H. OF R.] Internal Improvements. [MAY 5, 1832. remain, and that, too, with this dredging machine? Even experiment. This, I believe, will be the third, I am told supposing it may be cut through, and part of it removed, the fourth, appropriation for that object. We have now what is to prevent the same operation from filling it up?been making the application for something little less than Sir, if Congress are really in earnest about removing the three years, I think, and the Secretary tells us it will take obstructions to our commerce, let them make an appro- ten years more; this is called an experiment! It is an expepriation to remove the Gulf stream across the Atlantic: riment with a vengeance! A thirteen years' experiment, pass a law to stop the storms which beset this coast: and at the rate of twenty or thirty thousand dollars a year, for then blow up the banks! We shall then have a good what, by their own showing, and the least acquaintance outlet to the ocean! I have had some knowledge of these with the nature of the obstructions, can produce nothing storms-as fine a specimen of storms as is known. It but waste of money and eventual disappointment. I have has, you know, sir, been doubted by some of our people, been informed by many respectable persons living on the whether they had better thunder in England than we banks and other places not remote, that the whole affair have in this country; but I am quite certain, if they have was viewed as a mere idle waste of money. But, as rebetter thunder, they have no better storms than we have gards the mud shoal below Washington, I cannot see about Cape Hatteras and Ocracock. Now, sir, to be se- what is the difference in principle between it and the rious, let me ask, what can we do against these elements? swash. The only difference is, one is an obstruction at To bear me out, let me quote from a report of the engi- the upper part of the same body of water, where it is callneers upon a kindred work, the celebrated Nag's Head, or ed Pamlico river, and the other at the lower part, where Roanoke inlet-obstructions made by the same elements. it is called Pamlico sound; both obstruct navigation and The following extract is from the report of Captain Hart- commerce. In explanation of a remark from Mr. SPEIGHT, man Bache, of the topographical engineers, dated Febru- that his information was drawn from pilots, who were inary 12, 1829: terested, Mr. H. said it was not alone from pilots, but from many other respectable people as well as respecta ble people of this class, whose information was likely to be, perhaps, better than others. The final success of the swash I doubt; as to the shoal near Washington, success would probably attend that, with means properly applied. The amendment of Mr. H. was then rejected. The House arriving at the item for removing the obstructions in the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, Mr. SEVIER offered an amendment, appropriating $15,000 for the improvement of the Arkansas river, and made a brief explanation in support of his motion. Mr. INGERSOLL proposed a proviso, which Mr. SEVIER accepted, and the amendment as modified was then agreed to. "It is impossible to enter upon the discussion of the proposed project, involving such important consequences to the populous and productive portions of the country, watered by the Roanoke river, without feeling deeply sensible of the difficulties in effecting so desirable an object, and the degree of uncertainty attending the result of any operations, where the causes to be governed are so infinite and powerful. This is apparent even to the most unpractised in the profession of engineering, wherever the course of nature, in her marine operations, is to be governed. Indeed, there is probably no subject within the range of science, where so much is deduced from hypothesis, and where, necessarily, in the results, there is so little certainty. Nor can we, from the causes already put in practice, adduce the evidence of success of any series of operations, having in view such improvements, inasmuch as every case is of a new character. This would appear to be the fact, when we bear in mind that proba- Mr. DENNY again proposed his amendment for an adbly in no one instance, where operations have been car-ditional superintendent, and a confinement of a part of ried on for the improvement of harbors, inlets, &c., the money appropriated to the improvement of the upper have the results met the expectations entertained. In ex- Ohio and Monongahela, and argued in support of it from pressing these opinions, I am impelled only by the desire the additional extent of work which had been just agreed of impressing upon the conviction of the sanguine the to, by adding the Arkansas and Missouri rivers. difficulties which belong to hydrographical improvements, without particular reference to the subject of this report." Mr. ASHLEY moved an amendment, including the Missouri river within the 50,000 dollars appropriated; which was agreed to. Mr. VANCE said he had travelled this part of the river, and it needed no improvement of the kind to be made by Mr. Shreeve. Sir, it will be seen that this reasoning is intended to ap- Mr. BELL inferred from the statement of Mr. VANCE, ply, not alone to Nag's Head, but to all marine obstruc- that a general and indefinite appropriation was improper; tions and improvements, and is peculiarly applicable to and that it ought to be more specific. He