The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-01-09

nizance. 1t had been the tendency OF this
Government, for many years past, to take
from the Executive lis responsibility. For has
part, he would put responsibility where the
Constitution had placed it. twas the duty
of the Executive TO make the inquiry, and to
decide upon it also; and he was unwilling that
this House should assume the Executive re-
sponshiity.
MIR. Archer, of Virginia, briefly reviewed the
grounds of opposition TO the inquiry proposed
in the Resolution. The principal argument,
he said, amounted to no more than that no IN
quiry ought to be made, lest it might end in
the elimination of some officer of the Govern
ment. What was the nature of the transac-
lions said to have occurred in Pensacola dur
ing the last summer? Would any man deny
that, if what was said was true, acts of the
most despoticls nature have been committed in
that territory? Mr.. A. advered to the inquis-
itorial character constitutionally belonging to
this House and asked whether, when an Of
fcer or officers of this Government were
charged with gross malversion in Office, even
inquiry was to be denied for the reason which
had been assigned, namely, that the inquiry
might rebound to the prejudice of that officer?
Ii facts were correctly reported, these two ex-
traordinary hings had occurred. The Spanish
population # Florida, after it became a terri
toG5 of the United States, lost part of the
civil liberty they had previously enjoyed; and
citizens of he United States, removing to that
territory, lad been denied the rights secured
TO then by the Constitution of the United
States, as completely as if they had gone to
Constantinpplc instead of Pensacola. If such
doctrines had bern acted upon, the offenders
ought to te brought TO the bar of this House,
and afterwards 10 condign reprobation. He
therefore lpped the inquiry would be suffered
to 60 on.
Mr.. Floyd was in favour Of the call for in
formation. 1t had been said that the subject
was aboutto be discussed in the Senate on the
question d confirming the official appointment
| of one of he parties But had we arrived at
the time when it was not our duty to inquire
into-th conduct of our agentss Shall iisvesti-
CATION be stransied? No, sir, let the truth
! come forth The time was when Government
was know by lis acts, and when the repre-
.sentativcs pf the people did not fear to call for
any Information that concerned either the in
| teIest or tie honour of their constituents. But
! has ii come to this, that we can take no step
i without an intimation that we are permitted
| to do 500 He hoped not and he wished it
might be made manifest by the investigation
!
| the wrong That il, might lead to discus
| sion, was Tot an argument, in his mind, against
] the Resolution. If it should take till the mid
die of May to discuss it, yet let it be discussed !;
for. when We cannot discuss, said MIR. +. shall
be willingto go-to Spain
MIR. Whtman.-The gentleman from Ten
nessee (Ms- Cannon) has told US that this is a
/ proper case for the Executive. But what can
the Executive do? Has he the power to in
quire, ana try, and dismiss from offce2 No
such Executive powers could be found; nor
was thereany such responsibility resting on the
Executive, as tina. gentleman had seemed to
| apprehen1 The gentleman from Maryland
/ (NIr. Smith) had f-ared lest the inquiry might
find our Government in the wrong. For this
very purpose lie had proposed the inquiry--to
discover where the lurking mischief lies-and
to put this Government in the right. 1t was
| IN this way only that the character of the ma
zion codd be retrieved, if it had been tarnish-
ed, and the argument of the gentleman was,
therefor, in the teeth of his object. If the
great pIblick protection of our liberty had
been tralsgrt ssed, (Which there was but toe
much reason to fear,) it was our bounden duty
TO institute an inquiry-and the more elevated
the oieIder, the more imperious did that duty
|
performed so many meritorious actions, and &C.
CURED 50 much glory as to become the idol o.
| the natitn, so much more did it behove the
people 10 be on their Guard. II was in thi
way that tyranny was most apt to creep in anC
destroy republican institutions. popula
demagogie, having performed a splendit
achievement and dazzled the eyes of the PEG
pie, is mast dangerous because least suspected
| pm b.d hoao cold fbaf G.r Ia IL c,, ,,,o
the Supreme Judge of Florida. But does hi
conmissi5n say so Do the principles of on
Constitution authorize this blending Judica
with Executive powersa 1t is Fundamental
doctrine Of our Government that these depart
! ments shall be kept distinct. Ne implication
can justify their Union in the same individual
, nor can unconstitutional powers be impaste
. where none are possessed by tie source fror
which they emanate. The people of Florid
are entitled to the principles Of our Constitu
. ton and this union Of executive and judIcia
. powers is too monstrous to be defended
, Mr.. Wright did not rise to enter into tn
/ merits of the case, ssnd would confne his re
, marks to the propriety Of bringing the subiec
r before tie House. lie would ask, quo AMIN
t was this evidence to be obtained VIVA
was the object or consequence Of impeach
ment? To convict of crime . No-that wa
confded to the criminal judge. The powe
, of impe aehment acts only on the Office, an
if the person arra;gned holds no Office, tier
: is nothing wherein to act; and the man VIII
is fl,letits Qtfcio, in regard to his office, is
: much beyond the power of impeachment
l If he were physically dead. Mr.. w. woul
e engage that we should have business enoug
e on our hands for six months to come, withor
4 | neddline with this controversy. He believe