Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-04-30

said to have taken place, while yet fresh III re-
and purporting, as understood 10
contain what Mr.. Krcmer had said to HIM.
1t seems that this paper was shown to MT.
CLAW, who no doubt was advised OF, and d.
rected, all the movements in operation. His
information, however, was not always accu.
rate. This written apology, which, he says,
was refused by reason of the advice forced up.
ON Mr.. Kremer, by his friends, was not seen
nv me until the next morning. When 1t was
first offered to NJ. Kremer, he Indignantly
said that he would sign no paper and would
not even read it; nor did he read it until MIR.
Rrent's certificate appeared about three weeks
afterwards, when it was only remembered foi
the sake of being compared with the state.
ment. II is probable, after Mr.. Kremer had
EXPRESSED in so decided manner his determi
nation to have nothing to do with it, nor to Of
fer any explanation of his letter, in writing OF
otherwise, that put the paper into my peck
ct. for afterwards found it among my papers
certainly gave him no advice before his re-
fusal, nor had any occasion to do 1t, or to
urge him to consult his friends on that subject.
| have no hesitation to say, however, that II
nv advice had been asked, should have urg.
ed him not to sign it, even against the opinion
of every other friend he had. am confident
that no human power could have prevailed
upon him to sign that paper, orto have retract-
ed a single statement contained in his letter.
The discussion on the committee of Mr..
Cly's appeal lasted till late in the day. / have
already noticed the efforts of Mr.. Clay and his
friends upon Mr.. Kremer during that day.
Mr.. Clay says Mr.. Kremer rendered an atone
ment to Mr. Brent, which he was ready to
make in his place the next day. If so, why
did Mr.. Webster, jealous, personal and po-
ltical friend of Mr.. Clay, go to Mr.. Kremers's
lodgings that same night; seek and obtain a
private interview with him; say to him that
he had Just written letter to friend, in which
he had spoken Of him as an ardent, honest
and faithful representative; expressing SIN
cere regard for him, and an anxious wish for
the amicable adjustment of mis- difference with
Mr.. Clay; suggesting that some slight expla-
nation would be satisfactory, and put an end
to the investigation Why did another friend
of Mr.. Clay propose to Mr.. Kremer only to say,
that he did not intend the letter for publica-
ton, and that he would move a reconsidera-
ton of the vote to appoint committee Some
of these flattering attentions were no doubt in-
tended to discover the nature of his evidence,
as understood their inquiries were often d.
rected that way. Never was a more Jealous,
unremitting, and persevering effort made, by
men more deeply skilled and thoroughly vers-
ed in the art of controlling the operations of
the human mind, than was practised for TWEEN
ty-four hours by Mr.. Clay and his friends i'll
this case; and never was there 4 more COM
plete abortion in such an undertaking. Mr..
Clay and all his host of agents and managers
were foiled upon all points thus far.
In the mean time public attention was awak-
ened to an inquiry that was most portentous
and appalling to the projected combination
Their newly raised fabric was trembling in
every joint, but they were forced to proceed.
Chagrin, modification and disappointment sat
on every brow. To go on was desperation,
but to turn back was death. They therefore
proceeded; the committee was ballotted for;
many members refused to vote, and the caucus
committee, with one exception, was carried.
Mr.. Clay says they were all political oppo-
nents. had not supposed him capable of
such bold disngenuousness. Six out of seven
of them rOted far his application for commit
to him personally. There is no reason, how
ever, for complaint against the committee
Whatever the motives might have been in the
they are not censurable for any of
their proceedings. Mr.. Kremer denied their
on grounds that believe cannot
be shaken. The only prctence set up against
the course he took is, that he at first admitted
the jurisdiction. This sole pretence contains,
however, severe censure of Mr.. Clay's con-
duct, as he brought the question before the
house, when no such pretence existed to JUS
tify him, for Mr.. Kremer had then made no
admission.
1t is well settled point, that an acknow-
edgment of jurisdiction gives no power to a
court, and party has perfect right to avail
himself of this plea in any stage of the proceed
ngs. Suppose one member had complained
% the house that another had charged him
with cheating at cards, and the latter, conf
lent of the truth of his case, had agreed to
nave committee appointed to investigate the |
acts, that the house might punish the offend
,r The complainant might allege in that case,
Is in this, that if guilty of the fact, he was
Unworthy of holding his seat: Would the |
house, for these reasons, acquire constitu.
ional jurisdiction in such a casel Certainly |
not Still less could it be done for publishing |
letter, what ever it might contains for this is
/ privilege specially granted to the people,
beyond the force of law, enacted by the whole
legislative power of the nation.
1 approved of Mr.. Kremer's pleading to the
jurisdiction of the committee. He determin-
ID to do so exclusively on the ground that the
proceeding might form dangerous example
or future abuse of power, in restraining the
exercise of sacred and inviolable right. A
conclusive answcrto all that Mr.. Clay has said
against this plea, is, that the committee, COM
posed, as he says, of some of the most 'emi-
nent members of the body admitted it, by
not attempting to exercise jurisdiction after
Inc plea was made. Mr.. Kremer was anxious
% exhibit his evidence, considerable part of
which he knew he could not obtain yolunta-
lily, but he had reason to suspect an intention
% confne the investigation to charges not con-
aimed in his letter, as the house had already |
,efused to confne the committee to its words. |
10 have acquitted Mr. Clay, after examining |
Mr.. Kremer, would have been by implication |
% convict him, although he might have been |
,ble to prove every assertion he had made
MIR. Kremer's determination avoided the es-
Adjustment of dangerous precedent, and al
10 the new snare which he had just cause to
believe was by some intended for him. He
therefore chose to lay the case before the pub
lie, which he promised to do forthwith