The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-03-12
THE IMPEACHMENT MATTER.

The Committee on the judiciary, charged BY
the House of Representatives with the examina
ton of certain allegations of high crimes ano
misdemeanors against the President of the
United States, submit the following report:
On the 7th day of January, 1867, The House
On the motion of Hon. James NJ Ashley, Rep
resentative from the State of Ohio, adopted the
following preamble and resolutions, to wit
L do impeach Andrew johnson, Vice Pesi
dent and Acting President of the United States
OF high crimes and misdemeanors, &c.
| Here follow the specifications and resolutions
adopted on that OCCASION
The duty imposed upon the committee by this
action of the House was of the highest and
gravest character. No committee, during the
entire history of the government, has ever been
charged with more important trust. The re.
| sponslbllity which it imposed was of oppressive
weight and of most unpleasant nature. Gladly
would the committee have escaped from the
arduous labor imposed upon it by the resolution
OF the House, but, once imposed, prompt, delib-
crate and faithful action, with view to correct
results, became its duty and to this end it has
directed its efforts.
Soon after the adoption of the resolution by
the House, Hon James NJ Ashley communi-
Gated to the committee, in support of his charges
against the President of the United States, such
facts as were in his possession, and the invest-
CATION was proceeded with, and has been con-
tinued almost without days interruption. A
large number Of witnesses has been examined
many documents collected, aud everything done
which could be done TO reach conclusion of the
case. But the investigation covers broad field,
embraces many novel, interesting, and impor-
tant questions, and involves multitude of facts,
while most Of the witnesses are distant from the
capitol, owing to which the committee, in view
of the magnitude of the interests involved in its
action, have not been able to conclude its labors,
and is not therefore prepared to submit definite
and final report. If the investigation had even
approached completeness, the committee would
not feel authorized to present the result to the
House at this late period of the session, unless
the charges had been so entirely negatived as to
admit of no discussion, which, in the opinion Of
the committee, is not the case.
Certainly, 90 affirmative report could be pro-
perly considered in the expiring hours of this
Congress.
The committee not having fully Investigated
all the charges prepared against the President
of the United States, it is deemed inexpedient
to submit any conclusion beyond the statement
that sufficient testimony has been brought to its
notice to justify aud demand further prosecu-
ton of the investigation.
The testimony which the committee has taken
will pass into the custody of the Clerk of the
House, aud can 60 into the hands of such COM
mittee as may be charged with the duty of
bringing this investigation to close, so that the
labor expended upon it may not have been in
vain
The committee regrets its inability definitely
to dispose of the important subject committed
to its charge, aud presents this report for its
own justification, and for the additional purpose
Of notifying the succeeding Congress of the in-
completeness of its labors, and that they should
be completed. JAMES WILSON, Chairman.
FRANCIS THOMAS,
D. MORRIS,
F. E. WOODBRIDGE,
GEO. S. BOUTWELL,,
THOMAS WILLIAMS,
BURTON c. Cook,
WILLIAM LAWRENCE