Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-01-31
Correspondence ofthc baltimore Patriot.
WAguINGrON Ian IL

Correspondence 0) inc bdutHl0Tc fdtT10t.
WAsHINGToN, Jan. 15.
The motion for raising select Commit
tee of Inquiry into the recent Defalca,ions,
was taken up in tho House of Representa-
tives to-day, and called forth some Of the
most animated, interesting, and eloquent
discussion.
Mr.. Legare, who was entitled to the
floor, advocated the appointment of the
Committee by ballot.
lie then proceeded to shew that the ap-
poiniment of Committee by ballot, was
no violation Of precedent or Of principle,
but i'll strict conformity with the law
Even if the rule had been different. this
was case to justify a departure from it.
The Speaker was, as every hody knows,
elected by the party power; and appointed
Committees for the purpose OF carrying
out the views Of The Executive. The pro-
position now is, that the House should act
contend that the Executive il TO come
here and appoint the committee which is
to examine into its doing! And this is
thought to he so much mailer of course,
that the financial organ of the Executive
thinks it moi worth his while 10 say word
about it.
iraordinary ono. A man against whom,
it appears, suspicion has always existed,
is appointed and re appointed. Did the
make him the object Of vigilant observa-
'ion! Not so; the tarhss, from it possible.
For three years of the time he was carry
ing on his imperial depredations, he had
not given the bonds required by law!
hot -, a.
facts that we're known 10 the country, Mr..
Woodbury. could not come into the House
with clean hands. He came with pre-
sumptions against him which ought TO oe
repelled; and he thought that gentleman's
friends had done him gross Injustice. bv
their manner Of proceeding. He referred
to the ridicule with which the House had
received the declaration of Cushman the
other day, that the Secretary was ready
10 meet any investigation, provided the
Committee should he appointed by the
Speaker.
Mr.. L. then noticed the argument of Mr..
F. Thomas, that the administration being
most interested in finding the money and
catching the thief, ought To he allowed to
have the direction Of the inquiry.
Here MIR. F. T. arose and said, he spoke
Of the friends Of the administration in the
House.
Mr.. Legare replied that it was no matter.
The argument was utterly inconsequential
aud inapplicable 10 the facts Of the case. and
it the course Of the administration was tn
| rest on such reasoning, it ought to be a.
bandoned in despair.
AS to ThOmas's attempt 10 place the
criminality Of Swartwout on other shou.
iers, besides those Of the Administrations
it was a perfect failure. The confirma-
ton Of the appointment by the Senate,
! could not exOneratc the administrations
At any rate the facts connected with this
appointment and rc-apppointment, could
not be ascertained, but by a searching
operation.
Mr.. Legare in conclusion, alluded i'm
an eloquent manner TO the promises Mr..
Pickcns had given Of support to the propo-
sitlon for raising committee by ballot.
Mr.. Cambreleng now rose and proposed
that the committee should be appointed by
the House Uiud vOce.
Mr.. Wise declared that Cambreleng
was cornered at last. He pretended he
wanted investigation! and in order to Sc
cure it he proposed il in such a form rs to
require the assent of t,ro thirds. instead Of
| n simple majority of the House,!
MIR. Ogden Hoffman then rose, and 10
a speech Of uncommon eloquence, replied
to the arguments of those who had op-
posed the appointment by the House.
MIR. Hoffman spoke of the character Mr..
SwartwouI had sustained before the late
developments. in highly favorable terms;
and expressed a confiden, belief that large
amount of the late defalcations went into
the hands of Others. Mr.. S. The said) had
as n partner in his condemnation, one of
The warrnest friends of the Administration
who had continued to be SD down to the
very last election. Mr.. Swarlwnut never
had acted with the Wings. The mer-
chants had found him kind, oblieing and
attentive in his intercourse and they re.
tnrncd this with corresponding kindness!
Mr.. Hoffman demanded whether these
merchants were now to be taunted with
| trusting him and treating him favorablv.
after he had been appointed and reap
pointed to an important and responsible
Office by the Administration!
The debate was continued by Messrs.
Prentiss and Undcrwood-the latter gave
way to a motion for adjournment at 5 o.
clock.
Mr.Cushman said few words against the
| appointment of the committee by the
House, and again declared that the Sec
retary was willing .to.meet any invcsriga-
ton conducted by a. committee appointed
by the Speaker.