The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1822-09-03

assertion, 'lnsquivocally pronounce to be
utterly destitute Of that verify, which ought
always To characterize assertions made to
the public.
The story is briefly this
Last winter was a wear. at my Iodpinps.
III conversation with some of my friends,
we were discussing the advantages of the
occupation of the Oregon, or Colombia ri
yer, the value ofthe fur trade of our western
rivers, the wealth to be derived from that
lfaIe III the Canton market, and the practi-
caouhy oil supplying the valley of the Mis-
slssiPpI with the manufactures of China by
uiat route when one gentleman observed
mat the mississippi had been discussed at
uheht, and from the character of the gen
ueinen engaged in il, there was strong
probability, that, if | had that cOrrespon-
dence, ! would obtain something, which
might be useful to me. had then prcsen-
Yea 10 the house, my report upon the occli
Patloh oil That river, and would have to
make an exposition of the bill when it came
up Tor discussion. ] instantly determined
TO make the call, as the proper mode ofget-
ing the papers: but, soon found my bill
Tor It's occupation, could not, from the place
1t held IN the orders Of the day, be acted up
on that season then determined to post
pone the call until the next session.-Ac-
cordinsly on the 18th Of january last, / re-
qneSted all the papers and on the 23d of
February, the president answered that re-
quest, ticking more than month to prepare
copy.
Mr. Adams says after commenting upon
this, that, :" it viii be observed, that nearly
two months had interviewed, between the
report OF the Client treaty documents To
the House, and this second call, which Mr..
Russell bias admitted was made at his sug-
gcstion."
Mr.. Adams knew very web, the papers
were sent to the house on the Rod of Fee
bruary, and not only ordered 10 lie on the
table, rs he states, but likewise ordered 10
be printed: had notsn opportunity ofex-
aiming them until they were printed,
which would of course require some DAYS.
But IN that time, had received intelligence
Of the Affections of my family, and Mr..
Adams does know, obtained leave of alb
sense for the remainder Of the session, be
lievlng it not possible for me to return.
] left the city, believe, about the 18th
of March, but my family being restored to
health | returned TO Washington, and arri-
we'd, on Sunday the 18th of April went
into the house on the 18th and on the 9Th
submitted the second resolution, calling
specifically for Mr.. Russcl's letter; that
resolution was adopted on the 10th.
The reason of this second call was, that,
on examining the papers could not find
any thing wanted, though did perceive
from Mr.. Russell's letter dated the 25th of
December, from Client, that he intended
to write fdlly, and naturally concluded he
had done so, as he was public man, and
IN the discharge, as thought, OF his duty
and too, expected what wanted was con
tanned IN the letter, to Wit, touching the
value oftfe Mississippi river.
will take no part IN the controversy be-
tween Mr.. Russell and Mr.. Adams, nor
would | now have written, had not Mr.. /
Adams gone ont fhis way, in endeayoring
to place me in an attitude, which hr must
know, nothing but his Injustice could have
exhibited me in.
am alnost as much snrprized at the |
memory Of the friend Of the National In |
tcflIScncer, rs at all the rest of this affair
he has certainly reported to that paper as
far as he went 4" substantially" what hap
penra in that debate /; but the surprize is,
that his memory fails at the precise point
" acre my Justification begins. recollcct
what was said, and made these remarks, !
and nearly in these words-Jhat | had |
made the previous calls, and had not re-
neWed 1t, as the latter wanted had becn
specifically desired aud the President al |
ready knew thc wishes of the house, and |
might send il il he thought proper, as he !
" = the Judge Of tar proprety of doing SO
| did not think another resolution to the |
same effect would be consulting the digni- |
~ of the house and il the papers would |
produce misunderstanding aud i'll blood,
between mcn high in office and public es-
fecm, which the President, who had the |
papers seemed to insmuate, would not be |
the means of producing that evil. What |
wanted was the information, which sup
posed the papers TO contain relative to the |
value of the Mississippi, which would ac-
fordlnS to my view of the occupation Of
tks Columbia river, show the value of the |
trade TO flow in that chanpcl, which " as to |
connect those two great rivers; and that |
there could not be any thing difficult to
comprehend in that-That if the president I
would tell the house such consequences I
would flow from the communication, end
at the same time state, that copies of the
papers would be furnished to any gentle
man at the department OF state, who might |
desire them, WAS thing left for me to ius-
lily and 10 reconcile wished myself TO |
be correct and said this for my own ustifi-
cation, and to show my own consistency, |
and not the presidents.
Will close these observations by obser.
wing TO you, that have seen in your paper
a few days ago, the remarks contained in .
Charleston journal.-l cannot divine how +
the writer knew had made a motion to
refer the Presidents communication TO NV