Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-01-14
House Of Representatives, jan. 10.


House Of Representatives., Jun. 10.
THE IMPEACHMENT
MIR. Bolts rose III pursuance of the notice yester
day given by him. that lie would this day 'presen to
the consideration of the House the charges which he
proposed prefer, and upon which he expected to
found an impeachment against the acting President OF
the U. S - aud was recognized by The Speaker
MIR. BOT1 S said that he desired to inquire OF the
Speaker whether the proposition which he had yesier'
day given notice Of his intention TO introduce could new
BE- entertained as question OF privilege
The SPEAKER replied; but aohat the Reporter could
not hear.
MIR BOTTS. Then come forward now to acquit
myself Of pledge TO which stand committed.
Mr. EVERETT inIerposed with the inquiry, What do
understand the decision Of the Char 10 be?
The SPEAKER. That the question OF Impeachment!
is privileged questionhat, such, il overrides the
rules relating 10 the order Of business; and the Chair,
understanding the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bo!ts)
avow such 10 be his ebject decides that the question
is a question of privilege.
Mr. EVERETT said lie desired 10 take the of
the House lie point order and with that view he
appealed from the decision of lie Chair. lie did not
know any thing 10 make this question of privilege; II
did not pertain TO the members OF this House or to any
of their rights or privileges.
MIR. CUSHING demanded the yeas and nays on the
appeal,
Mr. Bolts mot having understood the object Of
Mr.. CusA nss moton) desired 10 be Informed whether
10 object'
Mr. CUSHING rose to answer the question
But Nix. BRIGGS submitted 10 The Speaker that the
question not detachable.
Mr.. BO1'fS (speoking apparently under general &C
auiescencel proceeded TO say propose to introduce,
for the consideration of this House charges of currup
ton, nal conduct, high crimes and misdemeanoTs com.
United by the acting President of the United States
which stand prepared TO prove by testimony the most
conclusive and irresistible; and TO ask the House TO
appoint committee to inquire into the truth OF those
charges report The testimony to the House, and their
opinion 10 what further action should be had thereon
do not ask The House in the absence Of that testimony
to vote articles of impeachment against Mr.. Tyler; but,
afler the most solemn deibeatlon and full conviction
my ability prove every charge bring against him,
no, ony ask but / demand Of this House, demand,
member o! this House. that committee be appoint
ed and that lie truth of The charges he inquired into
This is a right which should claim if came here as
tie hnnlblest citizen Of he Commonwealth OF Virginia,
Of the Nation, aud declared my readiness to prove
such charges against eay high officer of the Govern
,nen! how much more so, then, when come here as
tie representative OF fifty thousand reemen 1t is q
constitutional quesion-aad the highest of all cnnslitu
tona questions. TINS House ha We themselves declared
one hundred members Of the Wing party, constituting
majority OF the members present-solemny declared
at the last session Of Congress- and placed the cccara
ton record that in their opinion, Mr. Tyler had com
mit!td improbable offences. have declared IL; aud
feel il due to my personal honor, and 10 the personal
or set OF men, who is prepared 10 deal with 7agae and
indefinite charges, but is destitute of the holiness 10
stand up 10 ,hcm)-to pnt these charges in tangible
form, and 10 give The President If innocent, an oPpor
tunity OF repelling them. make charge of vague
and indefinite chsractcr-I make none that not
prepared to stand have acted on this subject con
sderaely have had since the last session TO delibe
rate; and the have reflected, the imperative
have felt my duty 10 be to bring the subject TO the
consideration of the House.
In doing this let me declare that so far from being
acuated BY desire 10 render myself conspicuous be-
fore this country, to throw myself in advance OF
those whom should be proud to follow, (as ! would
Tie ,umblest member herel-so far from i'll declare
vou Mr. Speaker, and TO this House, IN the presence
OF my Cad, that it the painful duty have ever
undertaken, and that have most reluctantly yielded
10 wha, regarded imperative sense OF cohstitu,
i0ra and representative obligation. | do not know
how long may have The honor of n seat in this House,
for am well aware that if the ability OF the State Lee
eisatuge Of Virginia is equal TO their good will, snail
probably not be here long. But never could retire TO
the pursuits and enjoynenis of private life with full
consciousness Of having discharged all my obligations
10 the Constitution and 20 the country, if were to
omit this sacred duty, as hold i, to be, II should not
make effort to discharge it. IL should fail, and
should at future day the overgrown and boated
rower of the Federal Executive tfamplng down all
oppositon-if should the Independence of this
branch OF the Government Frustrated end sacrificed
if should have the misfortune TO see the energies OF
THIS great people relaxed E!o idle lst!essncss and tame
Submission TO the iron will Of despotic tyran shall
have the saslaciion with proud heart and erect
bearing, CT rejecting tina: for one, enceavored to
arrest II.
SIR EVERETT here rose, and, addressing the Speak
err said took appeal from lie decision o! the Chair
Laughter.
Mr. Bolts submitted whether it was not now too
la;e'
M, SPEAKER said, No; the gentleman had right
10 have the question taken on his appeal.
Mr.. BOLTS desired TO remind the Chair OF The true
position of TIE question, and MI B. gave his under
Standing Of IT,
Mir EVERETT said he had desire 10 preven, the
gentlemen frsm bringing forward ms motion, hut he
vas DESTROYS that the important business OF the House
should not be detained by collateral matter. There
Gre two subjects, since the question oil the repeal OF
n. bankrupt law had come up, which collateral
debate Wis going on This the sole ground on
wi.;ch he made his objection. The Speaker had de
ded shat this privileged question, and he (alr
/! had taken an appeal from that decision If the
House sustained the Chair, the gentleman from Virg
(Alr. Bo!,s had right to go on; II not, he mus
re, the consent of wo thirds OF the House before lie
could proceed
The SPEAKER said he had no doub, that the ques
ton on the appeal must be taken first.
Mr. GlLMER inquired Of the Speaker what the pre-
else question wos:
The SPEAKER said that the gentleman from Nlr.
,na Mr. Ho,isl had risen and stated ta, be about
,a,as, The PERSISTENT and TO as investigation INTO
his conduct
Mr. GlLMER Et c9o'era.
The SPEAKER continued The Chair had decided
tina, his duty to submit The matter 10 the House
as question of privilege.
Mr. GlLalER And The gentleman from Vermont
MIR Everet) has appealed from the decision:
The SPEAKER. Just So
Mr. WISE was understood to call for The reading oil
Mr. Bolts proposition, or specifications.
Mr. Bolts sa.d he would read them himself, and
would then send them to the Clerks table.
Mr. WISE asked that tle Clerk should read them
Mr. Bolts preferred he said, to read them him
self; and he proceeded 10 read
al do mpeach John Tyler
Mr. NJ. A. COOPER. We cannot hear Let the
Clerk read them.
Mr. Bolts will read loud enough, if the gen
tleman w only be quiet.
Mr. EOTTS, from bis seat, reno the specifications,
rs follows:
81 do mpeoc Jchn Tyler, Vice President, acting as
President Of the United sa,cs, Of the following high
crimes and misdeU:eanors: