Fifthly, "To use their endeavors to obtain, if possible, a
statement or description of the principles, objects and pur-
poses of such societies, and report the same to this House,
with such measures as they might deem necessary for re-
straining such societies from violating the letter and spirit
either of the Federal Constitution or the Constitution of this
State? "

And they were further authorized respectfully to request
the Governor to communicate to them any information he
might possess in regard to such societies, alluded to in his
message, and the nature of the secrets they preserve. Never
for a moment supposing there could possibly arise any mis-
apprehension or misconstruction as to their powers and du-
ties, which appeared to them to be so clearly and distinctly
pointed out, they did not fail to use all proper means, rea-
sonably within their power, to obtain such information as
appeared calculated to throw light upon the several subjects
of their inquiry, and to possess themselves of the names of
such persons as were believed to be capable and willing to

 give testimony material and important to the investigations
with which the committee was charged. Nor did they find it
necessary to use any very active exertions to obtain informa-
tion of this character to an almost indefinite extent; for such
seemed to have been the gratification with which the public
received the announcement that this investigation had been
ordered by the House of Delegates, that information in

printed and written forms, and lists of the names of witnesses
who could and were willing to testify on oath before the
Committee, (if summoned and brought up by authority,) came
pouring in upon them from all quarters, in many instances
without solicitation and to much greater extent than they
thought necessary or ever proposed to call for or use. Neither
did they fail to urge upon the Committee, as soon and as fre-
quently, as proper deference and respect for the majority would
allow, the propriety, and, as they conceived, the necessity of
early action and prompt attention to the duties assigned,
them.

The undersigned felt this necessity the more sensibly when
they reflected that this investigation had been moved on the
part of the majority of the House, and resolved upon by
them without opposition from any quarter, with so much ap-
parently enthusiastic zeal and perfect unanimity, and conse-
quently, that any failure to accomplish the work in a satis-
factory manner, from whatever cause, would be a severe dis-
appointment, as well to their fellow-members, who had or-

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