Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-02-16
REUBEN NJ. WHITNEY.


Extract from the speeches OF Messrs.
PEYroN and WISE. in explanation
OF the occurrence in the Committee
Room:
Mr.. PEYroN said-From the time
the witness (R. NJ. Whitney, first came
into the committee room he mir. P.)
had put about sixty questions in regu-
lar succession. and at different times.
10 all Of which he could no, get more
, than ten or Twelve answers; the witne IS
threw them of contemptuously, de-
nouncing them as inquisitorial, and
this coniemptuous course he whitney,
repeated day after day. and night after
night. On the night ofthe occurrence
(said Mr.. p. put TO him 4 question.
IN order TO draw from him the truth OF
my statement, which he cardsd me for
making; the question related 10 Mr..
Ianey's refusal TO countenance him,
but. as on former occasions, the witness
would not answer. affirming that he
had right to demand from me proof
OF this matter. az had stated il TO be
true. Sir, suffered this conduct 10
pass unnoticed by me. both because
he was a witness. and because I did
not wish to enter into personal alterca-
ton with one who 10 as completely
shielded from the notice Of all honora-
bic men by his irfamy as q mad dog is
by his hydyopho5iG. But, sir. he ac-
companied that answer with a seoul, a
.tTorn. an hauling look of defiance. d.
recied boldly to me personally. which
perhaps no one else then saw. ap.
pealed. sir. Immediately to the Chair,
to know IL the witness should be per.
miited TO insult me; I walked up 10
hun. and said would teach him bet
ter than to insult me. sc.
Mr.. WISE said--His (Whitney's)
behaviour and manner, when he came
before the committee. was that Of SUI
percilious. self-important, contuma-
cious. and contemptuous witness. His
answers TO interrogatories were given in
writing. He would write his answer
at the table, and then with an impu-
dent air Of nonchalancs, would fold
his arms. cock up his legs against the
wall, and cast glances, full Of defiance
aud expressive Of contempt, at me and
my friend from Tennessee, as If anx-
ious TO insult US bv his looks. To all
this behaviour, sir. not q remark was
applied; TO notice Of his insolence was
taken; we treated him with quiet com
posure and decent respect. until, en-
boldened by our TOLERANCE, he went
further; he behaved worse; he trie
The experiment Of being personal ia
his answer. His course. think, was
tentative; he wanted 10 see bow far he
might dare to 60. The night this oc-
euTTence happened, was sitting, with
several Of my colleagues Of the com
mittee, on a sofa in a corner OF the
room, on one side Of the fireplace
converting IN perfect good humof, IN 9
a way very agreeable 10 myself, telling
anecdotes in whispers. The silence
which reignsd was broken only at 10.
teryals by the enumeration OF an m.
terrogatoFy, or the reading Of an IN.
sweT. The answer TO the question
which caused the ARRAY VAS snao0he
ed; the attention Of ali 10 the reading
Of u was called. The witness was art
ting al table IN the corner. on the op
pOs,te side Of the Fireplace from N,
sofa; long table was sitting in from
Of the FIRE place; the chairman snt
Mr.. PeytOn were sitting 90 the side
next the FIRE, the former towards "a,
cad next the sofa. snd the latter 10
, wards the end neat the witness. Tn,
clerk was sitting on the opposite SD
Il the table. The back Of the char
= man was towards me. and when b,
!, read the answer. snd MT. Peyton look
! cd around. II brought his Sir. Pa
foil face towards me. As soon ~ n
snsweFwas read, looked II my frisnc
and saW he was flushed with excite
Hseot; hiss face besmsd With indigna
. ton; no one could mistake his feel
!. Iags. lie first addressed the ehaismau
\ by saying. MIR. ChawmHn. ] wish 20
distinctly TO inform the witness that ,
V not 10 insnlt ne here" He ~,
proceeding. Wbsn aross, snd FurBsrs
ed. "hT. ChaigDsa, he 40 inss