Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-03-22

Charles Wright any harm, had done him mucn
good"
Lord Chief Justice Best, who, ii we recoi!eet
Alright. has nervous horror of libellers, guilty
or not guilty, then delivered his charge, where
in he made, a dead set against the defendants;
after which the Jury, as if to incuiea'e Wno'e
some lesson on MIR. Paul Pry, gave Vefdic' Oh
$50 damages.
As the truth is an aggravat:on rather man an
excuse, by the law Of England, we suppose tna'
we are now TO consider Paul's charge as es'ao-
lished. At any rate, he will have 10 oria'e ms
pony, il no, his tongue hereafter; at ieas'' u"''
he gets back to his friend Doubledots again.
ITO the Editor of the National Journal -,
Mn. EDIToR: | was very much struck VIII"
the propriety Of your animadverSlons upon '''e
conduct of the Hon. Mr. Benton, Senator OF
the United States, 10 opening an official CORES
pondepce with The Minister of the Mexican Ne
public, accredited to this Government. can
scarcely conceive Of more dangerous prac
tice than that of the Senators OF inc ohi'ea
States coming into direct and official CONTACT
with Foreign ministers. II would De wen
for the Opposition when perpetuaIly making
groundless charges OF abuse and corruption
against others, to consider that Its honoraoie
associate in this usurpation oil the negotiating
power, has set an example which may ieao 10
the creates, possible corruption. why mas ne
not published the whole correspondence! why
are the letters letter suppressed, that preced-
ed the letter Of Mr. Oregon which is publish
ed.
My object, Sir, is to call your attention to an
existing law, passed in consequence OF the ON.
ciousness Of another Senator of the United
States, which you appear to have overlooked
By an act of Congress, passed January 50, 1899,
it is enacted
"That if any person, being citizen OF the
United States, whether he be actually resident,
! or abiding within the United States, or IN any
| foreign country. SHALL without the permission
| or authority Of the Government OF the United
States directly or indirectly, commence, or car
| ry on, any verbal or written correspondence or
intercourse with any foreign Government, or
| any officer or agent thereof, with an intent to
| influence the measures or conduct OF any TO-
reign Government, or OF any officer or agent
thereof, in relation 10 any disputes or contro-
versies with the United States, or defeat the
measures Of the Government OF the United
States; or if any person, being citizen OF, or
resident within the United STATES, and not duly
authorized, shall counsel, advise, aid or assist
aforesaid, he or they shall be deemed guilty oil
high msdemeanor. and on conviction before
any Court Of the United States having jursdic-
ton thereof, shall be punished by fine not ex-
ceeding FIVE thousand dollars, and by imprison-
ment during term no, less than six months,
nor exceeding three years: Prorided al,cays,
That nothing in this act conf aimed shall be con-
strued to abridge the right of individual citi-
IF ha init IN them,
selves, or their lawful agents, to any foreign
Government, or the agents thereof, for the re-
property which such Individuals may have sus:
tanned from such, Government, or any of its
agents, citizens or subjects"
Now, it appears to me, that Mr. Senator
Benton has committed high msdemeanour,
and has Subjected himself 10 fine not exceed.
ing $4,000, and to Imprisonment: for term not
exceeding three years, nor less than six months
and that a prosecution ought to be instituted
against him, unless he Can escape under the
prooiSo. That provides that the act shall not
abrdge the right OF in1ividuai citizens 10 apply
bv themselves or their ia,cfui agents TO any for
elgn government, or the agents thereof, for re-
dress Of any juries, in relation to person or
property Now. unless the Senator can show
that he was acting in pursu, of claim Of his
o"", vi aS q Lawful agent vi an lHJufeu Ci.lLSH,
he has incurred the pains and penalties Of the
act Bul he acted in neither Of those charac-
ters.He acted as Senator of the u States. The
concluding sentence Of Mr. Obregon's letter
contains very just rebuke, in the allusion
which he makes to "materials Tor convention
between the two governments" Had MIR
Benton any materials to conclude such con-
vention? CHARLES JAMES FOX.
DIGNITY.
Mr.. HAMILTON, OF S. &. has, on several occa-
sions, given evidence ofthe most edifying calm
ness Of temper, deliberaton of action and decen-
cy OF expression, in his career, as one OF the
grave Legislators Of the nation. 1t is a pity he
were not as refnedin his notions concerning the
weapons it is proper for gentlemen to use in de-
bate, as he is IN dueS. The following is spe.
cimen OF his scrupuous care in the choice OF
language which he intends to apply to tho first
and best men in the nation. 1t is to be regret
ted that the venerated name Of" Hamilton
should have fallen to the lot Of such man
something like the t, ansmigration OF the soul
OF philosopher into the body of scissors
grinder.
49, I 4 H.