Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-01-18

Oh inc it7ltuCllOuS proposed ON tir. OUSYrH.
ana they were read accordingly.
Nr. ELLIS then observed that he must dissent
and irl, bound To oppose instruc;ing the com
,nlttcc IN tins manner. lie thought II would
be Cun'inlng the duties of the commit tee to too
narrow limits. Their duty would be little more
ihAna clorllShip, anew agency 10 receive testimo-
uJ. The president was already amply able TO
communicate to this House, through the Speaker
any paper, he wished 10 lay before it, and ifthc
committee was appointed with instructions, it
would come To ltts more. Mr.. L. said g felt
realplcasurc III meeting the President in tue most
respectful manner he could, and he would sub
mt his claims, whatever they might be, to eject
committee. lie could coniide IN the integrity
ability, and general knowledge of business ofthe
Members of the House, aud he hoped that no
instructions would be given to the com .nittce-
Let us meet the President, sail he, with an ex-
preston of warm and kind feelings.
Mr. HAMILTON then moved an amendment
10 the instructions, 10 the following effect:
=" lhat the committee report the explanation and
evidence, submitted by the President, to the
House during the session. MIR. IA. said he
thought that such instructions would he perfect
iy conurnable with the wishes OF the Execu-
tive He agreed with the gentleman from
Georgia III the opinion that no investigation
should take place which might, by the rcmotest
Presidential influence, yet he did not think il
would DE respectful, either TO the President or
tins House, that the committee should file the
evidence he might lay before them, the clerks
! Office. Such direction was like the instruc-
tons given 10 a Master IN Chanccry to take
evidence. Let the committee present the case
submitted to them i'll the form OF report 10 this
House.
Mr.. FoRsyrH hoped that the Amendment Of
The gentleman from 5. l.. would not be adopted.
IL would in effect he the giving
structions at all, and would leave the matter
INST where twas. 1t was obvious that the Pre-
silent felt the delicacy WHICH applied the
case. He feels, SAID Mr. F.. tnat tins iiousc
viii never pass bill, either on an old or Il new
account SO long IS he remains President OF the
Unltcd states. Whence does this feeling arise'
From IN, relative situation 10 this House aud ITS
IN .inb"rF. He Is the source of patruD,ro
,t.id power. lie cannot indeed punish mem |
oers OF this House II they refuse 90 pass bill.
but he can reward them II they do pass if. II |
feels che de!icacy OF his relation To this IIousc
and shall we not feel ii too No, sir; he * moi
"A mere common CLAIMANT; and while would
give hun every facility to lay the evidence nf |
ms claims before thiS House, rwould do NOTHING
more. We are as liable to the imputatiDn oil
being under his Influence in presenting favor !
Dc IN granting money to satisfy his claim. |
gentlemen only want an explanation of hi |
claim, and the evidence to support it, Then
why seek such form of Investigation ms NAV |
brlng an Inputatlon on our own pu.Ity2 The !
President teels this--and we ought TO feel II. |
re asks, lrst, that the purity of his own con-
duct while in office, respecting the disbursc- |
mcnt OF moneys may be publicly ascertainrd. |
This referred merely to tic receipt of his own
salary, and to the disbursement of a very small
tund placed under his control for the CONTINGENT |
expenses, &c. There was no indeIicacY In such !
an mVestgaIon--hc has perfect right To de- !
nand II; and though /, SAID Mr.. +. do not con
ceive II IN the least necessary, vet II is an IN !
vesIgation which may not be refused in the
face Ot this nation. But, in the second ,,locc
the President asks, that while he remains here.
be may have an opportunity to shew and 20 cx- |
plam the evidence respecting certain accounts !
"mcr relate 10 other matters. ifhe does not |
do this while he remains III office. he must come
oack rom his retirement to attend 10 il. wish !
SAID Mr. f. to save this venerable inan from
such TASK; but while ne is in Office. viii n,ynr
consent h say dat large or small sun is due TO
nun. / would never vote Tor an approximation. I
turing his continuance in Office. even if we're
satisfied the sum was due. This House has moth !
Ing 10 10 with the President in money matters |
II
would DE most extraordinary spectacle to see |
this icuse occupied in settling the President, |
accounts with the Government. IF we are TO |
treat hIn as We do other claimants we urst
oenl INN to the accounting officers, and when
MS accounts, come from them - us. we must
ipok at them with scrnncss. am not salts
n9I we should be able al present TO look with
''ernness ut lis counts, and, therefore. il IS
That wish to postpone acting on this matter.
Til we can DO il without violation Of deIicscy.
Mr.. WAKEFIELD, of Maryland, said me rose
with reluctance, being persuaded he could moi
present any views on THIS subject with as much
strength IS had already been done by other
gentlemen; but he mast express bis DECIDED
toany instructions 10 the committee.
The President urges no dc!initlve claim: bui
asks a ilnIdatIoh 81 accounts, ard clearly init
mates that i claim will then arise WIN an !
pose The appointment Of 4 select committee
w as tihS novel instance Had not such COM
nttees been appointed in other cases Mr..
w then referred to tho claim OF General 81.
lair, winch had gone to a select committee
but which, according to the doctrine of some
Gentlemen, ought, II seems, to have gone to the
/ oiTinittee OF CLAIMS. What was the object
ot The apPhcatlohin tIIiS Case2 An appropria. !
ion by Tins Congress- No: and the lnJepcud !
ence OF gentlemen would not be IN the icast
compromised. If rewards are TO operate or
lha decisions of this House, might not their
operation have been with still greater reason
urged IN the case Of the Vice President He
might by contingency, become acting Pre-
'Ideni OF the Union, and by election become
the next President. Tie did not doubt that. if
4 select committee were appointed IL woujd be-
OF men OF integrity and he tak,a
from the most distinguished members of The
House. In such Committee, he felt no fear