insisted on the swash. Now let us hear what the report of the Se- the inability of one superintendent to attend to so vast an cretary of War, made this session, tells us. The report, extent of water as four or five thousand miles. If the apin relation to Ocracock inlet, says: "The dredging ma-propriation was to be in such a general form, there ought chinery designed to improve the channel of this inlet, has to be several superintendents. been applied to that object, on the part called the Floun Mr. DENNY's amendment was rejected. der Slue, during all favorable weather, since the beginning of 1830, and about ten thousand cubic yards have been excavated. The engineer reports that, so far as a conclusion may be drawn from observation, during so short a period, it is in favor of the final success of the experiment. It is found that, in consequence of the exposed situation of the place of operations, not more than about one hundred and fifty working days in a year can be counted on; and, at the present rate, ten years would be required to complete the proposed excavation. In order to afford, in this case, an opportunity of making as fair experiments as practicable, it is intended to apply another dredging machine of greater power in aid of the one now employed," &c. With these high authorities, in addition to what I have myself shown, shall I not be borne out in my opinion of the utter futility of such enterprises? The Becretary of War tells us that the affair at Ocracock is an Mr. WHITE, of Louisiana, moved an amendment extending the improvements below New Orleans to the mouth of the Mississippi, and to deepen the channel on the bar at the Balize. He referred to a report of a United States' engineer, in support of the feasibility of the object. The amendment was agreed to-yeas 58, nays 57. The appropriation as amended was then agreed to. The other items were agreed to, until the House arriv ed at the item for a road from Detroit to Saganaw; when Mr. SEVIER renewed the motion made by him in com. mittee, for improving two roads in Arkansas (as heretofore reported.) The amendment was agreed to. On the items for the continuance of the Cumberland road west from Zanesville, Mr. ASHLEY moved an amendment for extending the road from Vandalia, in Illinois, to the city of Jefferson, in Missouri, and advocated the motion by a short speech. On the suggestion of Mr. DUNCAN, he modified it by adding a provision for additional surveys, if required. Mr. VANCE suggested that no contract with particular States bound the United States to carry the road into Missouri, as it did to extend it through Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois: if the measure was gone into, it must be at the risk of the Government of the United States entirely. Some further conversation took place on the subject, in which Messrs. VANCE, DUNCAN, ASHLEY, and McDUFFIE took part. [H. OF R. that the States were to relinquish the right of taxing the public lands, until five years had elapsed after they were disposed of by the United States. There were other considerations held out to induce the States to relinquish this important right, but it is believed by those best acquainted with the subject, that these compacts were highly disadvantageous to the States. Under the faith of these engagements, an act was passed by Congress, on the 15th of May, 1820, authorizing the President of the United States to appoint commissioners Mr. McDUFFIE said he had objected in the committee to lay out a road from Wheeling, in the State of Virginia, to every one of these appropriations. He would barely to the left bank of the Mississippi river, passing through state that the majority of the committee were in favor of the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. This was done, the opinion that Government has the power to make these and since that period different appropriations have been appropriations; if so, he saw no reason to object to that made, by the aid of which the road is completed about of the gentleman from Missouri; if they were to go on, half the distance through Ohio, and the timber removed let them do so in a jolly mood. Mr. McD. contended that from the whole line through the States of Indiana and the formation of this road was not for the benefit of com- Illinois, as far as Vandalia, the seat of Government for merce, but merely for the benefit of gentlemen who pre- that State. In addition to this, contracts have been made ferred travelling by land to travelling by water; or else for the construction of bridges and culverts, and for gradfor the local benefit of the States. Mr. McD. thoughting a portion of the road. that, if gentlemen laid the flattering unction to their souls Having progressed thus far, the question now is, shall that they could vote for this road without violating their we abandon this great work, and permit what has been constitutional scruples-those who had any-they were done to pass into a state of decay; for such must be the mistaken. A great deal had been said about the contract inevitable consequence of withholding this and future apwith Ohio; but that part of the country had already re-propriations for its consummation? If we now abandon ceived sufficient to satisfy that demand; and there was no the road, much of what has been expended will be lost, public improvement that he [Mr. McD.] did not conceive more called for than that of the Cumberland road. Mr. MERCER replied; denied