Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-04-25

my IVkUHUILtu tHt
maxim, that innocence Is Away presum-
ed until The contrary appear by proof.
Why they should have enquired into the
motives OF your respondent at all, he is
AT a loss 10 determine, as IL Was a matter
entirely beyond their control and iuris,
dictioD. The only subject oi inyas;iga-
ton was the legality oil his official acts.
as designated in the resolution of the Sc.
nate, of The 18Th OF December.
Your respondent has no objection 10
this course, except as pernicious pre-
cedemi, and violation OF authority. he
has no secrets, and will never shrink
from rigid and impartial examination
into his official conduct Had the com
miltee adveTtcG tn the order To take pos
session of ~. Augustine, as well as the
concentrations of Your respondent 10
The Secretary OF War, upon the subject
OF his military operations, they must
have been satisfied that his motives were
10 promote the public good--io obey his
orderS. by carrying on a vigorous and eth
cieni war against The savage enemies OF
The United States by which the blood
ami treasure OF tie Ia ion Was 10 he eco
nomized 10 Us abli h peace that IS ould
be honorable aud permanent, and 10 give
rcptSe and securt! 10 our exposed and
delenceless borders.
In this Instance, as well as in some
others, the repor! Of the committee is
conttadiclcd by lie evidence al lis own
documents. The depasitions ut Colonel
bu'Ier, tand Major Eaten, a member of
The committed c"DcluslVtly prove that
your rtspondent had M agency Ia specu
'ailng IN Florida lands, which is in diiect
opposition 10 The inference drawn nv
your committee. No member of that
committee eau, for a moment, Seriously
ana candldly harbOr The opinion that
your respondent wcuid lead gallant ar
my INTO The tield-jsopardize The lives
OF valuable cItiZtns-risk the rum oi
heailI aud reputation, and piOidte tie
constitution of his county, for The pur-
pose OF speculaimg with security ia Spa
DlSh lands. The" motives OF his own.
unconneclcd with his military functions, -
were desire TO emit speedily A savage
war, and In save The blood and treasure
OF The country and not, as charged, 10
adventure ms health and reputation, and
he lives oEbrave men, in quest of titles
10 Florida lands The imputaiion is un
warranted and unjust, and has lis reiuia-
ION III The very testimony which the CONS
mttec have published. The dignity OF
lbs office. which, at every exposure, be
las sought TO maintain. uever has bcen
pros'IIuied TO the purposes of speculation
IN any way, and il never shall Strange,
then, >ihal honorable men should make
30 foul an accusation without proof; nav,
without even circumstances 10 support ii.
Your respondent would beg leave, in
this place, 10 remark upon The dcposl
lions annexed To The report. He ventures
lhe opinion thai such documents never
before tave been published to the world
as evidence upon which In predicate a
report. Eaton's and Mi,chells are the
onlh depoSIiiOns presented in legal form.
IN those two gentlemen, regular inter
rogai0rIea were proposed, 10 which they
deliberately responded aud affixed their
signatures as required by law. Doctor
bronaugh's deposition is signed, but
not gwen under oath colonel Buffers,
colonel Glbson's, and captain Calls, are
neither sworn TO nor signed. The deposit
iIons G: lie soiiF las' sentl, men were
published without their knowledge, al
though they had received promise from
the members of the committee, who took
down Tie testimony, that il should be
copied, and again submitted to them for
c r.ectIon and signature.
Until dispositions are fully examined, "a
mended, and signed. by the Witnesses,
they cannot be considered good and com
pleie evidence. This is rule, whlch,
II IS believed, is uniformly adhered 10 in
all Judicial tribunals ; il never should be
departed from on any occasion as II is
essentially necessary 10 an impartial adj
mlnisiraIion justice. Every opportuni
ty should be given the witnesses 10 make
a fair and full disclosure uf the facts: TO
consider the force and effect of their ex-
pressiOus, as well as the import OF every
sentence. By an opposite procedure
ITeparable injustice may be done, and
the rights of public agent sacrificed by
those who should afford him security and
protection.
There are several minor points touch
ed upon by The committee, 10 whirl
your respondent considers il unnecessary
70 give particular reply; as trey are Of
lnconsidt rable importance, and could
moi he noticed without sa,lling this me-
mortal 10 an uDwieidy size. He tlailers
himself they have been satisfactorily an
swered an The discussion Of the other
subjects, ont oi which they have inciden
tally arisen. They viii all, however, be
more amply aud miHuttly explained, b.
an examination OF documents heretofore
communicated 10 Congress, relative TO
the Seminole war 10 others on tile ia iht
War Office, and 10 those accompanying
this Demoial 10 all of which your res
pondent respectfully refers your honora-
bic body.
To conclude: Your respondent has
devoted his best services 10 The cause of
his country, and 10 The perpeIuation o;
her liberties Her consultation and laws
are objects OF lis sincere yeneralioH
aud every anxiety Of his heart has been
enlisted 90 promote the glory and happi
ness OF his country How far lie has
bren instrumental, under tie guidance OF
i'll effrcling those desirable