Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-02-09
answered. and some l declined an.

answered, and some l declined an
swenng.
The following va, the fifteenth in
terrogatory Propounded by him: ado
you receive any letter Of recommend
lion from X. b. fancy. or did he in an,
manner, countenance or encourage vol
IN applying for the agency contemplate
ed: or did he positively refuse to re.
ceive or countenance YOU in that capa
city While he was at the head of The
treasury department"
10 the interrogatory gave the fol.
loving answer II decline answer.
ing this interrogatory, more particular.
~ as the individual propounding it ha.
asserted positively and publicly thai
The substance OF tho latter part of il i,
true, beginning with. or did, &C.
therefore. being the party accused,
am not proper witness. think ia
justice. that the individual who ba,
mace the allegations should be called
to produce has proof"
This was handed 10 the chairman
Who read At TO the committee: upor
which Mr.. Pey,on, IN a mos, yiol.n
anu passionate manner, sprang from hi.
seat. and exclaimed the damned in.
iernal scouadrel should not insul, him
'here: that constitution or no constitu.
lion, he as | understood him TO say. J
would have the life OF the damned wi.
lam, at the same time advancing and
thrusting his hand into his bosom. nm.
der his waistcoat, as | supposed. for the
purpose OF drawing forth some conceal.
ed weapon. Expecting an assault. |
put myself m posture of defence
Before he had got forward 10 me. and
before he had drawn his hand from IN,
bosom Mr.. Wise sprang before him
and pushed him back. saving. dom,
Peyton: the damned scoundrel ;s no,
worth minding." immediately took
my seat, when both MIR. Wise ana Mr..
feyton commenced the most yiolen,
abuse OF me. the latter calling me "a
damned plunderer." and "a damned
dog when rose and said. "Nr. Chair.
man, | claim the prote c,ion Of the com.
mittee while | am before it," When
MIR: Peyton. addressing himself to me
sand: You shan't speak, God damn
YOU hold your tongue" and when I
had seated myself, still keeping myeye
upon HIM, he said, God damn Won.
TAKE your eyes off Of me; YOU shan,
look at me. and after this he rose. and
with Mr.. Wise advanced tow ards me
the latter with his hand in his pocke,
and stood before me for a minute .,
more. as If supposing they could in,im.
idate me by their united frovns. 500,
after this, and when quiet had preva;I.
ed' ! was requested by the chairman
10 retire. which did. Some time AT.
Ter when | was requested 10 return 70
'he room vas informed by the chair.
pan that the committee had resolved
that the answer which I had given IN
the interrogatory should be returned
a. containing something disrespec,ful
TO member of the committee: and that
the lnterrogatory which he held in hi,
hand should be propounded; when I
said IN substance, Il may not use the
precise words, That. If | had done
any thing which a MAJORITY of the com.
mittee considered lmproper Icerta;nIy
regretted It," The interrogatory which
the chairman alluded to was then pro.
Pounaed, which was as follows: "Did
YOU or not apply to the Secretary of,be
Treasury to be appointed, either before
or ailef the removal of the Deposi,es
agent Of the department, or of The de-
po'lte banks, selected or to be select.
ed 20
The foregoing is nearly, if not an
exact account, of what transpired
When IT is reelected that on the
9th instant, in a card, published in The
Globe, | challenged Mr.. Peyton 10 ad-
duce single particle Of proof to sus-
tain the assertion found II reported he
made as we'll as declare it f1Ls, that
IN consequence Of the character Of the
agent alluded to. Mr.. Taney. the former
secretary ofthe treasury, would not re-.
commend hIm as an agent of the de-
Poslte banks. | will leave II 10 the
public to decide, who was the azores.
sor on the evening alluded TO- Mr..
Peyton, for propounding the interrooa.
tory he did, or myself for giving The
answer which did 10 il.
II is for the House Of Representative
TO decide, whether il shall be tolerated
mat an individual called before tbem,s
witness, or before a committee ar
pointed by that honorable body and
acting under It's authority, shall be sub.
lect to treatment similar to that I b,,.
experienced and Of which I comnI,;n
without having 1t redressed.
10 a discerning aud enIigb,e,.J 1
public ! trust the decision whether ibe |
course which pursued during f.. m.
pleasant affair which have detailed
was the respectful and proper one q,
a more proper one would have
'een such a. might have led 10 seen.
d greater confusion. and 10 shll more
unpleasant. and, possibly. 10 callmi,ous
Respectfully, the pub.
&C humble servant.
X. NJ. WHITNEY.
-honday, Injury 80. lS37.