Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1837-02-04
SCENES M UGsHiu yiUD.

The Northern newspapers are teenInT with accounts
Of the goings on q the Committees of Investigation at
Washington. They rive sketches, mere or less vague,
Of The replies of The President, and Mr.. Woodbury., and
the questions rroposid 10 MIR. Whitney -Tlc last has
published IL llc Globe 4 copy of his Protest, handed iii
To The Committee, d'Sc!aining their right 10 sc!u'inlzc
ia'u his py;:ah transactions. We understand, that an''Ig
the questions phi 10 MIR, UU0dtGrY by The Committee,
was one, which asked him ahnu, tie ~inriEciai cnnnrxion
between the agent and th" Departmental which he re-
Piled, that this question was y, navel, II mol rX;!a rul-
nary, that he was not certain liz understood It's real scope
and intent-but, that if he understood it CORRECTLY II was
an inquiry into The pirate Intercourse Of society. lie
would observe, with all due respect to the Committee,
that he would answer only, lest his silence might BIZ con-
strucd into unjust nferences-that he did not claim any
very exact knowledge of the private intercourse ~oiothers,
but he had to state most distinctly, that no sort OF CON
nrXion, except Nh oflicl il one, as agent for the Deposlie
Banks, was believed to exist between that agent (Mr.
Whitney, and the Treasury Department, or any person
attached to it.
This Committee is pushing the joke rather too 'r.
We are clear for the official transactions coming out
and we are also clear, that Congress ought 10 regulate: as
far as they possibly can, the relations between the Ivea-
sury and The Depusile Banks, Nc, &c-but the Com
lnlltcr ought not to pretend to scru!inize the private
transactions of society.
Still more-the violence which has been exhibited in
the mmitt by Mr. pcyton particularly and by MIR.
Wise, is utterly inc xcusable. Abusive epitllets are in.
tocrablc-but the threats Of assault arc outrageous
They reflect no credi, upon the members who use them
and none upon the Committee which to!eru;es them.
iHeIe IS d parliamentary ui.Hhy FHiCH ought never
TO be lost sight ol-by the body ITSELF or any Of its
committees. or any Of lis members.
The Alexandria Gazette "a Wing paper) says truly,
that "the violent language and conduct used by MessIs.
Peyton and Wise towards Mr.. Reuben NJ. Whitney, al,
ready detailed in this Gazette, as having occurred IN The
Committee. room, are generally disapproved ofand con-
dcmned. Such a course can never ctF"c, any good, and
only rccoils upon li"sc who are betrayed by their tenn
pcrs and feelings into these departures from ~proprie'y
and decorum."
The National Gazette, (anotner Wing paPsr) speaks
Of these things in a similar spirit" No amount Of
mere contulnelious language can Justify the Interrupt.
ton Of II grave enquiry by 4 committee Of Congress, al:
ter the manner described below. Mr.. Pey,ons person.
al griefs should have sought another opportunity for
redress, or he should forego his inqnisilorial functions.
If The account, which we haze elsewhere. heard, that
weapons were drawn by both parties, be true, the pro-
ccedins is still more rep!chcnsibie The production Of
pistols and the use Of coarse threats is OF the worst cx.
ample. Such brawls should be confined Gil. they can
not be prevented 10 border tavern or obscure city
bells. They ATE loo conspicuous AMI audible when they
happen in the Capitol"
MIR. pey,on did not show his weapons, tits .rue-Ilis
friend i%nlerpUscd to pre- vent it.
The scene is disgracciul- and must react upon the
actors.