Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1842-09-08
~ Il II CON Il K 4. = =.
SECOND SESSION.
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES, -Auc. 30.
PROTEST. OF TIE PRESIDE.NT.

| IhOIESf Of IIfF fRf.SfDf.N 4.
To The House Of Representatives.
by the Constitution OF the United Statea il IL pro,i-
dod that every bill which shall have passed tho House
OF Representatives and the Senate shall before il become
law, be presented To the President of the United States
1t he drprore, ha shall sign il; but if not, he shall
return II, with his objections that House in which
lthaI have originated. Who shall onrr the objections
large upon the journal. and proceed TO reconsider IT,"
In strict compliance with the positive obligation thus
imposed upon me by the Constitution. not having been
able To bring myself 10 approve bill which originated IN
the House OF Representatives. entitled An pro-
vide revenue nom imports. aud 10 change and modify
is inc laws Imposing duties imports. and Tor other
purposes returned the 10 the House with my
objections 10 its becoming law. These objections
which had entirely satisfied my mind of the great
mpuliCy, If not the uneonstitutiouay OF the mrasuro
were presented IN the most respectful. and dcren
tial terms. would moi have been far mruetiul oi
what was due from One department Of the Government
to another, ms Ia have Intentionally employed in my off
cal intercourse with tho House, any language that could
be. in the slightest degree. offensive to those to whom
II was adlressodlt. IN assigning my objections to the
bill had so far forgotten what was due To tho House ol
Representatives rs 10 impugp lis motives in passing the
bill should OWE. mol only 10 that House. hut 10 the
country my most profound apology. Such departure
from propety however not complained Of IN any pro.
cccdlng which the House has adopted II has the
contrary expressly made subject Of remark. and nj
most OF complaint, that the language in which my
dissent coucind Mas s.ndously guarded and eau.
iiuus
Such being the character Of the official commulca
ton in question. coniesss was wholly unprparcd or
the course which has been pursued IN regard to It'll
the exercise OF The power 10 regulate own proceed
mgs, the House, Tor the first time, il IL believed in the
history Of the Government, thought proper 10 refer
message toa select committee OF It's body for the
purpose Gas my respect Tor the House would have com
PEELED me 10 iner) Of deliberately weighing the olec
tons urged against the bill by the Executive with view
10 lis own Judgment upon The question of the final adop
,ion +" rejection oi the measure.
OF the temper and feelings in relation myself of
some OF the members selected for the performance Of this
duty have nothing 10 say. That a matter entire
ly within the discretion ol the House Of Representatives
But that committee. taking different view Of its duy
from that which should have supposed had led To its
creation, instead o combining itself 10 the objections urp
cd against the bill awaited itself OF the occasion formally
To aagn the motives of the President for others OF his
acts since his induction into office. In the absence OF all
proof. and. as am bound 10 declare against all law or
precedent IN parliamentary proceedings, and at the
same time, IN manner which il would be difficult TO
concila with the comfy hitherto sacrcdy observed in
the intercourse between Independent and ordinate de
par'nans OF the Government. IL has assalltd my whole
official conduct. without shadow Of prctcxt for such
assault; and stopping short nj impeachment has charged
nc nevertheless, with offences declared deserve i'm
parchment.
Had tho extraordinary report which the committee
thus made to tho House been permitted To remain with
out the sanction o the latter. should have uttered
a regret, or complaint upon tho subjcct.Bui unaccom-
Ilhccargcs 1t contains, without deliberate examination
almost without any discussion. the House Of Reprrsen
ailvcs has been pleased 10 adopt as lis own and there
by 10 become my aceusor bofore the world The hiph
character OF such accuser, the gravity Of the chaes
which have been made. and the Judgment pronounced a
lgast me- by the adoption Of the report upon distinct
and separate vote of the louse leave no alternative
but 10 enter my solemn protest against the proceodnr
AS unjust 10 Ia sell nan, invasion If my con
su,onal powers Of Chief Magistrate of the American
people, and violation my person. of rights secured
10 every citizen by the laws and the constitulijn.-
That constitution has nrnsed to the House of Rep
rcsentaves the sole power impeachment. Such i'm
parchment Is required 10 be tried bcf the most august
tribunal known 10 our Institutions.
The Senate ol tho United States. composed of the
representatives of the sovereignty of the States is CON
veried into hall of Justice; and in order insure the
siricos observance Of the rules of evidence and of l
procedure. the Chief anice Of thu United States the
highest judicial nnctonary Of the land IL rcouir,d To
preside over lis deliberations In the presence Of each
ndcaory, the Voice ol faction presumed to be silent
and the sentence OF guilt innocence pronounced nn
der the most solemn sanctions Of religion of honor
and of law To such tribunal does the Constitu-
ton authorize the House of Representatives to car
ry up lis accusations against any chief Of the Execu
tive department whom II may believe to be guilty of
nigh crimes and misdemcanors. Before that tribunal
the accused is confronted with his accusers aud NAV
demand the privilege. which the Justice of the common
law secures 10 the hnmbes. citizen, Of full, patient
and impartial inquiry into the ihcls upon the testimony
OF Witnesses rgdly examined and dcpDsing in the face
Of day. II such proceeding had been adopted To-
wards me. Unjust | should certainly have regard
ed it, should | trust have met with a becom
ing constancy trial painful il would have
been unlcseryed would have manifested, by a
profound submission To the laws of my country my Der
feet faith in her justice; and ting on the purity of my
motives, aud the recde OF my conduct should have
looked forward with confidence to n triumphant refua-
ton in the presence Of that country, and by the solemn
judgment ostcha tribunal moi only Of whatever charges
might have been formally preferred against me- but of
all tho cnnmnes Of which have hitherto been the ur-
resisting victim As il is have been accused without
he,rn". As far AZ such proceedings can accomplish
it, am deprived Of public confidence in the admnlstra
ton Of the Government and denied even the boast of
good name transmitted TO from patriot father prz
ed as my proudost inheritance, and carefully preserved
for those who TO after me- the most precious
Of earthly possessions. not only subjected to
imru'aons affecting my character ms an individual but
am charged with Ciiences against tho country, gave
and 50 hcnos as to deserve public disgrace and dsiran
c,lsemcnt | am charged with violating pledges which
never gave; and because execute what | believe TO
be the law, with usrpng powers not conferred by law
and above all. with using the powers conferred upon
the President by the Constitution, from corrupt motives
and tor understandable ends. And thcs charges are made
without any particle Of evidence sustain Them and as
solemnly affirm, without any foundation in truth.
why Is proceeding Of this adopted at this time?
Is the occasion for il found in the fact that having been
elected TO the second office under the Constitution by
tho free and voluntary sulrages of the people, have
succeeded TO the first according the express provisions
OF the fundamental law OF the people? II is true