Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1827-05-29

OIs
at this moment, is calculated to make US doubt il
which of the characters, the accuser or friend o
General, he is the most entitled to credit VIVA
must we think of the high mndedness and sincerit,
Of man who will form a league of personal anc
political friendship with one who has attempte,
his life, merely for the purpose of overthrowing ar
administration against which he has thought prone,
to array himself The whole course of Colonel
Bcnton taken in connection with this unnatural as
ISOLATION, convinces US that to advance his own
political interests, he can compromise his private
feelings, forget forgive the deepest injuries. and
throw the mantle of oblivion over the deadest in
suits and injuries.
Taking the narrative which is thus given to the
world unser the signature of Colonel Benton to be
correct, what can we think of General Jackson's
respect to the laws of his country and the usages
Of men of honorable standing? Coupling this aifiay
with the affair ofthc Tennessee militia men, to which
we have recently adverted, and of which much YET
remains to be said, readers acquiesce in the
character of benevoence and humanity claimed for
General Jackson by his friends or can they bring
them selves to consent to the elevation to the first
OF flee in the gift of the people, OF man who in
one case has either grossly misunderstood the law
of the land or has dsregarded it, to the destruction
of six of his fellow citizens and in another instance
has upon the authority of Col. Benton incurred the
liability to be ranked with men of the most despa-
rate and sanguinary habits and dispositions J.?
FnANKLIN, Cl'enn.) Sept 10, 1915.
A difference which had been for some months
brewing between General Jackson and myself pro-
luced on Saturday, the 9TH inst. in the town of
Nashville, the most outrageous ahray witnessed
n civilized country. In communicating his al
air to my friends aud fellow. citizens, limit myself
o the statement of few leading facts, the truth of
which am ready to establish by judicial proofs.
/. That myself and my brother. Jesse Benton,
arriving in Nashville on the morning of the alray,
md knowing of Gen. Jackson's threats, went and
,ok our lodgings in different house from the one
n which he slaid. on purpose to avoid him.
2. That the General and some of his friends came
o the house where we had put up. and commenced
he attack By Ieriliag pist0i al ne, tchen That no
ceapon dra,on, and airaacing upon me I'll a q,dch
pace, ,oithoM giuilg me hAacfo drd,O one
8. That seeing ;his, my brother fired upon Gen.
jackson, when he had got within eight or ten feet of
me-
A. That four other pistols were fired in quick
succcssion one by General jackson at me !; two by
me at the General, and one by Col. Coffee at me.
I'm the course of this firing Gen. jackson WAS brought
to the ground /; but received no hurt.
5. That daggers then drawn. Col. Coffee
md Mr.. Alexander Donaldson made at me, and gave
me five slight wounds. Capt Hammond and Mr..
|Stokley Hays engaged my brother who being still
weak from the effect OF wound he had lately
received in duel, was not able to resit two men,
They got him down; and while Captain Hammond
beat him on the head to make him lay still, Mr.
Hays attempted to stab him, and wounded him in
both arms as he lay on his back parrying the thrusts
with his naked hands. From this situation gene.
rous hearted citizen Of Nashville, MIR. Sumner re-
lieved him. Before he came to the ground, my
brother clapped pistol to the breast OF MIR Hays
TO blow him through but it missed fire.
6. My own and my brothers pistols carried two
bolls EACH for it was our intention, il driven {,
arms, to have no chill's play. The pistols fired a
me were so near, that the blaze Of the muzzc of on
of them burnt the sleeve Of my coat, and the othe
aimed at my head little mone than arms lengt
from it.
T. Capt Carroll was to have taken part in tn
ARRAY, but was absent by the permission q Genera
| jackson, as he has since proved by the General
certificate; certificate which reflects | know nc
whether less honour upon the gen. or upon the capt
s. That this attack was made upon me IN til
house where the Judge of the District, Mr.. Searcy
had his lodgings So little are the laws and il
ministers respected Nor has the civil authorlt
vet taken cosnizance of this horrible outrage.
These facts are sufficient TO fix the public opinion
Tor my own part, think it scandaous that sue
things should take place at any time but partic
larly so at the present moment, when the publ
service requires the aid of all its citizens. AS Fl
the name Of courage God forbid that should ev
attempt to gain it by becoming bully. Those wi
know me. know full! we'll that | would give a tho
sand times more for the reputation of Croghan
defending his post, than would for the reputati'
of all the duelliss and gadiaors that ever appear
upon the face of the earth. Ny
THOMAS HART BENTON,
Lieut.. CO. 59M Infantry.
Eyon, the Ne,c York yaD1er;can