BENTON AND FOOTS- . V
. Wa copy bom the "Intelligencer" the dc
tails of the scene in the Senate, ia which
these distinguished worthies acted so -con-fpicuous
a part It will (remembered that
FodTi ; proposition to raise a select Commit
tee was under' discussion : . . .
Mr. Foote. ,- The Senate will ber witness
to .the fact that X have endeavored- to avoid
discussion and controversy .on this question.
1 have believed, and I vet believe, that the
time has come when all true patriots should
unite in the true spirit of fraternal concilia
tkxt and compromise for the settlement of
questions ; and that they should leel it their
boonden and imperious duty to do all in their
cower to quiet excitement, and save the re-
pbCc'irom that danger which allot us do
kaow has threatened it for the last six months.
I repeat, that I did not come here this morn
inr in the expectation of saying a word, and
espetiaRt jretrid I not be heard referrmgHo
any thing emanating irom a certain quarter,
after what has occurred here, but for what I
conceive to be" a direct attack upon myself
and. others with whom I am proud to stand
associated. , We all know the history of the
' Southern Address, and the world knows its
historyv It is the history of the action of a
nana oi patriots, wortny oi tne nignest iauaa
tldn,4ha who Villbe held in veneration when
their calumniators, no matter who they , may
bwiUjbe .objects of general loathing and
contempt. Who is the author of the South
ern1 Address? ; He is known to the world.
The. late illustrious Senator from South Car
olina. wIkv decease a nation now mourns
and over whose untimelv death every good
man in all christian countries, at the present
time, is now lamenting is the author, and
the sole author of that Address. In our pres
ence here to-day, in the hearing of the friends
of that distinguished statesman associated
with him in that holy work, ft at address is
denounced "with great appearance of deliber
ation, as fraught with mischief, and as having
supplied food for the agitation and excite
ment which has involved our institutions in
dangers from which they had to be rescued
by the efforts of others hostile to the proposi
tioos of that address, and who did not partic
ipate in its preparation. Those who were
associated with and sanctioned that address,
are charged with being agitators. And by
whom ? With whom does such an accusa
tion as this originate ? I shall not be person
al, after the lesion I have already received
here.' I intend to be, in a parliamentary
sense", perfectly decorous in all things. But
by whom is this extraordinary denunciation
hurled against all . those individuals who sub
scribed this address ? By a gentleman long
denominated the oldest member of the Sen
atethe father of the Senate. By a gentle
man, who, on a late occasion
Here Mr. Foots, who occupies a seat on
the outer circle, in front of the Vice Presi
dent's chair, retreated backwards down the
aisis, towards the chair of the Vice President,
with a pistol in his hand. Mr. Behton, a
Moment before, having suddenly risen from
his seat and advanced by the aisle, outside
the bar, towards him, following him into the
aisle down which the Senator from Missis
sippi had retreated. In a moment almost
every Senator was on his feet, and calls to
"order ;' demands forthe Sergeant-at-arra ;
requests that Senators would take their seats,
from the Chair and from individual Senators,
were repeatedly made. Mr. Benton was
followed and arrested by Mr. Dodge, of Wis
consin, and, in the confusion and excitement
which prevailed, he was heard to exclaim,
from time to time : "I have no pistols!"
"Let him fire !" "Stand out of the way !"
" I have no pistols !" I disdain to carry
arms !" 'Stand .out of the way, and let the
assassin fire !" While making these excla
mations, Mr. Benton was brought back to his
eat; but, breaking away from Mr. Dodge,
of Wisconsin, who sought forcibly to detain
him, he advanced again towards Mr. Foote,
who stood near the Vice President's chair,
on the right-hand side, surrounded by a num
ber of Senators and others not members of
the Senate. Mr. Dickinson took the pistol
from the hand of Mr. Foote, and locked it
up in his desk, and Mr. Foote, on the advice
of Mr. Butler, returned to bis seat
The Vice President directed that Senators
and spectators should be seated ; and order
was partially restored.
Mr. Dickinson. Mr. President, what is
the question before the Senate ?
. The Vice President. The question is on
the appeal from the decision of the Chair.
' Mr. Dickinson. I should like to hear the
question again stated, as I do not remember
precisely what it was.
There was still much confusion prevail
imt at this time in the Senate.!
Mr. Clay. I hope that order will be pre
served. Mr. Benton. We are not going to get off
in this way. A pistol has been brought here
to assassinate me. The scoundrel bas no Tea
son to think I was armed, for I carry nothing
of the kind, sir.
Mr. Foote. I brought it here to defend
myself.
Mr. Benton. Nothing of the .kind, sir. It
h a false imputation. I carry nothing of the
load, and no assassin has a right to draw a
pun on me.
MrCBenton. I demand that the Senate
shall take immediate cognizance of the fact
of this piatol having been brought here to as-
.aatoateroe, underthe villanous pretext that I
was armed the pretext of every assassin
who andertakes to constitute a case of self-
' defence when laying out the death of his vie
; tjm. Will the Senate notice it, or shall I
myself, for it shall not pass. I will not be
; aathfied here.
'Mr. Foote. If my presenting a pistol here
' hii been understood as any thins exceDtthe
necessary means of self-defence, after threats
ot personal ccsrisement, it is aomg me a
wrong, v I saw him advancing towards me,
'w and I took it for granted he was armed ; for
" had I thought otherwise I should have stop-
rii to meet him in that narrow alley. But
supposed he was armed, and therefore I
' determined to take ground where I could
meet him more fairly, and I drew out the
pistol and was ready to fire it in self-defence
So help me GodrWh alonewaa wy inten
tion. &e$ f CaSSiS
Mr. President, I suppose mar now pro
ceed in ordervV;Wsl 1 'Viftf t i
The Vice President. The. Senator will
suspend his remarks for a moment, it ;
Mr. itxjte. tio laras i am concernea, h
I know my own heart and intentions, and
something of my own character, I have noth
ing of the assassin about me. I have never
threatene'd any personal attacks, never. My
most lnunsaxe personal, inenas nave never
heard me indulge in any- such language.
