The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-04-25
WASHINGTON, April l6
MOST DARING OUTRAGE AND AS
SAIlI.T

The attention of the reader will be arrested by
the proceedings in the House ofRepreseniativcs
on Saturday, on the motion to arrest General
Houston, for an assault upon the Hon Mr..
Stanberry, a member OF that body from Ohio.
The pretext for this outrage was the remarks
which Mr.. Stanberry deemed it proper to make
in the House, relative to the contract for fur.
nishing rations to emIgrant Indians, conlem.
plated 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 Cumbe land
Road is not the only officer who has been sut.
tered 10 continue in office after proofs Of his
transgressions had reached the President. Was
the late Secretary Of War removed in conse.
qusnce of his attempt, iraudulently, to give to
Governor Houston The contract for Indian IA
tions' derive my knowledge of this lransac
tion not from tho columns of the Telegram.
The whole affair was known to me at the time
II took place. The editor Of the Telegraph
gives himself too much credit for defeating this
attempted fraud. understood that it was in
consequence OF the circumstances of the dele
gate from Arkansas, TINT the contract was not
completed. There is one fact however, for
which am indebted to the Telegraph; and
that is, that the President had full knowledge OF
the business, and that it did not meet with his
disapprobation."
r..
speech in the lntelligcncer, Mr. Houston ad-
dressed him "A note, through member of Con-
gress, from Tennessee, demanding an explana-
lion. Mr. Stanberry informed the member who
bore the demand, that he recognised no right in
Mr.. Houston 10 interrogate HIM upon the sub.
ieet. Houston then threatened that he would
make personal assault, and accordingly he, ac-
companied by an attendant, both armed with
heavy bludgeons, was, for some days, seen
sauncrlng about the Capitol, and Houston him.
sell was frequently on the privileged seats with
in the Hall Of the House
II is said, and we believe with truth, that his
intention to make tho attack was known 10
sundry members of Congress; and we have
heard, from source entitled to credit. that Mr.
Speight Of North Carolina, who aspres to be
considered leader OF the administration party
of the House, advised him not to make the nj
tack in the rotundo of the Capitol, us in tina,
case, he (Mr. Speghl) could not defend him,
because it would clearly be a breach of priv.
lege. Accordingly the place of assault was
transferred to the public streets, and on Friday,
about O'Clock, Mr.. Stanberry was assaulted
near his lodgings, in the manner he has stated
knocked down with bludgeon, and much and
severely in]urcd-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 ,Iansac-
ton, is the known relation which Houston 5ear rs
10 the President of the United States II is
now ascertained that he was the individual who
placed in the hands of Gen Jackson, Mr.. Mon.
TOe's letter TO Mr.. Calhoun, which was purloin.
ed from the owner, and made so important a
part of" the correspondence" between the Pres
ident and Vice President. Although he left
Tennessee under circumstances which produc-
ed the deepest excitement, took up his resi-.
dence with the Indians. and adopted their COS.
tune and habits and, although the proof that
lie contemplated fraud upon the government
is conclusive, yet he has continued In enjoy the
special counienance and favor of the Chief
Magistrate. He is still received at The Execu.
tive mansion, and treated with the kindness and
hospitality Of an old lavorite. 1t is also said
that Houston proceeded directly from the as
sault TO the Theatre that Mr. Barry, the Post
master General met him, and congratulated
him on what he had done that they went to
the bar of the Theatre, drank together, and en-
joyed the affair with great glee. We have this,
as well as what we have said of Mr. Speipht
from sources entitled 10 the highest credit
These statements, taken in connection with
what transpired on the floor of the House, are
calculated TO create a belief that the outrage re-.
ccives sanction in high places. 1t is possible,
but barely possible, that there may be some mis-.
take; If SO. the gentlemen we have named, can
explain ~. S. Iei'graph
Tho Washington Telegraph says, We have
better authority than either Gen Honston or
The Globe, for saying that, ON Saturday even
ing, after the attack on Stanheriy, Gen Hons.
ton was at tho Presidents. That he exhibited
the pistol OF which he had disarmed Mr.. Stan
berry on the night before, and that the Presi.
dent approved aud justified the assault Public
rumor asserts that the President converses free.
ly on the subject, and that he has denounced
the proceedings Of the House as one of the
greatest usufpatons of power ever perpetrated
in this country. We do not affirm these things
TO DO true, but wa believe them to be true.
They have reached us through channels which
leave no room for doubt"