Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-07-23
NINIAN EDWARDS.
To tie Honorable .I,hn Ey,,J c,u,. =

| W w, &C.
NINIAN EDWARDS.
10 Me Honorable lola EyovI (,,a,,.,,,,,,, G.
IN ia", committee having again repeated to me
on last evening, that there are po--,,.,-.,. VIZ
e"ns' me submitted 10 them; that thei, invest;
s'uoh VIII be confined 10 the six specific, s,,to
"e,''s which have alleged against Mr.. Cr,,v
io!a' IN my address to the House: and tl,ot ;f
"cu u produce further testimony. I nns
- IN writing the names of Witnesses whom
We" ~ nave summoned, and the points eHpcc,
~ 'hc'n; cannot consent TO take 10.
On myself the responsibility which NAV Lo ;ee
posed upon me, ny s,Ihjccting the Goyernmen,
10 great expense, and uiany gentlemen to .n,,b
i'cr'onai inconvenience, without explaipin- IN,
! cause and reasons which, in nv opinion. i,nn,sf,
. upon me the necessity &, do So
| need not enlarge iipan the reasons he,ct,.
iorc gwen, why think. I have been unncocs-
'ariy caiied upon, against ms. own consent. "a
give testimony in this case. That measure, hos
been adopted; IFS effect has been to ,r;np. ON !,
'riai OF myself Upon collateral points, in the
iiion injurious form, surprising me by accusa-
IONS and imPeachmcI.ts of my character OF
which could have had no previous notice.
iiaVinS been made witness, might l,ayo
had less ground OF complaint If had only been
reluircdto dciend my general character for We
raciy; oat as the thing now stands am COM
FS''NN. atl.sr1t,O.lS
inc iirst notice oi Which has been from the
mouths ofthc witnesses summoned against me
ms, think, was not demanded by any mate
rial iact IN tins case, aud it surely can derive,
no Justlcation from the rules of common law
If mistake not, it is sound legal principle
That a witness shall neither be compelled to dis
credit himself, nor shall adverse patry be
permitted TO ask him question with a view to
discrcdit him.
WHY iOrca1 IN ho> , Il
yer knew, nor could conjecture until the com
mittcc did me the honor, on last evening. to
state TO me that it was in consequence OF my
having charged Mr.. Crawford, in one of;,ys sin
SPECIFIC statements, with having suppressed the
letter OF the Receiver at Edwardsville, menti
onedm my examination before the Select Com
'nittee OF FEBRUARY 1925 and with a view to as
certain what knew upon that subject. -
This. must insist upon, is a very great mis-
apprehension on the part of the committee, and
most injurious one to me, if it shall be per-
severed in. /.
do most positively disclaiin ever having had,
or now having, any Intention to include the let
ter in the charge Of suppresslons submitted 10
the investigation OF the committee by the House
of Representatives.
1t is not reasonable to suppose that couL,
have intend ed to impose upon myself an obliea-
ton to produce proof of the suppression of mar
ucular letter, which the whole scope of nv adj
dress, and every fair inference from it, showed
lconsideri 1t as my misfortune not 70 be able tc
produce.
But ut IS not 4 fair inference from any thiun
expressed in my address, that intended to in
cllde this letter In the charge OF suppressions.
In page Is of that address, | say il could
have been no object with me to have established
an additional suppression upon him, for, if time
do not fail me, will be seen, before am dong
with this subject, that | had in INV possession
proof, whose credblity could not be questioned,
OF his having suppressed, in variety of other
instances, letters enough OF 4 much more i,:ipor-
tant character, and delicate bearings for anv
purpose that the utmost malignity could have
contemplated, as possible 10 be elected by such
meaus.n
Here then is clear indication that in what
should thereafter say, did not intend to rely up
on that letter, but others much more important,
and whose credbility couM not be questioned, G.
yIdenlly meaning these that could be established
by the documents furnished by hamselE
Turning to the charge itself(sce address page
25) 1t Is found to be expressed in the following
words, viz: That lie has, in several instances,
withheld information, and letters called for by
the House, and which it was his duty to hay
communicatel.n
The specifications of the charge, after refer
ring to a particular case only, commences in
the following words, viz:
But 1t also appears, that he and his officers
oil The Treasury Department have not been able
to flDd great number ofother letters, and even
some OF his own Official ones, when required by
other calls oft!ie House or if they could be
found they were suppressed. OF this, the docu-
r1ents furnished by himself afford both abur,-
dant, and conclusive proof Many instances
might be stated for the sake of brevity, l viii
alluJc to few of them only.n
Here then Is the practical cXpOsition of the
intention indicated in the 18th page of my all
dress, in regard TO the suppressions on which l
iateadeato rely. The suppressions referred 10
in the staboye recitcd paragraph, are express
iy confined to those which could be proved 6y
the Documents farn;shed by hi1rselC and OF
these Il fer. only arc specifically designated, and
being all that l exhibited against the Secreta-
ry, mast be al that am bound proye. They
were deemed enough, for any purpose, and moro
therefore were not intended to be included.
The publications under the signature Of a.
q. transmitted viii, my address are also referred
to for specifications, bat these contain no refer
ence TO any suppressions bit those which tit
documents establish
Besides the suppression of &c Receivers let
ter according TO the decision of the committee
which am not disposed IN contest, was fac
wholly immctcral since the description which
| gave oft in my examination in February
1928, and the copy prolnced 10 the coininiUc
both prove that 1t was not one of those letter
which the committee suppose was embraced b.
the call of the ijO:ise upon Mr.. Crawford.
For these, and the reasons ] have heretofor
had the honor TO submit 10 the committee,
not only think the testimony j ain about 10 AS
| for, ought not 20 DO considered necessary in th
present investigation, bat, that my own tcstimo
ny, aud all that which has already been take