The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-05-23
w a r
IN WASHINGTON!
ATTEMPT AT ASSASSINATION.

mand was severe, and o. such nature rs
would have caused. perhaps, any other man
hut Houston himself to have quailed under
the force of it; and he did not seem to he
totally insensble TO its force, and what 1t
enjoined. When Houston was discharged,
Mr.. Stanberry rose, and in his place, nov
ed the appointment of select committee.
TO investigate the fraud alleged by him to
have been committed; The suggestion he
made in regard to which, was the canSe OF
the assault committed by Houston on him.
After a debate somewhat desultory, the com
mittee was ordered, with power, to send for
persons and papers. When this matter was
disposed Of Mr.. Cook Of Ohio rose and said,
That he had letter which he thought
sense of duty compelled him to commune
cate to the House not that he threw him
self upon the protection of the House, or
claimed the benefit or any of the privileges
reserved to him Ivy the Constitution. The
letter of DR.. Davis 10 him was then read,
accompanied nv statement on the part of
Mr.. Cook, explaining the circumstances at
tending its reception and the cause of such
a letter being addressed TO him. A motion
was then made to lay the letter on the ia
BILE. bnt this motion was decided in the neg
alive, by n large majority; after tedious
debate of two hours it was finally decided
not TO refer Mr.. Cooks communication to a
select committee. by q majority of two,
whereupon the house adjourned so much
for the text, and now for the context.
On the second fight of stairs as the men,
bers descended the west side of the Capt.
tol, Mr.. Arnold of Tennessee, was met by
a blood hound, who calls himself Major
Heard, of whom, you have already learnt
something through the newspapers armed
with large hickory club, dirk, and horse
pistol he aimed blow at Arnold. which he
Gexterously varied off, ard came in such
close contact with him, using with great
airoitness small sword-cane, that Heard
had no chance TO aim his pistol, and Arnold
no chance to run him through without re-
treating far enough 20 give Heard room for
his pistol-but after the clinch, when Heard
was in the act of falling, he pulled trigger,
and the ball of the pistol, weighing one
ounce and quarter, passed through the
flesh part of Arnoltl's right arm, Throwing
his coat sleeve and tearing his shirt. This
was not perhaps the worst, for as MIR. Taze-
well happened TO be going down the stairs
at the time, he narrowly escaped as the pis-
tol ball came within one quarter of an inch
Of his head. After Arnold had Heard
down, he drew back his sword cane, and
was in the act of plungng it into Heard's
heart, but his arm was caught by General
Duncan of Illinois, Arnold struggling for
the use Of it, and crying, let me kill the
rascal, until John Davis of Massachusetts,
approached, and with great share of mod
GRAFTON, said, don't kill him Arnold Well,
said Arnold, if you say so, Davis, | wont.
y,
covered with blood, he was left alone una
BILE to stand. have since learnt that he
has been removed to LateIno's, his lodgings,
his wounds have been dressed. and he has
been put To bed and after a short repose he
will be taken to Jail. Arnold took from him
during the tracas, his pistol, club and dirk,
which he now holds as the "spoils of victo-
ry."
1t may with great propriety be asked
what had Heard against Arnold, to cause
this act of violence? The publication of
Arnold and the reply to it will explain the
whole case. Heard was unknown 10 Ar
mold; he met him few days ago, and told
him that he III. was the friend of Houston,
whom Arnold had abused, and he would
whip him when Houston's trial was over.
How did Arnold abuse Houston, by his
asking questions growing out of the debate
in Houston's trial, Keeping within the rules
OF the House, and examining those rights
which belong to representative of free
people. Mr.. Cook from necessity goes into
the House with a brace OF pistols by his
side and dirk, exposed to the view of all.
After the decision of the House TODAY. he
wrote his resignation, but was prevented
sending it to the Speaker, by some friends :;
he will resign at the end OF the session if
not before. Journal.
WASHINGTON, May H.
AT II O'Clock o-day, in pursuance of the
solemn decision of the House of Represen-
tatIves, Samuel Houston was placed at its
Bar 10 receive his sentence. The scene
was an imposing one; the Hall was crowd
ed to excess, and the Speaker DISCHARGED
his duty with great dignity and ability.
Hardly had the sentence heen put into exc
cutlon; before member Mr.. Cook of Ohio.)
rose in his place, and submitted a letter
from Mr.. E. s. Davis, purporting 10 be
challenge, and accompanied it with state
ment that appeared to confirm the charac-
ter of this communication. Thereupon
Judge Crane Of Ohio, offered n resolution,
mittee empowered to send for persons and
papers, whsse duty it should be to inquire
into the facts, and report them with their
opinions in the ease. Mr.. Stanberrv, after
II preliminary allegation, involving CHARGE
against the President of participation in
the assaults complained Of and solemnlv
declaring that he was prepared to prove
the fact proposed to amend the resolution
hat
their inquiry to the charge preferred against
Gen. Jackson.
The proposition of Mr.. Stanberry produc.
ed considerable excitement. Mr.. Arnold
o! tennessee, distinguished himself by the
freedom OF his denunciations of the Powers
that he. lie averred that band of ruffians
and bullles infested the Capital of the coun-
try under the special countenance of the
Executive, and that he would vote for no
examination of this nature that might re.
suit IN the disclosure of facts incuIpatinp
the President of the United States. The
House. ne SAID, had already manifested an
indlsposition to punish effectively any
breach OF Its privilege and he for one was
prepared TO defend himself against "Me
party assasslns, Mt the peril of his life.
NJ rolkswas furious in his defence of the
Hh'te House. and SEEMED to deny the ale
CATION OF Mr.. Stanberry; but he did mot
deny It. MIR. Burgess advocated the amend.
ment, md scourged the gentleman fom
Tennessee. Mr.. Thompson, of Georpiu--n
thorough-golng partizan of the Palace-ob.
ta.ned Tue hoor and strange as you may
tninK IT. mored The previous question! By
ms means the inquiry proposed by Mr..
Stannepry was strangled, and so the proof