Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1850-05-23
MlSGGL L A N Y.
Mathew Lyon and Gov. Griswold.


or of the N. Y. Sunday Times, says:
"The Globe has fallen into curious
mistake in referring to tie case Of Math-
ew Lyon in Congress, as parallel to
the quarrel between Foote and Benton,
and in saying that Lyon had a fight with
Barent GARDENER. We remember all
the circumstances in the case, although
quite lad at the time. Mathew Lyon,
OF Vermont. quite man Of note and i'm
portance in his day, came over from Ire
lanl TO this country. in 1855, poor boy
and was sold to pay his passage. He
served cut his time faitheullyin Vermont,
managed to have himself educated, and
was man of strong mind. He was a
corporal in the revolutionary army. and
the whole volunteer corps went to Ver~
mont to keep thanksgiving day. On his
return to the army he was cashiered by
General Gates, but was reinstated by
General St. Clair. He commenced prints
ing, type casting, paper-making. and a
great variety Of pursuits. and finally was
elected to Congress, which sat in Phila-
d, lphia. in 1893. Jonathan Dayton, of
New Jersey. was Speaker, Roger Girls
Wild, OF Connecticut, long Governor Of
that State, and warm politician of the
federal school, (and at that time party
spirit ragged with the utmost vlolence,)
took occasion, rot in debate, to refer to
Mathew Lyons disgrace in the army with
some inslnuations that he carried a wood
en- sword. This SO exasperated Lyon,
who was a rough man, and a stern and
and honest democrat, that he vulgarly
spit in G,iswold's face. Nothing more
occurred at that time but the next day.
previous to the House being called to Or
der. Mr.. Griswold entered, armed with a
prodigious cudgel, and attacked Lyon
in desperate manner, cutting HIM Sc.
yerely on the face and head. Lyon seized
the tones from the fireplace, and the
parties had regular settle, Lyon having
rather the worst of it, Griswold being
powerful man. Lyon was cut and bruis-
ed so dreadfully, that he remained sev>
eral days at his lodgings. at the sign OF
Moon and Seven Stars, s. w. corner of
Chestnut and Fourth streets. No inter-
ference at the time was made by the
House. but as there was much excitement
among the parties. and pasquinading IN
the pape,s, a committee was raised, and
both came near being expelled"
The Majors "reminiscences are always
interesting and agreeable reading; but
while he writes so easily and pleasantly,
he does not pay that strict regard to ac-
curacy and precision. which we expect
from . historian whose variety and tide!-
| ity are his chief a;es recommendation. The
mistake Of the Globe, corrected by the
Major. is curious, sure enough; and it
i almost as curious that he should make
At least half dozen other mistake in
giving the details II the famous at ~ b.
tween Lyon and Griswold. We were
=: ; a;;;;:e lad" at the time, and tencs
cannot depend upon our memory at a al
for the circumstances Of the case. D"'
we h,arl the par iculars Of the transac'
ton from Gov. Griswold himself. some
twelve or fifteen years after i occurred.
ard we recollect his account a. distinctly
A. if il had Teen gwen yesterday.
Roger Griswold was one OF the very
6rst men of his day-so understood ana
aDpreciated throug hout the country.
He was the acknowledged leader OF the
federal party in the House Of hePresen ..
taaives. and no one OF his cotemPo.a''es
Wa held in higher estimation 10 Gil the TO-
lations Of life.
The difficulty between him ana Lyon
, arose In shis wise. Lyon was banteFlne
, Csnswold about the continued prsdomIn
anee Of the federal party Ia Conneclicut
and finally boasied that he could Tcyoln
tiOuize the State In thTse months. Girls
weld replied In the ppme ione~he dlt
VT doubt Lyons power - achieve th'
feat md after suggesting ne ...aas e