Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-04-27


were made against him, but has cast imputations
upon all who seem 10 have been in the way of
his original design, which has been pursued with
pertinacious malignty. Were this mans request
allowed, and his cal,uTnics printed by the
House, would it not be right 10 receive and print
also the dcit nee of Mr.. Dickens or any other
citizen, Why has he lef, the subject OF hi. own
defence to attack the character of Mr.. Dickins ?
'rha. could not have been necessary. Mr.. Dick.
ms has right to be heard as well as n Munster
to Mexico, rs | trust, every other American
citizen has without regard to station, ard when
the two former committees of this House inves-
tigated this matter, his character was admitted
by all to be good, and entirely ,meNccptionabic.
too, have heard this him ever since | have
been in Congress, though l should not know
him, were we 10 meet in the street; and all a.
gree that nc has discharged his official duties
with honesty and attention, which IS in my opin-
ion, no small Recommendation.
Why has this Minister TO Mexico, who cnons
the confidence OF the President, left the subject
of his defence and referred to the subject of the
illicit Introduction of slaves by a man who was
the friend of Mr.. Crawford, Is he to be ac-
cCuntablc too for his friends conduct. l do
not know any thing of that matter, said Mr.. f..
bat this know, that one OF the gentemen was
suffered by that attack, OF which that mciaorial
rCitcratcs part, has been here demanding re-
paration for wrongs suffered III that affair;
know him too, to be an honorblc man, and that
he will have that matter adjusted. His presence
here was known, presume, 10 the Minister 10
Mexico, and he should then have taken up this
part of his subject. One would think said MIR.
r. that the object of this political Caliban was
more extensive than merely To do himself JUS
tice, or his scope woui; not have been SO broad.
The a. b. eonspirator, however, ought not to
have again attempted tie consunrnate the ohjCc;
of his wishes, after he lad, in such sort sue
cedcd in obtaining the appointment of Minister
to Mexico and the President. confidence. He
had obtained the reward Of so much toll, so
much industry, and SO many dangers, and he
ought to have left behind him the honest repu-
tation to those who had it. rs it no longer proved
barrier to his march to the Mission to sfeXico
and the Presidents favor.
Look at it. Can any man believe, for ALI n-
slant, from the manner in which the memorial
is brought up, that il is not a deliberate design
so much agitatc this country and this House /,
How all that volume could be written from
Wheeling on the Ohio river, with Il reference 10
so mary public documents, is more than l can
comprehend, and more than l believe. There
are two or three charges specifically made, and
yet, from his absence, he wishes the public to
suspend an opinion i'll regard TO him, should
matters turn out unfavcrablc to him, until he
can get back. Why, then, make them, There
are, said Mr.. f. several persons in the Govern
mcnt, in whom l have great confidence--but l
have more in myself; and l wish these charges
TO be investigatedagain, and justice done, though
do not doubt it will result, rs did the inquiry
by the former committees, which had thought
would have prevented all similar attempts; and
considering the question which now occupiestb
public, and his success i'll obtaining Office, did
not think that one of those consprators would
have had the audacity, III his own name, to a.
VOW himself, and show his unblushing front to
this House and the nation though, if my memp-
ry docs not fail me, l saw in the newspapers,
whilst his nomination was before the Senate, a
statement which believed was authorized by
himselfthat he was not the author of that plot.
Had he been known as tn eauthor of that infa-
nous conspiracy, l think hazard little in say
ing, that the Senate would not have confirmed
his appointment. Mr.. f. concluded by moving
that the memorial and papers be referred TO Sc
lcct committee.
Mr.. Livc.1norc suggested to Mr.. Tucker the
propriety of withdra wing his motion to print
the papers, that decision might first be had
on their reference 10 select committee.
Mr.. Tucker, of Virginia, observed, that he
thought egcntlcman from Massachusetts, (Mr.
Webster somewhat mistooll the character of an
order TO print. MIR. II. did not consider that,
in doing so, the House lent its sanction, in any
degree, tothc document ordered tobe printed. Ii
was merely to enable the members to examine
subject at leisure, and understand it thorough
ly. Here is very long memorial, containing
facts and argument, and much of it subtle ar
gunlent too, of which it is impossible to Judge
without deliberate examination. After it is
printed and examined, it may appearthat further
inquiry IS proper-or, it may seem to nc unnc-
cessary. | thought it premature, at this time,
TO give an opinion on the subject But, as my
colleague seems not unwilling to engage in the
investigation, and has moved reference of it to
a select committee, my object Of giving it publ
city will bcattaiucd, and withdraw my motion
to print.
Mr.. Rankin wished that the communication
Of the Secretary of the Treasury, to which the
present documentrefers, might be referred to the
same committee.
Mr.. Wright moved to amend Mr.. FloydAs
motion, by adding, s'and to print it.n
Mr.. Forsyth said, he thought much more i'm
portance was giycn'to this subject than it de-
| served. 1t was an ordinary question TO print a
long statement for the use and information ofthe
| House, and not for the pubic. He was never
| unwilling TO print any paper OF public interest.
During the many years he had been member
OF tins house, Inc had never seen any evil arise
from papers. Whether the House ordered the
statement TO be printed or not, 1t would doubt.
less be circulated in the public newspapers, and
he had no doubt it was prepared for that pur-
pose. 1t was intended, nc presumed, as a SORT
of legacy to the country, by the author, who
was going as Minister to- Mexico-as mark Of
his gratitude for The honor of MS appointment
This honorable gentleman, said Mr. F. was a
Scnatorin Congress when the former iuyestga.
lions took place by committees cr this House
the committee gave him an opportunity of dis.
closing all nc knew Of the allegations, and, after