Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-20

h. 4
much any have only this to say | am a
constitutional ing man. know that have constitu-
toua rights, and l am in the habit of maintaining |
them upon the floor OF the Senate and am not dis
posed to infringe the rights OF others never threat
ened human being in my life with personal danger.
and consequently meyer executed cut threat. IT, nave
attack upon any man, nor unless had myself been |
threatened with personal violence, as have been now
NV friends earnestly persuaded me, being dimnutve in
size and in feeble health and being actually menaced to
in my own defence. It was painful thing |
to do. l not in the habit Of doing So / put on |
arms supposing it possible that might be attacked and
simply for the purpose OF defending myself. Having
constitutional right to bear arms in my own defence,
exercised it.
Mr.. MANeuM, Gnterposing) Hope the honorable |
senator will indulge me one moment Imove that the |
doors Of the Senate be closed.
Mr.. FooTE trust not. |
Mr. MANeUM. find it protested against on every
side, and will not insist on it.
Mr. FooTE. hope my friend will not insist upon it,
when public explanation is necessary my part. Now
Mr. President, say again, that do now, and shall
always, wear arms for defence, whenever suppose
myself danger Sir, never have assailed any man,
young, or old, in my life either by in actual
attack; It's only whenl consider myself in danger
that have done it. have always preferred different
mode OF settling such matters, and consequently have
uon, In order to avoid anything OF this kind.
, La reply to the senator from Kentucky who is enti-
TED to the respect and praise of us all for his chvay and
his high of honor have hesitation in saying to
MN that l consider it exceedingly improper to wear
arms tor the purpose oattacking any one, to form
scheme for the purpose of attacking any one do
anything towards the execution of scheme of violence
growing out OF this affair. have hesitation in say
ing that in what occurred here few days since was
satisfied. As regards what has occurred here to-day
attach very little importance 10 it. have made
and shall never make, attack upon any member of
the Senate but shall stand firmly and calmly prepared
to defend myself from any dangers that threaten me
when they exhibited shall seek-and for reasons
known to honorable senators-no further remedy than
the present hour has afforded. At the time, must
say that stand upon the ground which compes me- as
man oil honor to do and perform whatever may have
| been invited to do.
At the solicitation of several members Mr. F. yielded
the oor remarking, that if proposed to act upon
Inc resolution now, he would suspend any remarks for
| the present.
Mr. Dickinson. wish merely to make remark, in
have been in this body six years. and my own course
wlindicate substantially what think with regard to
propriey and order After the confusion was partly
queed here called the attention OF the Chair to the
business, and, from the remark made by the senator
from Missouri understood him to say that the matter
was not thus to be disposed Of. Allow say that
had no expectation OF proceeding with the business
MY o'ect in calling the attention OF the Chair the
business in hand to induce quiet and order on the
this shufled Off 1t is altogether too grave an
affair to be so treated, and concur entirely in the
ton the senator from Wisconsin Mr. Dodgel in re-
| iatlon to the investigation OF this affair.
Mr. HALE rose, but gave way at the earnest request
Mr. BENTON, who said: owe the senator from New
York word OF explanation. 1t struck me that the OBJ
ject Of the senator, in calling the attention of the Chair
to proceeding with the order of business sf moth
ing happened, and said that did not choose to have
the matter passed over as lightly as that.
Mr.. HALE. desire to make single remark of ex-
panation in answer to the senator ON Arkansas MI
Borandl cannot be misunderstood when say that
have no personal feeling crafty Of course the sena-
tor from Mississippi Mr.. Footel understands it. ! do
not know human being towards whom l have the
least cause OF enmy in the world and will take occa-
sion say here what would perhaps be proper to
say on another occasion, in relation affair that hap
pened between the honorable senator from Mississippi
and myself when first became member of this body
which was the subject of newspaper comment Soon !
after that occurrence we had amicabe adjustment be-
tween us; and there is senator with whom |
have had pleasant intercourse since that time than
with the honorable senator from Mississippi That is
the cause OF my suggesting this
Now, sir, with regard to this matter the whole world
will know it,. The crowd in the gallery and on the
floor OF the Senate, see it. The OF this transac-
ton already going upon the telegraph, with lightning
speed to the remotes borders OF the republic And do
we think we can still the fact that violence has been
threatened and arms have been exhibited within the
American Senate2 These facts are notorious already
and 1t idle to shut eyes another fact-that ru-
NOR with her hundred tongues. will magnify this affair
rumored at st. Louis, before the goes down to-
night that there has been fight the floor the Ame
rican Senate and several Senators have been shot, and
are welterlng In their gore. [Laughterl Even this
suggestion is not too extravaganza It's not only for the
purpose OF indicating the character of the Senate but
to set history right and inform the public what did take
place. that made the suggestions which do, and
which hope to find seconded by the Senators from
Michigan and from North Carolina.
In conclusion, Sir let simply say, that if the ap-
pontment OF this committee shall be referred to the
CHAIR beg most sincerely that may not be appointed
upon it myself
Mr. BoRLAND. am we'll aware that the senator from
New Hampshire is right when he says that the ewes of
the world upon the Senate; but for that very rea-
son. think there Is less necessity for any investigation
For my part, cannot what is the use ofit Every
body knows what has been done and the investigation
Will show no more suppose the reporters of the Sc
nate whose business is everything that is said
will have written It down, and it will appear in the prints
OF tomorrow see, therefore, necessity for invest
cation. What intended say was this: that did not
attach much Importance to committee as others be-
cause really did not apprehend any danger saw no
cause Tor experimenting danger With regard to nv
own course OF conduct during the short of service
have rendered here, believe have committed
any breaches OF the peace, or committed any acts of
violence this floor and trust never shall If have
differences to settle with senator's shall take another
| place.
The question being then taken upon the resolution il
was agreed to, in the following form:
Resored, That committee of seven be appointed to
investigate the disorder OF to-day in the Senate, and
that they report to the Senate what BELTS the
and have power to examine witnesses and take testmo-
nv in the case.
MIR. MANeUM moved that the Chair appoint the COM
mee, with the provision that if any members declined
to on that Committee the Chair should be at lib
ery to appoint others in their place.
The question being taken upon this motion, it was
agreed to.
The question recurring upon the appeal.
Mr.. CLAY said It is always unpleasant to differ
with the Presiding Officer; and, as can accomplish
my object in an equally short tme, withdraw The
appeal which made, and will submit proposition by
way Of amendment to the amendment Of the senator
from Missouri.
The VICE PRESIDENT. The Chair does not under
stand the Senator's proposition.
Mr. CLAY. The senator from Maine mr. Hamln]
moves TO except California from the Instructions; the
senator from Missouri (Mr Bentonl moves to amend
the amendment of the senator from Maine, by adding
some fourteen instructions Now, move as an amend
ment to the instructions Of the senator from Missouri
the same amendment which offered to-day
MIR. FooTE, tnterposng) The Senate will bear
with me consider Mr. President, that l have right
TO the oor having yielded Tor the purpose OF taking
vote on the resolution just disposed Of l have but
single topic OF remark to suggest but if senators desire
that shall postpone ii until o-morrow will yield.
SEVERAL SENATORS. POSTPONE il till to- n,orrow