The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-31

excuse for referring to that unfortunate affair is,
that the course pursued by the House in the
treatment of the members implicated in that
duel. forms precedent for the guidance Of the
House in his own case. The majority Of the
committee, then appointed to inquire into the
circumstances Of the duel and report thereon,
declared that the House had no right TO try their
members for crimes over which the courts had
jurisdiction. $50 far as that would go as pre-
cedent," says Mr.. Adams, sit established at
once the very question, and he presumed the
House would consider it as precedent binding
on them in this case.n This we think ptlful
subteriuge to rekindle feelings which have in
some measure subsidized, and to throw odium on
an opponent instead ofreplying TO his arguments,
Where is the parity between the two cases p
none whatever. In the former case it was pro-
posed to punish members for acts committed
out of the House, and over which the courts
have jurisdiction; in the latter, the resolutions of
Mr.. Marshall censure Mr.. Adams for an act done
in the House, and which is a contempt of the
House. Notwithstanding the explanations of
MIR. Marshall, Mr.. Adams persisted in express
sing his belief that the intent of the resolu-
tons was to punish HIM for treason and suhor-
nation of perjury. One object of his perseve-
rance in attaching this Specification is apparent.
1t was to enable him to indulge his malignity by
personal attack ON Mr.. Wise.
This object was attained But the eager
ness of Mr.. Adams to attain it led him into
forgetfulness Of fact that his opinions had
! NM oro oh, with m
Wise's conduct in connection with the DUEL
He forgot that he himself had on former occa-
sons exonerated the one from blame, whom he
now rulhessy denounces as having his hands
dripping with the blood of murder
| We have made these remarks merely as a
| slight illustration ofwhat may be expected from
the Massachusetts Representative, if he once
starts for the attainment Of that new point, the
dissolution of the Union. He has said, to be
sure, it is not yet time to attempt it-but when
he thinks the time has arrived, we may know by
what he has done, that no difficulty will turn
him aside from his onward course, and that h.
will never hesitate about the means if the OBJ
ject be gained.
We had no intention to vlndicate Mr.. Wise
but the attack made by Mr. Adams on Friday
furnished him with an opportunity Of vindicat-
ing himself from the atrocious charge made
against him, and reiterated now in the House
of Representatives. In justice to that gentle
man, we feel ourselves called upon to subjoin
that defence in Mr.. Wise's own words, as we
find them reported;
This first paragraph Continued Mr.. A. established
in the name OF the majority Of the committee who
ported these resolutions, that the House had right
to try their members for crimes which the
had Jurisdictions for it appealed to the very amend
ment of the Constitution of which he had claimed
the benefit in his own case motive and reason
for them to confne their inquiries exclusively to the
question of breach of privilege OF Tire House. So
far, them as that would 90 precedent it estab-
ished at once the very question: and he presumed the
House would consider it precedent, binding
them in this case
| The CLERK then further read from the report at
| the request of Mr.. A.
| Mr.. WISE addressed the Speaker.
The SPEAKER and the gentleman from Virginia
not in order, unless the gentleman from Massa-
chusetts yielded the floor. Did the gentleman yield
the floor?
Mr.. ADAMS replied in the affirmative
Mr.. WISE said n W he had an opportunity of
saying what he hal long wished to say. He thanked
God that there was large assembly here to hear it.
An opportunity had at length arrived for him to vim
dcate himself now and forever, from the charge of in
stigang and advising the duel of Graves and Ciey.
The gentleman from Massachusetts, had charged him
with being an instigaos and adviser Of that duel and
OF being more guilty than ''the man who pulled the
trigger" he was now calling for the reading of the
Journal in the case with the view incidentally of con-
victing him of that charge He said that he was glad
to that the two Senators from Kentucky who then
Cat the time of the due) represented that State,
here present. One of them Mr. Clay) was
Just sitting Immediately behind the gentleman from
/ Mae nd he caul1 IA, thcin his
witness, that his advice not the advice relied upon
or followed in the prelminaries of that duel-it was
the advice Of another higher, better, and dis
! tnguished man which relied on. And as to
what occurred upon the ground, he there
armed second, to guard the life of his friend, with
written instructions in his pocket And the only
greet he had was that he induced go there, not
approving the preliminary steps which had been taken
in that fight
| Here Mr.. ADAMS interrupted Mr.. WISE, and
asked him to do him the favor of giving him the
of his colleague who had told him Mr. w that he
had heard him Mr.. A. justify his conduct on the
merits of the case.
Mr.. WISE. 1t was not only, but two col
leagues.
| Mr. ADAMS. | would thank the gentleman for
the names of both.
Mr. WISE Both are present in this Hall, he be-
eved. One he knew to be present, who told him that
at public meeting at some place the of which
he did not remember, when there was large assem-
bage Of the people in Massachusetts,, where he had
been arrgned before the moral people of New Eng
land on this charge, that had rested him now lou
enough, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. A J
indicated him on the occasion, and pledged himself
that he Mr.. W) was innocent of the charge as
made. Whether this true or not, he did not
know.
Mr. ADAMS asked for the names
Mr. WISE. As to the Names leave that to the
gentlemen who gave me the information to rise in
their places and declare them they are present /
shall give them the opportunity to disclose the names
And for further proof that the gentleman did defend
me on the floor at the time, and to what extent, he
(NIr W) referred to Gales s. Scatons report of the
speech of the gentleman at the time. refer also to
the chairman, Mr. Toucey,) who made the majority