Mr. Smilie opposed the printing, as, if it were indeed testimony, this House was not the tribunal to decide upon it.
Mr. Randolph said it was certain, that from the noise in the House, or some other cause, the papers as read could not be understood. They appeared to embrace a correspondence of Philip Nolan, said to be the agent of General Wilkinson, with Power, and in the course of them there was a recommendation that General W.’s handwriting should not be used. He presumed that gentlemen felt more interested in these than in the papers every day laid on their table and printed.
Mr. Smilie said they had had enough of this business of denunciation, and he wished no more of it. He was willing that the papers should be sent to the court of inquiry, but he would go no further.
Mr. Randolph called for the yeas and nays on the motion for printing.
Mr. Rhea supported the motion for printing.
The question was then taken by yeas and nays on printing, and carried, 52 to 30.
On motion of Mr. Kelly,
Resolved, That the papers and information relative to the conduct of General James Wilkinson, which have been this day communicated to this House by Daniel Clark, Esq., be transmitted to the President of the United States.