Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-05-03
From the Harrington Standard.
AN AEERAY IN CONGRESS

AN AFFRAY IN CONGRESS.
mos, unpleasant, and amentablc took place
In the Of yesterday the
fact Of which, near have been able TO ascertain
them, are as follows;
Mr.. White. Of kentucky, addressed tho Com
pittco of the Whole upon tho subject Of tho Tariff.
and took occasion in his speech TO rcpcl certain
GROSS false and malicious charges, reyamPed up
and ressued against Mr.. Clay by or under the
sanction of members of Congress. Alter dlsPo-
sing of the charge Of bargain and intrigue, reu-
fered Nv his colleague. Mr.. Linn Boyd, he no.
,,ced tint lately put forth that Mr. Clay had SAID
on some occasion in tho House of Representatives
that if they, the shareholders, were deprived of
their black slaves. they must use white ones.
Mr.. White referred to the fact that several NOM
bers Of Congress had lately certified that Mr.. Clay
was reported to have used this language III the
House on tho 10Th Of February. 1919, rs the re-
port Of the proceedings of Congress IN that paper
of tho 9Th would show and he sand that 1t was
untrue that Mr.. Clay over used. any such IAN
cuagc, or that there was any such report III The
paper roicrrcd TO.
Mr. Kennedy. of Indiana, who is ono of the
ccrt(crs of this calumny said (A1r. White being
still upon the noor) that he had certified to moth
ing but what he could provo, or that he could
prove it, some such expression Mr.. Rathbun,
Of New York, whose scat is Immediately opposite
Mr.. Whto's, said, ''Novor nina. IT can DO
nroyed all around tho House, to which remark
Mr. White said, at is a lic.'' Mr.. Rathbun Inn
modiatey rose. turned round. and struck at Mr..
White, who parrcd, and returned the blow. Great
confusion Immediately ensuod.-Sevcra mem
bers intcrferod, and the parties were separated
While this going person OF the namc
Wm NJ Moore. constituent Of Mr.. Carrot Da
Wis who happened to DO in tho lobby near by at
tc mpted to rush in and separate the parties, but
was thrust back, and finally out of tho door hard
by, by Mr.. McCauslon, member. In this
sculfo Mr.. Moore, after he had been thrust out Of
the door, fired pisto' AT Mr.. McC., which missed
him. but hit an officer of tho House. of the po-
lice, in tho thigh am! wounded hlm-thc ball
lodged in tho thigh.
The afIray Immediately became the subject Of
action of the House. Tho Speaker having taken
the Chair, Mr.. Saunders, Of n. G.. offered
luton for the appointment of a select Committee
to investigate the whole affair. Mr.. w hIto adj
dressed the House in some appropriate remarks,
expressing his entire Willingness TO submit to any
Investigation tho House might think proper to
institute
Mr.. Rathbun next spoke, and expressed his
sincere regret ut what had transpirod. He sad
there was no act of his life he SO much lnnontcd
not only on account of tho roproach cast upon
House and himself, but account of his constlt
ucnts.
Mr. White then said, that. after what had fall
len from the gentleman from New DIRK, it would
be unchrlstian in him to retain any resentment
towards him. He harborcd none, but looked up
on him with the same friendly feelings no had
over entertained towards him.
As Mr. White sat down. Mr.. Ratlbun turned
and gavo him his hind and they shook hands as
friends. This produced loud clappng i'll the
galleries., which were dcn4clv filled. and marks
of appreciation the part Of the House.
Tho resolution first offered together with some
amendments, ono directing tho Sergaat-at Arms
OF the House to hold III custody Mr.. VIM. NJ.
Moore, who had rcd tho pistol. till tho further
order of tho House. was adopted, and tho House
adjourned.
IL IS duo to Mr.. Moore to say that Mr.. Davis
stated. in the House. that he was worry lnoilrn-
sivc and worthy man, and of q highly respectable
family. He was. moreover, cripple. iits IL
ring the pistol was hastv. thoughtIcss, but most
llnjustiliabo and inoxcusrble act.
Washington Standard. April 2}d.