Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-01-14
MIR. Swift's ReseIution-The Evidence,

tAA SWht RCSVlutlUu-1uO uO LvluCAtC.l
Mr.. Swift has handed US the following
letter, addressed to him by Mr.. Hamlin,
which charges, without equivocation, the
t eae h~rous corduct Of Mr.. Blake:-States-
man. "CoLuMBUs, Jan. I'd, 1850.
Hon. L. SwIFT-Dear Sir: At your re-
quest, | hereby furnish you with state. !
ment OF what occurred ut my room on Fri
dny morning last in the presence of Mr..
Payne and Mr.. Blake, in regard to an ar
rangement forhe organization ofthe Senate.
Tn that morning, soon after breakfast,
Mr.. Payne came to my room, and in few
moments after, Mr. Blake came. A con.
versation was soon commenced between
them in reference to an organization of the
Senate. Mr. Pay ne read over TO Mr. Blake
what was contained in the poper you had
shown me the previous evening. Mr.
Bluke objected to the word "recognize,"
saying that it carried the idea that Mr.
Johnson was in his reat rghlfully, by vir-
tue of his certificate, that he did not so re-
gard it, but that, having been sworn in as
a Senator and recognized by the chairman
and the clerk, and having voted for so ma
ny Gays, he thought it was nov too late to
object to his holding his seat until the fnal
trial. then remarked that, if that was all
the difference there was between Them,
ccu'd easily draw up an arrangement which
would obviate it. AS set down to write
an arrangement, Mr. Payne asked what
would be done if Mr. Broadwell should
claim right to vote? Mr. Blake said he
would do no such thing, that Mr. Dennison,
and think he said Mr. Beaver, understood
that he, if elected Speaker, would regard
; Mr. Johnson as in his seat. lie was then
asked what he would do if motion should
. be made to give Broadwell his seat before
the final trial. He answered that he woulc
vote against it.
After | had drawn up the writing, reat
, it to them both. Mr. Blake took it unc
, read it himself. After doing so, he re
marked upon the words "retain his seat d
SENATOR" saying, he wished it clearly un
derstood, that he did not regnrd Mr. John
son as righ,fully Senator by virtue o
his certificate, but simply as entitled to re
, ia n his seat by reason of having beef
sworn in, and recognized as above stated
He then took up pen, and supposed wa
going 10 sign the arrangement. | remarke
D 10 him that | did not think it better b.
e signed, that it was mere honarury agree
ment; that could witness the paper, an
when its terms were fulfilled, it better b
destroyed. He replied, he would not sig'
it for five hundred dollars, but said he a
e no objection to my Witnessing it. | too
the pen from his hand, and wrote the words
s'The above arrangement was reduced
: writing by myself IN the presence of NJ
q Blake and Mr. Payne, and agreed 10 b
them," and signed it. Having done so,
read to them both what had written, an
: no objection was made. Knowing as di
= that strenuous effort would be made t
t take he appointment Of the Committee o
Privileges and Elections from the Speaker
and the difficulties Mr. Blake would find j
II his way US Speaker, l remarked, that tn
arrangement made was an important on,
It and that not hing should be concealed, an
n referred 10 the appointment of lh It con
j. mittee. Mr. Payne then told MIR Blak,
that the Democrats would resort to eve,
d parliamentary usage TO keep MIR. Broat
;. well from his seat, and that they should ne
let him appoint that committee ifthey coul
>. prevent it. MIR Blake replied, he did at
l. care, only they must not expect his vo:e
help them.
1t was then agreed that should 60 in
n mediately to you, and inform you Of Ii
is arrangement, that ii might be consumate
as soon as the Senate should meet. the
o left my room in company with Mr. Payn
n and Mr. Blake, to 60 to your room, carr.
ing in my hand the half sheet Of paps
i open, on which the agreement was writ e
to show it TO you. They left the hous
uno went to your room and showed yo,
the paper containing the arrangement, an
= having written OH it all that is on it nov
d all Of which was written in the presence
e, Mr. Blake and Mr. Payne, and read
1t them as above stated
;e Yours reyecifully, E S. HAMLlN.
% Ihave examined the foregoing statemer
Of Mr. Hamlin, and declare the same, S
= far as it relates to what occurred in NJ
re Hamlin's room, 10 be true.