defence. The same
time was afforded them to make a defence.
tina, was given to the chairman to write the
report They were present when the de-
e;sion. of the committee was made, and the
chairman received his instructions. A eoun-
ter statement might have been prepared
AMI offered, in the manner pursued by Col.
Johnson, in the House of Representatives;
or if this course should have been thought
ineligible or irregular, when the report was
made to the Senate, il might have been cal
led ND at any time. and a resolution offered,
approba,ing or excusing the conduct OF
Cen. Jackson, and this resolution might
have been prefaced by reasons at large, !"
to the reasons offered by the
committee. and thus the minority on the
would have had full oportunl-
" of LAYING before the public the result OF
their deliberate opinions on the subject.
Neither is If true "that the chairman declI-
ned annexing the customary resolutions to
the report" But, on the contrary, the fact
is known TO every member of the committee
that. when the chairman presented the re-
port, the question was put by him, wheth-
Or resolutions should be annexed, and the
decided unanimously in the ne
ratiye. But it appears by the Structures,
that the chairman of the COMMITTEES has
be.r almost the sole actor on this occasion,
and has had the eutire control OF the CON-
mittee and Of the Senate.
The author Of the Structures, in thus CIV.
ing Importance to the individual concerned
has unintentionslIy done him too much hon.
or the acceptance of which, at the expense
Of the Senate, he begs leave TO decline, de-
s;rous as il relates TO himself, OF being on-
~ considered what the senate had constitu-
ed him-she chairman of the select COM
mittee. As their organ, be was subject TO
their control, and acted in conformity to
their Instructions; as in like manner, the
committee Was controlled BY the Senate,
and bound to observe the instructions re-
ceired from that body.
And il was source of no small grati6ca-