So help me God, I came here this' mornings
with no intention to dispute, but witn tne ae
sire to endeavor to settle these great ques
tions in a such a manner as .would conduce
to the welfare of the country. ' - It is ray ear
nest desire that this matter shall De mvesu-
rated; and 1 wisb to state, In ; advance, urat
if it can De provea,; oj consirucnon oi decla
ration, in any shape or form, that I armed my
self forthe purpose of aitackingjhe senator
from Missouri, with the purpose of assassina
tion, as charged if even a cause for suspic
ion is made out against me I beg that I
may be expelled from this Senate, of which
I should hold myself unworthy to be a mem
ber. . Yes, sir ; I say that if there is even a
cause for suspicion established, I desire that
such a course may be pursued towards me.
But, bo help me Heaven; being threatened
with chastisement, and being informed that I
was likely to be attacked, and resolving un
der ho such' circumstances, to make the at
tack myself, I solemnly prepared to resist
any attack. And when i tnougnt me at
tack was about to be made, instead of put
ting the lives of my friends in danger, I sim
ply advanced for the purpose of defending
mvcelf. And if the Senator had advanced
down the alley for the purpose of attacking
me, such was my intention. And I repeat
that if any Senator has the least ground of
suspicion, so far as I am concerned, of my
motives, or that my conduct was unworthy
of a Senator or of my constituents, I earnest
ly desire this committee of investigation.
" Mr. Dodge, of Wisconsin. Mr President,
I deeply deplore the unhappy and violent
scene which has just occurred. I do think
that it is due to the dignity of the Senate,
and to the high character that this body has
ever maintained for peace and good order
that the matter which has just transpired
should be referred to a committee, that it
may be fully investigated "and reported upon.
It should be properly understood by oursel
ves and by the people of the United States
Sir, I have known the Senator from Missouri
intimately for thirty-five years, and I have
never known him to carry. arms, though I
have always believed him to be a man who
would use them when necessary, and on a
proper occasion, and defend himself under
any and all circumstances. When he rose
and advanced in the direction ot the senator
from Mississippi, being one of his old friends,
went up to him to prevent, it possible,
any difficulty in the Senate, believing; as a
member of this body, that it was my duty to
attempt to keep the peace, and to sec that no
act was done on the part ot either gentleman
that Rrould have a tendency to disturb it
I am friendly to bqth, but the Senator from
Missouri has beenmy bosom friend for thirty-five
years, and I will stand bv him on all
occasions and in any situation in which he
may be placed on earth. I say, I am not
unfriendly to either gentleman, but I am
one of those who believe that the Senate is
not the proper place to settle difficulties of
this character. If gentlemen choose to fight,
they witl find plenty of room out of the
Senate chamber ; the streets are large, the
neighboring ground is spacious ; but the re
spect we owe to the country and to oursel
ves should prevent the occurrence of such
scenes in the Senate chamber. Sir. a due
regard for the respect and dignity of the
Senate constrains me to urge, in the strong
est terms, that the subject be referred to a
rincr lb aeiiion of the Senates further than
what occurred to-day. ii m 9cui w
make such promise to the Senate, I shall he
extremely happy. , I ; '
i Mr. Benton. I have done nothing on God
Almighty's earth to authorize, any man to
charge me with a breach of the peace, and I
will rot in Jail before I will give a promise
admitting that the charge is true. 1 regret
nothing. It is lying and cowardly to under
take to impute to me the bearing of arms
here, in order to justify the use of them up
on me. I have done nothing, and I will rot
in jail before I will give a promise which ad
mits, by implication, mat l nave oeen gumy
of a breach of the peace. '
Mr Clay. My observations did not.relate
to the past but to the future: . I did not pre
tend to say whether either of the parties or
both were in fault I merely expressed a
wish in reference to the future, and without
reference to the past, that the two Senators
should come under some legal or personal
obligation not to push this matter further. -
Mt. Foote. Mr. President
Several Senators. Be cool.
Mr. Foote. I am perfectly cool, and I
feel the gravity of the occasion as deeply as
others. I have only this to say: I am a constitution-loving
man, and I know my consti
tutional rights, both in my place in the Sen
ate and eltewhere. I have never threaten
ed a human being with personal attacks in
my life, and of course I have never executed
a threat of that kind in my life. I have nev
er worn arras to make an attack on any per
son, and have never worn arms at all in the
Senate except when menaced, as I was the
other day in the Senate with a crudgel. My
friends urged upon me that, being diminu
tive in size and quite feeble in health. I
should at least wear arms for my own defence.
It was a novel thing to me, for I am not in
the habit of doing it, and I put on arms, sup
posing it possible that I might be attacked af
ter what had occurred, simply for the pur
pose of defending myself. Having a consti
tutional right to t)ar arms for my own de-
. Hi
fence
Mr
committee for investigation and such action
as this body may deem to be due to its own
character.
I have nothing to say about the violence
of the scene or the drawing of the pistol.
These are their own affairs, and are matters
that they must decide upon their own respon
sibility, but for the honor of this body, and
for the honor of the whole country, I am cer
tain that these things should be stopped.
