The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-02-09

duly, both to the House and to the nation, 10 &c
So | believe so still. 1t was the pleasure OF the
House not to permit the resolutions to be offered.
The House refused me liberty to offer them, though
the transactions referred to had been published to
the world by the minister himself as matters IN
which he acted under sense of duty, and in or
der to maintain the honor of his country; and
these transactions were to that end. Part Of the
facts were published by himself in England, and
part bv his associates in this country. They were
voluntarily published to the civilized world as if
counting public notice, and calling for public ap-
probation | offered, under these circumstances,
resolutions of inquiry and the House refused to
consider them. There seemed an impression
to prevail here like that by which certain gen.
tleman has, upon another subject, immortalized
himself and the English language-BETTER LET
IT BE.
Fooled in this attempt, I then presented, on the
third day of the session, other resolutions, calling
on the President to know whether HE had noticed
these transactions, since he is the Executive head
of the Government, charged with the execution
of the laws, as it was my opinion that he was
bound to notice them. And the inquiry extend
ed to the conduct of another public functionary,
an officer of high rank in the Maya man for
whom, up to that time, | had entertained the
very highest respect not only on his own account,
man towards whom had no feeling but that of
attachment and regard, and whom should have
esteemed it pleasure to serve. But he was an
officer of the American Navy: and the uansac-
tons alluded to in my resolution were of char
acter which in my judgment, called for the no.
tice of this House, of the nation, and the Execu-
tive.
Mr.. Thompson, of South Carolina, appealed to
the gentleman himself whether he thought it fair
to avail himself of the privilege granted him by
the House and by Mr. IT,, amongst Others to as
sail the characters of honorable men, when no
opportunity could be had by their friends to defend
them; the only defence they needed being true
statement of the transaction.
Mr.. Adams. do not see that it is in my pow
er to explain to the House the position in which
stand in relation to those transactions without en-
tering into the nature of the transactions them
selves. AS to the gentleman's observation, that
his friend has no opportunity to answer, doubt
not the gentleman will have full liberty to answer
to his hearts content. He need be under no ap-
prehension that the House will not grant him full
opportunity to defend the character of his friend
never asked to censure him on any motion of
mine. My first resolution was to enquire into the
transaction; my second 10 ask whether the Elk
ecutive had noticed them: that was all. But, in
impossible to me to avoid some reference to the
nature of those transactions. | was actuated by
no feeling Of personal animosity against either of
the parties. | was characterizing only the
transactions themselves and | have done it with
great reserve. | have before me here volume
of the statutes of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
They show what the nature of these acts was.
have here also, a volume containing a decision
of the late President of the United States, CASH
erng several naval officers on his mere ipSe dinit
striking them from the rolls of the Navy for
transaction of identically the same character. f
did not read the statute of Virginia, nor will |
disturb the nerves of my friend from South Car
DINA by reading it now. | Twill not read decisions
of the President striking two or three lieutenants
yes, eutenants-ofi of little comparative
name or consequence-mere subordinates-to
whom their commissions were nothing but their
bread-cashierng them for an act just like that of
this captain in the Navy. No, | will not read
them. But if the House shall hereafter take up|
the resolutions have offered, | shall then claim
the privilege to read all these documents, and to
show what, according to the laws of Virginia
was this transaction, and what, in the estimation
of the late President of the United States, was
the transaction in which this officer of the Navy
was concerned. | do not ask it now, because a
simple allusion to them will serve to Justify me in
the offering of those resolutions. | acted in so
doing, under solemn and sacred sense of duty
do believe it to be sacred duty to this House
as believe it to be duty to promote the well
fare of the People of the United States, to watch
over their interests, and to guard their honor. II
believe it is equally the duty of the Executive to
notice those transactions, as the acts of minis
ter of the United States at foreign court, and
the acts of higher officer in the Navy of the
United States.
Having said this, hope it will be understood
by the House and by the country that cannot
forbear to pursue the course have heretofore
pursued, well in presenting petitions as in no.
tlcing those transactions.
have now nothing further to account for but
my presentation of petitions for the recognition
of the independence of Haiti 1t is for that, more
particularly, that challenged in the letter be-
fore me. For this am threatened with assas-
sinaton. ask-what next? | have presented
some of these petitions my colleagues have done
the same A member from Maryland, who sits
before me, has done the same. They relate to a
country on whose government our citizens have
claims of indemnity; in relation to which they
have certain rights; and in regard to which the
of the country is deeply concerned
The commercial transactions with that island are
amonp the most imnortant IN tho uhola countr,,