Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-01-18

the report should be SO dispOSeu VI ds " eb-
sure full examination of its merits. The
subject, he said. was one of considerable
interest and excitement, though he was not
underline impression that twas one OF great
magnitude, nor that it carried in lis bosom
the fate of the nation, as the gentleman from
Georgia seemed 10 suppose, which depend
ed on far other considerations. The best
course to pursue in regard to these papers,
would be, to lay them on the table. Tho
not of momentous consequence, he sale, yet
the decision on them was calculated to i'm
plicate the character, and perhaps the hap
piness of the illustrious Individual whose
proceedings it was proposed to censure.-
He would, lin regard to any proposition in
volving the happiness orreputation of any
individual, conspicuous or obscure, act With
great deliberation. He was therefore op-
posed to referring this matter to commit
tee of the whole on the state of the union,
thus putting it in the pow er of any individu-
al to call it up when he pleased, and topre-
cipitate the house into discussion, unad-
visedIy and unprepared. He was for not
hastily acting on proposition to censure a
man who had given celebrity to the arms
of bis country, and thrown brighter lustre
OH the national character.
Mr.. Poindexter, Of Mississippi, depre-
Gated any precipitation in the decision OF
question, in affirming which the house
would be required to forget the wrongs in
0icted on US by foreign nations, to over
look the inhuman deeds committed on the
frontier of Georgia, and TO turn its atten-
ton to the laudable object OF destroying
the reputation of one of its most distin-
guished citizens. 1t was not in the point
ofview in which the gentleman from Geor-
gia had regarded the question if was not
from any regard to the savages of Florida,
and their allies, British refugees and Spa
nish agents, or from a wish to crush that
man by the strong arm of power-that a
man who had so much meritcd the thanks
of his country, that he wished a full and
early discussion of the subject. He did
not wish it he said, to be referred TO a
committee of the Whole, or TO lie on the ia
bic and be forgotten. He was not will
ling that any such report as that from the
military committee, calculated TO ruin the
reputation of man who had rendered SO
signal services to his country, should be
considered as representing the opinion of
this house. Iie was not willing, therefore,
that it should remain for moment on the
table, but should undergo full discussion,
as early as practicable; which would be en-
sured by referring it 10 committee Of the
whole on the state of the union.
Mr.. Mercer, of Virginia, while he con-
graduated the house on the dignifed report
which the military committee had present
Ell to them, was disposed, in the proceed
ings Oh this subject, to act with all neces-
sary deliberalion. The only objection he
had heard to the proposition TO refer The
subject to committee Of the whole on the
stale of the Union, was, that it might be
called up at any time this objection, be
said, might be entirely obviated. by nam
ing day when it should be called up -
and, if day were not named, the house
would always have it in its power, if it
chose, to refuse to go into committee, if
moved for at too early day. He should
deplore MN. said, perhaps more thanany
member of the house, that this should be
ref FRED 10 an ordinary committee of the
whole, and that the whole session should
pass off without an expression, on the part
of the house, of its opinion on this subject.
With respect to the character Of General
Jackson, though he would not unnecessa-
ily arraIgn it, Mr.. NJ. said, he looked, in
tie view which he look Of the importance
of this question, TO higher objects TO the
character Of this house, and of this nation.
Mr.. Smy,b, OF Virginia, hoped, that the
motion of the gentleman from Georgia,
would prevail. He presumed that the
gentlemen adverse to General Jackson were
none of them DESTROYS of precipitating the
discussion, or taking any advantage by
surprise, of hose who approved of his
conduct. He supposed that by Monday
next every gentleman who desired TO take
part in the discussion would be prepared,
and that day would be agreed on. He
said he should, when the discussion came
on ,ttnm,,t 10 sheu that ali the nrn ceed-