Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-03-12
Tbi, subject was On the ,ath Nov. re-


committee on the same subject. He ap-
pears to have been the moving principal
throughout the whole investigation in the
Senate. To his exertions are the public
indebted for the commencement of the bu.
siness, its peculiar character of virulence,
and the singular document by which it is
terminated.*
The Seminole war was discussed in the
lower house for more than three weeks,
and yet not single member suggested
the slightest censure either on General
Jackson for the employment of volunteers,
or ON General Gaines for the unauthorized
call on the Greek nation. 1t was reserved
for Mr. Lacock to make the discovery of a
violation of the constitution in these acts;
and the honesty Of his views, in advancing
such charge is to be found in the time in
which he made his report-when the Sc
nate had but six days to sit, and it could
not be discussed and in declining to an
mex the customary resolution, so as to adj
nit of discussion and afford the friends OF
General Jackson an opportunity for de-
fence, In fine. it was obviously in
tended 10 counterfeit the effects apprehend-
ed from the vote Of the house and force of
public opinion and. was, incontestibly,
designed TO infict a wanton blow on the
feelings and character of General jack
son, under the imposing sanction of a re-
gard for public duty
1t is needless TO consume time in an ex-
position of reasons for thinking such trial
ofany mans motives and conduct unfair
and unconstitutional. 1t is enough to re-
mark, that justice consists not merely in
awarding punishment TO- crime, but ingiv
ing to individuals accused of misconduct a
full and impartial hearing, and an oppcrtu-
nifty of advancing all accessible testimony
for the elucidatlon of their acts and the ur-
RICHNESS and innocency of their inten-
tons. This justice has been denied to
Gen. Jackson. His public acts and pri-
vate character have both been made the
subject Of systematic investigation {; and,
without hearing, he has been pronounced
guilty oil the awful crime Of striking at the
liberties of his country, by an iniraction of
its constitution andh as received, in ascn-
tence of censure, the cruelest punishment
that can pierce the bosom of soldier.
And what is the motive to which all the
generals acts in Florida have been attribu-
ted? His operations, say the committee,
: were conducted con reasons Of his own.
unconnected with his military fupctions''-
and these "reasons" were mercanary views
and speculations. which the occupancy of
the Spanish territory would facilitate and
mature! 1t is to be hoped that gen. Jack
son will never degrade himself by answer
ing a charge as foul as it is ridiculnus-a
charge totally unsupported by any Of the
documents, and abundantly refuted 10th
by them aud ny his character. No man in
public life, who marches steady and erect
along the path of duty, can fail to awaken
enmity among those who envy his repuia-
ton, without ability TO emulate his virtues.
But, surely, the deadIiest foe of gen. Jack
son cannot, for moment, credit such
charge as this | dare venture to assert,
that not a single member Of the select COM
mittee, malignant as appears to be the hos
tilitv of some Of them 70 the general. be-
lieves that he led N army 10 the field, and
jeopardized the lives of valuable citizens,
in order 10 speculate it'll security in Spa
nish lands; or that he rsked the ruin both
of health and reputation, and Frustrated the
constitution, to secure the paltry advantage
OF buying few acres in Florida We read
of men whose DANCE rous political ambition
prompted to the commission of awful
crimes towards illeir country; but The mon
strous act of overturning free constitution
and making unathorised war. with the des-
picable view of trifing pecuniary emou-
ment, is yet, and may it long be, unheard
of and unrecorded. If that committee do
not believe the charge they have advanced,
what can be their views, and bow will
they explain their motives to their country?
II would be both indecorous and useless to
indulge in the language of resentment and
recrimination; but it would be injustice to
the country to withhold the expression OF
deep conviction, that this most unjust and
illegal trial originated in dishones; motives