Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-12-30

say whether the chief motive By which the Presiiep
was influenced was, to free his character from certain
Pu,a'iohs winch were cast upon it, 10 obtain, sim
ply, the settlement of account. The messape bore
that double aspect and MANY were at n loss to teer
rnnc which oil the two motives the most operative
ne case now stood ON different grounds ard must be
regarded as only an application for the settlement of
Cdit AT uc last session the subject referred 10
select committee, to collect and report the evidence nm
which the CLAIM rested. That committee went into an
examination OF tie subject, and reported all the evil
dence IN the case which is now before the House IT
was therefore, 10 be reasonably Inferred that most oC
The abour .hCh would arise out of the case had been
already performed by that select committee II was
uu lew GAYS since, that the subject revived and
e House then determined TO send the co.nittec
VI CLAIMS Alter another interval of few DAVIS the
House is called upon to reverse this ecisiop and
position is made TO send il 10 select committee If the
statement was correct sDd he had no doubt such was
the opinion OF the honorable member of the committee
VINO made tins motion, that the committee had moi the
time TO spare which was necessary fo inves,;,,o The
clam, Tins would constitute some reason for sendin e
suoJect 10 another committee. But, knowing, as he
ou me lndeiatigabie Industry of that committee he
was ot opinion that time would be found for the
gaion II the business of examination was still left in IFS
hands This is said to be question involving matters
OF national Importance. His intellect was too ob,uee
10 understand this Believing that if il had obtained
ths character for Importance. was entirely unmcr
he could not copsent to lend his consent t the
IT, indeed, It possessed that double aspect which or;
naiy belonged to it, might be referred to select COIN
mttee winch might unite the two fold character OF a
committee on claims and o. honor He scorned
as much as any member the inur to appeal to tho
mean and base passion of the multitude witt, y ya,v IN
obtain spurious popularity but as he had once before
oeeh competed 10 state, on tbs subject, he would now
repeat that there sincerity in our profession M
eua rgh'S The lofty and powerful among our citizens
are to be allowed the enjoyment of greater prvilees
than the poor ana the humble In proportion to The
space winch an individual occupies in the public eve
should his acts be scrunized. In MAKING This osocr.
n. any
the contrary, he declared r the face of Heaven Tia,
nothing wond give him pleasure than TO ossess
ue power Oh ceuscientIousv according in n vote. TO an
PoPrate money 10 tins distinguished Individual lie
would then give his assent with as much sincere deph
as he di TO the appropriation made az the last session IN
orr beloved friend and guest, Gen. LAFAYETTE lie
"ished IN thls government the principle to sink deep
not Only ITO the hearts OF the members of this House
out oil The nation, that in questions of right all indiv
duals arc TO be brought 10 the same standard
In the original message which had been received on
ths suoect the ground taken, and it an important
feature IN thIs case was, that il of Importance to
Tins nation that inquiry should be instituted into the
duct OF public officers, matter of precedent When
such claim is urged US, and The decision of the
House upon 1T is required precedent o,yc RIO not
10 guard the precedent. Ought il not TO be sent 70
committee which llas fixed and rigid rules bv which il
is reguated-which is as blind as Justice and Nc ;
tIai 1T was well known in the nation as il s in tb;s
House, that special committee understood TO bn co
ected from among those members who are friendly +,
To Lo
eve that he would cherish the fame of the DISTINGUISHED
individual, whose claim was now before it. rs ;ers,
~ as any member; and lie was DESTROYS as anv TO
reeVe his character from every thing like inputaion
anu nc was ready 10 yield every praise to the Committee
raised last session. for It's industry and INTEGRITY Rut
1t was understood TO be the courtesy of the House IN
muse considerable portion friendly feeling into such
committees. The Committee Of Claims on the con
ary' had rules which rigid and inhcxi-
PIE; and as this case TO stand as matter of nrcca
dent, 1t ought TO be settled under unbendinm ro Tr
under The pressure OF other business the Commute Of
Iiains would be compelled 10 postpone some petoos
wherefore should II not be discharged from the corsIe
ration OF other Clams:-wh1 extend this courtns, ci
to tho claim of The Fix .Pfsslcnio yvheraE,ro ;ro
TINS claim preference over other claims which are
scented? why should IT share the same fate y;th
others lie again begged to repeat that be scorned TO
sacrIhce principle for the sake OF gaining DnpuIar o..
applause; but he felt that equal Justice onobt ,o b T
te1ded to every clizen and this ground he .bouIl
| RESIST The present application. He knew of no case
"hich mad come before the House Hh all the pomp
and circumstance in which this case was clothed and ba
was not alsposod on that account distinguish it above
others Believing, as he did that the Committee If
Clans would have time at the session. they had
not at present; and that in this Committee II wonII he
tried by rules of iufexibity he would desire IN nos,
pone 1t. lie knew very we'll the horror which was ex
pressed when this subject was taken from, the Sole,
Committee and referred to the Committee on Claims. !,
was not confined TO the House. but extended thronrl
me streets. tie would not, however take his opinions
nj
i mosPhcTe many things are done from courtesy I,
CLAIMS were made he held that il not only the duty
OF the House onvestgate but place all on the
ooting and TO make all subject to the same rifles He
regretted that 1t was his duty come forward on b,.
OCCASION or that such should have been bis conceptions
otduty lie bad now performed it, however and what
ever might be the decision Of the House on the subject
he was prepared 10 bow to it. He knew there was a
na"kIsh senstblty-or what others rnirh DESIGNATE =
high chivalric spirit which was prone 10 those courte
sizes to which he was opposed But he would never al.
low this nawkIsh feeling to divert him from the course
which he had been induced to take from feelino If
recttude, and sense of equal justice. He hoped the
motion OF the gentleman from Virginia would not pre-
vail. P'I
IN: TCoy said he wished to say one or two words in
reply to what had fallen from the gentleman from Norf
CaToina for although he regarded that gentlernans
n,rabe and sincere feeling highly as any enc he
could not but think his course on this occasion affected
with singuaTity As to acts of courtesy which tie oen
tleman so strongly condemned thev yere the CONNIE,
acts OF the House and formed part Of every DAVIS
practice 1t was the custom to refer all extraordinary
cases to select committees. He had been member NJ
The House some Ia or years, when references Of tbs