We ought to have an end to wrangling and
to personalities ; we were sent here for
greater and for nobler purposes. The Senate
of the United States has heretofore been con
sidered as one of the most dignified and deco
rous bodies of men in the world, and we owe
it to ourselves to vindicate the Senate from
the disrepute, so far as it can be done, which
attaches to it in consequence of a scene like
this. I hope I am not troublesome- It is
not often, Mr. President, that I. trespass on
the time of the Senate, and I would have
greatly preferred that any other Senator
should have moved in this matter. I feel
that it ought not to be permitted to pass in
silence. No one can regret more than I do
that such an occurrence shonld have transpir
ed in this hall, between two members of the
body and of the same political party ; but as
such is unhappily the fact, I wish to see eve
ry thing presented in a fair and proper point
of view. 1 move you, then, air, that a com
mittee of five be appointed by the Chair, to
investigate the whole matter, and teport all
the facts to the Senate.
Mr. Mangum. I have drawn up very
nastily a resolution on this subject 1 con
cur entirely with every remark 1 have heard
fall from the Senator from Wisconsin, and I
nave arawn up a resolution proposing tnat a
committee of seven should be appointed.
Mr.. Dodge, l accept that number.
Mr. Mangum. I myself decline to serve
as one of the members of the committee, but
the honorable Senator from Wisconsin. I hope
"i a . a . .
win dc piacea at me neaa oi it. l ne reso.
luuon u :
Rao'vtd, That a committee of seven be ap
pointed to ravesiipaiettM disorder of to day, in the
oenate. ana tnat they teport to the Senate wnat
cents in occasion, and nave power to examine
witnesses and bu testimony in (m taae.
vvi'i the honorable Senator accept this in
a .
lieu oi his motion i
Mr. Dodge. It presents my views exact
ly, and I very willinelv accent it
Mr. Clay. I should have risen earlier,
sir, but from a personal duty which I will
not name ax present 1 think tne course
ave merely exercised tnat ngnt.
Mangum. Will the Senator give way
for a moment i
Mr. Foote. Certainly.
Mr. Mangum. I move that the doors of
the Senate be closed.
Several Senators. Oh, no.
Mr. Foote. I hope not ; I hope my friend
will not do me that injustice. I hope he will
withdraw the motion.
Mr. Seward, (in his seat.) No, you are
right ; insist upon it.
Mr. Foote. I beg my friend will not in
sist upon it, when a public explanation is
necessary to myself.
Mr. Mangum. Well, I will withdraw
it.
Mr. Foote. Now, I say again that I shall
always wear arms, when I am in danger, for
the purpose of self-defence alone. I have
never assailed young or old in my life, by
any menace of violence or any actual attacks.
It is only when I am threatened with dang
er that I wear arms. I have always prefer
red a different mode of settling such matters,
and I have kept the door wide open for the
purpose of avoiding such scenes as hare oc
curred in this body to-day. In reply to the
Senator from Kentucky, who is entitled to
the respect and veneration of all, and whose
reputation fbr chivalry in this country is as
high as for his patriotism and eloquence, I
have no hesitation in saying that I should deem
it unjust to myself, and highly improper, to
admit in the least degree that I wore arms
for the purpose of attacking any one, or that
I could form a scheme for the purpose of at
tacking any one, or that I had done any
thing towards forming a scheme for violence
in this affair. With what occurred some
time ago, I am satisfied. What occurred
to-day, I attach very little importance to. I
never make attacks on any member of the
Senate; but I simply stand prepared to defend
myself against dangers whenever they ex
hibit themselves- I shall seek, for reasons
known to honorable Senators, no further re-
m.3dy than the present hour affords, in connex
ion with this afrair. Yet I stand on ground
that would compel me, as a man of honor,
to do and perform whatever I might be invi
ted to do on that field.
I suppose there must be action on the pro
position of the Senator from North Carolina,
before I can proceed with my remarks on the
general question.
Mr. Dickinson. That my own action mav
not be misunderstood, I wish to say a word.
1 have been a member of this body for six
years, and my own course in this matter, by
those who know me, will be well understood.
I called the attention of the Chair to the
business be 'ore the Senate ; and, on account
of a remark made by the Senator from Mis
souri that the matter was not to be thus dis
posed of, allow me to say, that my object was
to call senators to their places.and to restore
immediate order in the chamber. . I had no
expectation or desire that this matter was to
be overlooked. It is altogether too grave an
affair, and I concur entirely in the rrotknof
al. o a r iir , ,
uie oenaior irom v isconsin, ana nit sugges
tion as to the propriety of investigating this
an air. &o much lor my own action.
Mr. Benton. I have just a word for the
Senator from New York, which I should
throw in here. When I saw that the Sena
tor called to order, it struck me that he de
sired to proceed with business as if noth-ng
had happened, and I did not choose that the
subject should be passed over quite so lightly
as that
The resolution proposed by Mr. MansrumJ
.1 j - m
was men aaopiea.
Mr. Mangum. I hope it will be entered
upon the Journal as having passed unani
mously.
Mr. Mangum. I move that the Chair ao-
rint the committee, with this remark, that
have no purpose to serve on it myself.
Ti " 1 . ...
ii was accoraingiy ordered tnat the (Jhair
appoini toe committee.
Mr. Clay.
" - . a
Mr. Foote. , J certainly flunk. U would ne
improper in me to give war without conclu
ding, unless my friends think it better, that I
should postpone my remarks, till to-morrow
; Several Senators.'' Yes, yes.' ' i-'.
? ' Mr. Foo'.e accordingly gave Way ; when
On motion of Mr. Butler," the Senate ad
journed. .
REPLY OF THE HON. DANIEL WEB
STER TO THE, BOSTON ADDRESSi ?
We find ia the Boston Courier the followog
letter from Hon. Daniel Webster to the Committee
appointed by the citizens of Boston, approving
of the sentiments expressed in bis late speech,
upon the slave question.