that the road rested its claims upon its commercial character, and insisted that a communication between the seats of Government of the several States with the seat of the General Government was a purely national object, and had an obvious claim on the legislation of Congress. and these States, while their hands are tied up on the subject of taxation, will be compelled to witness a useless expenditure of at least a portion of the money for which they yielded the important privilege. There are other considerations which enter into the adjustment of these amendments, and which ought not to be lost sight of. During the discussion of a bank report the present session, the fact of the bank having applied a Mr. IRVIN, of Ohio, remarked that the deep interest | portion of its capital for stock in a turnpike road leading felt by his constituents, and by a large portion of the State to the city of Cincinnati was justified and maintained, he had the honor in part to represent, in the success of upon the ground that the bank owned property in that the proposed amendments, he had no doubt would be received by the House as an apology for consuming a small portion of their time, while he gave the reasons that would influence his vote, and, he trusted, the votes of a majority of the House in sustaining the amendments. Two objections have been made to the adoption of these amendments: First, that the road is not a commercial one: secondly, that the terms of the compact with Ohio have been more than complied with by the Government, and that Congress is under no obligations to make further appropriations for the continuance of the work. It is true, said he, as has been stated, that a sum of money exceeding two-fifths of the nett proceeds of the sales of the public lands in Ohio has been expended in the construction of the Cumberland road east of the Ohio river; and were these amendments to rest upon that ground alone, he was willing to admit they could not be sustained. By the third proposition contained in the act of Congress of the 19th of April, 1816, for the admission of Indiana into the Union, five per cent. of the nett proceeds of the sales of the public lands in that State were reserved for making public roads and canals, of which three-fifths was to be applied to those objects within the State, and two-fifths to the making of a road or roads leading to the State, under the direction of Congress. city, the value of which would be greatly increased by the construction of the road. He entirely concurred in sentiment with the honorable member who advanced the argument; and with him not only believed the measures to be justifiable, but highly expedient and proper. Now, if it was expedient and proper for the bank, on the score of interest, to join in the construction of a road, how infinitely more important is it that the United States should construct a road leading to their immense domains, consisting of some hundreds of millions of acres. A road must be constructed, either by the Government, or by individual labor and enterprise; and would it be magnanimous, or would it be just, for the Government to lie by, for the purpose of availing itself of an increased value to their property, from the labor of the settlers, who have as much to perform as they are capable of bearing, in overcoming the difficulties incident to the settlement of every new country? He could not believe that such an exaction would be made, but will cherish the hope that the amendments will be adopted, and the work prosecuted in good faith, to its final completion. The question was then put upon the amendment moved by Mr. ASHLEY, and it was rejected--yeas 55, nays 69. Mr. VANCE moved as an amendment an appropriation of $10,000 for the purchase of the bridge over the Scioto, at Columbus. In doing so, he explained the circumstances of the case. Mr. CRAIG opposed the amendment, on the ground that the United States were about to cede the whole road Ohio. Similar provisions are contained in the act of Congress of the 18th of April, 1818, for the admission of Illinois into the Union, and in the act of 6th of March, 1820, for the admission of Missouri into the Union, with this differ-to ence, that, by the latter act, the two per cent. is to be applied to the construction of roads or canals leading to the State, under the direction of Congress. These concessions were not mere gratuities made to the States; they were made upon the express condition The amendment was rejected. On Mr. VANCE's amendment repealing the provision of law empowering the President to appoint a superintend ent of the road in Ohio, Mr. IRVIN made some observations in opposition to the repeal; but the amendment was agreed to by a large majority. [MAY 7, 1832. land river, but, at the suggestion of Mr. LETCHER, agreed to the postponement of the consideration of the motion until Wednesday next. Mr. SPEIGHT moved to reconsider the vote taken yesterday on the motion of Mr. LETCHER, for the insertion Mr. LETCHER moved an amendment for the improve-of an appropriation for the improvement of the Cumber ment of the Cumberland river, and supported his motion by a eulogium on that river, and an estimate of the losses sustained at the Harpeth shoals. A survey had been made, and the sum of $50,000 for that improvement was a very small amount in proportion to the usefulness of the object. Mr. INGERSOLL objected to the item, as being new, and having no estimates