_February 1, 1798._
The reading of the letter having been gone through, a member proposed
that it should lie on the table, when
Mr. MACON said, that as it was an acknowledgment of improper conduct, he
thought it ought to be entered upon the journals.
Mr. NICHOLAS moved that the letter be referred to the committee who have
this subject under consideration. Gentlemen would recollect, he said,
that, on a former occasion, when an offence of the same nature was
committed, a letter written by the offending member was not only
referred, but was also deemed a sufficient apology to the House. He did
not know that this would be the case in the present instance; but that
it might be, was evinced by the case to which he alluded. He hoped,
therefore, it would be referred. Agreed to.
FRIDAY, February 2.
_Breach of Privilege._
Mr. VENABLE from the Committee of Privileges, made the following report:
The Committee of Privileges, to whom was referred a
resolution on the 30th of January, charging Matthew Lyon
with disorderly behavior, with instructions to inquire into
the whole matter thereof, and to report the same, with
their opinion thereon, to the House, having examined
several witnesses on oath touching the subject, report:
That, during the sitting of the House of Representatives on
the 30th day of January, 1798, the tellers of the House
being engaged in counting the ballots for Managers of the
impeachment against William Blount, the Speaker had left
his chair, and many members their seats, as is usual on
such occasions; the Speaker was sitting in one of the
member's seats, next to the bar of the House, and several
members near him, of whom Mr. Griswold was one.
Mr. Lyon was standing without the bar of the House, leaning
on the same, and holding a conversation with the Speaker.
He spoke loud enough to be heard by all those who were near
him, as if he intended to be heard by them. The subject of
his conversation was, the conduct of the Representatives of
the State of Connecticut, (of whom Mr. Griswold was one.)
Mr. Lyon declared that they acted in opposition to the
interests and opinion of nine-tenths of their constituents;
that they were pursuing their own private views, without
regarding the interests of the people; that they were
seeking offices, which they were willing to accept, whether
yielding $9,000 or $1,000. He further observed that the
people of that State were blinded or deceived by those
Representatives; that they were permitted to see but one
side of the question in politics, being lulled asleep by
the opiates which the members from that State administered
to them; with other expressions equally tending to derogate
from the political integrity of the Representatives of
Connecticut.
On Mr. Lyon's observing, that if he should go into
Connecticut, and manage a press there six months, although
the people of that State were not fond of revolutionary
principles, he could effect a revolution, and turn out the
present Representatives--Mr. Griswold replied to these
remarks, and, amongst other things, said that, "If you go
into Connecticut, you had better wear your wooden sword,"
or words to that effect, alluding to Mr. Lyon's having been
cashiered in the army.
Mr. Lyon did not notice the allusion at this time, but
continued the conversation on the same subject. Mr.
Griswold then left his seat, and stood next to Mr. Lyon,
leaning on the bar, being outside the same.
On Mr. Lyon's saying he knew the people of Connecticut
well, having lived among them many years--that he had
frequent occasion to fight them in his own district, and
that he never failed to convince them--Mr. Griswold asked,
if he fought them with his wooden sword, on which Mr. Lyon
spat in his face.
The Committee having attentively considered the foregoing
state of facts, and having heard Mr. Lyon in his defence,
are of opinion that his conduct in this transaction was
highly indecorous, and unworthy of a member of this House.
They, therefore, recommend the adoption of the resolution
submitted to their consideration by the House, in the words
following, to wit:
"_Resolved_, That Matthew Lyon, a member of this House, for
a violent attack and gross indecency, committed upon the
person of Roger Griswold, another member, in the presence
of the House while sitting, be for this disorderly behavior
expelled therefrom."
The report having been read,
Mr. LYON said, he did not think the evidence was stated in its full
extent in this report. He wished, therefore, before the House proceeded
in the business, they would hear the evidence themselves.
Mr. HARPER inquired of the SPEAKER whether that was the usual mode of
proceeding?
The SPEAKER said, it was necessary first to take up the report for a
second reading.
Mr. MACON observed that this was a very delicate and a very serious
question, as it related to one of the members of that House, and as it
respected the dignity of the House itself. He hoped, therefore, the
report would be printed, that some time would be given to consider it,
and that the House would themselves hear the testimony. The punishment
which the report proposed was equal to death itself. He hoped,
therefore, it would not be acted upon hastily, but made the order of the
day for Monday.
Mr. HARPER did not wish to press the business in an improper manner, as
it was certainly of great importance to a member of that House, to the
House itself, and to the dignity of the country. It was usual to have
all reports of any consequence printed, and a day or two given for
consideration. He was not himself desirous of delay, as he was at
present ready to vote upon the question; but, if other members wished
it, he should not object to the motion proposed by the gentleman from
North Carolina.
Mr. NICHOLAS took it for granted, that, whenever this subject came up,
the House would think it necessary to go into an examination of the
witnesses themselves, and not rely upon the manner in which their
testimony had struck others. He thought it would be best, therefore,
whilst the report was printing, to go on in the examination of
witnesses.
The question for postponing till Monday was put and carried.
Mr. NICHOLAS said, he had no objection to wait for the printing of the
report, before the House proceeded to examine the witnesses, but he
should not waive the right of having them re-examined before the House.
MONDAY, February 5.
Mr. D. FOSTER reported a bill for the relief of Oliver Pollock, which
was committed for Wednesday.
_French Outrages._
The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES:
_Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of
Representatives_:
I have received a letter from his Excellency Charles
Pinckney, Esq., Governor of the State of South Carolina,
dated the 22d October, 1797, enclosing a number of
depositions and witnesses to several captures and outrages
committed within and near the limits of the United States,
by a French privateer belonging to Cape Francois, or Monte
Christo, called the Vertitude or Fortitude, and commanded
by a person of the name of Jordon or Jourdain, and
particularly upon an English merchant ship named the
Oracabissa, which he first plundered and then burned, with
the rest of her cargo, of great value, within the territory
of the United States, in the harbor of Charleston, on the
17th of October last. Copies of which letter and
depositions, and also of several other depositions relative
to the same subject, received from the Collector of
Charleston, are herewith communicated.
Whenever the channel of diplomatical communication between
the United States and France shall be opened, I shall
demand satisfaction for the insult and reparation for the
injury.
I have transmitted these papers to Congress, not so much
for the purpose of communicating an account of so daring a
violation of the territory of the United States, as to show
the propriety and necessity of enabling the Executive
authority of Government to take measures for protecting the
citizens of the United States and such foreigners as have a
right to enjoy their peace, and the protection of their
laws, within their limits, in that as well as some other
harbors which are equally exposed.