! , 1 - Waskutotp, April 9, 1850. ;
Gentlemen It would b ia train that f should at
tempt U tiprtss h gratification which I asa deri
ved frowyotir letttr of ths 25 ultimo. That grati
fication ariaes. not oalv from its manifestation of
personal regsrd and ooaBdense, but espeeiallj from 1
ths svidenee which it affords, that n; pablie con
duct, in regard to important pending questions, is
not altogether disapprored by ths people of Massa
chusetts. Sack a letter, with such names, assures
me, that I ba not erred in judging of the causes
of (listing discontents, or their proper remedy ; and
enoouragesms to persever in thai coarse which
my deepest convictions of duty have led me to adopt.
Th ooootry needs pacif cation ; it needs the restor
ation of mutual respect and harmony between the
people in one part of the Union and those in anoth
er. And. ia my judgment, there is no sufficient
cause for the continuance of the existing alienation
between the North and the Sooth. If we will look
at things justly and calmly, there are no essential
differences, either of Interest or opinion, which are
incondlubte or incapable of adjustment. So fares
the qneation of slavery, or no slavery, applies to the
newly acquired territories, there is, in my judgment,
no real and practical point of importsuee and dis
pute. There is not, and there.esonot be slavery, as
I firmly believe, either in California,. New Meiico
or Deseret. And if this be ad, why eontiuue the
controversy on a mere abstraction 1 The other dis
turbing questions respect the restoration f fugitive
slaves, and Slavery in the District of Columbia; and
I kaow no reason why just and fair measures, all
within the andonbted limits and requisitions of the
Constitution, might not be adopted, which should
give, on these subjects, general satisfaction. At any
rate, we should make the attempt because, as long
as these dissenaioni continue, they embarrass the
government, interrupt the quiet of the people, end
alarm their fears ; and render it highly improbable,
that important acts of legislation, affecting great ob
jects, and in which the whole country is deeply in
teieted, can be accomplished. Indeed, the ordinary
opera! ious, essential to the existence of the govern-
ment, and its daily administration, meet with checks
and hindrances, hitherto altogether unprecedented
We most return to our old feeliogs of conciliation
and regard ; we most refresh ourselves at those pure
fountains of mutual self esteem, common patriotism.
aid fraternal confidence, whose beneficent and heal
ing waters so copiously overflowed the land, through
the struggle of the revolution, snd in the early years
of the government. The day has come, when we
khould open our eirs snd our hearts, to the advice
of the great Father of his country. "It is of infi
nite moment," said he, rf that you should properly
etima:e the itnmeuse value of yoor national Union,
of your collective and individual happiness that
you shou'd cherish a cordial, habitual and immova
ble attachment to it; accustomiejg yourselves to think
and speak of it, as of the palladutn of your political
safety and prosperity ; watching for its preservation
with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever
may suggest even a suspicion thst it can, in any event,
be abandoned ; and indignantly frowning upon the
first dawning of' every attempt to alienate any por
tion of our country from the re t to enfeeble ihe
ties which now link together the various parts"
Notwithstanding what may occasionally appear
on the surface, the American mind is deeply imbued
with this advice The people when serious danger
threatens, will, in my opinion, stand fast by their
government. They will suffer uo impairing of its
foundation no overthrow of its columns no dis
organisation of its structure. The Uuion snd the
Constitution are to stand ; and what we have to do,
h, so to administer the government that all men shall
b- made more and more sensible of its beneficent op
erations, and its inestimable value.
It is not inappropriate that I should accompany
tlU answer to your letter, by the copy of a recent
correspondence between the Hon. Hugh N. Smith,
delegate from New Mexico, now in this city, and
myself.
1 have the honor to be, gentlemen, with profound
regard, your obliged fellow-citisen, and obedient,
humble servant, DANIEL WEBSTER.
R&LBIGH REGISTER.
Ours are the plan of fair delightful peace,
Uowarp'd by party rage to lire like brothers.
RALEIGH; N. C.
Wednesday, April 24, 1850.
READ THIS!
Our arrangement for Telegraphic reporting has
sow been ia operation a week long enough to allow
ns to judge, with entire accuracy, what it will en
able ns to accomplish.
Our Weekly paper of Wednesday leaving for the
Eastern Counties on Wednesday morning ; the Wes
tern at Wednesday noon ; and the Southern at the
same time; carries the latest news from all quarters,
in our Telegraphic despatches, at least two or three
days in advance of any intelligence by the most ra
pid mail facilities.
The same, of course, is the ease with our Stmi
Wetklf issue of Wednesday ; while the Semi-Weekly
of Saturday, published on Friday, ha vet i an hour.
after it is pat to press for the West and 8outh.
By an unfortunate arrangement, the Friday's issue
cannot leave for Newbern. Green, VVsyne &&, until
Monday morning; but we propose to remedy this
provided we receive sufficient encouragement to jus
tify, it by sending a small slip of the Telegraphic
news to our su bcribers in those portions of the State,
by Friday morning's Stage.
We hope that the Publio will duly appreciate
these efforts to be useful to them, by ensbling us
fully to carry them out. We repeat that we can
supply them with the news at least two, and in
many esses four or fi.ee dsys in advance of any mail.
That we can supply it cheaper than they can get it
through the medium of Northern papers, no one will
questiou. Will not the Public avail themselves of
these advantages 1
Gov. Manjy The Western Turnpike.
We invite general attention to the Communt
cation of" JPatr Play'' in another column, relative
to the accusations that have been brought against
His Excellency, Gov. MiKLT.in connection with
the Western Turnpike Road. The vindication
of the course of the Governor is so clear and satis
factory, and it proceeds from a source so compe
tent to take cognizance of the facts in the case
that all necessity for our saying anything on the
premises, as promised, is entirely precluded. We
shall do no more then, than point to it, as a most
triu mphant and o verw helming defence of the Go
vernor from ihe malfeasance imputed to him by
the " Mountain Banner."
