Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-12-24

mr.. Meredith, one cf-tie counsel for H., -..-
Raj might be called ais be
The Marshal accordingly called ovef their names
Some OF them did not answer.
Mr. Meredith observed, that three of the materia
witnesses TOT the respondent were not present W.
are sad he not wthsianding, ready to 90 TO trial
W. McDihie rose tn open the case 70 r the prose-
cu! :,a lie maintained that Judge Peck had been
guhty OF an Illegal and tyannicol usurpation of pow
err 'hat no contempt had been committed Inv
Mr. Lawiess; that the common law of En-.
gand, as such, under which The Jndue had
punished him. was unknown to the judicial
Tribunals OF the United States except as rules of
p'oceeuing and action; that punishment could be
'hhc'en Tor contemp,s committed any where but in
Tue lace OF the court, in the immediate and direct
obstruction OF the regular and fair atmns ration of
.na' according to the law of England as laid
"" ny ner elementary writers, judicial opinion is
'a'f subject OF discussion and anmadversion: tbo,
the power to punish for contempt even in cases of
necessity was despotic power; an anomaly in our
government; dangerous. founded upon the ivront, 6
plea and utterly incompatible with liberty that +
should never be exercised but unde the pressure of
necessity to prevent an interference in the admn,sro
."h 9" justice; and that tho of Judge Peck was
the very Illustration of despotism He mabe he la
hxed the punishment, and carried it into eff;,c, a.
the same time Mr. Med. continued to address the
court until three o'clock Before he concluded his
speech ~
The count, motion of Mr. Holmes. adjourned
till l2 o'clock Tomorrow
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Inc Journal of FRIDAY having been rend-
Mr. Hoffman asked leave of the House to submit
resolution: leave having been granted, MIR. H. of
fered INC following: ~
Resolved, That this House will. from time to time
resolve itself into Committee of the Whole TO al
TEND IN the Chamber of the Senate On the tr,al IF
the impeachment agonst James II. Peck judge of
the United State District Court for the District of
MISSOURI during the opening ef the cause on the mart
OF the Managers, and the opening of the defence on
n N
ment of the and the rendition of ,rdrnnen,
thereon; and that the Managers make report OF the
proceedings on said impeachment at such times nc
VIII enable this House to take order accordingly
on this motion short debate took place In which
Messrs Hoffman Dwight Wichliffe. apd Buchanan
engaged
Mr. Dwight then submitted the following as a mo-
dihcation of Mr., Hofmnn IL motto
Resolved That, pen9iSr the trial of the imnescb
ment before the Senatet shs House will attend at II
O'Clock IN the morning and proceed on the epislo
tive business of he Hose, until the hour which the
Senate shall appoint, each dav for proceeding IN
the trial of the impeachment now pending befo,e that
BODY; and that the Hnuse then resolve itself ,nto
Committee of the Whole, and attend said trial
Arer further debate, in which MIR Polk also
Mr. Polk concluded bv MOVING tn modify tho raeo
tuition OF Mr Ii lhnan SO that j, should read as fol-
lows: 80 '
Resolved. That this House will resolve itself into
a committee OF the Whole his day. to attend in the
Chamber of the Senate on the rial of the imneacb-
ment of james Fl Peek Judge Of the United States,
District Court For the Dist rice of Missouri"
Mr Hoffman accepted the notification Tbe
question being then put Mr. Dwpght's motion. IT
was negatively aHssfhat of Mr. Hoffman as modified
was agreed TO by lie House
Ihe House then resolved itself into Committee
OF the Whole, NJ Dravton in the Chair; when.
On motion of Mr.. Taylor,
me House, as Committee, proceeded to the SEN
ale Chamber, to attend the trial of the n,pea cbment
against Judge Peck; and after three hours spent
neiein, the Committee returned to the Hail. and the
Speaker resumed he Chair -"
MI DraytoD. from the said Committee of the
" hole, reported that the Committee, according to
order attended the trial of the said impeachment in
The Senate and that the Court had adjourned until
Tomorrow al IL o'clock
On motion of Mr. Whittlesey it was
orderea Iha' when the House adjourns, it will
adjourn TIL to morrow at IL o'clock.
The House then adjourned
The following additional Committees have been
announced TO have been appointed by the Speaker.
On the Presidents Message relative to the Census
Mess's Storrs of N Y. Coulter Bates, G,lrley Mar
tndae, Grennell. and Holland.
On the Memorials presented on Friday, oy Messrs
Verplanck. and Condict relative 10 Officers and Sol
dlers of The Revolution and their wives - Messrs.
verpIanck, Forward, Deberry, Campbell, Hawkins.
Cooper, and Everett, of Vermont