The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-23
BATES rs. BENTON.

been ever reputed gentleman Of strict honor and in
tcgrity.
BATES rs. DENTON.
The following is from Mr. Bates pamphlet
Having vindcated myself from Col. Benton's asper-
sions, and proven think have conclusiyely both
the fasy and folly Of his accusations, some charitable
people may suppose that ought here close this
licle. Colonel Benton was not content with msreprc-
senng facts, but has thought proper to npuie
my supposed acts TO the most base and sordd motives,
and has allowed himself 10 employ towards me a strain
Of coarse invec,isc aud vulgar yituperaon Hence,
feel entirely justified in reortng upon the assalant and
indeed am, in sort, compelled TO carry the war
into Africa"
lie Is presumptuous and foolish who, pretending an
exemption from the snd faults that characterize
our nature, insoenty challenges investigation and
courts consare. ! not so vain as to suppose that,
IN near fifteen years Of active exertion in this country,
all my acts can be satisfactorily explained and fully JUS
TIED in principle and policy. But do confidently sp.
peal TO such OF you as know both Colonel Benton and
me, to compare moral characters; to weigh us in
the balafice, and pronounce judgment between us. j
appeal 10 you say, If Colonel Benton tainted as he is
IN almost every relation Of life with pecuation or false
hood Is ht 10 be my accuser as to facts and now
shall endeayor to show that his vile nfcrenccs have
been drawn from the habitual corruption Of his own
conduct. M.a 7#>
In setting down few Of the prominent facts which
disgrace the life aud conduct Of Colonel Benton shall
not touch upon the ndiscreton which clouded the pros
poets OF his early manhood Perhaps in charity his ju
venie errors ought to be left slumber in oblivion, in
the classic shades Of Chapel Hill shall con6ne my
self to those offences which mark the character Of his
ripper years. and bear some relation his various public
stations
l. During the late he was recruiting Lieute
nant Colonel Of the army say recruiting because
have heard that he rendered service in that line
but he met the enemies OF his country all his
fighting has been confined to civil brolls with his fellow
In hat v he antr ed vii
funds, and became public dcfauter As soon as
Federal District Court established in Missouri he
ordered 10 be sued Judgment was rendered
against him in 1922, and the money would have been
collected long ago the execution but he procured
suspension of the writ his promise pay the amount
due at Washington city, which he has not done, but
stands to this day public deauer, proclaimed on the
list annually published by the Government, for money
received by him officially than thirteen years ago
O. At the time of the failure Of the Bank OF Missouri,
Col Benton was of its directors, and notwhstand
ing the charter expressly provides that no director shall
be entitled TO loan Of more than $4,000 at any one
time, he and his eight codectors divided among them
selves Of the money deposited for safekeeping. by the
United States and private persons, about $500, 900
cannot say precisely the amount Of the spoil which fell
to the share Of the Senatorial director but
where between ten and fifteen thousand dollars, But
this do know, that the United States brought suit to
secure their deposite Of $l50000 that compromise
effected that in order to cover that claim the bank
transferred debts the amount Of $ls0000 including
Col Bentons debt at least that part Of secured BY
humane endorser | cannot say with precision, the
amount OF that part OF the Coones debt created by the
Juggling process Of absfractng the stock Of the bank
and pedging naked subscription by way Of security
but the endorsed notes known precisely The agent
Of the United States l. saght suit upon them several
years ago. and recovered Judgment against the Colonel
for 1916 part OF which has been paid, is likely
to be for as long ago as two three years, Colonel
Benton having nothing here TO satisfy the demand, but
al.
department, order to stay the execution. And the
matter sleeps. ...
3. The act of Congress which fixes compensation
Of Senator'S allows rs day during the session, and
IS for every twenty miles of travelling, by the most
usual road, from the members place of residence
10 the seat OF Government For the session of Con-
gress, beginning on the 6 h Of December, 1924 and
ending the Sd OF March 1926 and the extra session
OF the Senate, beginning on the 18th, and ending
the OH Of March, 1926 Mr.. Senator Benton re-
ceived fromhe Treasury the sum Of S3 302 40. Now,
from the 9th of December, TO the 9Th of March in
elusive, there are but nineyfour days, which at SO
day, will amount 10 1852 The resi- Of the Colo
nels pay must have been for his mileage, which, be-
ing apportioned al the rate Of SO for every twenty
miles, Tor forty cents mile) will demonstrate that
in going from st. Louis 10 Washington city, and
back again. Senator Benton travelled the incredible
distance of six thousand three hundred and seventy
six miles!! or that he has grossly defrauded the
treasury.
A Col Benton employed on behalf Of Mrs Mann,
Of Pike county, No. to collect of money for her.
from the War Department. While attending at Wash.
ngton as Senator, he applied at the proper office, and
received the money, but on his return to Missouri,
elected to pay it Mr.. Mann, the husband Of the
CREDITOR demanded the money, but the Colonel having
spent It, could not would not replace it, except very
small part-and Mr. NJ being in necessity for the cash,
and angered at such treatment brought suit
the amount but afterwards impelcd by his urgent need
and fearing total loss, in the Senator should be
pressed by his other creditors, he forced to CON-
promise on the Senator's terms, and accepted an
order in St. Louis besides deducting fifteen per cent
on the gross amount collected, for the Senator's trou
BILE in recevlngit. ..,..
! could cite many similar instances Of the Colonels
conduct, both attorney and private man, but
these Will do as sample; and may TO convince
his distant friends and admirers how rgidy he pursues
the dictates OF honesty and how fit man he is to accuse
others Of personal and sordid views
His veracy stands on foundation about as stable as
that which upholds his honesty As regards his charges
against me, have him nailed to the counter That is
only single instance but such is his habtua disregard
OF sincerity aud candor, that his constituents car hardly
ask him the most common questions without throwing
him into the most embarrassing difficulty If they ask
him how far ii is to Washington he at once thinks of the
six thousand three hundred and seventy-six miles he
poor man, has TO travel in going there and returning
II they ask about the style Of living adopted by the great
officers OF government, his "od fashioned republican
notions will be shocked" their gorgeous spcndor and
eastern magnlcence for he can hardly help thinking Of
the Infamous East Room letter. and the awkward attempt
to sustain it, by another letter containing string Of
clumsy preyarications less infamous than the orgi
nal. .."+.."
II they ask him whether the House of Representa-
lives is body OF Of talented and elevated charac
ter aud ht depository of the fright Of the states to de-
eide the Presidential election, whether is prone to
corruption and treachory and is can unfit place" de-
eide that election, he will be thrown into utter confu
sion-for he cannot know which horn oil the dilemma
viii best sustain him, his speech in the Senate or his
repeat. The former delivered at time when he
proiessed to be the devoted friend and follower Of Mr.
Clay whose and consequence his pro notion
he thought more likely to be accomplished by the House
OF Representatives than by the nation at large But
the latter elaborated after he had BETRAYED his old
friend and deserted to the banners Of his old enemy who