As a matter of justice to Gov. Manly, we hope
that the Press in the State will give general pub-
I ' . . I 1 ' rrt .
uciiy to mis aeience oi Discourse. ID is is no
j-arty matter certain grave charges are brought
against the chief Executive Officer of the Slate ;
and surely every man, be he Whig or be he
Democrat, will be gratiOed at an opportunity to
acquit him of them. There is not a word in this
Communication that can aggreive the most sensi
tive, even, of those interested. Will not the
" Mountain
men ?
STUNG BY A HORNET.
We meet with a sting this week, from the
chief Hornet in a certain nest in North
Carolina, in the shape of a complaint by a
certain editor, J L Badger, to the effect that
we- have quoted from him, without giving
him due credit.
"We gave the following verse, some time
since, and marked it at a quotation, stating
that it was from a "certain Book of Hvmns:"
" There was an old captain his name was Ned,
As brave as brave could be,
He fought in his dreams, each night in bed,
But never awake fsurht he."
This verse, Editor Badger claims to have
composed, among other verses he "compos
ed on various private devotional occasions
for especial service."
Now, we found the verse in the " Little
Falls Songster," published in 1833, by A.
Fuller, at the office of ihe West Jersey Amu
let." On page 27, of this small book, is to
be found the following verse :
" There was an old eaplinr, his name was Jb,
As brave as brave could be,
He fought in his dreams, alt night you know,
But never awake fought he!"
Now,whetherFuZer borrowed from Badger,
or Badger from Fuller, we have no right to
say. Fuller states in his " Preface," that his
is " a choice collection," of " Yankee and
Western Songs." If, therefore, Badger were
a poet prior to 1838, or more than 12 years
ao, he certainly has all underholts upon Ful
ler. Still, in a contest between them for the
honor of originating this poetic, literary and
sublime verse, ?e claim the right to be neu
tral, with the privilege of exclaiming, in the
language of a gallant female, on a memora
ble occasion " Go t husband go it bear !"
Brownlovo.
Baunet" lay it before its county-
THE COMMITTEE OP THIRTEEN".
The following is the vote upon Mr. Foote's pro
position to raise a select Committee of Thirteen, for
the consideration of the resolutions of Mr. Clay
and Mr. Bell :
Yeas Messrs. Atchinson. Badjrer. Bell. Bor
land, Bright, Butler, Cass, Clay, Clemens, Dick
inson, Davis, of Miss , Dodge, of Iowa, Downs,
Foote, Hunter, Jones, King, Mangum, Mason,
Morton, I'earce, Ku.k, bebastian, Soule. Soru
ance, Sturgeon, Turney, Underwood, Whitcomb,
xulee 31.
Nays Messrs. Baldwin, Benton, Bradbury,
Chase, Clark, Corwin, Davis, of Mass., Dayton,
Dodge, of Wis., Douglas, Fetch, Greene, Hale,
Hamlin. Miller. Norris, Phelps, Seward, Shields,
-t I www ss warva
oruun, walker weoster Si.
On Friday, at one o'clock, the Senate proceeded
to ballot for the Committee aforesaid ; when Mr,
Clay was elected Chairman, and Messrs. Cass,
Webster, Dickinson, Bright, Phelp and Cooper,
Irom the North, and Messrs. King, Mangum, Bell,
Berrien, Mason and Downs, from the South, were
chosen as the remaining twelve members of the
Committee.
These distinguished Gentlemen, as a whole, are
an eminently conservative set ; and we look with
sanguine hopes for a happy result to their deliber
ations. Surely, thirteen such minds, thirteen such
hearts, can devise some effectual and speedy meth
od of ridding the Country from the unhappy agita
Hon that convulses it.
TOO MUCH FELICITY!
A French paper gives an account of a very
rich French gentleman and Mayor of a Commune
who terminated his life undet peculiar circumstan
ces He was in love with a beautiful girl who
reciprocated his affection but her parents oppos
ed objections to their oniod.1 After many years
of pressing solicitation, he obtained the father's
consent and was married. On the morning after
the ceremony, the report of a pistol was heard
in the nuptial chamber. Persons entered and
found the bridegroom orostrate and dead. He had
Mr.' President, it is always ve- ns.n while his wife was yet asleep and blown his
have never sought any man's life, nor gone which has been proposed a verv proper one.
a finest of any man with a view of taking The facts which unfortunately occurred were
his life. No, sirnever. My life has been within the observation; of most of the Sena
a defensive one from my boyhood. I men- tors I suppose. I was not looking on at the
boa it, not irom tne : imputations that have moment, for my attention was drawn from
w. - 41 A sl sw ..A, ik.i .11 iL . rl I. - .
oecnjuxrown oui acre, wui uiai su ine aena
"tors present and the American public, who
may hear of this thing, ntay he witness of
tha tact, that whilst I was making a perfect
ly parliamentary speech, threatening langu
l age was used, menacing greatures indulged
v, sum an advance made towards me, with
'v..ew,aa.I supposed, of putting violent
, e4Sa nto effect. I therefore. xxeated a
- few steps, with a view to ret elbow cootn to
act ia my own deftnce.andnotto shoot him.
ry unpleasant with me to differ with the Pre- I Dram ouL
naing umeer. u l can accomplish mv ob
ject equally as well in any other mode, I
win witaaraw my motion and move, by
way of amendment to the various propositions
of the Senator from Missouri, tne very a-
J a ,1 . a-a .
incnwncai wmcn tne aenaie has before adop
ted to-day.
