Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-05-14
HOUSE OF REpREsENTATIvEs.


York, representing several counties, 10 inquire
into the circumstances attending the abduc-
ZION Of William Morgan The memorial pre-
stntS rh3t there was reason 10 believe that Nor
gan was imprisoned at For, Niagara, and asks
,he aid Of the general government 10 ascertain
the facts. He moved its reference to the Com
nit'ee on the Judiciary.
| On the memorial being read,
Mr.. Wickiffe moved that the memorial be
rejected
On this question Mr.. Tracy asked for the
ayes and noes, which were ordered.
Mr. Buchanan suggested to The gentleman
from Kentucky the proPriety Of Withdrawing
the motion.
Mr.. Wickliffe then withdrew the motion.
Mr. Cambretng moved TO refer the memo
rial 10 the President Of The United States.
Mr.. Little moved TO refer it 10 the Secretary
Of War.
Mr. Brent asked for the ayes and noes on the
question Of reference.
Mr.. p. p. Barbour said he considered il
subject with wich the House had nothing to do.
If an officer of the United States had been gull
ty of an act in violation Of his duty an Off :
Ger, it was for the Pr, sidcnl Of the U. States,
as the constitutional commander in chief, TO
examine and punish. The memorial, there
fore, ought 10 go TO the President or The Sec
rotary OF War.
Mr. Sorrs said he had understood that the
subject was at this moment under the consid-
Grafton Of the Government, and that an order
had been issued by The Secretary of War 10 ar
rest an officer at Cantonment Tow,on, on a
charge of conniving a, the carrying away OF
the person named, that he might be taken 10
New York and put on his trial. He had en-
tire confidence that is an officer had been dis
covered to nave violated his duty, redress
would be afforded. He was Of opinion, there.
foe, tina; the Secretary Of War was the prop
cr reference
Mr.. Tracy then Withdrew his motion to re-
fer the sue jecl 10 the committee on the JudicI-
airy, and second the motion 10 refer il to the
President
MIR. Drayton thought it was subject which
does not come within the cognzance Of Con.
gress He referred TO the articles of war 10
show that in case of any injury done to the per-
son or property Of a citizen, the offender shall
be delivered up to the civil authority, on de-
mand. This had not been done in this case;
and he hoped that Congress would not have
the bu siness submitted TO them.
Mr.. Gimcr said as Fort Niagara was under
the exclusive Jurisdiction of The STATE Of New
York, and as the persons Who sent here the
memorial were aware of tits fact, il ought no,
10 have been sent here. He d,,likcd to see any
thing gotten up for political effect, and moved
TO lay the memorial on the table.
On this question, on the call Of Mr.. Slower,
the ayes and noes were ordered
Mr.. Gilmcr then Withdrew his motion TO
lay on the table.
Mr.. ]. S. Stevenson said if an officer of the
U. States had been guilty Of the offence impul-
ed he was under the authority IF the PRESS
deh,, and was ameEable 10 him; and he hoped
this reference would be made to him.
Mr.. 4. Smyth hoped the reference would be
made, as the officer was under the orders of The
the President He referred to d in Phila-
dephia, which we did no! distinctly hear. He
hoped the reference would be made.
MIR. Wright Of Ohio, said he agreed in OPT
mon with several gentlemen who had SO tx.
pressed themselves, that this memorial ought
10 go to the Executive Bur while he declar
ed his concurrence with gentlemen on this
point, i, did not follow, in his opinion, that i,
should be transmitted to the President, through
this House, or by The eXerton Of lis power
He conceived il 10 be very clear. that the House
had nothing 10 do with the subject, or with The
memorial II made case, If true set forth Of
The ordinary tribunals Of justice, or the ordinary
exercise Of Executive power. He was unwil>
ling to lend the aid Of the House 10 facilitate in
any other way than by Legislation, either in
vestigations in Courts of Justice, or by the
President lie was opposed to making this
House the conduit through which 10 forward
complaints either to the President or other of,
hcer, or 10 the Court. If true, as has been
stated, tina, the jurisdiction OF the State Of New
York had never been Withdrawn from Fort Mia
CARA, then the question belonged TO the judicial
officers Of that State, and complaint should be
made in the usual way; but if that jurisdiction
had been Withdrawn and vested in :he General
Government, then similar proceedings would
be proper before the Judicial officers of the
Union. No complain, is made, that any Off :
Ger oil this Government has refused any proper |
application to do his duty; If such were tine
case, the House might proceed-it would then
have jurisdiction. He said it was clrarly his
opinion that the House had nothing 10 do with
the matter-his view was, and he felt confident