Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-07-20
TIE QUARREL BETWEEN BENTON AND
CLAY.
IN SENATE


The Senate proceeded to the consideration Of the
unfinished business of the day preceding, being the
veto message to the bank bill, and the bill itself to
rccharter the U. s. bank.
Mr.. Benton, who in possession OF the floor
concluded his remarks in defence of tho vcto and
in reply TO Mr.. Clay. In the course of his remarks,
he had characterized the speech of NJ G. con.
tanning language wanting in courtesy, indecorou
and disrespectful to the Chief Magistrate.
MIR. Clay rose say few words i'm regard to
: the personal aluson made to himself by the Sen.
ator from Missouri. He would previously remark
that the fact established by that Senator.
that the famous tariff of the Secretary fthe Trea
| sury which had engaged much anxious deliber.
alton in Congress during this session, originated
from resolution i'm tina: officers own handwritin
presented and adopted by the House Of Represen
tatives. That fact unaffected by any circurn
stances which led to the draft of the resolution md
concusively proves that the duty of prepariny the
bill, if voluntarily sought was not reluctantly
assumed by the Secretary.
| The Senator from Missouri has adyerted to the
fact of crowded galleries. But if impelled bv cu.
rosity, the galleries occasional filled when
| 1t Is understood some Senators are to sneak no
member knows better than the Hon. Gentleman
.ha when some others rise, the galleries are quick
ly emptied with whatever else the Senate Chamber
may then be filed. The member ought not to bo
dissatisfied to-day with the presence Of those who
are al; around him; for among them is lady. of great
literary eminence.
Mr.. Clay continued and observed, that he had
been accused by the Senator from Missouri with
want OF courtesy and decorum towards the Chief
Magistrate of the United States, in the comments
which he had felt it his duty TO mako upon the
Presidents-messagea accompanying his veto upon
the bank bill. How had he rcndc, cd himself liable
TO this accusation2 bill to recharter the bank had
passed the Senate, with tho concurrence of his
Mr. Clay'sl vote one Of the majority. The Pres
ident disapproved it, g. elaborate message states
at large his objections. Now what was the most
respectful course in regard to this message?
10 examine, weigh, discuss and decide upon tho
<fInt,r1 4
Of the BILL enjoincd by the constitution, in 81
encei Mr.. Clay would appeal from The Senator
to the Senate, if he had not treated the President
and his message with all tho respect which was
consistent with the occasion, and with tho high
responsibility under which every member of the
body was bound to act?
In some past transactions well known to the
public he (Mr. Clay) had been furnished nv tho
PRESIDENT with cause for resentment But the in
indulgence of feelings of that description was alto
gether improper in the discharge of official du
ties, and he was entirely unconscious OF their on
Grafton upon his mind in fulfilling his public obi
cations therein.
The Senator from Missouri had attributed to him
MIR. Clayl motive tor his remarks, with respect
TO tho consequences which would ensue in tho
western country from the dscontinuance of the
bank. But had not tho President given in his mes.
sage the supposed operation of the bank in the
west, a conspicuous placer Had he not emphati
cay called the attention of the Senate TO the in
curious effects of this institution on western pro.
perty7 The member from Missouri would be the
last TO assign to the President improper motives
for this part of his message; and why should he at
tribute them to another?
Mr.. President said Mr. Clay. cannot allow the
member from Missouri TO instruct me in etiquette
and courtesy, and how shall deport myseif TO-
wards an exalted parsonage. l can take no in
structlons from such source. l cannot, at this
period of my life, 60 with the member from Mis-.
souri, and his Indian blankets TO Boone's Lick to
be taught the rules and practice of politcness If
i could consent to receive him INV
should be at loss to know to which of the oppo
site opinions hc at different periods has entertain
ed of the President, ought to conform myself I
never had any personal rencontre with the rresi-
dent-I never promulgated a bulletin on any ouch
rencontre. never complained of the President
beating brother of mine after he was FRUSTRATED
and lying apparently lfeless. The member from
Missouri needs more specific Indications of tho
transaction to which allusion ia now made. Nor
did ever make such prophecy of the events
which would ensue from the elevation of the Pres.
ident, as the public press ascribes to the honorable
Senator from Missouri.
MIR. Clay concluded by observing that he did
not mean to dctan the Senate by any further no.
tico OF the observations of the Senator from Mis-
| souri,. He had and forever discharged all
| obligations under which that Senator had placed
him, and he had given him full acauittancc
Mr.. Benton said, that it was true he and General
Jackson had had personal conflict; it was true he
had fought with him; but he hoped they had fought
as men. When that contest was over so was their
enmity-three months after they were good friends
and ut any time since, each would have assisted
and done any thing in his power for the other
They had a contest. il true, but there was no
question of adjourned ueraeHy between them--no
adjourned ueracity remaining on the public mind
No, Sir, said Mr.. B., if such were the case there
would have been n separation between u.s. wider
than the gulf which separates Heaven from He'll.
AS regarded that famous placard put to his ac-
count, wherein II was asserted that members of
Congress, in certain event, would have to legis.
late armed, it was but within n few DAYS that a
st. Louis paper contained a card from Col Law
less, in refutation of the charges respecting him.
(Mr. Bepton,) as the author of the production In
that card, Colonel Lawess called for any one with
in the State to come forward, who had ever heard
him MIR. b. make the assertions; but no one had
come forward, nor could any ono. Col. L., who
was VOL acquainted with the transactions of that
day, denied, from his personal knowledge of him,
(Mr. b. and from the intimate connection subsist.
ing between them, at the PERIOD that such assert
ions were consonant with his (Mr. B.'s) senti-
mcnts, or that he had uttered them. But,
though the columDiator, who, in the dark, had af.
fixed the fabricated pacard to the lamp.posts had
remained unseen, he. (Mr b. was no longer in
doubt, in respect at least as regarded the re-.
sponsible author III the Senate, who had now
given currency 10 the dLyocious calumnu and such
he pronounced it.
Mr. Clay, i'll reply, observed that as to the uues.
ton of "adjourned veraeity;' when the President
lent the sanction of his name to the charge which
he Supposed the member alluded to- nc MIR. CT
demanded the proof. The witness was produced,
and Mr.. Clay was willing to abide by the judgment
! of the present generation and postcrty, as 10 the
testimony which he rendered; and he pronounced
the charge,lby whomsUever made, master or man,
destitute Of all foundation. That witness has re.
Gently gone TO St. Petersburgh, the minister OF
the United States. Mr. Benton, after momen.
tnry conference with Senator near, said aloud
from his soat--"The Fisheries"-"The Fisheries ~
AS to the prophecy in the public press, resumed
Mr. G.. the member from Missouri refers to Col