American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-05-18

| Edwards testimony before The committee of the
last session, who were inquring into the suppress
sion of parts of the documents above referred TO-,
were considered by Mr.. E. as impeaching his vera
CITY, and hence his memorial
| The objects of the memorial appear to be TO
corroborate his statements by other facts, and to
weaken the force of Mr.. Crawford's testimony as
TO the non existence Of the letter in question, BY
referring to numerous cases wherein the Secretary
| has failed to communicate documents called for,
either by reason Of forgetfuness, neglect, or their
not being deemed proper to be placed on the
| hles." He undertakes to prove the existence of
many documents which the House have called for,
and which have not been sent.
| Among other cases, the celebrated negro SNUG
Cling business, at Amelia Island, and then the
Greek Agency, by the aid of Mr.. Crawford's par
ticular friend, Gov. Mitchell, the Creek Agent, has
been brought into view. The history of that case
! IS briefly this A large number of African me-
groes we're found in the possession OF Mitchell, at
the agency. They were seized by order of Mr..
M'Intosh, COLLECTOR of Daren, in Georgia, who
communicated the facts to Mr.. Crawford, showing
strong grounds of belief that the agent was inter
ested in the traffic. Some time AFTER viz Dec. 81
1919, the House of Representatives called upon
the Secretary by resolution for copies of all the
communications received since 1916, and such
other information as might be in his possession on
the subject OF the illicit traffic in negroes. Mr..
Crawford, in answering this resolution, it is said,
withheld every thing which could in the leas; i'm.
plicate his friend Mitchell. The letters thus alledg.
ed to have been withheld are two form Gov. Mitch
ell himself, of the 25th OF December, 1917, and oil
the 18Th of February. 1919 also letter from the
collector OF Darien, to Mr.. Secretary Crawford, da-
ted the 9th OF March 1918, with an enclosure oil
the proceedings Of the officer who seized the negroes
at the agency. The conduct of the Creek Agent
was afterwards investigated by the Attorney Cen
eral, at the request OF the President, and he was
pronounced guilty oil wanton breach of the laws
against importing Africans, and for mercenary
purposes.
The questions arising in this case are not difficult
to be decided, and the facts do not depend upon any
information to be derived from Gov. Edwards
They must appear upon the face of the public doc
uments, and files of the Treasury Department, or
from the testimony of the collector OF Darien, or
the Attorney General, who adverts to both the above
letters of Mitchell in his report. The questions
| are:
| /. Did the House of Representatives pass re-
solution calling upon the Secretary of the Treasu
| ry, for the information.
| g. Has Mr. Crawford communicated all the
information in his possession on the subject? II
he has not, was the Information withheld embraced
within the call These facts can no doubt be as
cerained ; and they will shew whether Gov Ed
wards has made false charge, on this point, against
| Mr., Crawford.
If it be true, that an executive officer OF the
government, has withheld, intentionally, documents
Of such importance, in defiance of the authority Of
Congress. il constitutes a very serious offence.
1t should be observed, that nearly all the public le
gislaion of the nation depends upon information
received through the depart ments and their com.
muncations ought therefore TO be as true as a re-
cord they involve the deepest interest OF the
ton, and whether the House of Representatives
regard their own character, their duty to the
people, they will ascertain the facts and if found
as charged, will fearessly correct the procedure,
let the guilt fall where it may.