The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-17

and one was examined in the presence OF two OF the
and The chairman. and the other in the pres
snce OF but one member and the chairman In spirit of
espionage which we viii not characterize in the terms
which il deserves these witnesses were asked whether
they had been invited to house. whether they had
partaken Of our hospitality. and whether we had ever
spoke to them about the public printing We had never
exchanged word with either OF them upon thai subject
The moment we found that this singular Investigation was
taking 80 extraordinary sweep we made another appi
cation in writing to appear before the committee TO cross
examine the witnesses We received no answer u this
application, verbal or in writing. until we received the
following letter from its chairman last Wednesday
week
"WAsHIsoros, sep,ember2, 1850
"SRi The select committee upon tho pubic prnting
having concluded their examination have deposited the
testimony taken with Mr. Back Of the assistant clerks
of the House, with Instructions to lot you examine II NJ
your pleasure time during the sessions Of the House
for this week.
"Should you wish further time, you will please notify the
committee Should you wish witnesses exa mined 10 rei@-
ZION any embraced in such testimony la way
i'm pcaing yourself personally you will also please notify
the committee. and be present yourself suggest 10 them
such questions You may deem important touching the
matter under investigation.
Respectfully. yours, &C..
"JOHN WENTWORTH,
chairman Select Committee"
THohAs RIrcHiR, esq"
To this note We made the following reply
WASHINGTON, september4, 1850
'SR have receiveda communication from you, inform
Ing me that permitted inspect the testimony taken
by the select committee Of which you are chairman bur
limiting me, point of time. the session hours Of the
Honse during the present week You pleased also TO
intimate thar, il wish for further time must noufy
the committee OF the fact.
fcour IL would appear, al the first blush, that the re-
sui, of investigation which has taken the committee
than four months to omplste, would require more
than four days. during tho session hours OF the House, too
examine critically, when IL also lS4 pages oil
MS
sThis difficulty is increased, too by another considers
ton On applying Mr. Buck learn, TO my great sur.
prise, tina; eye but my own to inspect the MS rms
inerdct OF course excludes Mr. Trenholm, my foreman
the only who thoroughly understands the subject
who II with every transaction connected with
my Office before and since the mad, and ihs
one who best understands tho bearing of nearly all the
testimony, and knows best how explain conrovert
every position which is taken against the contractor
I such be your decsonf nobody is permitted to see
the Ms except myself, who really know very little OF the
muarous details connected with this investigation and
fhe only who can most efficiently assist me IL en-
tirey excluded from inspection of the MS am
compelled appeal from your decision the revision OF
the committee and request you lay this communication
before them. shall proceed further in this matter
until learn the result of this appeal
"Havng been refused the privilege of appearing before
the committee, although have made two separate app
cations in writing claiming hat privilege, know moi
most OF the witnesses who have been examined, wha
Testimony has been generally taken and of know
not what charges have To meet and what defence hav
make Bar, If the restrictions of which complain
removed, viii avail myself of the privilege of appearif
by myself by counsel, and examining witnesses pro
testing that in dong do thereby acquesce in thu
mode OF investigation which the committee have seen fit
pursue regard myself had uohing do with thei
Inquiry the best mode OF conducting the public print
Ing; but the very resolution which by yourse
involved other and very diereot objects. avowed my
self, without the slightest hesitation. be amost exclusive
y interested In the public printing stated that one Of
the objects Of that resolution aimed principally
and asked In tho ofjustcs and right, that might be
permitted 10 appear before The committee person, by
counsel crosexamine witnesses when they touched
mauers connected with nay interests refused with
the ark that, ift found thereafter that my
brought in, shou have the privilege Of
aiming witnessesaer, TOO, their testimony had been
taken, and for want Of proper explanations erroneous I'm
pes,ons had been made my prejudice upon the mind
ofthe committee, and perhaps gone forth tho world &c
operate against understand from witnesses who
examined-both respectable members of Con.
gress, Zone examined before members of the commits
and yourself and the other before bur commiuee
and yourself Of commtes of this investsa
ton has taken extraordinary sweep Those gentle
were even exann-d as TO th having participated In tn
hospiatiss OF my house, and uPoa my having spoken
them about the publo prnunS. Passing these
delicate mattcwh,ch protesting have any
pect for hinsclf readily overlook think myself
bound remark that the inves tous before the
tee touching the manner In wsoh contract had been
executed and involving my private h,ns, have been
rely parfs The committee have refused the right
in snch cass TO be pessnt In person by counsel,
confront and min tie Tho right OF
examination 10 sied IL every tribunal where
the object, 20 sedl instrument elicng
the truth, that Is held aored and in suca,
his privilege has not been fully joycd, will the tesimo
ny taken be allowed ~ be read II be said that may
recall the witnesses II desire 10 sexamine them,
eply that some Of hem, as am informed have already
departed fIom Washington, aud gone - parts
Besdes, an advised by those accustomed to investga
lions of this sur ana well acqua with the legal
the PREMISES that the RICH cross-eIsune months
the witnesses had etted, aud where present
Al the time thay tssh d IN chief, would DO little more
mocsery, and is the r,sh, oil crosexsm
anin, all tbs testimony which has taken sr yare q,
insdinis,lblc.
"Your obed ent servant,
THOMAS RICHIE"
The chairman replied that he had consulted the CON-
,nitee on the application, and that we might submit
the evidence to foreman but requested that should
90 through the examination Of testimony ut early
day possible He also stated further ia his reply, that
the committee were the best Judges OF the manner in
which they should conduct their own investigation.
We regret that the copy Of this note. well as the
others TO which refer in this article, at present
misaid An additional application from Us to "he
Hon." John Wentworth for leave to substitute pariicu-
lar friend counsel was granted We lost time in
and examining Witnesses That examination