accompanying it. He Mr. BLAIR, of Tennessee, warmly advocated the amendment, complaining that every part of the country could be improved, but that from which he came. insisted on the vast importance of that river to the West, and the effect the rejection of the amendment was likely to produce. Mr. MERCER stated why he could not vote for this object at present. He was as much in favor of the object as the gentleman, and would support it as soon as it came regularly before the House. Mr. LYON supported the amendment, and adverted to a former small appropriation which had been made for this object. Mr. INGERSOLL said that appropriation had only been for a survey of the river. The resolution of Mr. WILDE, respecting bullion, and the making of it a legal tender, was again taken up, and, after a few brief remarks, agreed to as amended, without a division. [On this resolution, Mr. IRVIN had previously demanded the yeas and nays, but which he withdrew.] POST OFFICE CONTRACTS, &c. The following resolution, offered some days ago by Mr. EVERETT, came up for consideration: Resolved, That the Postmaster General be directed to transmit to this House a copy of the contracts lately made by him with True and Greene, and Hill and Barton, for printing Post Office blanks; and also a copy of the contract made with Simeon Ide, for the same purpose, in 1827; and also to state whether proposals were published for said contracts, and the amount paid under said con tracts. Mr. BLAIR, of South Carolina, moved to lay the resolution on the table. Mr. LETCHER replied to Mr. INGERSOLL, and said Mr. EVERETT, of Vermont, rose to state the grounds that the same objection might be urged against the items on which he had offered the resolution. In 1827, the which had been agreed to for the Ohio, Mississippi, Ar- contract for printing the Post Office blanks was given to kansas, and Missouri; an estimate had once been made by the lowest bidder. On proposals published by the depart an engineer, and this object was perfectly known. The ment, in the early part of the session, his attention was iron works and the coal trade were separated by the ob-called to the subject by a letter from one of his constitustacle to be removed. He pressed the friends of internal ents, requesting him to ascertain when the proposals for improvement to be consistent, and not to desert those who the contract for the ensuing four years would be publishhad always acted with them; and denied that the billed; and that, on application to the department, he was would be jeopardized by introducing it. The yeas and nays were ordered, and, being taken, stood as follows: yeas 63, nays 80. Mr. MERCER renewed the amendment for an appropriation for removing the obstructions in the Savannah river. Mr. THOMPSON, of Georgia, said the House had already been sitting for nearly six hours, and it was evident that it would be a considerable time yet before they could wade through the other amendments; he would, therefore, move an adjournment. informed that contracts had already been made with Hill and Barton, and True and Greene. Of the nature of that contract, whether beneficial or not, he was not informed. He was advised that proposals had been made to the department at lower rates than the former contracts. That when the department thought proper to change the mode of making a contract of this magnitude, it was proper the House should know it; and if any evil had resulted from it, it might be provided against by legislation. Whether the contract was beneficial or not, could not be determined until the answer of the department should be laid before the House. He had not expected that the resolution would have met with any opposition. Mr. T., however, withdrew the motion, by request. Mr. JOHNSTON, of Virginia, moved a reconsideration of the vote given yesterday on the subject of the subscrip- Mr. SPEIGHT suggested that the gentleman might tion to the stock of the Alexandria canal. He stated that accomplish his object by simply requiring the Postmaster he was one of those who formed the majority by which General to state whether the practice of the department the bill had been rejected; but having been informed by at present was different from what it had been formerly. its friends that it was their intention to present it in a The call in its present shape must produce a very volu shape in which the obnoxious features, that had occasion-minous report, which, in his opinion, was wholly unneed many gentlemen to vote against it, would be removed, cessary. he was induced to offer the motion, in order to give them Mr. R. M. JOHNSON said that it was proper for him an opportunity of submitting it in its best shape. In say-to state that the practice of the department had been per ing this much, however, he wished the House distinctly to understand that he by no means pledged himself as to any ulterior action on the bill. On motion of Mr. BARBOUR, the further consideration of the motion was postponed until Friday next. Adjourned. MONDAY, MAY 7. Mr. E. EVERETT, from the minority of the select committee to whom was referred the bill for the apportionment of representatives, and the Senate's amendment thereto, made a counter report, [for which see Appendix,] accompanied by an amendment to that proposed by the Senate, which was committed, and ordered to be printed. fectly uniform on the subject of these contracts. There was no law requiring them to be given to the lowest