The Arkansas banner., 1844-09-04

iot .he committee have the tiRe, the opp0y- 1 tu7ltty and the medns, 10 ascertain tbe facfs Il It was false, was not the committee wa,4- lng m the'discharge of their dsties 10 tber constituents Did they not suffer a lTaud | 10 De perPetrated upon the people of the otafe, n not performing their duties. and in permitting the election of Col Sevier? What excuse can be made for the six members of lhe committee, whose duty it was to ascer- tam and report the facts, and who, after elc- zen days investigation, made the Report. which they did, and then voted for Col. Se- Yler ? If the Report was true. how does if compare with the second Report9 Is not the one or the other most evidently false ?- Which IS it2 Ifthe first, were not the mem- bers who took the lead in institntino and prosecuting the investigation. for the purpo- ! ses which prompted it, guilty of derelicfiop of duty, and fraud upon the people 1? | the second be true, i'll the charges made aaganst Col Sevier, direct as well as by in- ference and inuendo, so far fYm being wor- thy to represent Arkansas in the United States Senate, IS he not unworthy to associate. as the equal, with honest men2 These oues- tons are epropounded for the consideration of iar minded men, with the sure conviction of the response such men must make.
 As have already said, the committee had all the means, and every opportunity of as- csrtainmg the truth. They had eleren daus and might have had longer time, had they desired 1t the mode and manner of the sale and conversion of the funds into Southern and Western paper, had been reported to the Legislature in 1858; the books and records of the Bank were open to inspection; the clerk of the bank was ready and willing to afford them every possible facility, and Messrs. Seyier and Williamson were then in the city ot Little Rock, ready 10 give any informa- tlon which might have been desired of them as well as to make every necessary explana- ton. Let these facts be borne in mind
 Alter the election for Senator, had trans pired, all supposed that nothing more would be heard of this subject The motive and object which prompted the investigation no longer existed. Then why was t further pursued The answer is obvious. The House, by sustaining thesReport made upon the State Bank Bonds, had virtually declared to Dr. Gibson, that he had "6orne fa7se seit- ness agaiast his neighbour In regard to the Real Estate Bank Bonds, he had been more cautious, and had made no direct charge but charges were made by implication, to the understanding ofal. Tie two subjects were justly regarded as twin brothers; and the Report made by Walker and Field, was not well calculated 10 assuage the already wound- ed feelings of Dr. Gibson.
 On the 1Hlh December, nearly a month after the Seaatoral election had taken place, when Col. Segier was in Washington City. and Gen. Williamson at his farm in Hemp sterl county, most singular Report is made to the House of Representatives, by this same joint committee; a Report, in which statements are made, conclusions drawn, charges directly and indirectly preferred, in their nature SO grave and serious, that they filled every mind with the, most profound as tonlShment. Ought not this duty to have been performed before the election for Sena- tor took place And ought not Sevier and Williamson to have been asked-.are these things so p The privilege of explanation was not afforded them. When they were in Little Rock, they were acquitted of every charge. But after they had left the city, and 1t was thought the subject had been put qui- etly to sleep, to awake no more, some mem bers of the committee were silently pHrsu- ing their victna; and this extraordinary Re port was drawn ont by Dr. Gibson, and was signed by himself and Messrs Field and Walker, as well as four other members of the who had silently acauiesced in the Report of Walker and Field, and con- frmed that Report by voting for Seyier ItI was then presented to the House of Repre- sentatives, and contrary to law, 10 reason, to common sense, and the plamest principles of equity and justice, Seyier and Williamson, who had been once tried and acquitted were in tReir absence C second time put upon trial for the same alleged oBeace and condemned UNHEARD3
 Col. Seyier asks, that tllis CD parte conyc- tion and judgment, be opened, and new trial granted him. He asks the privilege that was granted Paul, in the days of his persecution to confront his accusers, and be ''permitted to speak for himselfn Is there man in the State, professing to be honorable, who would, under such circumstances, close the door to a re-investigation, and deny him this right Is there one who will say to Coi Sevier, sswe will receive the last Report as true, al- though contradicted by the first we will ad- here to the judgment already rendered against you, although you were tried in yoar absence; could not confront your accusers face to face, and could not be heard your own defence; and although your accuser sat, and acted as one of your judges No, we will dye deep CT the stain thus cast upon your reputation, and will give you no opportunity 10 make your innocence manhestn' Will tle people of Arkansas tolerate this ask in tho name of JUSTICE.
 August 20. lS4l.
 For He .RrIfansas Banner.
 HENRY CLAY.
 MR. DITon:--Allow me to submit to the consideration of yourself and Your readers,