Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 3 (of 16)United States. Congress
History
Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 3 (of 16)
United States. Congress
Law -- United States; United States -- Politics and government
Thus much for the general principle which would induce me to vote for
this resolution, if no specific charge had been made. In the present
case, however, a specific charge of a serious kind has been made by a
member from Pennsylvania; and, however gentlemen may have attempted to
weaken the force of this charge, it does substantially amount to this:
that, by the opinion of a judge, a citizen of the United States was
deprived of his constitutional right to counsel, when arraigned for his
life. I will not, however, dwell on this charge. It has been placed by a
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. NICHOLSON) in a point of view satisfactory
to myself, and, I believe, to the House. I consider it, however, my duty
on this occasion to mention a trial which took place in the Commonwealth
of Virginia, which affords another specific charge against Judge Chase. I
was not present at this trial, and am not personally acquainted with the
circumstances. I believe, however, that in the Commonwealth of Virginia
but one sentiment prevails as to the conduct of Judge Chase on this
occasion, viz: that it was indecent and tyrannical. In the course of
the trial he refused to allow a witness on the part of the prisoner to
be examined, because the witness could prove the truth of a part only,
and not the whole of the words laid in the indictment. By a system of
conduct peculiar to himself, he deprived the prisoner of the aid of Mr.
George Hay, as counsel, a man, who, although not as generally known as
some others in our State, is inferior to none in his profession. I do not
mention these circumstances as hearsay evidence, but as facts, which I
am induced to believe can be established by legal testimony. If, on this
statement, there is any gentleman who can refuse an inquiry, I am willing
to leave him in the enjoyment of his opinion. For my own part, I shall be
always ready, on the demand of any member of this House, to exercise my
constitutional right of inquiry, and, without partiality or prejudice,
pursue the course pointed out by my duty, whether it shall lead to
impeachment or an honorable acquittal.
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