bidder. The usual mode had been for the department to fix the price of the supplies it needed; and to avoid the delay and trouble of carrying them from one part of the country to another, the contracts were parcelled out in different portions of the Union. Mr. J. said he had no objection to the inquiry proposed, except on account of the unnecessary labor to which it would put the department. It was extremely inconvenient to have the clerks taken from the regular course of their occupations to answer calls of this kind, which, after great time and trou ble had been spent upon them, for the most part issued in nothing. In reply to the gentleman from North Carolina, [Mr. SPEIGHT,] and from Kentucky, [Mr. JOHNSON,] Mr. EVERETT stated that the reply of the department could not require much time, all the papers called for being merely copies of the contracts, the offers of individuals, and a statement of the quantity of papers, &c. paid for. That though it was true that there was no law directing the department to advertise for the contract, yet the gentleman was mistaken in supposing it had been the practice of that department to make private contracts for their printing. That, in 1827, the department did advertise: how the practice had been before that time, he was not informed. [H. OF R. should such an investigation be based? It should always be preceded by the allegation of some specific fact of malversation. If Mr. C. should see that, he pledged himself to vote for the inquiry; but he could not consent that the money of the people should be consumed on such an investigation, without some distinct ground to believe that something was wrong. Besides, at this late stage of the session, could the gentleman believe that such an investigation, if gone into, could possibly be completed? Did he remember that they were within four weeks of the usual termination of the session? The gentleman said that the grounds of his amendment had long been in his mind; if so, why did he not sooner bring them forward? Believing that no good could grow out of the proposed inquiry, and that the officers of the Government had some character to be preserved, he should vote against the amendment. Mr. WHITTLESEY said he was in favor of the resolution, but he wished a much more extended inquiry gone into in reference to the affairs of that department of the Government. Gentlemen who support the administration had made the most frank and liberal professions (and none could be more rejoiced at witnessing them than himself) that they were ready and willing to go into such an Mr. R. M. JOHNSON said he had not expected such inquiry, if any gentleman would rise in his place and say a substitute to be offered by any member of the House, that he had reason to believe that there was mismanage- certainly not by a gentleman who, like himself, was enment in any part of the affairs of the Government. Mr. titled to be called a working member; a gentleman, too, W. said he was one who did believe, and had long been who had told him in conversation, and had told the House under the belief, that very gross mismanagement did exist in debate, that it was not worth while to call up any more in the Post Office Department; and he was desirous of of those useful bills for private relief, of which not less availing himself of the frank offers that had been made to than three hundred remained still unacted upon. Though introduce the resolution he had offered, proposing a more the honorable gentleman had labored in the preparation extended inquiry than that contained in the resolution of those bills, still it was now so late in the session that just offered by the gentleman from Vermont; and he hoped the gentleman had abandoned them in despair. Now, that the honorable gentleman from Kentucky, [Mr. Joux- however, the gentleman seemed to wish to get up a dust. SON,] at the head of the Post Office Committee, with whose The House, he presumed, had not dust enough already. liberality of conduct and feeling every one was acquaint-There were not enough of exciting subjects before it. ed, would extend the same indulgence to an inquiry of The Bank of the United States-the trial which was this kind, which he had done in so prompt and ample a shortly to be resumed-the tariff-the apportionment manner on a late occasion. [When on the Bank Com-bill--the bill for internal improvements--all these were mittee.] not sufficient. The gentleman wanted a committee got As to the labor that might be necessary to answer the up, who should inquire into matters and things in genecall, he considered that a matter of very small compara-ral, although a similar committee, appointed by another tive importance. If the affairs of the department were branch of the Legislature, had given up the chase in degoing wrong, the House ought to know it; but if they spair, after getting pretty near a cart load of documents. were all conducted with fairness and propriety, the inqui- Mr. J. said he felt, and always showed so much respect ry would afford an opportunity for making that fact known for the very worthy gentleman as the chairman of one of to the House and to the nation. He then moved to strike the working committees of the House, and for the comout the whole of the motion now before the House, and mittee over which he presided, that he really thought the insert a proposition for the appointment of a committee honorable member might show some little respect, in reto