Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-01-02

ne last session. because from the laeness of the peri
cd ct whoa They reached HIM, It void have been I'M
possible u expect any acton by the House; and thus
Injustice might have resulted ID ID accused, by the
pending oe charges for so long pen, without opPJr-
lunty OF answe. reiutation. HI my duty now,
however I, presen. them, and TO asaor the complain
ant due investigation Of his complaints The charges
are, upon their face, oil gave naY: 1t did not be-
conc HIM to express his opinion res citing them; but
he would ask that full eXannalio be ordered, with
view OF enabling both parties to resent for them
selves such facts MS they may deemhpproprate. Nlr
l. said he had consulted the precedtts IN such eases;
aad he found that the usual coursewas TO refer such
matters The first instance, TO the Committee OF the Ju
dietary lie would with the leave of lie House, make
motion aat the papers be referred 10 tat committee.
Should it hereafter appear that social committee
would be necessary the Judiciary Cofmi,tee would
re port and the House would no doub allow it.
Mr.. l.. said il night be proper fol him TO add that
the original papers were destroyed, with others of his
papers m The con1lgation of Tallahassee last spring
but that the papers presented were peclse copies He
would also state that the judge had peen notified BY
him that he intended 20 present those charges, and re-
quested 10 prepare for bis defence.
The SPEAKE said that it could oily be entertain
ed a, this time by general CONSENT as TIE order of bust
ness WINS The call of the States for petitions No objec
lion being made, the papers were referred to The Judi
ciary Committee.
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON desired 10 give notice, but
il was objected TO; and the call for petitions pro-
Mr. MCCONNELL presented joint resolutions of
the Legislature of Alabama, upon the subject OF post
ages
Mr. GiDDINGS presented memorial, and moved
its reference TO select committee OF five members,
with instructions to inquire into and report the facts OF
the case and that, for this purpose they have the pow
er 10 send for persons and papers.
Mr. MCCONNELL called for the reading Of the pc
tition; and it was read by the Clerk cs follows:
To the Congress IF the Uaited STATES:
The humble petition oil Wm Jones, now prisoner
in the United States Jail in Washington city, respect
fully represents:
Tina, your memorial;s is free citizen OF the
United States, born free in the Snle OF Virgi-
MA and has ALWAYS been an industrious and hcE-
est ctzan, cbargeate with no crime; that, while enjoy
ing his liberty in this city, he sezed, and without
any charge OF crime, thrown into JAIL where ne has
been confined for several weeks and is advertised
TO be sold as slave by the marshal of the United States
10 pay The expenses of his imprisonment, unless his
owner shall appear that your petitioner has no owner
but his God and owes service but to his country
that il is hard for him TO be imprisoned without fault
md then sold TO pay the expense. He therefore Prays
tina, Congress will exert their powers for The protection
of the weak, and procure for him that liberty and jus
tice " hch are his right, and which he has specia
claim for in The DISTRICT which is under the exclusive
legislation Of your honorable body.
his
WILLIAM = JONES.
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