Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-05-30

tlcman, man of fine talents, previous to the
late Presidential Election, was the devoted
friend and admiror of Mr.. Clay, and made every
effort to secure the election of the Kentucky
candidatc;'' but, finding that there was a pros
pect Of General Jackson's being elected to the
Presidency, he halted, and came out one Of
Mr.. Clay's most bitter and violent opposers;
and ever since that period, has been the deter
mined advocate of the Tennessean candidate.
Mr.. Benton is one Of the principal file lead
crs of the Opposition, and is looked upon as the
very Hercules Of the faction. In the year 1913
he was attached to the United States Army,
and whilst holding the commission off Colonel,
was engaged in bloody personal combat, with
General Jackson, Colonel Coffee, and one or
two others. The account of the affair is almost
too repulsive TO ones nature tc be published,
but as il was at the time laid before the pub
lie by the Senator himself, we shall proceed to
copy it, from the original handbill, put into our
hands by Western correspondent. In perus-
ing It, the reader, will invountarily revolt from
the recital of so bloody deed, and naturally
ask himself, ifsuch a man as General Andrew
Jackson, should be elected to the Presidency
Of this Republic.
Franklin, (Tenn.) Sept. 10, 1918. GA
brewing between General Jackson and my self,
produced on Saturday, the 4th instant, IN the
town Of le, the most outrageous aflray
ever Witnessed in civilized country. In COM
municating this affair to my friends and fellow
citizens, limit myself to the statement of a
few leading facts, tire truth Of which l am
ready to establish by dical proofs.
1. That myself and my brother Jesse Ben
ton, arriving in Nashville on the morning Of
the afiray; and knowing Of General Jackson s
threats, went and took our lodgings in diier-
ent house from the one in which he staid, on
purpose to avoid him.
q That the General and some of his friends
came to the house where VIC had put up, and
commemorative attack by lcvellng pistol at
me, aUhen Ihad no iceapon dra,cn, AMI ad-
vancing upon me at quick pace, ,cithout gir-
ing me time to drdao one.
3. That seeing this, my brother hrcd upon
General Jackson, when he had got within
eight or ten feet OF me.
4. That four other pistols were fired in quick
sue cession; one by General Jackson at me; two
by me at the General; and one by Col. Office
at me. In the course OF this firing, Gen. jack
son was 'rought to the ground; bu, received
no hurt
5. That daggers were then drawn. Col.
Coffee and Mr.. Alexander Donaldson made at
me, and gave me five slight wounds. Capt.
Hammond and Mr.. S,okJey Hays engaged my
brother, who being still weak from the eiect
of a severe wound he had lately received IN a
duel, was not able to resist two men. They
got him down; and while Capt. Hammond
beat him on the head TO make hIm lie stIll MIR.
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 a generous hearted citizen Of Nash
vile, Mr.. Sumner, relieved him. Before he
came to the ground, my brother clappod a
pistol to the breast Of Mr.. Hays, to blow him
through; but it missed fire.
9. My own and my brothers. pistols carried
two balls each; for il was our intention,f driv-
en- to our arms, to have no child play. The
pistols fired at me were SO near, that the blaze
Of the muzze of one Of them burnt the sleeve
of my coat, and the other aimed at my head at
little more than an arms length from it.
z. Capt. Carroll was to have taken part in
the affray, but was absent by the permlssl on OF
Gen. Jackson, as he has since proved by the
Generals certificates; a certificate which re-
fleets, not whether, less honour upon tho Gen.
eral or upon the Colonel.
8. That this attack was made upon me in
the house where the Judge Of the District Mr.
Searcy, had his lodgings So little are the
laws and its ministers respected! Nor has the
civil authority yet taken congnizance of thi.
horrible outrage.
These facts are sufficient to fix the public
opinion. For my own part, think it scanda'
lous that such things should take place at an,
time; but particularly SO at the present mo-
ment, when the public service requires the ait
of all its citizens. As for the name Of courage
God forbid that should ever attempt 10 sair
il by becoming a bully. Those who know me
know full well that ! would give thousant
times moro for the reputation Of Croghom IL
defending his post, than would for the repu
tations Of all the duellists and gladiafors tina
| ever annoa rcd unnn the face Of the earth.