The Vice President. The Chair dita nnt
understand the motion of the Senator from
Kentucky.
Mr. Clay. The Senator from Maine moves
to except California; the Senator from Mis
souri oners fourteen instructions as an amend
ment to that motion ; and I now move as an
On the table was a letter, ra which he nrjlainfd
tne rooMves oi nis action, tie said be had reach
ea the highest point ot human felicity that he
could imagine, and he did not wish to descend
Irom it. He could not bear the thought, that
the day would come when he should love
less or be less loved. Ht had not strength to
awa-tthe coming of that fatal moment. "My
resolution to quit life (he wrote) is due to the ex
cess of my happiness.''
that part of the body. But I think the res- amendment to the instructions proposed by
olution does not go far enough. I think the tne senator from Missouri, precisely the same
Sen&tors who have been placed in an un
pleasant relation towards each other ought
to be placed under an obligation to keep the
peace, and for that purpose, that thev should
either voluntarily or otherwise go before some
magistrate of the city, or that both of. them
in their placet here should pledge themsel
veswhich would be more gratifying to rue
amendment which I before offered to-day
uu wuitu waa aaopiea.
Mr. Foote. Mr. President, I have one re
mark to make in conclusion of the speech
which J was making some time ago, when I
was interrupted. I have bat a single topic
more to At mi.
Mr. Butler. I trust mv friend will rive
not to pursue this matter, at any rate, du- wy. o that I can move an adjournment
Hf$r Mr. A. H. Shuford, one of the Com
missioners to survey and locate tb Western
Turnpike, we regret to learn, has been pre
vented from attending to the duties of his
appointment, in consequence of an attack of
severe illness. His "whole family, we are
informed, have been very much afflicted for
some time by sickness. This accounts satis
factorily for his absence from his post as al
luded to in our last. Salisbury Watchman.
, EPIGRAM ON LADY MONTAGUE.
Hy th Hon. Omits Goner Fox. .
Lady Montague tokt me, and in her own bouse.
That she did not reeard the three skins of a louse
I forgave the dear creature for what she had said,
For a woman will talk of what runs in her head.
FOOTE AMD BENTON.
The disgraceful scene, which occurred in the
Senate of the United States, on Wednesday last,
will excite a feeling of indignation and censure in
every part of the Union. Every true American
citizen will feel that he has received a personal re
proach in the fact that the dignity of the Senate
bas been so grossly outraged. What will be
thought and said of this disgraceful event, abroad!
Will h not be pointed at through all time to come
to ridicule our institutions and lower our national
character 1 In view of these things, we trust the
Senate will take the sternest measures within its
power, to punish the participators in thia la
mentable affair, and to maintain its own dignity
and the character of the Country.
It would be difficult to determine upon which
of the two Senators censure should fall more heavi
ly. We know, however, that both have been
guilty of a very great breach of decorum ia the
Senate and that both merit the severest punish
ment that can be inflicted by the body to which they
belong. In regard to this matter, we fully en
dorse the following from the " Richmond Whig."
"The 8enate mast expel these twe men ! It must
ruT tbs mask or axraoaATiox (not upon them ;
for who cares about Foote or Benton ? bat) vrom
Tax act rrssLr! Upon the desecration of the Senate!
Upon the conversion of our principal house of legis
lation into one worse than a house of bad fame !
Are the days of ear fathers aiterly forgotten!
Is there be (testator with con race eeoarh to rise in
his place and aseve that the Senate releive itself
from their presence! Are we fallen se lew as a
Bailee, that ahy tare men who may think proper,
can rise ia their places, provided (Lose places be
protected by the broad seal of a State, and enact
sceaes taat vocid oiegraoe the lowest boose of en
teauiameotl ;
When Jackson first became a condidate for the
Presidency, Benton, ia the spirit of prophecy, de
clared that if he were elected, it wonld be necessary
, to legislate with pistols in ones belt t Is not the truth
ef .thia prediction beooisinr everv dav mora mani
fest? Is not the down-kill march of Locofocoism
carrying as farther and further, every day, into the
VU4 VI eiwHWDillUHB t
ABOVE PARTY 1
It will be recollected, that, in recent comments
upon Mr. Stahlt's speech we dissented from the
position that the "'agitation, and attempt to ex
cite alarm, on the slavery question, is alUgetlter
now, as h was last jammer, in the Southern
States, for party purposesC" We only object to
this position in its sweeping sense because we
do hold and say, that much, very much, of the
hueandcrv i caused bva malignant wish to
t embarrass the Administration, and to build up the
party whom the people justly burled irom power
in November, 1848. While we duly appreciate
our many and just cause? of complaint against the
aggressive policy of our Northern neighbors, we
are not so blind that we cannot distinguish the
difference, at home, between the bonest and righte
ous indignation of the people,
and calculating insincerity of party demagogues.
Previous, for instance, to the election of General
Taylor to the Presidency, the Democracy conten
ded that the only safe ground for the South, was
the doctrine of nonrintc ventxon. . This was pro
mulgated by General Cass,and advocated by near
lyevery Locofoco journal south of Mason and Dix
on's line. ButGen. Taylor havingbeen elected Pre
sident, and having concluded that non-intervention
VMS the best plan on which to settle the exis
ting difficulties, how do we find the advocates of
that plan acting and speaking 1 Do we still see
them zealously maintaing the position they held
previous to the Presidential Election ! Are they
still the warm defenders of the doctrine laid down
in the Nicholson letter? Mr. Calhoun, in his
recent manifesto, even went so far as to denounce
the recommendations of the President, under the
contemptuous designation of the Executive "Pro
viso."
