This summary necessarily omits many details tending to corroborate and illustrate the facts and opinions I have stated. No allusion has been had to the public explanations of the transaction referred to, made by General Wilkinson and his friends. So far as they are resolved into commercial enterprises and speculations, I had the best opportunity of being acquainted with them, as I was, during the time referred to, the agent of the house who were consignees of the General at New Orleans, and who had an interest in his shipments, and whoso books are in my possession.
DANIEL CLARK.
Washington City, Jan. 11, 1808.
District of Columbia, to wit:
January 11, 1808.
Personally appeared before me, William Cranch, chief judge of the circuit court of the District of Columbia, Daniel Clark, Esq., who being solemnly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, doth depose and say, that the foregoing statement made by him, under the order of the House of Representatives, so far as regards matters of his own knowledge, is true, and so far as regards the matters whereof he was informed by others, he believes to be true.
W. CRANCH.
Mr. Rowan moved to amend the resolution under consideration by striking out all that part after the word “Resolved,” and inserting the following:
Resolved, That a special committee be appointed to inquire into the conduct of Brigadier General James Wilkinson, in relation to his having, at any time whilst in the service of the United States, corruptly received money from the Government of Spain or its agents, and that the said committee have the power to send for persons and papers, and compel their attendance and production—and that they report the result of their inquiry to this House.
The Speaker declared the amendment to be a substitute, and of course not in order.