[18] Roads, rivers, canals—their construction or improvement so long the vexed question of Federal power, have been superseded as national questions by the progress of science, and the force of individual enterprise. Railroads have put an end to that question, and with it, all the old maxims of preparing for war in time. They are the largest, cheapest, and most effective preparation for war, that the world ever saw, being the realization of the whole art of war; to wit: The concentration in the shortest time of the greatest number of troops. By these roads the United States would throw millions of citizen soldiers, if needed, on any one point in a very few days.
[19] We understand, that in correspondence with the Parliamentary practice of England, no chair was, previously to the introduction of Mr. Chase, assigned him; but that an informal intimation was made to him, that, on his requesting it, it would be allowed.
[20] During these proceedings, neither the managers nor the House of Representatives were present.
[21] The argumentative parts of the answer are omitted as being reproduced in the pleadings.
[22] Mr. Jefferson.
[23] These words, used by Mr. Randolph as a quotation,—they were quoted from Lord Chatham,—afterwards (during the Mexican war) were repeated as original in the American Senate.
[24] On the 7th February following, Mr. Granger addressed the annexed explanatory letter to the Speaker:—
Washington City, Feb. 7, 1805.
Sir,—My sole object in addressing to Congress my letter of the first of the present month was to gain an opportunity of refuting the charges and insinuations which had been made against me. The little reflection I could give the subject induced me to believe that it was proper, in a respectful manner, to repel the charges publicly, and in the place where they were made. Nor did it occur to me that the right of an officer to defend his character depended upon the office he happened to hold.
If, however, I erred in this, I presume it cannot be wrong, in defence of my reputation, to address you in your private character as a gentleman. I will own that I am desirous of retaining your friendship and confidence. I will own that I am not indifferent to public opinion, and that I seek the confidence and esteem of my fellow-citizens by the even tenor of a well-spent life, and a regular discharge of all the social duties—not by lessening the esteem and confidence to which others are entitled.