Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-02-02

OF my country and the enemies of liberty
wrong. Before proceed, sr, must no
tice remark u.ade by the honorable gen
u man from Massachusetts (Mr. Holmes.
! anl sorry That do not see the honora-
bic gentleman IN his seat. CAfr. Holmes
rose.) lie remarked that a malicious
prosecution had been commenced against
Tie President Of the United States. do
moi precisely understand the gentleman.
10y ahom has this malicious prosecution
been commenced! Here Mr.. Holmes
rose and explained. He said the remark
was intended as reply 10 an observation
made OH yesterday by AN honorable gem
ueman from Georgia (Mr. Cohh) who
seemed TO iusnuas' that some instructions
given to General Jackson, had been sup
pressed.J MIR. Chairman, hold il TO be
fundamental principle, tI,at every otli-
l Ger OIL THIS gOyernpIent, from the highest
| 10 the lowest, is responsible TO The people
tor the manner in which he has tlischary.
ell the duties of his office. 1t is on this
principle that the government depends for
IT'S perpeiuiiy--for irs capacity to secure,
to the people of The United States, peace.
prosperity, liberty aud happiness. Is
there any gentleman who hears me iha,
will question The truth of this political
maxim Is there any officer, however
distinguished by station. or the splendor
OF his public services, who is unwilling 10
submit the investigation Of Ills public
lacts, 10 candid, deliberate and decorous
Investigation by the representatives OF the
aeople! u there be any such officer.
pronounce him stranger, an alien io the
affections ~ the people, and That i, is time
Ia get rid of him. The moment that any
officer of this government denies That he
is responsible for tho faithful and correct
discharge of his public duties, from that
moment he becomes dangerous. Sir,
am arguing this question on abstract
lprinciplcs. ] have ~ reference 10 indi-
vidnais; have no feelings 10 crafty.
presume that a high minded honorable
man, so FAR from evading an investigations
OF his public conduct, the moment he
discovered the slightest shade OF snspi-
cion lowering over The pure, faithful and
legal discharge of his public duties, would
cour: Investigation thai lie would pre-
sent himself at the bar of the public, and
demand an investigation OF his conduct
Sir, viii proceed 10 answer the argu-
menis of the gentleman from MaSsaclin-
suits (lHr. Hoimes) the arguments sub
mliied on this day, NOT those offered on
yesterday. The gentleman took great
pains on yesterday 10 conduct us 10 the
line which separates Florida from the u
nited Staies-to prove that an American
| tieReral, when authorized by the Prcsi-
J dent of the Uniiett States, had the right
to march an Americas army through The
| United States, TO this line; and, after
managing the argument with great skill
and adroiluess, he took them over the
line, where he left us. Sir, shall not
| waste the time of The committee, by con-
testing principles about which no body
enter'a ms doubt, but proceed al once
TO Pensacola, and combat doctrines which
have been boldly advanced, but which
have been sustained neither by precedent,
reason, Or law.
Had General Jackson the right TO cap
ture Pensacola and the Barancas 2 Sir,
wish TO treat this question with the most
perfect caiFlor and fairness. To save the
trouble oi frequent references 10 books,
have transcribed from Vatiel's Law OF
Nations The strongest principles III favor
ct The course pursued by the commander
IN chef. | have no question that there
are copies of VatlePs Law of Nations in
the House. II any gentleman doubts the
correctness OF the quotations, hope he
VIII compare the text with the original
| Is laid down nv Vaifel, page 40, that
extreme necessity may even authorize
lie temporary seizure OF place Gin
neutral conniry) and the putting garri-
son therein for defending itself against
AN enemy, or preventing him III his de-
| signs OF seIa'ng this place when The sove-
reign ~ not able TO defend IT. Bur, when
Tie danger is over, il must be Immediately
surrendered" Did this necessity exist
Was The existing state Of affairs such as
| would.have authorized commander pos
sesscd of plenary poser 10 have captured
| Pensacola and the karancas In order,
to ascertain The facts necessary 10 a cor
rect decision of this Important question,
beg permission to rat The honorable
committee 10 the CORES pondence Of Geu-
| eral Jackson with Tie Gpverner OF Pensa-
cola, and the Secretary OF War. In the
letter of General Jackson, ofine ID June,
1918, 10 Tie Secretary II War, will be
found The following statement p" The
terms are more than a conquered enemy
wonid have mPrltc,i, hut, under the pecu-
iIar cIrc umSiypces OF the case, my object
Obtained, there was no motive for wound
ing the feelings OF those whose military
pride or honor had prompted IN The re-
sistance made. The articles, with but
one condition, amount to a complete ces-
sion To HE United States of ina, portion
OF the Fluridas hitherto under the govern.
meni Of Don Jose AIa-soi.' Though tie
Seminole Indians have beeu scattered,
aud, literally so, driven and reduced, and
no longer Nv be viewed as a formidable
enemy, yet,-aS there are many snail ma
| rdndng parties, supposed To be conceal
ed in the swamps Of Periodic, Chociaw.
latcby, and Clapouly who might oIake
occasional and sudden inroads 90 our
| frontier settlers, n,asSacreing women aud
children, have deemed il advisable 10
| call into service for six months, It not
sooner discharged, two companies Of vo-