Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-03-05

u. Il
best course, he thought, which this subject
could now take, would be, to refer the subject
to committee OF the whole on the state OIL
The union, and take il up after other subjects,
demanding more immediate attention, should
be disposed OF.
Mr.. ARCHER, rising again, said he now
stood up ON this floor, and said. that he be-
heved, from public report, aud from docn-
ments which had been presented to this kody,
that there had been misconduct aud malver-
sation, either on the part of the Executive, or
OF some other officer of this government, in
regard TO the transactions in Florida aud h,.
told gentlemen of this llnuse who were the
friends Of the Executive and of General Jack
snn, that, If the inquiry were shruak from, an
| inference would he dralwn-TTbe Speaker
here, rs all through this debate, en,eavored
TO con.ine the range ofit.l Mr.. A. said lie did
not mean himself tn imputc any thing impro-
per TO gentlemen, but 10 say, that an Inference
would be drawn by Others, tha' they wished
to suppress all inquiry into the subject. He
told this tn them, not as an ad, ersary hut as n
friend. Some gentlemen had said that the
Executive had declared itself satisfied with
the conduct of General Jackson, &c. If that
was good reason why ITO inquiry should be
made, let the house say so. He was not of
that opiniGn himself, and he entered his most
SOitiih proteSt aRalilStU.
MIR. REID opposed the motion to lay these
resolves on the table--and remarked, that
economy of time would be best promoted by
an immediate decision of the question ,ipon
them. 1t had been already in part discussed,
and II 1t should he postponed, the same
ground would be gone over again Mr.. Il.
WAS proceeding to debate .,lc subject more
largely, when Inc also was called TO order by
the Speaker.
| Mr. NELSON ofVa. said, if any thing could
induce him tn vote against the proposition for
referring this subject, as proposed, il would
be, that gentlemen had departed from the or
binary course Of proceeding, by discussing il
here before an investigation uf the subject nv
committee. But although they had done
that, he would not shrink from the inquiry.
he stood here, not as an advocate or enemy
OF General Jackson or of any body else, but
as Representative of the people of the
United States. If any wrong has been done,
SAID i,e, let it be exposed. And IT, ns suggest.
ed, the characters of honorable and high
minded men are to suffer from a suppression
et inquiry, it is certainly strong reason WHY
an inquiry should be made. Another reason
for inquiry was the dcnuncation, by his col
league, ofthose members who oppose it
Mr.. ARcBEa explained. Nothing was far
thcr from his intention than to inpute any but
| tHe most correct motives to other members ~
the house He only meant to say 10 gentle
men, that though he Gid not mean himself 10
mpute 10 them such an intention, yet they
might have imputed to them, by other per-
| sons VINO might not know them as well as
he did, design To suppress and put down
inquiry.
Mr.. NELsoN resumed. He was too well
aware. he said, of the generous feelings and
rle' 'ied mind of his colleague, to suppose be
Intended to cast any nputation on other mem
beers he saw that he was hurried away by
his feelings for The honor of his country. SC
nto Wi'at he had said. Mr.. N. added, that. if
thls subject was 10 undergo IA discussion, in
add!'ion TO other subjects before the house
he could absolutely see no end to the present
session. but, in defiance of all these ob;ec-
tons, rather than suffer that the justice aud
honor OF this country should he furnished
even by whisper Of suspicion, he ,yn.;ld
unite with gentlemen To lay this proposition
on the table, with view TO taking it II, ,.ad
acting on i, at an early day.
Mr.. WooD observed, that the object of :,
reference was inquiry; but the facts in the
present case were fully before Is Ne ,e-
port that committees could maxi could aive
us any new or additional information lfanv
| thing further was 10 be presented, it should
he embnt.ied in resolution, and come bei,i.e
the house in that shape. To refer it TO a
committee or committees, for further Inquiry,
! would he reference without an object
Mr.. FLOYD, made few general remarks
on the subject, and in reply to what had f.l
len from Mr.. Nelson. The opposition to this
inquiry, he connected, in his view oflhe sub
Jcct, with the OppositIOn which had been
made, the other day, 70 bringing these pa
pers before the house at all. Gentlemen had
told the house that the Executive approved
the course 'of General Jackson. 1t might he
so, but Hr. +. inquired of gentlemen on what
! authority they made this assertion? That
| the gentleman To whom so many illusions had
been made, was great and distinguished per-
sonagc, every body would admir-. But, said
Mr.. f.. whei I'VE are told that perfect iyran-
ny can be established in one of the territories,
and that the executive approves il, it is fit
subject for inquiry. If there were no bounds
/ TO the tyrannical usmrpations--[ Here the
| speaker AGAIN lntcrposed, as he had done dur.
Ing tie whole debate on the present motion,
Ia restrain It's scope, and Mr.. Floyd took his
seat.
| Mr. CANSoS was in favor of having the mo-
ton on the table and of keeping IL there. He
had been of opinion from the first that it was
not proper subject for the interposiion of
tins house. If any improper exercise of au-
th0riiy had existed in Florida, the President
OF the United States was responsible for it,
aud to iHm he wished to leave it, &c.
MT WHITMAN made few further re-
marks 4; when
The question was taken, and the motion to
lay the resolution on the table prevailed
ayes OF, noes IL.
The Speaker presented communication
from the President of the United States, on
the subject of the extinguishment of the In
dian title to certain lands in the state of Gcor-
ga; which, on motion of Mr.. Gilmer, was re-
ierred to a committee of the whole, and or
dcred To be printed.
Thp SPEAKEn nrranntrd q communication