Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-01-02


ent used. il conscious of innocence, can look for
refuge enly to the Hall of the immediate Repre-
senta,ives of the People Ii is thus find myself
most Unexpectedly placed.
On Wednesday morning last, it was for the first
time intimated to me, that charges of a very seri
Gus nature against me. were lodged in one of the
\ Executive Departments during the day, rumors
from everal quarters the effect reached me;
but the first certain information of their character
was received yesterday morning, through one OF
the newspapers of the District II appears, from
its statement; that am accused of the sordid and
infamous crime Of participating in the profits of
contract formed with the Government, throug h the
Department of War, while was entrusted with
the discharge of it's duties, and that the accusation
has been officially presented the basis of an Off
ciaI act Of the War Department, and consequently
10 be placed among it's records, as lasting stigma
on my character.
Conscious of my entire innocence in this and
every other public act, and that have been
incapable, in the performance of duty, of being
influenced by any other motive than sacred re-
gard to the public interest, and resolved, as ras
human effort extend, to leave untarnished
reputation TO posteriiy, challenge the frees in
vestgaton of the House, the only effectu-
ally to repe this premedateG attack to PROSTATE
me, by destroying forever my character.
J. Z. CALHOUN,
Vice President of the United States.
WASHINGTON, 29th Dec. 1926.
The letter having been read
Mr.. Floyd and said, that such the rapid
snccession of members in this House, that there
were but few now present who were members of
i, when the contract, referred to in the Vice Pres-
dents letter, had been subject of examination on
this floor. He was then member, and would
say, that he had paid particular attention TO this
contract, and, in some points of view, it had met
his disspprobation and censure. He could say,
&. thar md fhp old M hers Coulh he,
in the assertion, that he in opposition TO
many Of the measures OF the War Department
during the time the present Vice President presid-
ed over 1t, and frequently thought them too bold,
aud not sufficiently economical; but he had never
seen any thing to impeach the integrity of that
gentleman, nor did he now see any thing to impair
the opinion which he had always entertained OF his
character. But charge is now made against him,
and approve (said MIR. F. the manner in which
he has met it, by prompt demand for an nves,-
cation upon this floor. believe il to be calumny
Il regret, exceedingly regret, that charge of
? such nature, upon such foundation, should be
brought against officer, so high in public Office
and, may add, so high In public favor; and |
I will lend my efforts to examination of the
charge, and the suppression of the calumny
We have fallen on evil times, when such man
has to answer such charge but much as it NAV
concern him, consider il also as concerning the
country itself. and the form Of government under
which we live. The honor of our republic Off.
GERS is ours as well as theirs. "A stain upon their
4 official conduct is an injury to the government
which they administer, and, while ready 10 pro-
coed against them for misconduct, when, unhappi-
ly, cause may exist for doing, it is our duty TO
see that unfounded charges shall be exposed & de-
tected. Difference OF opinion upon the economy
the propriety, the wisdom of public measures is
one thing; but to attack the official rectitude of
an officer is another. In such attacks, if unjus,
or unfounded we attack our Republican form OF
Governhent; we give JOY and triumph to all its
enemies weaken its claim responsibility,
and hasten its downfall. We should recolect that
we are closely watched by all the enemies of free
government in Europe. Since the fall of the great
Napoleon, Minister of the Legmates has al
most proposed to turn the fifteen hundred thousand
bayonets Of Europe against the liberty of the u
nted States. Such audacious projects will be
encouraged by every thing that brings odium up-
institutions; and nothing could bring more
odum upon them than to show that our public
corrupt. This caumny against the Sc
cond officer of our Government, mean and des-
picabe as il may be, will fly TO Europe and be
reprinted there. Then let their refutation press
upon lis heels and destroy it. rejoice that the
Vice President has met the calumny a. he has done.
He demands an investigation on this foor Let il
be granted to bin. and lei justice be done. Mr..
Floyd concluded, by moving that the communca
ton Of the Vice President be referred to Select
Committee.
MIR. Cooke said, it would be recollected by a
aumber OF the members of the House, present,
that the contract out of which the present appli-
cation grew, brought to the notice of the
House on his call. When this Rip Rap contract.
az 1t is called, was laid before the Hou-e, exam
ned it (said Mr.. C.) with the greatest scrutiny.
and with the closest application; and / take this
occasion 10 declare, that did not discover the
most trivial Circumstance going TO show that the
then Secretary OF War was in the remotest de-
gree improperly concerned in it. This contract
was examined by me, not once only, but four diff
ferent times, and il is just that should make this
early disclosure, that entertain not the remotest
suspicion Of improperly against that officer, in the
transaction. shall most readily vote for the in
vesgation, said Mr.. G.. but not with the view of
satisfying my mind on the subject.
The question then being put on Mr.. Floyd's mo-
voice. Committee of sevea Members was or
dered; and
On motion Of Mr.. Campbell, the Committee
were Empowered to send for persons and papers
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole on bill 10 provide for The relinqusbmen,
OF claims to certain lands, sold by the United
States in the State OF Ohio
On motion of Mr.. Mccoy, the committee soon
a!ter rose, reported proposes, and had leave to sit
again; when, on motion of Mr.. Van Rensselaer,,
The House adjourned 10 Tuesday next.
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WAsHiNGTON. Der 90 The recept Copyen