Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-04-20


pregnant particulars, is disclosed by the Telegraph
and unintimidated The bclligercnts seem to re.
spect him.
From the u s. Telegraph of Monday.
MOST DARING OUTRAGE AND ASSAULT.
The attention of the reader will be arrested by
the proceedings in the House of Representatives.
on Saturday, the motion to arrest General IIous
ton, for assault upon the Hon. MIR. Stanbcry
Il member of that body from Ohio. The pretcXt for
| this outrage, the remarks which Mr.. Stanbcrv
deemed it proper to make in the House, relative to
the contract for furnishing ratons to emrrant In
dams, contemplated by Gen. Houston with Major
Eaton. That the reader may know what was said
we here give his remarks. Mr.. S. said:
| THE Superintendent of the Cumberland Road is
not the only officer who has been suffered to CONT
nue. in cfiice after proofs of his transgressions had
| reached the President Was the late Secretary of
War removed In consequence of his attempt, fraud
ulently, to give to Governor Houston the contract
| for Indian rationsl derive my knowledge of this
transaction not from the columns of the Telegraph
| The whole affair known to at the time it
| took place. The Editor of the Telegraph gives
himself too much credit for defeating this attempt
ed fraud. ] understand that it was in consequence
of the circumstances of the Delegate from Arkan.
sas, that the contract not completed. There
is fact however, for which indebted to the
Tccgraph; and that is, that the President had full
knowledge of the business and that it did not meet
with his disapprobation."
| Upon reading the report of Mr. Stanberys Speech
in the Intelligenccr, Mr. Houston addressed him
note, through member of Congress, from Ten
ncssce, demanding an explanation. Mr. Stanbcry
| Informed the member who bore the demand, that
he recognized right iii Mr. Houston to interro-
gate him upon the subject Houston then threat.
encd that he would make personal assault and ac
cOrdlngly he, accompanied by attendant both
| armed with heavy budgcons, was, for some DAYS
seen sauntcring about the capitol, and Houston
|
i'll the Hall of the House,
1t is said, and we believe with truth, that his in
tention to make the attack was known to sundry
members of Congress-; and we have heard, from
source entitled TO credit, that Mr.. SpeiEht, of North
Carolina, who aspircs to be considered leader of
the Administration Party of the House, advised
him not to make the attack in the rotunda of the
Capitol, as in that case, he, (Mr. Speight,) could
not defend him, because it would clearly be breach
| of privilege. Accordingly the place of assault
transferred to the public streets, and, on Fri
| day, about o'clock, Mr.. Stanbery was assaulted
near his lodgings, in the manner he has stated,
| knocked down with a hludgcon, and much and Sc
| ycrcly inurcd--his right arm being disabled, the
left hand severely Fractured and his head and body
much beaten and bruised
| What gives more Importance to this transaction
1 is the known relation which Houston bears to the
! President of the United States. 1t is now asccr
tanned that he the individual who placed in the
hands of Gen. Jackson Mr.. Monroe's letter to Cal
houn, which purloined from the owner, and
made so inn ortant part of ''the correspondence
between the President and Vice President. AL
though he left Tennessee under circumstances which
produced the deepest excitement, took up his resi-
depce with the Indians, and adopted their costume
and habits; and although the proof that he contem
plated fraud upon the government is conclusive
yet he has continued to enjoy the special
and favor of the Chief Magistrate He is still re-
| ccIved at the Executive mansion, and treated with
the kindness and hospitality Of old favorte. 1
is also said that Houston proceeded directly from
The assault TO the Theatre; that Mr.. Barry, the
Postmaster GcnTa met him, and congratulate,
hItn on what he had DONE that they went to the ba
OF The Theatre, drank together and enjoyed the at
TAR with great gcc. We have this, as well as wha
VIC have sad of Mr.. Spcght, from sources Cnjitlsc
to the highest credit. These statements, taken in
connection with what transpircd on the floor o
the House, are calculated TO create belief thai TIN
outrage receives sanction in high places II is pos
siblc, but barely possible, that there may be som
mistakes if so, the gentlemen we have named, car
explain,
The proceeding Itself is before the proper tribu
nal and we forbcar to comment on It's cnormiry
but the reader will in it another branch of tina
system ofintimidation Of which it has become on
duty so often to speak The first action upon the indie
pendence of Congress was the appointment to Office
of n much greater number of its members than ha,
ever been done by any preceding administration
Next, direct appeals made 20 tho worst passions 0
the people themselves, in which the President him
self has called upon his partizans, to excite th
people against their representatives, and thus e
ovcrawc them into conformity with his mill, no
on great measures Of public policy but on the cues
ton Of tho "SPoils Of yictory"-the distribution