Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-05-17
THURSDAY, MAY II, 1882.
CONG r E s 8.

ths witnesses who had testified on the late trial
of Samuel Houston, which had been delivered to
him since the last adjournment. BY a person re.
nr..entine himself to be Alexander Dimitry, Of
louisiana, as the friend of said Davis, which,
together with statement Of facts connected with
IL. he asked leave to send to the chair, and
have read for the information Of the House.
In submitting this request, Mr.. G. said, ne
wished il distinctly understood, that. without
waving any Of his legitimate rights, or intending
to cnmpromit in the slightest degree, the consti-
tutionai powers of that body. 1t was nevertheless
not his purpose, Individually, to claim the 'nst',
tuition Of any proceeding Whatever on the part o'
the House, upon the subject matter OF that com
municatiou. Other and higher motives prompt
ed him to this step-motives which, overlooking
svery consideration of personal feeling and per-
aonal security embraced in their regard, the We
~ existence OF that body-tbe iovolab'e rights
Of the people of this country, and the dignity and
honor OF this nation.
The letter itself, he said, he understood was
in the usual form Vt an original process in that
court, where BY certain strange code. the rights
and honor of suitors were lost or won 6y the piss
tol or the dagyer--a tribunal whose jurisdiction
he had never vet acknowledged; in whose prac-
.ice he was uninstructsd, aud before whose au-
tbority. under this Government Of laws and con
stitutions. he would never bow. The letter as
saiipd him, not for an act done in his individual
capacity; but tor duty performed, and right
exercised. clearly aud incontestibly within his
official competency az a member OF that House.
Here the Speaker interrupted Mr.. c. and re-
ouested him to reduce his motion To writing;which
having been done, Mr.. Z. continued.
Personally, Mr.. c. said. he had no wishes or
desires to srat,f, in pressing the morton; he con-
in, ,vhi IA tho nhsrS al
House, and through them the American people.
was exclusively interested. Viewing II in that
light and promising that he did not come here to
yindicate his own rights, the rights OF his con-
stItuents, by resort To- the violence OF arms, but
by a faithful and unintimilated discharge OF his
duty upon this floor, he felt bound to present this
matter 10 the House. as we'll to apprise its mem
beers of the system bs which we were surrounded.
as to make known to the people OF this Union
something of the perious condition in (which their
representatives were compelled to legi>ae upon
the great and momentous int. rests OF our common
country.
After some remarks from Mr.. Lamar, MI. bod.
Drudge, and Mr. Wlek.,iIe,
Mr. Crane. Of OHIO. moved that the communi
cation be referred TO a select committee. consist
ing of seven members, with power to send for
persons and papers. Mr.. c. adverted to the
different modes pursued in ca,es of privilege, and
explained his reasons in Offering the present reso
luton. :.
At the request Of Mitchell, Of South Carolina.
and Mr. Everett, Of Massachusetts,, the letter and
statement were again read.
Mr. Boon moved that the whole subject mat
ter of the communication, be laid upon the table.
He observed, he wished it to sleep the sleep Of
death.
MIR. Vinton called for the yeas and nays on the
motion, and they ere ordered.
Mr.. Cooke, Of Ohio. asked to be excused from
voting.
The motion to lie on the table was nesati we'd,
ayes 81. noes &C.
Mr.. Jewett moved to amend the resolution
by adding that the committee repor, whether the
said DAVIS. 10 sending the letter, has committed
a contempt and breach Of the privilege OF this
House.
Mr.. Crane accepted the modification with an
other including the bearer Of his letter, Alexan-
der Dimitr,.
Mr.. Crane said it would be necessary then
10 include among the matters to be- inquired
into the threat used in the House by MIR. Da-
Wis.
Mr.. Jewett conceived then that they sh ould
inouire into the relevancy of one OF the ques-
tons propounded tn Mr.. Davis BY Mr.. Cooke, OF
Ohio.
MIR Cooke indicated both the right and the
propriety Of putting that question AZ means OF
eliciing the truth. tie spoke also of the reluc-
tance with which he troubled the House in any
matter relating to himselfi but in making them
acquainted w,,h this matter, he had been impell.
ell bv sense of public duty.
Some further discussion took place, in which
Messrs. whittlesey. Of Ohio. Crane. Jewett.
Burgess, H,fnsn. and Doddridgr, joined.
Mr. Polk deprecated the further continuance
of the discussion concerning the dignity OF the
House at tune when much public business
was undisposed Of, aud asked. whether, after
spending four weeks in debating question OF
0. Is iege, the House was not competent to come
AZ nnce to decision in the present case He ,
,yss opposed to the resolution, aud moved the
in ..6ni,r postponemeut. He had BEEN endea- :
,orng. in conjunction with the gentleman from /
Virginia. (Mr. D"ddridge.) to organize bust h
1ess party in this House. and he hoped that his I
notion would be supported. in order that their {
&c riou upon the matters before them might not be
NV further impeded. IN