Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-01-08

tnere DeinG Two thousand dollars paid fol
executing 1t, as was, in regard to the last cen
e,ls, paid TO hIr. Tench Coke.
MIR. Cooke, desiring to examine this subject
more thoroughly before acting on it, moved
to refer the resolve to a committee of the
whole, and
Mr.. Campbell asserting to the motion, i,
was referred accordingly.
TRANSACTIONS AT PENSACOLA
Dir. WHITMAN called for the consideration
OF the resolution he adsubmitted i'm the early
part of the session, requesting information
from the President of the United States. re-
lative to any misunderstanding which NAV
have existed between General jackson and
Judge Fromentin, in the territory of Florida,
| sc
MIR. W. remarked, that he deemed the in
curry OF first importance, and if he had full
| ly understood the reasons that had occasion
ed the previous postponement, they were
founded upon an expected communication
from the Executive IN relation to that sub
Iect without call from the House. But he
Mr.. w had Information on which he relied,
that such was not the intention OF the Pres-
dent, and, of course, it could not be indeco-
rous to adopt the resolution.
The House, thereupon, agreed to consider
the same ;and the first question in order was
upon an amendment heretofore proposed to
strike out the words " think proper to COM
municate," and to insert in lieu thereof, the
word possess"-thereby requesting all the
information possessed by the President in re.
lation to the subject The question was Ia
ken on this proposition, and lost-ayes 81,
noes 70.
The question then being upon the whole
| resolution
Mr.. CANNON moved to strike out all that
part OF the resolution which related to the
supposed misunderstanding between Govern
or jackson and Judge Fromentn. Mr.. G..
could perceive no good consequences likely
to grow out of the proposed inquiry. 1t
was not calculated in his opinion, to lead to
any beneficial result. 1t might protract de-
bate, and excite termeut-but for any ma
tl0nal purposes it was worse than useless. 1t
related to supposed misunderstanding between
two subordinate oiliceIs-and there was as
little propriety for this inquiry as there would
belf this House were to call upon the Presi-
dent of the u S. for information relative to
alleged differences between the Marshals OF
different districts.
Mr. WHITMAN regarded this inquiry as of
more consequence than the gentleman from
| tennessee Mr.. Cannon,) seemed to appre-
bend. 1t did not relate TO quarrel between
one Executive officer and another bat it was
between AN Executive and Judicial officer =
both clothed with high powers, and both ex-
ecutIng important functions. That a difficult
ty had existed, no one seemed to question:
| But little OF the merits of the case had trans
pred, except what could be gathered from
rumor and newspaper information. Yet ever
from these frail and scanty vehicles of inform
alton, sufficient had been disclosed to excite
surprise and awaken enquiry. The transac
tons alluded to were surely novel ;-and, i
| correctly stated, they were such as this nation
! ne believed, would hesitate to avow. If thos.
reports were true, the Governor had not onl,
restrained the liberty of an individual-bu
when the constitutional remedy by habeas cor
pus was applied, was about to lay his hant
upon the Judge himself. He thought it wa
dangerous precedent To sanction, and if al
lowed in one case, it might be in another
when, therefore, the subject was brought be
) fore the House in the Executive Message, h,
thought 1T their duty, as the grand inquest o
the nation, to institute an inquiry, and not t.
suffer 1T to pass sub Siientio. 1t was the dut-
OF the House to watch over the liberties of TIN
: people-to guard against the approach o
tyranny, under whatever form it may appear
If the Governor of IA Territory had unjustifia
bly, mterfered with the judicial authorities
1t ought to- be known, and articles ofimpeach
: ment preferred against him. If, on the othe
; hand, Judge had usurped Executive pow
/, erS, let him receive that punishment whic
4 the offence deserves. Ifthere was any branc
OF the governmental which purity and correC
e limitation ofits powers were indispensable,
was the Executive. 1t should be kept with
Its proper bounds; for, when permitted +
j encroacb upon the other departments, AN
: overlap the constitution with impunity, Their
i was an end to cur boosted liberties. 1t ha
been suggested that by resignation. the Gov
: ernOr of Florida had placed himself beyon
the reach of Impeachment (; yet if the facts a
legged were true it was the bounden duty
, this government and ofthe representatives {
the people, to express at least their disar
@ probation of measures which, if correc
Z ly related, were more outrageous than had eN
:, er before been witnessed in this country.
Il Mr.. SMITH of Md. observed, that ifthis r,
d solution should pass, land he hoped it wou
;, not, in any shape whatever,) it would Intro
y duce discussion in which vast deal of tin
. would be unnecessarily consumed, and pc
j haps enable other powers to put our govern
ment in the wrong 1t had been urged thu
e this house was the grand inquest of the n;
: ton. But he would ask, where was the con
!. plant before us ? Where was the testimony
( None had been offered. no complaint n;
T. been made against the illustrious officer wi
! had served his country with such distinguish
:, honor, and yet we were called upon TO Il
him, not only without evidence, but witho
Y even a complaint Nor did he (Mr. S. b
lieyc that any ground for complaint existed.
el The governor of the Floridas was vested wi
N all the powers of Spanish Governor, al
rs those powers included the paramount autho
,e ty of a Supreme Judge. To these powe
l. he believed the authority of Judge Frome
III tin was subordinate but, whatever the par
Is cular facts might have been, they were pr
IN perry before the Executive, and did not
I'd quire the interpositiOn OF this house.