The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-02-22
SCNATE-Wednesdny, Feb. Is.

Mr. Niles from the Committee on Pos,
Office and Post Roads, reported joint res
oIutiuu authorizing mn enquiry MS to estab-
fishing line of T-legraphs between Wash
ington and New York, which was read and
ordered TO n second reading.
The following bills were read u third time
and passed.
A bill supplementary to an act entitled
4" an net to amend the judicial system Of
the Y. s.
A bill in addition to an net to promote
the useful arts. This is the bill to restore
the Patent office.
TIE Senate proceeded to consider the
hill for the construction If the Cumberland
Road through the States Of Ohio, Indiana
aud Illinois, aud finally, ordered it to be
engrossed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The House was all day engaged in the
trial Of II. NJ. Whitney. Mr.. Fairfield was
,he only witness examined. He gave the
following account Of the affair in the com
rnttec room as witnessed by him. The
House adjourned before his examination
was concluded.
At the commencement Of the affair allu-
ded to in the question, the different mem
bers of the committee were situated rs fol-
lows, as near as I can recollect: Mr..
Whitney sat at small table IN n corner of
The room, near the fireplace Mr.. Pcyton,
Mr.. Garland, Mr.. Hamer, and Mr.. CilIet,
sat at long table, placed trnnsversely in
from, ofthc fire, Mr.. Hnmer ut the end near
est Mr.. Whitney. Mr. Gillct mt the opposite
end, and Mr.. Garland and Mr.. Pcyton in
front, the latter nearest To Mr.. Whitney, and
with his back turned, or partially So, to-
wards him-onc proposing interrog atorios,
and the other answering in writing, the ques-
tons and answers being handed to the chair.
man, and by him read to the committee.
Mr.. Wise, Mr.. Martin, and myself were
sitting upon sofa ut the side of the fire.
place opposite Mr.. Whitney. Mr.. Pearcs
aud Mr.. Johnson were not present.
When the chairman read the answer oI
Mr.. Whitney to the interrogatory of Mr.
Peyton, both If which have been published
the latter turned 6wards Mr.. Garland, with
out arising from his seat, and SAID: Mr..
Chairman, | wish you tn ihform this witness
that he is not To insult me IN his answers,
~ lle does, uou uuInn HiUi, VIII tuke ntS
life upon the spot" Tie then rose aud turn
ed towards Mr.. Whitney, and snid: :"
want you to understand, sir, that claim
no protection from the Constitution, aud il
you insult me, you damned dog, will take
your life" Mr.. Wise rose aud advanced
to the side Of Mr.. Peyton, and, addressing
himself m Mr.. Whitney, said: :" Yes, this
damned iasolence is insufferable." Mr.
Garland and other members Of the commit.
tee were during, this time, endeavoring Ia
preserve order. and to prevent an affray
Mr.. Pryton. turned from Mr.. Whitney, and
standing with his back to the fro, said, by
~ny Of soliioquy, ar without addressing him.
self to any one in particular, hitherto,
rave treated hiu With marked respect
iamn him-i have treated him Just as il he
had been n gentleman +; to be thus iusulted
by n damned thief and Rubber damn him
he shan't do it," While utsering the las
words of this sentence. he becsme, apparent
Jly, more excited, and turned to Mr.. Viii,
ney. who ros~ ,ad said he claimed the pro