Congressional Democrats leading a probe into the firing of federal prosecutors sent a letter to the White House today, seeking to negotiate over access to documents and accusing President Bush's chief counsel of not communicating with them.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, Vermont Democrat, and House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr., Michigan Democrat, have requested that the White House turn over some documents related to the firing of eight federal prosecutors last year.

"The White House documents to and from the Department of Justice and with third parties, such as Republican state party officials, should be provided without delay," Mr. Leahy and Mr. Conyers write.

The Democrats say that while they do not think "internal" White House documents should be withheld from disclosure, they are willing to negotiate about those documents at another time.

"Recognizing we have a dispute over those documents should not delay the committees receiving the other documents that you indicate you are willing to provide," says the letter, which is posted on the House judiciary website.

The letter also says that recent developments -- e-mails showing that Mr. Gonzales may have known more than he has previously said and the announcement that a top Justice official will refuse to testify -- "magnifies the need for a prompt, thorough and fair investigation."

"When we met recently, each of us agreed to continue to talk and to keep the lines of communication open. Nevertheless, we have not heard from you," Mr. Leahy and Mr. Conyers wrote.

-- Jon Ward, White House correspondent, The Washington Times