The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-01-24

priest, a seeding mason, who travelled
from Massachusetts, in the most inclem-
eni season Of the year, complaining a.
gainst his brethren for taking the same
engagements or oaths, which he took.
Did he not know at the time what oaths
he took' He admitted he had read
Niorgan's book before he became ma
son, and verified the obligations therein
TO be the same he had taken, and vet
pretended he did not understand them.
why did he continue to advance TO sew
en- degrees in masonry, continuing to
take oath after oath, when Ire knew the
nature of them and their obligatory force
upon the minds of masons. But he
wished to become u political man. He
then got new light, and now pretends he
did not understand them. He become a
seceder, political anti-mason, and set
himself up, in his own paper, candidate
Tor the Senate of Massachusetts,. He
delivered lecture before st. Alban's
Lodge, at the request of his brethren,
which was well enough; and then pub
lished it with notes attached to it, as an
anti-masonic address.
Mr. Hazard further detailed the labor
OF the committee in taking the testimony
and In making so much of the report
lie went into a statement Of some of the
depositions and the facilities which were
afforded by the committee in procuring
the attendance of witnesses, and pro-
pounding questions to them. He said
number of witnesses were called to prove
murder on our fellow-citizens. The
members of the committee Of the anti
masonic state convention attended and
propounded such questions as were with
in the rules laid down by the committee.
Before any deposition was closed, the
committee made public enquiry whether
there was any one present that wished to
PROFOUND any other question. Not until
il was found that the anti-masons had en-
tirely failed in establishing their charges
against masons did any misunderstand-
ing arise among the committee. Seri-
Gus attempts were then made to persuade
the public that the committee were par
tial and unfair; but there was no truth in
it. He was therefore fully persuaded
,hul tiio HousC Wouiu hCNCI oiuct tuS
publication of this report of one of the
committee, which he denomInated false
in many particulars.
Mr.. Halle observed that he should not
trespass upon the patience of the house
but few moments. 1t could not but be
that the Committee would be
abusedby the common slang Of the day,
when every species of abuse had been
heaped upon some of the most worthy and
respectable men in the state. All he wish
ed was that the public should read the re-
port Of the Committee and the testimony
by them taken. He was willing to stand
or fall by the judgment of public opinion.
fle had no other wish upon the subject
than that the people should hear and read
the testimony. He confirmed in every
particular the statements ofthe othermem-
bers Of the Committees, and said he had
no doubt but that upon examining and
weighing impartially the conduct Of the
Committee and their report, they would
be completely satisfied ofthe impartiality
Of the Committee.
Mr.. William Sprague Jr. said he did
not agree to any part of the report Of the
Committee. His views were contained
in his own report.
MIR. Potter said he did not know the
course pursued in such cases in Congress.
There were there sometimes counter-re-
ports, but whether the practice was to
print both he could not say. He how
ever believed they printed both, and he
thought that this had better take the same
course as the other
Mr.. Allen said that he considered it n
report OF Committee of this house and as
such entitled to its respect.
Mr.. William Sprague Jr. said he be-
lieved that there was nothing in his re-
port but what he could establish, and he
was prepared to prove it before the house.
Mr.. Simmons asked him to prove the
bargain alleged TO have been made by
the Committee with the masons.
Mr.. Hazard said he wished to know if
the committee did not direct him to make
known, the rule which they had adopted,
to the masons. He knew them to be in
a delicate situation. They were to be
called upon to disclose to the public what
many had supposed to be masonic Sc
crets. He informed the committee when
MIR. Sprague was present, that he had
commune ated to William Wilkinson, the
rule which they bad agreed to adopt in
taking the depositions ofthe masonic wit
nesses. Mr.. Sprague then said that he
thought it would make them kick little.
When the Committee first were inform
cd by MIR. Sprague that he had not a
greed with the committee in establishing
the rule, and had left the committee, and
people were endeavouring to put an end
to the harmony of the committee, they
reasoned with him, and told him if he
would not agree with them, they would
,rrco with him ITo fhen came hack