Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-01-23

uesifes imrOducc uc Engi5h pfacuce, ny winch hepof
ers are excluded from the House, and obliged to sit in the
gallery.
Mr.. M'Dufie reported the General Appropriation Bill,
which was made the order for to-day.
The Committee on Elections have reported that John Ser,
gcant is entitled to his seat in the House of Representatives,
and the House concuned in the report.
In the House, on Tuesday, Mr.. Siolnc moved 10 lay his
resolution respecting the Court Martial at Mobile, and the
amendment OF Nh. WickIiie, upon the table, fer the present,
which was agreed to. A number of new resolutions was
then offered after which, the House ngain went into Com
mittee Of the whole, on the bill for the relief of Maigny d,
Anterive.
The bill was discussed by Mr.. P. T. Barbour, Mr.. Archer,
Mr.. Mitchell, MIR. storr, Mr.. M'Dufie, sc.
Aner which, the Committee rose, reported progress, and
asked leave to sit again, but the House refused to grant leave,
by a vote of n to CO. Mr.. Randolph then moved To dis
charge the Committee from the further consideration Of the
said bill, which was also agreed to.
NJ. Randolph then moved to rcconmit the said bill, but
before the question was put, tho House adjourned.
In the Senate, on "Wednesday, the resolution reported yes
tenlay, by the Judiciary Committee, authorizing the publish
ing Of the name Of the officers and soldiers Of the Revolution
AIRY WA, entitled to bounty lands, was considered and agreed
TO. Several bills received their second reading, and were re-
fered. The bill to abolish Imprisonment for Debt was taken
up, when Mr.. Noble spoke at considerable length, in support
of several amendments offered by him. lie wa replied to
by Mr.. Berien, when the Senate adjourned.
SIX MILITIA MEN.
In the House, on Wednesday, on motion Of Mr.. Sloane,
the House went iutothe consideration Of the resolution, call.
ing for Information relative to the " six militia men," Mr..
Sloane modified his resolution by taking u portion of Mr..
Wicklife's amendment, and retaining a portion of his own.
This modification, called for all the orders from the War De
nartmenf- and other documents relative In the Court No,tial
but excluding the opinions of the Secretary of War, in regard
to the cause of the absence of certain important papers from
tie Department.
Mr.. Buchanan moved IN amendment, tlat n call be made
for a copy OF the correspondence between General Jackson
and Governor BloIn;, during the late war.
Mr.. Wicklifc proposed another amendment (Which was
a renewal of his former motion) but was opposed to the
amendment Of Mr.. Buchanan. :
Mr.. Culpeppcr, of North Carolina, moved to lay the whole
on the table, to give gentlemen time to reflect upon n matter
of go much Importance but a; the suggestion, Of Mr.. Polk,
Of Tennessee, he withdrew his motion.
Mr.. Polk then addressed the House at length, in favor of
Mr. Wickli1c's motion.
Mr. sprague, of Maine, then addressed the House, and
was followed by Mr.. Randolph, who was against the whole
subject of inquiry. lie made speech of somc length on the
Objectionable character of all resolutions having a bearing
merely on the approaching Presidential Election, on which
ever eide they might be introduced, renewed the motion of
Mr.. Culpepper, to lay the resolution and amendment on the
table, which was decided by yeas and nays-yeas -, nays
lG0.
Mr.. Wccms then rose, and addressed the House in a few
words.
Mr.. Wright, of Ohio, addressed the House against M.
WickNffes amendment.
He was followed by Nr. Floyd, Of Virginia, who proposed
an amendment relative to two soldiers shot at Norfolk
This amendment, the Speaker said, was out of order.
Mr.. Wickiife again spoke in favor Of the amendment.
MIR. BuRGEs, of Rhode Island, expressed his regret that
the discussion should have taken 50 wide a range. II was
generally understood that copies of documents from the Dc
partments were not ~attainable but by legislative order, or a
call from either Of the Houses. II would occupy too much
time to make copies i~ndiscriminately, for the Use Of the pub
lie. It was impossible that these matters of record should 60
to the public, but through the medium of Congress. The
question then was, whether this information should correctly
60 to the public. The motives of gentlemen have nothing
to do with the measure. Every man has his own motives
and reasons. The reasons which induce me TO vote for the
inquiry, are for myself. Every gentleman will have his OBJ
ject and if parliamentary rules did not restrain him, he
hoped he should have civilty enough to restrain him from
charging to any one, a hostile or improper motive. He had
seen it, and read it, for it was publirhed in those vehicles
which we were accustomed TO peruse from childhood and
manhood, and from which we derive our strongest impress
ions-in the daily jounals-that militia men had been exc
cuted, and that it was Illegally done. The question whether
it was legally done or not, was one of great anxiety to the
public. The individual who Is implicated in the act, is one
who fills a large space in the public eye. lie would ask IL
there is any objection towards getting every information
which was necessary to satisfy the public curiosity-for such
no would call it-a heightened curtosity' With what pro
pretty could gentlemen lay their hands on any Of the facts,
and say they shall not 60 IL their constituents. Ift,ere was
any information which q foe wished-if any that q friend
wEhed-it ought not to DO kept back. lie would be content
that the whole should be submitted to two persons the one
a friend, the other a foe, and that they should be permitted
to select for publication. He had no fear that the publication
Of the facts would have tho effect to convert this Hall into an
arena for gladiators. lie thought better Of the country, and
Of cvcry ono around him, than to fear that either the sword
OF the dirk Of the gladiator, or the pistol Of the assassin would
be called into use from the PRONUNCIATION of these facts. lie
would give to the public eye that information which would
remove all doubts. The gentlemen about him had spoken
Of their friend rs they ought to speak Of him. Ills character,
however, was not impeacled. The public records are said
to contain some facts, but whether they arc favorable or un.
favorable In their character, no intination has been given
no one hero has made an attack upon that distinguished in
dividual. Why then should gentlemen utter such warm
pancgyrics, whom the object Of them is not aceuscd' Why
should they keep that back which would satisfy the public
anxiety Why strike OIL, any part of the Information which
Is sought to he acquired! Gentlemen say thoy will not have
tho certificate of the Secretary Of War. 1t is necessary that
he should certify to the information which is sent from hs
Department. What does he cctify' II there Is no docu-
men, there can he no copy. What can he say, but that there
Is nonel Prostm:ed as he may be, In the opinion Of some Of
the gentlemen, his word will be believed by tho people. AZ
long ms he preserves the nam Of virginian, that alone will
endtic him to credit and respect. If there Is no paper In the
na.a=s..a,t .uh,t "a tbor n hut Thai fherc Ia not lie