Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-09-20
From the National Intell,eeucer.



The iocofoco party arc on all sides talking IN
tue most evangelical sly Ie about dues. We beg
leave TO refresh their memory with tho following
statement (unconrovortcd at the tme1 of a mat
ter winch was certainly too teroclous to merit
even tho of duel Tins statement is da-
ted at Franklin, Tenn. September 10th 1913
"a difference which had boon for some
months brewing between Gen. Jackson and my
sell Produced on Saturday the 18th inst, in tho
town OF Nashville, the most outrageous affair ov-
or witnessed IN a civilized country. In commu-
nlcating this affair my friends and follow citl-
zcns, limit nvself 10 the statement of few facf3
the truth OF which am ready TO establish By z
dlclal proofs
Il That myself and brother Jesse Benton ar
rived at Nashville on the morning of tho affray
and knowing of Gen. Jackson's threats went and
took our lodgings III different house from tho
one III which he stad purpose 10 avoid him.
~ That the General and some of his friends
came - INC house whore We had put up, com
lnonced the attach by Ieyolins u pistol a, ms.
when had no woapon drawn, and advancing up
on me at quick pace, without giving time to
draw ono.
% That seeing tbs my brother fred upon
ten. Jackson, when ho Lad 90; within 8 or 10
feet Of nc.
Il. Tint four other pistols were fred in quick
succession: one by Con. jackson at me- two by
me at the General. and orc hv Col ColIeo at mo
In the course OF tins firing. Gen. Jackson WA
brought to the ground. but received no hurt.
- hat daggars was then drawn. Col. COT
fee and Mr.. \ cxondar Donaldson made at mo
and gave mo five slight wounds. Captain Ham
inond and Mr.. Stukely HAYS engaged my broth
cr who being still weak from the effect of a SC
vero wound he had lately received in a duel. was
not able to resist two mon. They got him down.
and while Capt. Hammond bea. him on the head
to make him lie still, Mr.. Hays attempted to stab
INNS wounded him III both rs he lay on his
back parrying his thrusts with his naked hands.
From this situation a generous hearted citizen Of
Nashville, Mr.. Summer relieved him. Before he
come to the ground my brother cIappod loaded
pistol to the breast of Mr.. Hays, to blow him
through. bat it missed fire.
'.6. My and my brothers pistols carried
two balls each for II intention. ifdriven
to to havo chds play. The pistols
fired at that the bIaze of the
muzzlc of ono of them burnt tho sleeve ofmy coat
and the other aimed at my head az q little more
than arms length from If.
81. Capt. Carro WIS to have taken pa 1T in the
affray, but absent bv tho permission Of Gen.
jackson as he has since proved BY the Generals
certificate; certificate which reflects less honor
know not whether upon the General upon tho
Captain.
-. That this attack was made upon me in tho
house where the Judge of the district Mr.. Soarcy
bad his lodgings, So little are the laws and its
ministers respected. Nor has the civil authority
yet taken cognizanco Of this horrible deed.
THOMAS HART BENTON,
Lieut., Col 39h infantry
If bloodiess duel. provoked as Mr.. Clay was
by Mr.. Randolph, with taunts and aspersions tho
most Intolerable in the face Of q legislature and
a nation, followed by single exchange Of shots,
and immediate spontaneous reconciliation,
the ma gna nimity of which Mr.. Rs friend Gen.
Hamilton has lately INDEED his testimony, be
eyecrable, what is to be said of this affair, or of
the main actor in il, whom these Friends Of HUI
manly exalt to the skies the impersonation Of
all that IS to be revered!
The same party, with sanctifed whine, talk
also, if with the most vrtuous Indignation, a.
bou: betting. Mr.. Clay (,hey shuttle forth has
played and be. at games Of chance-at cards,
or even at horse races. Will they. then, allow
US TO give them another instance whero the de-
Prayi.y of horse racing to pretty large tune was
complicated with the moral sequel OF murderous
duel.
The facts lin their most innocent version) may
be found at PIP. ia. rs, l16, III, of tho
apologetical life of Andrew jackson by that "fdus
Acates," Amos Kendall. He says that one Mr..
Dickinson, uniting with the profession Of a horse