Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-04-28
4. A WESTERN SENATOR.
COMMUNICATED for the National InteIligencer.l

. WED ERN SENa lux.
Communicated for the National InteIligencerl
Messrs GALES & SEAToN:
The Alexandria Phenix Gazette, Of the Dist
instant, has just been put into my hands in which
find three columns filled with remarks, origi-
nal and quoted, upon the subject Of a molten
made by Mr. RANDOLPH, in the Senate Of the
U States, against which, it is stated, | was
twice prevented from speaking, by the VICE
PRESIDENT, while Mr. Randolph was permitted
to speak half an hour in favor of it.
This transaction has attracted much more no.
tice than its importance merits; and should
say nothing upon the subject but Tor the anta-
vorable point of view in which my character is
exhibited by the Editors Of the Alexandria Ga
zette and Richmond Wing, who, trust, will
perceive they have done me in Justice, when they
Shall be accurately informed of the facts attend
ing the transaction alluded to.
In this case, there has been some misappre-
hension on the parl Of those who take notes of
the debates iii the Senate. The most careful
Stenographers frequently commit errors. II
those errors are important, they are carefully
corrected, if not. they pass without notice.
In the present case, it's stated m the Nation
al Journal that Mr.. Randoiphs motion to lay
the resolution on the table was adopted. This
was not the fact The resolution was not laid
upon the table, but postponed. This error,
believe, has not been corrected NJ: 10 II of the
least importance to the public that i: should be;
nor to the editor Of that paper-as IT must be
apparent that The error arose from mere mad
vertence, without the least design to misrepre
sent.
The circumstances attending Mr.. RandOlph's
motion are these: On the 3lst March, the re-
solution proposing an amendment to the Con-
stitution ofthe United States, TO limit the pc
RODS to which any person may be elected Pre-
sident of the y. States, had been read third
time, and the question was-Shall the resolu-
ton pass? Mr.. Randolph said, if he must be
called upon to vote upon the resolution at that
time he should vote against 1t. He was OPP
posed to all amendments OF the Constitution
He made some further observations, and con-
cluded by moving ''lo lay the resolution on the
table, at least till tomorrow To this | OBJ
served that must object, unless the gentleman
from Virginia wished time TO examine into the
merits of the question, for the purpose OF ma
king up his own mind; which | could not sup
pose, as he seemed determined to vote against
all Constitutional amendments. At this time,
it was intimated from the Chair, that the mo-
ton did not admit of debate. proceeded,
however, to state, that if the gentleman wished
to address the Senate upon the resolution,
should not object TO his motion, but if he did
not, thatI hoped he would not obstruct the
passing of it al this time. then took my seat.
Had proceeded further, l presume | should
have been peremptoriy called to order. MIR.
Randolph replied at some length, and when he
took his seat, again rose, but was again re-
minded that the question lid not admit OF de-
bate however observed, that only rose to
request the gentleman from Virginia to change
his motion to that Of postponement, as that
would permit the resolution 10 come up in It's
proper course the next day, without a. special
motion for that purpose.
Mr.. Randolph Immediately assented, and the
motion 10 postpone was adopted without di-
vision.
Had wished to debate the question, should
have requested MIR. Randolph to so far modify
his motion as to give me that opportunity,
which he no doubt would have done, as an act
of courtesy, which believe he has never refus-
ed to any Senator; and this is done almost daily,
upon motions to lay subjects upon the table.
Whether it was correct IN me, 10 add Sim
gle sentence 10 what had said after the Vice
President gave an intimation that the motion
did not admit of debate, will not pretend to
saw but the discipline Of the Senate has never
been so strict as TO have prevented me. My
observations, however, led to the reply of Mr..
Randolph.
In the Irtelligencer of the slst March, it is
stated that "Mr. Dickerson objected to laying
the resolution on the table, unless the gentle.
man from Virginia wanted time to examine in
TO its merits, and was about 10 add some re-
marks, when he was reminded by the CHAIR
that the motion, now pending 10 lay the resolu-
ton on the table, did not admit of debate, and
Mr. Dickerson took his seat" 1t is true, that
l made the observation stated, before was re-
minded that the question did not admit Of de-
bate. 1t is also true, that took my seat in con-
sequence of the intimation from the Chair, but
not until had said what have stated.
A few days since, Mr.. GREEN, who learnt