Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-12-20

dent should think proper to make il a subject
of special communication.
MIR. bright made n few remarks on the
subject, which, from his position in the house,
the reporter could not hear.
Mr.. jfhitmGn opposed the motion. AT the
first reading ofthe Presidents message, he had
entertained the same opinion which his homo
rable friend from North Carolina tMr. Ed
wards) had expressed. But on further exa-
mination, he had found it impossible to deter
mine whether the matters OF an unpleasant
nature, IN which the President referred, were
oil the same character with those contempla-
ted by the resolution. The facts alluded TO in
the Message wereEgeneral and underlined
Those included in the resolution were parti-
cular and specific. Ii could not therefore be
disrespcctful to ask for information on a sub
.ject that it was impossible to say had been
even alluded to in the Presidents Message
But the resolutions called for Information not
only in regard to the controversy between Gen.
jackson and Judge Fromentin, but it was CON
templated to extend it 10. AN inquiry into the
causes that led to- the issuing of an order by
the Governor of the Floridas for the removal
of certain persons from that territory, which
To say the least Of it, is in its character nouel.
Mr.. w. knew of no law that justified sem
tencc of Punishment, even by the Executives
| of sovereign states still less could he COM
prehend the unsuitable exercise of such n
power by the created head of Deepen
| dent territory. Such sentence might per-
haps be allowed as punishment, when
resulting from conviction by the verdict of
peers, or a trial before court on the charge of
| a crime, hut he knew of no authority that
| could justify such sentence, as matter of
political expedieney, depending on the Execu-
tive will. When, therefore, the subject was
| fairly discussed, Mr.. w. was satisfied it would
be found that the resolutions he had submit
| ted We're of character altogether respectful
| To the President of the United States that
| they were confined To distinct aud definite ob-
| jects that the Message had been for some
| time before the house, and that no special
communication on the specific subjects allud-
ed to had heen made, and that it was fairly
interrbe that the message and the resolutions
| had different objects in view. He therefore
| thought the subject to he of sufficient impor-
| lance TO enttle it to the immediate attention
| of the house.
Mr.. Bdid,cia suggested, that it was evident,
| from the tenor of the Message, that this was a
| subject TO which the President of the United
| States had not been inattentiye. Ii might be
| that il had become subject ofnegotatiOn with
| che Spanish this was perhaps
| the reason why II had not been presented to
the consideration of the House subsequent to
the Message. The Spanish minister had not
yet arrived at the seat of govcrnment--and
possibly it was owing To this circumstance, that
the President had not communicated the pa
pers in this case to the House. Upou the
whole, he thought it advisable for the House.
not yet TO act on the subject.
Mr.. .frcher hoped the gentleman from n
Carolina would withdraw his amendment-at
least for few moments, to give opportunity to
the mover To present modification
Mr. Edt0a'ds assented, and Mr.. w. propos-
ed IA further modification of his motion.
Mr.. ViliidmS, of North Carolina, moved to
strike out THE resolve the words % as he may
think proper 10 communicable to in
sert IN lieu thereof the words, :. as he may pos
sess."-Carried
Mr.. Edc0rds then renewed his motion that
the resolution lie on the table, for the reasons
he had before stated.
This motion was supported by Mr.. Cannon,
and opposed by Mr. Floyd, when, the question
being taken, the motion of MIR. Edicards pre-
vailed and the resolution was ordered to lie
on the table.