Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-02-08

discussion on this subject to Thursday. If there
was any corruption existing in the House il would
have been consummated by that time. and IN. n,oof
OF II would then De within the reach of the House
The question was then taken on Mr. Archcr,s
motion, and decided in the negative-Ayes 63.
Noes ] ii.
MIR. FoRSYTH asked the Ayes and Noes on the
motion for committee, which were accordingly
ordered.
Mr. FooT, (of Connecticut,) moved 20 amend the
motion, by striking out the part which prescribed
the mode of choosing the committee, and the modi-
hcation was accepted by the mover.
MIR. BUCHANAN then moved that the House do
nov adjourn, which motion negatived, oulv 50
rising IN the affirmative.
Mr.. MDUFFIE moved to amend the resolution
by adding instr action to the committee ..to in
Quirc whether the friends of MIR. Clay have hiuted
That they would fight for those who would paw hest
any thing to that effect, and whether uvcrtu,es
were said 10 have beeu made by the friends of Mr.
Adams to the friends of Mr.. Clay, Offering him the
appointment of Secretary of State !or his id To- elect
MIR. Adams, and whether the friends of Mr. Clnv
gave tins norma tion to the friends of Jackson and
united that II the friends of Jackson would offer tine
same price, they would close with them, and whe-
thef Henry Clay has transferred, or resolved to
transfer, his interest TO John @. Adams and ,vbe
ther rwas said and believed, that as Il consi,lera-
ton tor this abandonment of duty to his consttu-
ents, Clay was to be appointed Secretary of State
and that the said committee be authorised To send
Tor persons and papers, and to compel the persons
so sent for, to answer all questions touching The
subject referred To, upon oath"
III the investigation was to take place. he wished
to make a boundary beyond which the committees
Sh0nld not go, IN the exercise of its duty. He did
not know what was the practice as to examining
witnesses, but in the parliamentary practise of
England, they were examined on oath. He wished
mat no distinction should be made between the
persons who might be subjected to examination.
Mr. RANDOLPH then rose, and stated that of the
proceedings of that body, he had rot been a pa tent
but most reluctant nearer. He believed tbe
opinions entertained ofthis country were sufficiently
dlScouragng, without her enemies at home endea-
voring to injurc her still further? What would he
SAID now: lie could not, one of the oldest
members OF that body, help asking to what we are
ABOUT TO reduce ourselves, in the estimation of the
public, and Ill our own? Are we the CONGRESS of
the United States! Are we sitting here 10 deliber-
ate on high Federal measures, or az mere narish
overseers, 10 settle disputes? He did not wish IN
enter into the question. lie kept himself aloof from
1t. lie begged the House 10 consider what il was
ABOUT To do. III he had misapprehended its DUR
poses, he asked pardon; but if he understood ,he
proposition, it is, that the House should do tina,
winch 1t would be derogatory To an individual of
the House to do That which an individual should
not touch, is brought to the House. He could no,
a member of it. He rose to do that which tbc
House ought TO do. He then moved the indefinite
poStpohement OF the resolution, and amendments
MI FORSYTH said he scarcely knew in what
terms to reply to the charge that this proceeding is
derogatory 10 the House. The proposition goes to
institute an inquiry into the honesty of the presiding
ofhcer, who is charged with breachrof honor
VIII any gentleman say this course is derogatorve
Are we to stand by Silent spectators and see this
cha i,I,
had different idea OF the duties of the House =
They had great legislative duties to perform. hut
they had also other great duties to perform. which
related TO their own character. He asked the gem
ueman from Virginia, whether if he had been
charged by a member with corrupt bargaining, he
would not have asked for an inquiry? Would not
this hall have rang with his demands for an inves-
uSaiom And to what state is the House re-
duced iii may not do this? If ii were not done.
what would become of the character of the House,
One consequence would be the MULTIPLICATION of
PERSONAL conflicts abroad the the introduction
oil personal encounters into tits House
lie mad known instances where the influence of
congress had been eXerted 10 prevent nIisunder-
standings out of doors. lie did no. court these
proceedings, but when charges preferred by one
gentleman against another tits due to the chara cter
OF the House TO grantsimyestigatio ton. Why are we
permitted TO eXpc if Hs constitution does not give
us the power to investigate? In these cases there
can be no punishment buu that WHICH is inflicted
mere. He hoped,af cdxfNpt PRACTICES were proved
that pnnishnentwould be inflicted He had no
doubt that it would.
me Speaker then pronounced the motion of Mr.
Randolph to be out Of ORDER because g motion to
amend was before The committee.
Mr.. RANDoLPH explained that il was under the
view OF an express disclaimer Of any such results as
had been anticipated by the gentleman from Geor-
ga, that he had made his motion.
Mr. M'DUFFIE then withdrew his amendment,
in order that the molion.of Mr.. Randolph might be
put
Mr.. MOORE, of Alabama, moved that the House
do now adjourn, but only 53 members rising i'll the
affirmative, the motion did not prevail.
The question was then taken, by ayes and noes
on Mr.. Randolph S motion for indefinite postpone
ment, when there appeared-Yeas'77-N I27.
So the motion was ncgatved.
Mr.. 3'DUFFIE then renewed his motion to amend.
The cries of question" were now very loud.1 He
said it did not become hiu to express the feelings
which rose i his bosom. He had but few remarks
to make, and lie would make them, let the cry of
question" be as LOUD as it would. Ifthe CHARGES
were to be investigated ne wished them to 60 to the
committee Ill the language i'll which they had been
made. This was one of our most important rights,
and 1t ought be exercised where there was an al
tempt to put member down. The House is act
ing under an impression thatthe letter charges the
House with corruption 1t Charges no such thing
lie wished to confne the committee to the facts 1t
was an indictment for libel, and he wished to pur
sue the common FORM. lie regretted that the in
vestlgation to take place; but, since ii was let
1t be conducted in the usual mode. Iii concluded
with dIsclalmlng any hostile feelings towards the
friends of Mr.. Clay, in his amendment. Those
feelings bad been imputed TO him, but amongst the
friends of MIR. Clay he recognised some of his own,
and those he much valued.
MIR. MALLARY, of Vermont, said few words
against the amendment.
MIR. ELLIS then noved that the House do nov
adjourn. Ayes 79-noes lO5. So tn motion was