Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-01-02

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ain lniui naii0prof their received yes
erday 'nornifs% lhr0Ssh Oh of11G newspapers oftie
District. 1t appes<ss-from its statement, that -ta
accused oil the sordid and infamous crime of partcipa
ing in the profits of contract formed with the Gov
srnment through the Department Of WAR while was
entrusted with the discharge of its duties AM, that the
accusation has been officially presented as the basis of
an ociai act oil the War Department, aud consequent
y To be placed among its records as lasting stigma
on my character.
conscious osmy entire innocence in this and every
other publici act, and that have ever been incapable
in the performance ofdutv of being influenced bv any
o'her motive than ed regard the public
est, and resolved. far human effort can extend TO
leave an untarnshed reputation TO posteity, chal
ienge The frees Invest gation Of the House, the only
means efectually rcpeii this premedated attack to
PROSTATE me, by destroying forever my character.
J. c. CALHOUN
Zee President IF The United States.
w AsHINGToN, 29M Dec. 1926.
The letter having been read
MIR. FLOYD r"se and said, that such the rapid
succession OF members i'll this House, that there
out lew now present who we're members oft when the
Contract referred TO in the Vice Presidents letter. had
been a subject of examination on this floor He was
tAen member, and would say, that he had paid par
ucular attention To this contact, and, i'll
OF view, 1t had met his dsaPprobation and ccusure.
tie could say farther and the old members could bear
him out IN the assertion, that he in opposition
to many OF the measures of the War Department, du
ring Tie time the prest.t Vice President presided
cienily econonica but he had any thing
iinpeach the integrity of that gentleman, did Re
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 lsaid Mir. F.l
the manner i'll which he has met IL. by a prompt de-
mand for an inv esi,gaton upon this floor. believe 1t
TO be caiu'nny--i regret, exceedingly regret that
charge OF such nature such foundations should
be brought against officer, SD high in public Office
and may add, so high in public favour; aud " i'll
ieha my efforts 10 an examination of the charge, and
the suppression OF the caumnv.
We have fnlcn evil times, when such a man has
10 answer such Cbarge--but, much as NAV concern
lm consider II also concerning the country itself
and the form OF government under which we live. The
honor OF our public officers mell as theirs A
stain upon their official cunduc, injury TO the gov
eminent which they administer, and, while ready 20
proceed against them for misconduct, wheu unhapsily
cause may ext isl for doing il orr duv 10 see tina
nhonndeu charges shall be exposed and detected DIFF
terence oil opinion upon the ecunumy the pIoprety the
wisdcn oil public measures, thing but attack
the Official rec;itude Of an officer is another. I'm such
attacks II unjust or unfounded, attack our Repub-
lican form Of Government; give oy and Triumph 70
all its enemies; weaken lis claim 10 rcspcctabi;ity
and hasten lis downfall We should ,ccollecl t1,a we
are closely watched by all the enemies of free govern
ment IN Europe. S nee the fall of the great NapoIe.
an. Minister ofthe Legitimates has almost proposcJ
10 turn the fifteen hundred thousand bayones of Eu
rope against the liberty of the United States. Suc
audacion projects will he encouraged by every thing
that brings odium upon our Institutions and nothing
could bring more odum upon them than show that
our public men corrupt. This caiunny against
the second officer of our Government, mean and desp.
cable as il may be, will fly 10 Europe and be rc-prin
Ted there. Then let the reutation press upon IFS heels
aud destroy it. rejoice that the Vice President has
met the caumny as he has done He demands inves
legation on this floor. Let IL be granted to him. and
let justicebc done Mr.. FLoYD concluded by mo.
wing that The communication of:ae Vice Presdcn be
referred 10 Select Committee,
Mr. Cooke said, il would be recoflected by \ num-
bcr of the members Of the House, present thai the con-
tract ont of which the present appiica; ION grew was
brought to the notice ofthe House his call. When
tins Rip Rap contract, it is caed, as laid before
The House, examined it said Mr. c. with the great
est scrutiny, and with the closest applications; and
take the occasion TO declare, that did not discover
the most trivial circumstance going TO show that the
then Sscretary o! :iar in the reoest degree inn
properly concerned in it, The contract was examined
by me, not once only, but four different times and il
Is Just that should mal1e this early disclosure that
entertain not the remotest suspicion Of improperly "a
gainst that officer, in the transaction shall most
readily vote Tor the investigation said Mr. c. but moi
will Tie view OF satisfying my mind the subject
The question then being put Mr.. Floyd's motion
1t was agreed 10, with scarcely dissenting voice 4
committee OF seven Members ordered; and
on motion OF Mr.. Campbell, the Committee werc
empowered TO send for persons and papers.
The House then went into Committee of the whole
on bill to provide for the REIMBURSEMENT of claims 10
certain lands, sold by the United States in the State
of Ohio.
On motion of Mr.. Mccoy the co.nn,iltee soon after
rose reported progress and had leave again; when
on mot ion o Mr.. Van Rensselaer,,
The House adjourned TO Tuesday next
EJNTTC ATTnAT