The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-08
In. SENATE OF THE U. STATES.
WEDNESDAY. MARCH 7. ls49.


SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE.
=, The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate the
following communication:
WASHINGTON, March 7. ls49
SIR have the honor to communicate to you the fol-
lowing resolution passed by the Board Of Regents OF the
Smithsonian Institution at an adjourned meeting held
this day at the of the Vice President of the United
States:
that vacancy exists In the Board of Regents by
tue expiration of the term of Mr.. Pearce senator.
have the honor to be, &c,
JOSEPH HENRY,
Secretary OF the Smithsonian Institute
MLLARD FILLMORE President of the Senate of the
United States.
Mr.. DAVIS, after a word of explanation, submitted
the following resolution; which lies
Ressesd That il the opinion of the Senate when yao1n
ssitaton by the expiration Of the term Of any SENATOR the
power 70 I'LL such vacancy is by law vested In the President
On motion by Mr. YULEE,
Ordered, That Joseph K Boyd have leave to withdraw
certain original letters presented with his petition.
On motion by Mr. DICKINSON,
Oder~i, That John Ericsson have leave to Withdraw
his memorial and papers from the files of the Senate
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Mr.. FOOTE Mr. President, regret to find it
eary to rise for the purpose OF offering personal expa
nation in connection with proceeding OF peculiar deli
cacy which occurred here last Saturday night, at q
late hour and under circumstances OF extreme excite
ment and general irritation. aude to the unfortunate
personal misunderstanding which arose between the
honorable senator from Pennsylvania, [Mr CAME
81 Y,
SELF This affair was sudden so transient, and
CURED under circumstances of such confusion and ex
citement, that it is perhaps not very surprising that it
10 some extent misunderstood by one or two of
the reporters in our gallery Such is certainly the fact
Erroneous statements have gone out, calculated to sub
lect both the senator from Pennsylvania and myself to
1ndeserved discredt and to involve the honor of this
body, also, somewhat seriously have remained for
several days past patient and accomplishing under this
grievance hoping that correction would be ultimately
supplied through the same channel along which error
had flowed out upon the public mind Being disappointed
in this reasonable expectation feel bound to submit
short statement OF facts. shall not go into explana-
ton of all the particulars OF the case is unnecessary
The amicable relations which formerly existed be-
tween the senator from Pennsylvania and myself have
been since restored, and we are as great friends in all
respects, we were. There are only two OF the
grosser Misrepresentation alluded to which deem
yfs in the face the honorable senator from Penn
sylvana This is moi only not true, but never
thought 81 committing such an act OF vulgar and indie
cent insult Again, it is said that received blow and
did not return it, The truth there slight phys
cal collision between u.s. and there was very slight
blow inflicted on either side But friends Immediately
able senator from South Carolina, Mr. BUTLER, and the
honorable senator from Alabama, [Mr. FITZPATRICK, j
thing which was spoken or done will bear me out,
doubt not, q all have said. conclude this my last
ce OF this unhappy occurrence, by expressing my deep
regret that such occurred at ALL and my hope that
similar scene will not again be presented here; though
am by no means prepared to declare that under similar
should not feel compelled to act precise
ly as did on the occasion referred to.
MIR. BUTLER. Having been alluded to, it is per-
haps proper that should make brief statement l
the senator from Pennsylvania tMr CAMEKoNj in an
excited manner. Words exchanged in angry
tone. The senator from Mississippi inflicted slight
the senator from Pennsylvania. Claiming the privilege
Of friendship Immediately called in quick voice to my
friend from Mississippi to recolec HIMSELF when he i'm.
medately collected HIMSELF and turned away at the in.
slant that the senator from Alabama Mr. FrzPArRIcK
had seized the senator from Pennsylvania The
~
MI FITZPATRICK Mr.. President, having been
alluded to by the honorable senator from Mississippi,
feel called upon to state in few words my recollection
OF what took place on the occasion alluded to. When
this unfortunate occurrence took place. the senator from
Pennsylvania IMr CAMERoNI occupied the seat of my
friend from Florida, mir YUIEE] who sta near me- and
who was at that time in another part Of the chamber
was somewhat in the rear of HE parties My ecollec
senator from South Carolina Some angry words pass
ed between the parties. The gentleman from Mississippi
adyimfd according S to h my rsGsco fey
senator from Pennsylvania by slight touch upon the
shoulder other part OF the person, of the senator
from Mississippi Surprising that the senator from Mis-
sisspp might intend to ncf another blow, inerposed;
and at the Same time heard the voice of the from
South CAROLINA admonishing him to dcsist The sena
the senator from Mississippi also returned TO his place
The first blow was inflicted by the senator from Mssis
MIA That is my recollection Of this affair may not
have all that took place; but think have given
the facts substantially as they occurred.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Mr.. MANGUM, according, as he said, to the usual
custom of the Senate submitted the following resolution
and accompanying list of committees:
Resolpsd That the following be the standing committees
OF the Senate during the present session:
On Foreign Relations. - Mr. Benton, chairman
Messrs: Cass. Foote Webster, and Mangum
On FtnGnCe.--Mr. Dickinson, chairman; Messrs Hun
ter, Douglas, Phelps, and Webster
On Commensurate. Hamln, chairman Messrs. Soule
FilZmt1lck, DAVIS OF MASSACHUSETTS,, and Smith
On Manuactures.y-Nr Sebastian, chairman; Messrs
On AgreMture.-Mr Sturgeon, chairman Messrs.
Turney, and Walker
On Military AGa,ys.-Mr. Davis of Mississippi, chair
man; Messrs. Benton, Borland, Bell, and Dawson.
On the Militia.--Mr Houston, chairman; Messrs.
Fitzpatrick and Dodge of Wisconsin.
On Naval 1fairs-Mr. Yuee, chairman; Messrs.
Mason, Bright, Badger, and Miller
On Public LfNds-Mr Felch, chairman Messrs.
Borand and Shields.
On Privats Tand Cyaims-Mr Downs, chairman
Messrs. Whitcomb and Dickinson.
On Indian Afdirs MIR. Atchison, chairman MessEs.
Sebastian, Rusk, Phelps, and Bell
On Ctaims.-Mr. Whitcomb, chairman; Messrs. Nor
Tis and jones',
On Revolutionary Claims.--Mr. Walker, chairman;
Messrs. Norris, and Dodge Of Iowa.
On the Judiciary--Mr Butler, chairman; Messrs.
Downs, Bradbury, Berrien, and Dayton
On the Post Office and Posi- Roads-Mr. Rusk, chair
man; Messrs Surg con, Soule, Pearce, and Corwn.
On Roads and Canais.-Messrs Bright, chairman;
Messra Atchison and Foote.
On Pensions.--Mr. Dodge of Wisconsin, chairman
Messrs. Fitzpatrick and Hunter.
On ~ District Of Coiumbia-Mr. Mason, chairman !;
Hul nd