There is a great deal of truth, too, m the asser
tion of Mr. Stanly, that it is only since the last
Presidential election, that the "peculiar guardi
ans" of the South hare discovered the full wrong of
which they have been the victims, in the assis
tance afforded by citizens of the North to the es
cape of fugitive slaves. We would, by no means,
be considered as underrating the injuries we have
Suffered in this respect. They have been great.
and they cry aloud for redress. But is it not some
what suspicious to say the least that General
Taylor's election to the Presidency should have
been the signal for " letting slip the dogs of war,"
and for the immediate agitation of this questien.
When Mr. Polk approved the Oregon Bill, con
taining the Wilmol Proviso, why were those ana
themas spared, that have been hurled at a Whig
President, in advance of any opportunity for ac
tion on his part ? Mr. Calhoun distinctly stated,
in his famous reply to Mr. Benton's Jefferson
City Speech, that this act of Mr. Polk's was the
first constitutional surrender of the rights of the
South ; and the Representative in Congress from
Mr. Polk's District, at the time of the approval
of the Oregon Bill, has recently declared, that
Mr. Polk could not have signed that Bill, unless
he believed the Proviso constitutional"! Why,
again we ask, was Democracy so chary of its
curses, then? Ah! here it is, that most of all,
the cloven foot of Locofocoism is exhibited. Here
it is that " bitler-endism" is most palpable and
deformed.
There is, too, another thing, in connection with
this matter, to which we would call attention": it
is the wholesale abuse and denunciation of South
ern Whigs as being unfaithful to the rights and
the interests of the South. The Whig party of
the South occupies the same elevated and noble
position it has ever held, and we defy the bitterest
ot tne " bitter enders" to show a smsle act or
sentiment emanating from, or sanctioned by,
Southern Whigs, which can, in any -manner.
remotely or directly, convict them of the allegation
brought against them. IVhigs unfaithful to the
South ! Were this true, then we should cry, "God
save the country." When Whigs become for
getiul of the interests of the land, and regardless
of the calls of patriotism, then may we expect to
realize all the evils which will flow from a divi
ded and distracted condition of our country. The
Whig party is more now, than it has ever been
before, the conservative party of the country.
Had the counsel of Whigs been listened to, had
the measures proposed by Whigs been carried out,
the country would never have been threatened by
the dangers now seen on every hand. And who
now stand forth most prominently as the defenders
of the Union and the rights of the South ? Have
Southern Whigs, in Congress, or anywhere else,
surrendered any, even the smallest, rights, tha1
belong to this section of the Union? Then
whence this constant and groundless charge of
unfaithfulness, on the part of the Whigs, to the
South, unless it proceeds from that disposition of
" bitter-endisra," openly avowed on the coming-
in of the present Administration, to use all man
ner of means, without regard to truth or fairness,
to break down, if possible, the Whig party.
Traduction, abuse and falsehood have been poured
out upon the heads of all who have shown them
selves to be lovers of the Union. To be in favor
of the Union is, in the opinion of the Locofoco
editors and orators, to be opposed to Southern
rights and Southern interests. Support of the
Nashville Convention is necessary, it would seem,
in the estimation of many, to constitute a mau a
patriot and especially to shield him from the
charge of treason to the South.
The day will come, if it be not already at hand,
when men will be weighed in different scales, and
when the Procrustean bed prescribed by Locofoco
agitators, and agitators generally, will be found
by far too short to measure the length and extent
of the indiscretion (we will use do harsher term)
into which their party zeal and personal ambition
have plunged them!
esijpm
istofoiu
-SVW
WIT WrrTT MvtaMMM. -
7,7 m 1116 CABnrrn,
It has been a source, more of amusemenf
anxiety to us, in witnessing the incessant ham
and giviogs out of certain papers, of the
of harmony in the Cabinet councils of P ,iDt
iayior,ana the speedy dissolution that
So often has this stale falsehood bepn ,
so pertiuaciously is it adhered to, that out of ch
ty we are inclined to the opinion that it
credited by some of its circulators.
It is scarcefy hecessaryfor us to deny that thp,
a word of truth in these trumped up stories of
opponents. -There is not even a probability
there will be any chaDge whatever in tne 1
organization of the'Cabinet. Dt
We are assured that Mr. Clayton has never f
a moment entertained a thought of with.u
and the recklessl from his PreseBt Potion, and we concur 2
I 1 : r.L. ii'l- l&e
gcucriai irasiuu ui me v nig press, that he
tinue .throughout this administration whereh
is. In all of our diplomatic affairs, many 0f Jv
he found in an embarrassed and critical con i
I upon coming into office, he has exhibited an nn
of talent and a degree of skill, that place hi
mong the foremost of American Siattsroeni
thathave secured to him the confidence of ih '
bod) of the people, not blinded by prejudi11
led astray by party bias. It is true the oppo
of the Administrations have sought, wiih a dT
gence worthy a better cause, for some excuse tn
.".".snucm m uur loreign relations bv
Mr. Clayton; but they have tried in vain, and hay
been rewarded with disappointment, as the "
of their labor. Thus far, every question of a.
eign nature has been conducted successfully
honorable and advantageous termination - and k
is not asking too much, that the public ud,e 0
the future by what he has accomplished Tn th.
past. ,
Take the Cabinet of Gen. Taylor nn, a.
whole, and it will stand a remarkably favorable
eompanson with any other, to which the affair,
of our nation have been entrusted. The memberi
of the Cabinet have discharged their duties with
credit to themselves; the country is contented
and intriguing demagogues may triumph over.
cnange, out tne country, af large, will regret it.
From the St. Ltuu Republican of April 9
MOB VIOLENCE IN ILLINOIS.
