Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-20
There is too much disorder in

to proceed with his remarks.
Mr. BENTON. demand that the Sena,r sdKe cogni-
bTnnobt bsra nnJsr ,b fia .tee that am armed
the petext OF every assass ai ulaertakes 70 consul
tpe case Of set.dets e ~. Ma 10 ha iIr
tata II npo1 "ysef2 am to be assassinaed here
NJ 'f36rE. If, sir, my presenting pistol here has
,sa misunderstood by any one-has been understood
beng anything excepting the necessary OF self
defence-I will explain that after threat Of personal
chassement, when saw the Senator advancing towards
me, l took 1t tor granted that he was armed. sup
posed he was armed. determined to get ground upon
which could meet him with perfect fairness along that
aisle, pointing towards the main passage of the cham
ber) accordingly advanced and prepared to draw my
pistol TO be ready for my own defence never sought
any mans lie never have gone in quest of any mans
life. My life has been defensive from my boy
hood up. mention that, not because any lmpuation
has been thrown around me- but because is due to my
self, and that all honorable Senators who present.
and every American who hears me, may bear witnesses
10 the fact, that was making "a strctyparamentary
speech, when threatening language was used, menacing
gestures lged in. The Senator made towards me,
which believed would have the effect to put me to
complete disadvantage in a corner, where | was to be
shot or stabbed. That is what anticipated de-
termined not to use arms until thought it necessary
my intention.
Now, Mr.. President, Isuppose may proceed with
the few remarks was about to offer, and they very
few.
The VICE PRESIDENT Will the senator pause mo-
ment
Mr.. HALE. have sat still, Mr.. President
Mr.. HALE. rise sir, to privileged question. SIM
ply rise TO ask the Senate if is not due itself that
this SUBJECT should be investigated that it should not
go without being corrected Of course no one will n-
derstand me to wish to undertake the discharge of the
duty for is OF the last duties should wish to per-
tormj but, though one of the youngest members upon
this floor, should be unworthy OF place upon the
MOOR II were to permit transaction Of this character
TO take place and to go without an investigation,
and that investigation by committee of this body
link, sir that the Senate to themselves to pro-
Having MI de hat
SUGGESTION sir leave it older wiser land sager heads
will
Mr. FooTE, lin his seat. court an investigation
Mr. BoRLAND. One remark SIR So far from think
ing that this was so serious matter that the Senate
called upon tc take notice of it, think it is yery
ridiculous affair." which the Senate should be rather
ashamed OF, and say little about as possible am
one OF the yougest members of the Senate, but did
not think that any danger was foot at ALL Laugh
ier.l
Mr.. Foors. A single remark, sir
MIR. BoRLAND (interposing) l did not mean any
thing personal IN my remark.
Mr.. FooTE. know the Senator did not Sir know
my own words; know my intentions; and l have
never threatened any personal attack upon that Senator
Mr. Beutonl IN my lite-never. So help me God /
nave never had any such intention all against any hu-
man beng wished and endeavored TO settle this
Question IN such manner as was consistent with my
duty and honor Now, sir, so tar my conduct is
concerntd beg to state IN advance of the Investigation
that II can be proved, by circumstance or declaration
In any shape or form, that armed myself tor the pur-
the purpose OF assassination, charged-I beg that
even II case tor suspicion be made out against
me, may be expelled from the Senate of which
should hold myself to be wholly unworthy. For so
heip me heaven, only wore the arms shown-a sing
plsto-because | had been threatened and had been
informed by friends that l likely to be at
lacked L resolved under no circums tances to make
an attack myself, but only TO provide for nv own
defence Instead OF putting The lives OF my friends in
danger, Simply advanced to the area in front of the
char Tor the purpose OF defending myself the senator
from Missouri should come round and advance down
the AISLE Tor the purpose OF attacking repeat,
that any honorable senator here thinks that in This
occurrence, so tar as am concerned there the least
ground OF suspicion, either of my motives or OF nv
conduct, beg that an investigation may be made for
the honor OF the Senate, OF my constituents and for
my own personal honor.
MIR DopGE, of Wisconsin Mr. President, deeply
depiore the unhappy and violent which has lust
occurred do not think that it is due the dignity Of
The Senae and to the high character that this bod has
ever maintained Tor peace and good Order the mat
ter which has just TRANSFERRED should be referred TO a
committee that ii may be fully investigated and report
ed upon should be properly understood by ourselves
and by the people of the United States. SIR, l have
known the from Missouri intimately for thirty.
hve years have never known him to break the peace
or TO carry arms; but have always believed him II
De man who would defend himself under any
and all circumstances. When he arose. and adj
yysnced towards the senator from Mississippi, (Mr
Fooieo went up to him, to prevent, if could
anything which would endanger the peace of this
body thought it to be my duty endenvor to
maintain the peace Of the Senate. The senator from
Missouri has been bosom friend for thirty five years
and would stand by him in all situations in which
man could be placed upon earth nor am otherwise
IMAM friendly to the senator from Mississippi But sir
i gentlemen have personal difficulties, the floor Of the
Senate not the proper place upon which settle them
lhere plenty OF room out OF the Senate-the streets
are large the grounds spacious and is said there
are good battle grounds if gentlemen choose to occupy
then, though most sincerely hope that none will do So
But sir, due regard Tor the respect and dignity of the
Senate consans me to urge in the strongest terms that
the SUBJECT be referred to committee for investigation
and such action as this body may deem be due to its
own character.
Sir have nothing to say about the violence of the
scene or the drawing OF the pistol These their own
affairs, and matters that they decide upon their
own responsibility but for the honor of this body and
Tor the honor OF the whole country, I am certain
That these things should be stopped We ought to
nave an end to wranglng and to personalities we
We're We're sent here tor greater and nober purposes
considered as one OF the most dignified and deco.
rous bodies OF men in the world and we owe it to
ourselves to vndcae the Senate from the disrepute so
Tar as be dope which attaches to it in
OF scene like this. hope am not troublesome II
not often, Mr. President, that trespass the time of
me Senate and would have greatly preferred that any
oter senator should have moved in this matter feel
that ought not to be permitted pass in silence No
one can regret more than do that such occurrence
should have TRANSFERRED in this hall between two MEM
bers of the body and of the same political party but as
Such unhappy the fact, wish everything pre-
sehted ~ lalr and proper point OF view. move YOU
men, sir that committee of five be appointed bv the
har to investigate the whole matter and report all the
facts to the Senate ~
The VICE PRESIDENT. 1t is moved that committee
Of five be appointed
Mr., MANGUM. Mr. President Ihaye drawn I'm very
hastily resolution TO the effect as tie motion Of
the honorable senator from Wisconsin concur en-
ureiy with all that he has said. | had determined to
propose me number seven to constitute the committee
instead OF hve, proposed by the honorable senator
from Wisconsin. While am up will say that must
decline being upon the committee
Nif DODGE. accept OF the modification
lows: "A' 'o"o '"en Ss iol-
Res9fued, That committee of seven be appointed
that they report the Senate as Shall be61 the oo
SION and that they shall have wer to send for nersons
and papers, and to examine witnesses
Mr. DODGE. OF Wisconsin. 1 accept of that. Itex-
presses my views
Mr.. CLAY. have no personal feelings in this IN
happy controversy. think the course which has been
proposed is very proper 1t proper 10 investi
ILL l.at- nL.aoh., o4nl.