Litchfield enquirer., 1832-04-26
TIE ENQUIRER.
LITCHFIELD, APRIL %, Iss2.

ihe United States Telegraph ofan attempted fraud upon the Treasury by the late Secretary of War, for the benefit of his friend Gen. Samuel Houston, late Governor of Tennessee and pyOtegs of the President of the United States. Appended to the statement of D.T Green, are she few remarks of Mr Sanberry. of Ohio, which drew upon him the vengeance of Gen. Houston. as detailed belOw from the Telegraph.
 sUpon reading the report of .Slanherry's speech in the Iaelligencer, taluded abOVel says the TeI- egraph, Mr. Houston addressed Ilim anOte through member of Congress, from Tennessee, demanding an explanation. Mir. Stanberry informed the member who bore the demand that he recognised no right ln Mr. HOuston to interrogate him uPon the sublece-- Houston then threatened tha, he would make . per sonaI assault and accordingly he accompanied by an attendant both armed with heavy bludgeons, was Tor come days seen saunteving ahout the Capitol, and Houston himself was frequently on the sprlytledged seats within the Hall of the House.
 It s said, and we believe with truth, tnat h's in- tentio 10 make the attack known to sundry mem- bers of Congress; and we have heard, from source enti.ied credit, that Mr. Speght, of North Caro- na, who aspires 10 be considered leader ot the ad- ministra.orl party of the House, advised hm not to mako the attack in the rotunda of the Capitol. as tn that case lie Mir. Speigh comld not defend him, be- causeit wou clearly be breach of privilege Accor-
 nrly te place o assault transferred 10 the pub- lie sIeets and on Friday, about o'clock, Mir. Siam berry was assaulted his lodging n the manner he has stated, knocked down with bladgeon, and much and severely ;njured-his right arm being disabled, the left hand severely fractured, and hs head and body much beaten and bruised.
 stWhaa gives more imporiance 10 this transaction, is, the known relation which Houston bears 10 the President ofthe United States. It isnOw ascertaned that he was the individual who placed in the hands ot Gen. Jackson MT. Monroe's letter to Mr. Calhoun, which was purioined from the owner, and made so important part of the correspondence" hetween Ihe President and Vice President. Although he left 1enneasee under circumstances which produced the
 eepest excitement took up his residence with the ln- dans and adopted their costume and habits; and a- though the proof that he contemplated fraud upon the government conclusive, yet he has continued 10 enjoy the special counenance and favor Of tile Chiet Magistrate. He is still received at tho Executive mansion and treated with the kindness aud hospta- ty of an old favorite is also said that Houston pro- ceeded directly from the assault to the Theatre that Mir Barry, the Postmaster General, met him and con- Rra,uated him on what he had done; that they went to the har of the theare drank together, and enjoyed the affair with great giee. We have this, well what we have said of Mr. Speight from sources ent- tied the highest credit These s.a.e'ne nis take" in connection with what transpired on the floor of the House, are calculated to create belief that the out rage receives sanction in high places. h is possble but harey possible, that there may be some mistake if sO, ihe gentlemen we have named, can explain
 [" The proce eding itself is before the proper tribu- nal, and we forbear 10 comment on is enormity; but the reader will in u another branch of that system of intimidation of which it has become our duty so of- ten to speak. The first action upon the independence
  greater number of its members than had ever been done by any preceding administration. Next. direct appeals made to the wort passons ot the people them- selves in which the President himself has called upon bis pal iisans to excite the people against their rep,e- seniatives and thus overaws them into conforni- iy with his sc great measures ot public policy, distribution of Executive patronage! The last remain ing personal violence. to intimdate and over- awe members of Congress, and thus prevent expo- sure of the frauds and mapractices of the Executive fayorites. s-i gf,-.
 '.The reader, on perusing Mr. S,anherrys remarks, will be at loss for the cause of offence s was his duty, one of the representatives of the people, to speak what he said was predicated upon informa- ton derived from the Delegate from Arkansas, lo whom, and ito Mr. Stanberry, Mir. Houston, in noceni, should have addressed himselE And under che crcums'ances of the case. Mr. Houston, if inno- cent, under obligations to Mr. s. for the 0pportu nity which he presented for asking investigation by the House. Had he been conscious of innocence, such would have been his course; and the attack is but another of the long list of circumstances which go to prove his guilt. We know that it will be quoted inc result of the exasperaed feelings of an honora- ble injuriousy assailed; but intelligent men will consider the argument of conscious guilt retreat ing behind the last resort of backguards and bullies
 "We are we'll aware of the danger which surrounds us We have long seen that the tactics ot the Nash. Uile school were to he transerredt Washington, and that the voice ofiruth o he senced by the dread of the assassin. But we have not yet taken fear as our counsellor"
 
 'sMr. Houston having acknowledged before the House of Representatives that he beat Mir. Stanber- ", and that he induced to commit that act of viO- ience by words sp0ken by Mir Stanberry in debate in the House. thirk the he ariag of his case, be-
 ore that body ought to be short, and decided up that simple ground. MT. Houston says he was much excited by what MT. Sanbersy said respecting him-ihat Mr. Sianberry refused t0 give him any ex- rlanatioR, which also greatly excited him; and that under that excitement he beat him. In judgment taesa concessions reduce the question to single point --Was this outrage, committed under these circum- stances breach ofthe privilege secured members of Congress hy the constitution The constitution leaves no room even for excuse, much less Ter . Justification, ofsHch act of violence as this on the ground that the RerpetratOr was excited or on any other ground. H says that members shall ROt be tOned, any ether place, or any speech or debate ia either house. ta this nstn0ce the party accused ad- miis that he did question Mr. Sianberry respecting senatves not n the house, bat in another place. and not being satisfactorily answered. he resoFted to hs owa remedy, and beat him. Unless, therefore. Mr. Houston has some collateral point which he wishes to rest his canae, tbHk there can be nothing tnr- ther tol the Hose0 do, than to determine the ques- ton which we have just sale About that there does not seem t0 be te leaat possible dOub hesitation, or delay. And is is high lime that example should be made of that class 0f men, who under the claim oi poesessing high sense Of honor, disposed 10 take vengeance Tor their wrongs, real or imaginary, by ther owU arms, and in the maDRer, and according the measure, which their passions and reseni- ments may dictate. pIainer, less difficult ease man that now before the House of Representatives, cannot well be Imagined. We hope and trust they VII prcaec: their owa persons. and guard their own