We learn from Henry countv. Illinn;
series of outrages have recently been committed
upon the Swedish colony located in that couhn
and that they are threatened with extermination
"u,u "- vwun.j. xuc uicu eugagea m these
outrages number about seventy, from the town of
Cambridge and Rocky River, in the same count
and they are headed by a fellow named J0hQ'
Root This man, it seems, married Charlotte
Louisa Johnson, but, as they did not live happily
together, she left him and fled to her relations for
protection against his violence. About the 26th
of March, Root visited the colony, with & mob
with the intention of regaining possession of hii
wife, but she had left and gone to a place of safe
ty. Root, irritated by this desertion, determined
to avenge himself upon the innocent meraDersof
the colony collected a mob, paraded the streets
armed, and threatened to burn the houses and kill
the inhabitants. They searched the colony and
then left.
On the 27th they returned and commenced de
molishing some of the houses, tore off some of
the boards of the church, discharged their gum
and ordered the inhabitants to leave their houses'
so that they could burn them down. They drove
all the men of the colony into the church, and the
women and children into the hospital. Nextdar,
the mob again assembled and burnt the hay slacks
of the colony, and set fire to the buildings at Little
Hill, two miles from Cambridge. The principal
men and women of the colony fled from the fury
of the mob, and are now in St. Louis. No mem
ber of the colony had any thing to do with tbe
seperation of Root and his wife, and of course
they are no! answerable in any shape for it.
Root pretends to an intimate knowledge of bad
designs on the part of the colony, and circulates
slanders of all kinds against them. But it is known
that they are an innocent and unoffending people.
They are Christians, worshipping God according
to the Bible, which is their sole guide. They eat
at a common table, and work for the common
benefit, but each family lives by itself. Marriage
is recognised byjthera. Ia nothing do they differ
from other Christians, except that they eat at i
common table, and work' for the common benefit
They suffered severely from the cholera last year,
and seventy widows with their children are left
dependant upon the colony for support. Tbe
colony owns about 4,000 acres of land, a church,
a large four-story brick dwelling-house, two other
brick houses, five frame buildings, and other small
houses for store-rooms a wind mill, a flax ma
chine, two saw mills, a grist mill, a steam floor
ing mill, and a large part'of the land is improved.
The property , exclusive of personal effects, is val
ued at $50,000. The colony now contains about
100 men, 250 women and girlsnd 200 children.
In one respect they resembled the Quakers they
hold to vthe doctrine of non-resistance ; and ban
offered no violence tothe mob. The colony deser
ves, and should receive the instant protection of
the laws, ana tbe onenders should not be suner
ed to go unpunished.
According to the latest advices, the mob bad
fixed the 6th instant for the destruction of the vil
lage in which the colonists were located, but hii
hoped that this threat was not put into execution.
It is certain that appeals to the authorities of .the
county for protection are in vain, and they hate
besought the fsterDosition of the Governor ol tbe
State a request which ought not to be deaied
them.
PROGRESS OF SUBSCRIPTION.
We are gratified to chronicle a continual
increase of subscriptions to the stock of tb
Railroad. Every friend of the work ought
to exert himself specially to complete thes
mount by the close of the month.
, Extract of a letter from Concord, datea u
17th inst:
"Caharrus has incresuml nn to the amount 01
$12,300 over the amount reported at GreeDsbx-
rough. The nve per cent, has been paw oa
whole sum. This makes the whole subscript
ninetv-three thousand dollars. Gallant Cabarrus.
i i. nn kMKir..Vii,;nr,.HUr PzeeDtsotot
a iihiv w-r j-svnussia ve emu j ussi s u i "l K
US
(Xh Our thanks are due to . Hon. Gnomon E.
BADOza fot i bound copy of the Annual Message,
with. accompanying documents.
09 The Virginia State elections come off on
Thursday next -
OS The citizens of Wilmington are preparing
to do funeral honors to the remains of Mr. Calhoun,
as they pass through that place.
(& Certain citizens of New Orleans have ten
dered a Complimentary Ball to a Mr. Tucker, as
a suitable method of expressing their sympathy for
him in recent Josses by hrei A novel kind of
commiseration, truly.
' :
f
fr TUe "Ashville Messener,, is out with au
article ur favor of tbe establishment of a Peniten
tiary in North Carolina.
0 The "Greensboro' Patriot" comes to us
ckrtbed in anew suit of type. It now makes as
lair an iVnpressioti on paper, as its enlietened, able
and patriotic course has invariably made on the
minds of all its readers.
iryioj
$600 in Rowan. We shall keep
books are closed."
We learn from the Raleigh papers 1J tne
subscription in that place has increased $U"
500 in all since the 3Uth ult.
We think It not improper here to notice
the good faith and punctuality of our pun,
friend in Alabama, whose letter instruct"
us to subscribe his "mite" some time.!
published. It was no boyish flourish--
has sent ia his five per cent doing
can for his native county and State.
more of those at home would do likcwu""
Greens, Patriot.
The Wilmington Aurora has "a6e.;
grand discoveries in one day. Hear J"
" It is wrong to call an y man Godlike perjap;
but Mr. Calhoun really was." Again :
at Jackson, look at Taylor, look at Mow'
i i i r l: I All these D"
iook even i vv asuingiuu.
without exception were men of vudjocrt
biliiies
they were ; and that
r oKl in taiw
at is aliV'-Sfcto- If
A tf ACETSOUS roSTMASTEB. . ,Kpf()-
received at the Vicksburg Postoffice the oiw
containing a peck offrozen potatoes a tew r(
match boxes a couple of doll-babies a j '
r i :i :1o r,,r rir fire fragrnc"
iuui . - . . .nil
of a , looking-glass and various ou -. -
j. hm. ? .... U nor nitrated t!sJu j
luxuriates in a region where the broad og
humor of human nature has never Pu
to the modifying influences J f.1"1. wTi-