Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-04-26
T1nirty-FIrst Congress--F1rst Session.
WEDNESDAY, Arm l7.-SENATE.

SOsSAVHe
WEDNESDAY, APRn 17.--SENATE.
The credentials of the Hon. Mr.. Gilmore, appoin-
ted by the Governor of South Carolina 20 fill the va
cancy occasioned by the death Of Mr.. Calhoun, were
presented
Mr. Foote called for the consideration of the spe-
cial order-his motion for select committee. The
question was on Mr.. Bentons amendments, or string
of instructions to be given to the committee. Mr..
Clay moved to amend Bentons amendment by stri-
king all out andinserting the following @ That the
Senate does not think it necessary to instruct the
committee upon any subject" He hoped this would
be adopted MIR. Benton said he threw himself back
on his original amendment, Withdrawing that before
the Senate. Mr.. Clay moved his administration
amendment to that amendment. Mr.. Benton con-
tended that the proceeding was not parliamentary,
being intended to do away with proposition. He
commended that the admission of California ought to
be considered immediately without reference to, or
connection, with any other measure. To raise the
committee would be delay the matter three weeks
Mr. Clay replied at length to Mr.. Benton, and con-
tended that by raising the committee and combining
the admission of California with other necessary
measures, that admission could be obtained Sooner
than in any other way. Ifopposition to the appoint
ment of the committee were withdrawn, we should
get on faster. Mr., Benton replied at length. Mr..
Douglas spoke of some of the provisions of his Cali
forna BILL in relation to the public lands in Calor
MIA he was called to order by Mr.. Foote, who OBJ
jected that the subject foreign to the question
before the Senate. Mr. Benton then moved to lay
the motion to raise the committee upon the table
This was rejected-yeas "a, nays %. MIR. Benton
then moved to amend the amendment by adding his
fourteen points. He would see whether the previous
question was in force here not He said that the
cry of wolf wolf! had been unnecessarily raised by
the South. He wanted to show that there was no
cause for this cry He animadverted upon the South
ern Address having caused needless agitation
His amendments were introduced for the avowed
purpose of throwing Obloquy the authors and
signers of the Southern Address.
Mr.. Foote remarked that the Hon. John C. CAL
houn, who was in his grave and the of mourn
ing with the nation, was the author, and that he
would live when his calumnators and detractors
would be consigned to oblivion and contemplated
who, said Mr.. Foote, is thus aspersng his memory
gentleman who calls himself the oldest Senator;
man who
Here Benton, with violent crush of his chair left
his seat and with expression of countenance which
indicated resolve for good purpose, rapidly ap-
pr0ach0Q MT. F0Oto. Inc IaGler WlGnQfeW TO q p0-
sition near the Vice Presidents chair in the AISLE
aud drew pistol without however, pointing the
same and merely standing in attitude of defence,
the barrel of his weapon turned toward the ground
Mr.. Benton was within three or four feet from Mr..
Foote'S chair when he stopped. Mr.. Foote was
also surrounded, and Immediately surrendered his
weapon. Some theatrical hourishes were then made,
such as let the assassin who was no longer arm
ed, "shoot," &c.
committee of FIVE was appointed to investigate
the affair.
Mr.. Clay suggested that both gentlemen should
give their word of honor to pursue the matter no far
ther.@ 49, @ "a 85a -
Mr. Benton would give no pledge that might seem
to acknowledge fault when he had been guilty o.
he asserted that the pistol had been prepared
for the purpose of assassinating him. sr~-r-s :
Mr. Foote said that he had been threatened will
personal Violence and being of diminutiye size anC
in feeble health he had by the advice of his friends
armed himself for his own protection that whel
Benton advanced upon him, he believed that it wa
his intention to shoot stab him. and in consequence
had Withdrawn from his seat which was in corner
to position where he could defend himself withou
endangering any of the friends who sat near him.
After some further talk the Senate adjourned
HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES.
H The House, after the journal was read proeeede
to vote for Clerk. The tellers-the same as thos
who acted yesterday reported the following as tn
result of the several votes viz: .sss