Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1832-05-16
Hon. William stanberry, M. c.

H. -Y Your most obt servant
SAMUEL HOUSTON.
Hon. William Stanberry, M. c.
tsThat letter was presented to in this Hall. do
not remember whether the session of the House had COM
rnenced not and desire was expressed by Mr. john
for speedy answer to it. On the same day wrote
next day; which handed to Mr. Creighton, before pre-
senng it, to ascertain whether MIR. Johnson was ac
quainted with the contents of the note OF Mr. Houston
That letter wish to have read for the information of
the House. r+.4l r.- Ef .." Jog
The letter was read, and is as follows .s..
ss4aHof Representatives, April 4, 1882
sSIR: received this morning, by your hands, note
signed Samuel HoustoD quoting from the National In
tegencer of the Cd instant, remark made by me in
the House. The object of the note is eto ascertain
whether Mr.. Houstons name was used by in debate
and whether my remarks correctly quoted! ..
81 cannot recognize the right of Mr. Houston to make
this request .,.
Very respectfully, yours SC.
t t-a-- WILLIAM sTANBERRY.-
The Hon. Cave Johnson"
Mr.. s. further stating that, expecting Houston would
make attack upon him. he had provided himself with
arms and requested Mr. Ewing, of Ohio to attend him
whenever he left his place. proper witness, should
an assault be made-proceeds: .H
ssOn Friday night, at O'Clock, (premising that
side at Mrs Queens the south side of the Avenue)
left Mrs. Queens, crossed the Avenue and stepped the
side walk Mr.. Elliott's, having pistol in my
Mr.. Houston. At the moment of stepping on the side
walk, Mr.. Houston stood before me. 1 think he called
by name, and instantly struck with The bludgeon
had in his hand with great violence, and be repeated
the blow while was down; he struck me repeatedly
= with great violence. I either knocked down
thrown in the cufe, do not know which while down,
turning my right side, got my hand in my pocket
and got my pistol and cooked it, watched an oppor
tunty while he was striking me with great violence,
and pulled the trigger aiming at his breast the pistol
did go off, thought it did not snap, but have since
understood it did. He wrested the pistol from my hand
and after some more blows, he left me. In reply to
something which sa1d do not distinctly recollect
wis 81 assaiied he
would be answerable to the laws of his country for what
he had done.'
Mr.. Stanberry was shown the remark attributed to
him in the National Intellgencer, in which the name
of Gen. Houston was used, and asked whether they
were correctly given He replied that they were, for
he had written them out HIMSELF at the request of the
Editor, accurately he could. The accused, pre-
missing that the remarks referred to imputed fraud to
him, put the following interregatory "Had you then
or have you now any and what evidence Of the correct
ness Of such m utation' Mr. 8. in answer to this in
quiry, though several times interrupted, state in sub
stance that he did not intend to impute fraud to Gen.
H. and that his name used merely to identify the
transaction which he alluded; but that if he
called upon give opinion, he should say that he
did believe that Gen. H. did participate in the attempt
ed fraud. He adduced evidence certain newspaper
publications of 1880, and the affidavit Of Luther Blake
of Arkansas. The affidavit objected to, but af-
forwards read at the Clerks table.
April 2st-Mr. Stanberry,s testimony being through,
Mr. McDnfie offered resolution to commit the investi
cation to committee of examination, who should have
power send for persons and papers, aud leave to sit
dur;ne session. The resolution afterwards with
drawn. Mr. Vance was then sworn and testified that
tuaes deposition was handed to him while in his place
hv Mr. Prentice of Washington-said he did not know
ake or whether he could prove the facts stated in it.
Mr. c. johnson, of Tennessee, was then sworn He
observed that the beginning he had been very eau
tious not to involve himselfn the aar-that with this
view he had handed to Gen H. the letter winch ne
had received from Mr.. Stanberry-that Houston read
tho letter in his and commented upon it in very
harsh terms-that he became extremely violent, and
said he would whip the damned rascal before he left the
tlouse Upon the conclusion Of Johnson's testimony,
she House adjourned.
assapru 23d-Messrs Grundy and Buckner gave test'-
,ony on the part OF the accused. Mr. Buokner, previ
ously stating that HIMSELF Mr.. Blair, and Gov H. were
eisureIy walking the street on the evening OF the 18TH
ENGAGED in light conversation, and that Mr. Blair sud-
denly left them person approached whom he (Buck-
per> recognized to be Mr.. Stanberry; he proceeds:
stanberry approached nearer he appeared to halt
in his place. Houston asked if that Mr.. Stanber-
time eyes, sir then, said Houston, you arc the dam
ned rascal; and with that struck him with stick which
he held in his hand Stanhery threw up his hands over
his head and staggered back, his hat fell off, and he ex
claimed tOh DON'T Houston continued to follow him.
nm and continued to strike him. After receiving seve-
al blows, Stanberry turned as thought to run