examine the present condition of the Post Office De-turn, to him, and to the Post Office Committee. The genpartment, &c. &c., with power to send for persons and tleman seemed to wish to razee him; but how would he papers. look when he was razeed, and set to act as a lieutenant Mr. CRAWFORD said that the amendment struck only in a committee that was inquiring into the affairs of him as of a most extraordinary character. A proposition the Post Office, with his honorable friend at the head of had been offered by the gentleman from Vermont to in-it as the chairman? He would, however, make a propoquire into a single contract--an inquiry into which he pre-sal to the gentleman. If the worthy member would postsumed no one would make any opposition, and now to such a resolution the gentleman wished to append an amendment, going to propose an inquiry into the whole administration of the Post Office Department, and this without the allegation of a single fact. Only on the belief of the gentleman from Ohio, the House was called to cast a shade over the reputation of one of the best offi-morrow morning. cers that ever existed in any Government. The gentleman would probably say that such was not his intention in offering the amendment, but Mr. C. knew too well that an inquiry of this kind could be wielded with some effect at the approaching election; and if it should be gone into, he would venture to predict that it would be so used. Why were committees of investigation ever ap-as follows: pointed? It was only when some disease was believed to Mr. Speaker: Arraigned for the first time in my life, lurk beneath the surface which required to be probed to on a charge of violating the laws of my country, I feel all the bottom. But would that House institute a commit-that embarrassment which my peculiar situation is calcu tee of investigation without any charge being first made? lated to inspire. Though I have been defended by able Would it raise a committee, with power to send for persons and papers, unless further proof were adduced to show that additional guards were needed to ensure a fair administration of the affairs of the department? On what pone his inquiry to the first week of the next session, Mr. J. would consent to be his lieutenant, and then they would see which would outdo the other as a working man in prosecuting the inquiry to its consummation. The hour for resolutions having expired, Mr. J. said he would reserve the rest of what he had to say until to BREACH OF PRIVILEGE. The hour of twelve, appointed for a further hearing of the case of Samuel Houston for an alleged breach of privilege, having arrived, the accused was brought to the bar; when he rose, and addressed the House in his own defence and enlightened counsel, possessing intellect of the very highest order, embellished, too, by all that science and literature can bestow, yet it seems proper that, under such circumstances, I should be heard in my own vindication. H. OF R.] Breach of Privilege. [MAY 7, 1832. The charge which has been preferred against me is one accidental. We came together wholly unexpectedly on of no ordinary character. If I shall be convicted of hav- my part, and under circumstances of provocation, such as ing acted from the motive alleged by my accuser, lasting I am well persuaded no member of this body would ever infamy must be the necessary consequence. To my apprehension, the darkest dungeons of this Government, with all the pains and penalties of treason, present a trifling consideration when compared with that load of infamy which, under such circumstances, must attach itself forever to my name. brook. Did I attack him without previous challenge? No. Did I not apprise him that I was the individual he had injured? He had ample time to place his hand upon his arms, which he did! I was unarmed. Sir, has this the semblance of assassination? However culpable my conduct may, by some, be considered, the crime of lying What is the nature of the charge? I am accused of in wait had its existence only in the imagination of my aclying in wait, for the purpose of depriving a fellow-man cuser. The honorable Senator from Missouri [Mr. BUCK. of the efficient use of his person, if not of existence itself. NER] has testified to the House that I was not apprised Sir, can there be a greater crime? Who, but a wretch beforehand of any such meeting-that it was purely acciunworthy of the name of man, could ever be guilty of it? dental, and wholly unexpected—that the action took place I disclaim, utterly, every motive unworthy of an honora- under a heated state of feeling, and was prompted by his ble man. If, when deeply wronged, I have followed the arraigning me, before this honorable body, and his subsegenerous impulse of my heart, and have thus violated the quent outrages upon my feelings and character! laws of my country, or trespassed on the prerogatives of It has been said by my accuser that the attack made this honorable body, I am willing to be held to my respon- upon him was for words uttered in his place. It is true sibility for so, doing. No man has more respect for this that he had laid before the House a charge of corruption, body, and its rights and privileges. Never can I forget in which my name was implicated; but it was not for the the associations connected with this Hall. Never can I words he uttered here that I assailed him. It was for publose the remembrance of that pride of heart which swelled lishing