Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-04-25

propriety of delivering the letter over to Gov.
Houston; and having nothing further to do with
it. The last Interpretation of the letter being
deemed the true one, then delivered over the
letter of Mr.. Stanbery to Gov. Houston, at the
back of the Speakers Chair in the lobby.
Gov Houston read the letter in my presence.
whilst was standing by him, and commented
upon it as he proceeded with the perusa, in harsh
language, concerning Mr.. Stanberv, as to vari-
GUS parts of his letter. recollect particularly
when he came to that part Of the letter in which
his own letter is described, as being letter sign
ed Sam'l Houston, he seemed very much pro-
voked, aud using some harsh epithet, that he
would introduce himself to the damned rascal, !"
or some harsh epithet Of that sort. He made
comments on various parts OF the letter till he
got through it. do not recollect particularly
all that he said, bat in general he used very
harsh epthets TO Mr.. Stanbery. After he had
read over the letter, with great many harsh OBJ
servations towards Mr. Stanbery, he became ex-
tremey violent, and said .he would whip the
damned rascal before he left the House." This
language he used two or three times. then urg-
ed Gov. Houston BY all the arguments which
presented themselves to my miHd at the time,
against the propriety of course OF that sort
What particular arguments used do not re-
collect; but among other things mentioned to
him that It would be contempt to the House.
Afer had said what seemed to me to be proper,
Gov, Houston resorted to a variety OF arguments,
to show that the course which be prposed to pur-
sue was a correct and proper course. he re-
rled to nv argumel that il woul b,a contempt,
that he would, " right or wrong, wherever II
was gwen, even were il in the court o: Heaven. I"
A good deal was said between US, pro and con,
in relation to the subject. 1t is impossible that
should specify every thing that was said, but l
think that this was the substance OF the whole OF
what passed. | was about then to leave Gov.
Houston to take my seat in the House, when he
stopped me, and "thanked me for what had
done for him." and said that {" had acted right
in delivering him the letter." aud he requested
me to say TO Mr.. Stanbery that ne would consi-
der what would be the proper course tor him to
pursue hereafter. then searched for Mr. Creigh-
ton in the House, for the purpose OF converslns
with him upon the subject, with view OF ex-
planning to Mr.. c. the course | had taken on this
subject individually; and also on the request OF
Gov. II 10 ask him to inform Mr. Stanbery that
he would consider what course II would be pro-
per hereafter TO pursue. ! could not mud Mr.
Creighton in the House; discovered Mr. s. sit
inc in this part of the House, and invited him to
walk into the lobby with me.
then explained to Mr., S,anbery what had ia
ken place between Gov IL. and myself when
his letter to Mr. S. was first handed to ne, and
also explained to him the difficulty klad as to
the construction to be given to the letter receiv-
ed by me in reply to it. / mentioned the appre-
hension ahch | had at first entertained that |
should be involved personally in the controversy,
and the regret which had felt at the idea OF it.
also mentioned my consulting with my friends
as to the construction to be put on the letter, and
that had delivered the letter over to Gov. Hous-
ton; also mentioned Gov. HIS request that [ would
inform Mr.. Stanbery that he would consider what
would be the proper course for him to pursue
hereafter; and | mentioned to Mr. S. that then
had done with it, or had washed my hands OF 1t
--that intended to have nothing further to do
with the the controversy between MIR. ). and Gov.
H.; during the time of this narrative, Mr.. 5. |
think interrupted me by speaking only twice to
my recollection: whilst was speaking OF being
personally involved in the controversy, he remark
ed "that he would not have replied to Gov. H's
letter at ALL had it not been out Of respect for me-
or he thought was entitled to it from him. y
The second time he interrupted me was whilst
was speaking of the difficulty of being personal
y involved in case of the exception to Gov. Hous-
ton being personal; he remarked that he reserv-
ed that paint for future consideration. do not
recollect myself of any other facts that are mate
rial After what have already narrated, did
not consider myself to have any thing more to do
with the matter.