Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-04-23
IFrom the Washington Republican,

HOUSE OF ESENrA1IVES-ArRiL 49,
Alter the presentation of some petitions the
Speaker presented to the House cornmuni-
cation from the Hon. Ninian Edwards, in re-
aton to charge made by the Secretary of
the Treasury against him, of having given in
false statements before committee of the
House, appointed to inquire into the ,ransac-
tions OF the Secretary with the Western
Banks.
A motion was made by Mr.. Floyd to lay
the communication on the table.
Mr.. kremer rose amid some excitement,
and called for the reading oft.
The Speaker decided that it was in order
for any member to demand the reading.
Alter some conversation, Mr.. Kremer with
drew his motion, when MIR. Warfield renewed
1t, believing that the House could not act on
any communication, correctly, without an
understanding Of its import.
The Clerk then proceeded to read the
communication, and after he had completed
| about one half of il, Mr.. Warfeld Withdrew
his motlon, which Mr.. Moore, of Alabama,
renewed, when the whole oft was read.
Mr.. Tucker, of Va. moved the printing of
the communication, and went on to make
some remarks upon its language and spirit.
MIR. Webster observed, his first wish was
to preserve the dignity and character of the
House IN matter so delicate as the present.
TO The consideration of the House, either to
order the printing of the Communication, or
To refer 1t 10 a select committee. He was in
iavor ct a reference of the whole subject TO
select committee, as the communication had
already been read. If any gentleman would
move such reference, he would give it his
support
MIR. Floyd, after some observations, moved
mat The subject be referred to select com
mlttee.
Mr.. Livermore hoped it would be Uttered
to lie on the table.
On the question being put on referring the
communication, with the documents, TO a Sc
Irct committee, aud to print them-Mr Fer
| sym made some remarks upon the charac ter
IT MIR. Edwards, when MIR. Wright withdrew
his motion to print, and the question on re-
terring It to a select committee was deter
mined in the affirmative.
The committee was ordered TO consist of
seven,
TUESDAY, April 90, 1924.
| Upon the reading of the Journal of yester.
nay' II appeared that the following gentlemen
had been appointed TO compose the commit
tee on the memorial of Ninian Edwards late a
Senator of the United States from the slate
OF Illinois, yesterday presented to the House,
VIZ Messrs. Floyd, Livingston, Webster,
ltandolph. Taylor, Macarthur, and Owen.
MIR. Forsyth submitted the following for
| adoption by the House
| ReSOlped, That the President be officially
informed that this House has ordered an
| investigation of the memorial presented 10
| this House on the 10Th instant, by n Ed.
','-I-, i~'"ly -rrainfsd MisiStcr TO Mrxico-
that the said N. Edwards may be Instructed
not TO leave the United States before Thar in
vestigation has taken place"
The question of con sideratien Of this motion
being called for ia previous but not usual
question was taken; and there were,
For now considering the motion GIL
>, Against consideringi it 81
30 the House refused no,o TO consider the
proposition.
Mr. Moore, of Alabama, then rose and said
that connected with the subject. be would
take occasion To say, that the gentleman from
Virginia, MIR. FlOyd,) was absent from the
| Iiouse, this morning, when that part of the
journal was read which announces the names
oi me persons appointed on the committee tn
consider Mr.. Edwards Memorial. As he he
leved that, from considerations of delir,cv
The gentleman from Va. would not wish IN h..
Member of the Committee, Mr.. M. took
ms mode OF apprizing him Of the fact, thai
ne might have an opportunity Of asking to be
excused from serving upon il.
Mi. Floyd rose, and requested the gentle
TO repeat his statement Mr. NJ. accOrdInalv'
IN substance, repeated his statement.
MIR. Floyd then said that, in CASE of deli.
cacy concerning him, (Mr. F. be had hoped
that the gentleman from Alabama was the Iast
man in this nation to undertalI. 10 make sue
gestions, and he did not think his doing 90
showed any delicacy on his (AIr. Nl'sl part
! am, SAID Mr. +. the sufficient Judge of nv
conduct IN such case. Perhaps the gentle
man rom Alabama may be acquainted with
some circumstances OF the a. b. Plot, so call.
Ell IN Inc discussions last winter, and subsa-
quenily. III know any thing of m yseIc how
ever, | am capable of doing Justice to every
individual in this nation, whose conduct may
be presented 10 me, in my official CAPACITY. for
examination. When specific charge is made |
against public officer, after the friends oil
That officer, and myself by name, have been
called upon, through that paper which is the
channel of every thing but truth, TO propose
an Investigation, thought il became peculiar |
~ my duty 10 investigate the charge. What
ihlnk oi The accuser in private life is for me
TO consider, and does not touch my public du-
iy. Mr.. i. here alluded TO friend Of the
gentleman rom Alabama (as we understood |
hIm) who had for several successive sessiuns
called upon this House for the impeacbment
of Judge, whom, it seemed. be had previ |
Ousy attempted to bride, &c. and here, he |
SAID were charges, one, two, and three, assert !
ing certain accusations against the Secretary. |
and calling for an Investigation. This, surely. |
was sufficient reason for an investigation being |
pressed by those thus called upon. The Devil
himself might prefer charges here-it would |
not change our opinion Of that parsonage
but it would surely be particular reason for
an investigation by those who are implicated.
So far as the gentleman from Alabama is con |
cerned, said Mr.. F. perhaps tbere>Jnay be