The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-01-08
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.


Mr. Vance, from the Committee ON Military
Affairs, reported the bill from the Senate, Civ
ing further compensation to the Captains and
Subaltcrns ofthe Army" without amendment
II was then committed, aud made the order of
the day for tomorrow.
THE VICE PRGSlDENTlOF 1tlEU. S.
The Speaker laid before the House the follow
ine communication from John {. Calhoun, Vice
President of the United States, VIZ
The Speaker ofHe House Of Representatives.
SIN You will please to lay before the House
over which YOU preside, the enclosed commilni-
cation, addressed TO that body.
Very respectfully, yours, &c.
J. {. CALHOUN.
Here follows the letter of Mr. Calhoun,
which appeared in the last FrgiHidn.
The letter having been read
Mr.. Flovd rose and said that such was the
rapid succession Of members in this House. that
there were but few now present who were mem
,hers oft when the contract referred to in the
Vice President letter, had been subject OF
eN animation this floor lie was then mem
Der aud would say, that he had paid particular
attention to this contract and in some points of
view Il had met his dsapprohaton and ecnsure,
lie could say, farther, and the old members
eou Id bear him out in the assertion, that he was
seen in opposition 10 many of the measures of
the War Department, during the time the pre-
sent Vice President presided over il, and fire.
quenty thought them too bold, and not suli-
GENTLY economical but he had never seen any
thing TO impeach the integrity of that gentle
man, nor did he now see any thing To impair
the opinion which he had always entertained of
his character But charge is now made asinst
him, aud lapproye {said Mr.. F. the manner in
which he has met ii by a prompt demand far an
investigation upon this floor, believe ii to be
a calunuy-l regrot, exceedingly regret, that
charge OF sucha nature, upon such foundation,
should be brought against an officer, so high in
public Office and may add, so high in public ia
yor and Will lend my efforts 10 examina-
ton of the charge, and the suppression OF the
caumny.
We have fallen on evil times, when such man
has to answer such charge but, much as II
may concern him, consider il also as concern
ing the country itself, and the form of govern
ment under which we live. The honor OF our
public officers is ours as we'll as theirs. 4 stain
upon their official conduct is an injury TO the gov
eminent which they administer and while ready
to proceed against them for misconduct, when,
unlIappy, cause may exist for so doing, il is our
duty tosee that unfoundcd charges shall be ex-
| posed and detected Difference of opinion up
on the economy, the propriety, the wisdom of
public measures, is one thing but TO attack
tho official rectitude of an officer is another. In
such attacks, il unjust or untowhded, we attack
our Republican form Of Government we give
| joy and triumph to all in enemies we
weaken its claim to responsibility, and hasten its
downfall We should recollec, that we are close
| ly watched by all the enemies of free govern
ment in Europe Since the fall nf the great
Napoleon, a Minister fthe Legi,imateS has al
most proposed TO turn the fifteen hundred thou
sand bayonets of Europe against the liberty of
| the United States. Such audacious projects
will be encouraged by every thing that brings
| odium upon our institutions; aud nothing could
| bring more odium upon them than to show that
| our publicmen are corrupt This caumay a
gainst the second officer of our Government.