in the Intelligencer libellous matter, to my injury; my bosom when finding myself, for the first time, enjoy-such as no member of this honorable court, who is coning those privileges, and exercising those rights, as one scious of the rights of an American citizen, would ever of the representatives of the American people. Whatever tamely submit to. It was for a false and libellous matter, may have been the political collision in which I was oc-published in anticipation of its regular place" in the decasionally involved, whatever diversity of feelings may bates of this House. After having been blasted" by the have for a moment separated me from some of my asso-stroke of adversity, and hunted from society as an outlaw, ciates, they have never been able to take away that re-to be now libelled for corruption, and charged with fraud spect for the collective body which I have ever proudly upon the Government, is too much to endure! Could the cherished. The personal associations I have enjoyed with human mind brook it? Could I submit to this, I should many of those I now see around me, I shall ever remem- indeed think that was a man not only of "broken forber with the kindest feelings. None of these things, how-tune," but of "blasted reputation." It is well known that ever, are to operate as the smallest extenuation of my a private citizen has no opportunity of reply to an attack offence that shall be proved against me. All I demand that may be made upon him on this floor. It was for the is, that my actions may be pursued to the motives which publication of such an attack-for the publication of a gave them birth. Though it may have been alleged that I charge which has here been disproven, inasmuch as no am "a man of broken fortune and blasted reputation," I testimony has been adduced to support it. It was for this never can forget that reputation, however limited, is the that I assailed the member; and I now assert that his charge high boon of heaven. Perhaps the circumstances of adver- is groundless. The proof has failed. The proof was on sity, by which I have been crushed, have made me cling to him. I was not called on to prove a negative, though I the little remains of it which I still possess, and to cherish was prepared to do it. After an attack like this had been them with the greater fondness. made on my good name, with all that respect for the pri Though the ploughshare of ruin has been driving over vileges of this House which I have ever felt, and which me, and laid waste my brightest hopes, yet I am proud to arises from the conviction that they have been entrusted think that, under all circumstances, I have endeavored to to it for the public good; although I considered the publi sustain the laws of my country, and to support her insti- cation false and libellous, I was induced, by my respect tutions. Whatever may be the opinions of gentlemen in for this body, not to look upon him as a private individual relation to these matters, I am here to be tried for a sub who had wronged me, but as a member of this House. I stantive offence, disconnected entirely with my former therefore addressed to him a note. It was my privilege life or circumstances. I have only to say to those who re-to do so. However humble I may be, and however blastbuke me, at the time when they see adversity sorely ed in the estimation of some gentlemen, it was still my pressing upon me, for myself privilege, in common with the humblest citizen that treads American soil, to address an inquiry to the honorable member. I asked of him, respectfully, and in language to which none can object, whether that publication was his, and under what circumstances it had been made. Sir, he did not deign to reply; but, proceeding on his own assumption that I was a man of "blasted reputation," he would not condescend, nor even stoop from the lofty height of his official dignity, to notice me, a mere private individual. The terms in which he couched his refusal were of the most insulting character. He declared that I had no right, after all that he had said, to make even a Sir, had I contemplated any such attack, I should have request for explanation. This was assuming higher ground been prepared for the purpose. Had I thought it possi-than that of his privilege. It is the right of all-of the ble that, in walking on that avenue, I was to meet an in- lowest and the humblest-to request an explanation where dividual who had aught against me, and was disposed to redress the wrong by a personal rencontre, should I have been found in the circumstances in which I was? Was I armed? Was I lying in wait? What says the testimony? My meeting with the member from Ohio was perfectly "I seek no sympathies, nor need: The thorns which I have reaped are of the tree In support of the charge on which I am here arraigned, I ask, what facts have been adduced to prove either my motive or my course of action? I am well aware that this honorable body, in the incipient stages of this prosecution, acted under the allegation that I had been guilty of a very great outrage-that I had been lying in wait, and had been guilty of an attack upon an unarmed and helpless man. they are personally concerned. But this was denied me. That universal right of petition which is guarantied by the constitution to all the people of the United States, on which right my application was based. This common, this sacred, this wise, indefeasible privilege was refused to an |