The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1850-04-24
THIRTY-FIRsT CONGRESS
WAsHlNoroy, April II, 1889. .


the credentials Of Franklin II. Elmore,
the Senator appointed by the Governor
OF South Carolina, te Ell The vacancy oc-
casioned by the death Of Mr.. Calhoun.
The Senate then proceeded 10 the con-
sidera,isA OF Fosts's molten for a select
Committee Of thirteen--and the pending
question being Mr.. Bsnton's instructions
10 the COMMITTEES that Congress has no
power over slavery in the States, the in-
tsrnal slavs.trade, and that Congress
ought not to abolish alsvsry in the Dis
trict, or in the forts, arsenals, &c Of The
United Statss-and Mr.. Clay having me-
we'd an amendment that the Senate did
not think il necessary, in advance, 10 ex
press any opinion or instructions for the
guidance Of the Committee. Some pret'
ty warm talking teok place between
these Senators each accusing the other
Of delaying the measure before the Sen
ate, and OF wishing to get the advantage
by some parliamentary man1uvre.
Mr.. Benton's motion TO lay the amend
ment on the table was negativsd by
vote of yeas 20, nays 90. After some
further desultory discussion Of Mr.. Clay's
amendment, it was adopted yeas 25, nays
90. Mr.. Hamlin moved an amendment
which was ruled out Of order. Mr.. Ben
ton moved his previons amendment Gov
ering fourteen different points, and said
he would ask the yeas and nays on each.
A debate ensued on the question, which
was broken up by a collision between
Benton and Foote, an account OF which
we take from the Teegraphlc dispatches
10 the Ptttsbargh Ga2etle;
Mr.. Foete said he had endeavored TO
avert dlssension, and that the time had
come when patriots should unite for the
purpose of ssvin. the Republic from the
danger which threatened 1t.
He would not canlescanA TO mention
any thing coming from certain quarter.
Mr.. Foote said, II it were not that an
unusticable attack had been made upon
measure he southern address which
many Of them had been proud TO sign
that address would Ilys in ths esteem Of
patriots Who were its authors! The
Senator from South Carolina, ever whose
death the natioH is now mourning And
vie was it that attempted to inpugn that
address--it was an individual known as
the oldest member oi the Senate.
Mr. Foate was proceeding with some
sarcastic and pungeht remarks, eVlden!ly
in alluson to Mr.. Benton, but had said
nothing Sufficiently open and offensive as
TO Justify the chair in calling hlm 10 order,
when Mr. Benton rose much agltated.
threw his chair from him, and proceeded d
by a IA crow passage, outside the bar, to-
wards Mr. Foote's seat, which is OH the
outside row Of seats near the main en-
iraHcs.
NJ. Dodge, sf Wisconsin, apprehend'
ing a collision between Bsnton and FaOte,
pnIeayored to datan the former from
moNng fFom his seal; but overcoming all
resistance, !.e continued 10 move towards
Mr.. Foote, who, leaving his p ace stepped
down tAe narrow aisle, and took posi-
ten opposite the Sergeant at Arms scat
a, the right of the Vice President, amt
drawing a pistol from his bosom cSckedit
The scene which ensued is indescrlba
BILE. Loud cries for the Sergeant at Arms
and cries of order resounded from al
sides Of the chamb .r, and the exctemen
was most intense. 1t was only by tht
most strenuous efforts that the parties
we're kept from collision.
Many persons rusheG from the CALLER
los, and cut of the chamber, in apprehen
sioR Of general melee.
Several Senators surrounded Mr.. Foeie
and Mr.. Dickinson took the pistol froF
him.
Meanwhile, Bsnton was struggling i
the hands Of his friends, who were sr
deavoring te prevent him from reachn
Foote.
Mr.. Bsnten boldly denounced Mr.. Foot
as a assassin, who had dared to bring
pistol into the Senate to murder him. Ii
said, 81 have no arms examine me-
carry nothing Of the kind. Stand out {
his way, and let the seeundrei anG assa
sin fire."
In uttering this sentence, Mr.. Bsntc
threw off those who held him, tore ope
his vest and invited the fire Of his antag
mist.
Mr.. Fostc, ia the meantime, was re
, trained lrom advancing towards Mr.. Be
= ten.
! Ehe Vice President, after repeated al
vigorous efforts, succeeding in secarir
comparative quiet,
Benton and Foote having resumed the
seats, Mr.. Foo!e rose, and enquired if
could proceed in order.
Mr.. Benton, in very loud tone, al
much excited, demanded that the Senu
should lake cognizance Of the fact that
81 pistol had been brought there to assas
nate him.
y Mr.. Foote explained, that he had
70 idoa OF attacking any body. His wh'
u course had been that Of the defensive.
!e He had been informed that an attack UP
r him had been intended; and supposir
s, when the Senstor}frOm Missouri advan'
h, towards him that he was armed, and
in signed 10 attack him, he advanced to
c. contrs OF the chamber, in order 10 be /
ed position where he could meet BenteF
ne lhe main aisle upon equal terms.
Mr. Benton proiested against any !
ss nation that he carried arms. He ne
did so.
as. The Vicc President requested
Footo 10 lake his seat uAtil it would
rue W ascertained what course was proper
e. the Chair 10 pursue.
Mr. Feote-I court it.
/. Mr.. Borand said he never knew
Benton 10 carry arms.
I, Mr. BeLton, in his seat-No, neve
me Mr. Dodge moved that Commltte
the seven be appointed 10 investigate the