Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-04-20

on this aoorto make any motion but should feel that
unworthy Of seat this floor If tacitIy allowed
transaction of this kind to here and go without the M
vestigaion Of committee of this body and think the
Senate itself proceed nsantef towards such
STEP. Having made the suggestion, leave it 70 Older wser
and sager heads than my to make the motion, though
nobody else does, will do il myself
Mr.. BORLAND. So far from thinking il so serioas
matter that the Senate called upon take notice OF IL
think very ridiculous affair, of which the Senate shooh
rather feel ashamed, and say little about possible.
young member Of the Senate and perhaps of the aS
experience but to my mind there not any darger on
foot at all.
Mr.. FOOTE. So far as am concerned, if know my
heart and intentions, and something of my own chaac
ter have nothing of the assassin about me- have never
threatened any personal attacks never My most intmats
personal friends heard indulge in any such lam
guage So help God, came here this morning with
intention dispute but with the desire to endeavor TO settle
these great quest in such manner as would conduos
to the welfare Of the country II is my earnest desire 'hn'
this matter shall be investigated and wish to state IN adj
vance, that if be Proved by construction or declaration
in any shape FORM that armed myself for the purpose o.
attacking the Senator from Missouri with the purpose OF as
sasnation chargedif for suspicion IS made
against mel beg that may be expelled fonthis SEN
ale, of which should hod myself unworthy to be MEM
be Yes, sir Isay that if there is even cause Tor susP
cion established desire that such may be pursued
towards me. But so help Heaven, being threatened
with chasemen and being informed that was likely to 10
attacked and resolving under such to make
the attack myself solemny prepared to resist any attack
And when thought the attack about TO be made instead
Of putting the lives Of my friends in danger, simply advanc-
ed for the purpose Of defending myself And if the Senator
had advanced down the alley for the purpose Of attacking me-
such my intention. And repeat that any Senator has
the least ground of suspcon far concened OF my
moves that my conduct unworthy Of Senator OF Of
my constituents earnestly desire this committee OF invest,
i CATION.
Mr.. DODGE, Of Wisconsin. Mr.. President deeply de-
plore the unhappy aud violent which has just occurred
do think that it due to the dignity Of the Senate, and
the high character that this body has maintained for
peace and good order that the matter which has just tran
spired should be referred to committee, that it may be
fully investigated and reported upon. II should be properly
understood by ourselves and by the people of the United
States. Sir have known the Senator from Missouri inti-
matey for thirty years, and have known him to
carry arms though have always believed him to be man
who would them when necessary, and proper
son and defend himself under and all circumstances
When he and advanced in the direction of the Senator
from Mississippi, being Of his old friends, went up to
him prevent, if possible any difficulty in the Senate be-
eyng as member Of this body that il was my duty to at
tempt to keep the peace and to that act done
the part Of either gentleman that would have tendency to
disturb it. am friendly to BOTH but the Senator from Mis-
souri, has been my bosom friend for thirty years. and
will stand by him all occasions and in any situation ID
which he may be placed EARTH say, am not unfrendS
either gentleman but am one of those who believe that
the Senate the proper place settle difficulties OF this
character gentlemen choose to fight they will hnd plenty
of Of the Senate chamber the streets large the
neghborng grounds spacious, but the respect we owe to
the country and ourselves should prevent the OF
such in the Senate chamber Sir, due regard for
the respect and dignity Of the Senate consrans to
in the strongest terms that the subject be referred to COM
mtee for investigation and such action this body deem
1 to be due to its own character
have nothing say about the violence of the the
drawing Of the pistol These their affairs and
that they must decide upon their responsibility
but for the honor Of this body and for the honor the whole
country, am certain that these things should be stopped
We ought to have end to wangng and to personalities
sent here for greater and for nober purposes The
Senate Of the United States has heretofore been considered
of the most dgned and decorous bodies of in the
world, and owe ourselves vndcate the Senate
from the disrepue, far be done, which attaches
n n A
troublesome. 1t not often, Mr.. President that respass
the time of the Senate and would have greatly preTea
any other Senator should have moved in this matter
feel that ought not to be permitted to pass in silence No
regret than do that such occurrence should
have ranspred in this hail. between two members Of the body
and Of the political party but such is unhaPpy tho
fact wish to every thing presented in fair and proper
point Of view move you, then, sir, that committee Of
be appointed by Chair investigate the whole matter
and report all the facts to the Senate.
Mr.. MANGUM. have drawn up very hastily resoiu-
this subject. concur entirely with every remark
have heard fall from the Senator from Wisconsin, and have
drawn resolution proposing that committee Of seven
should be appointed.
Mr.. DODGE. accept Of that number.
Mr.. MANGUM. myself decline to serve as one Of the
members Of the committee but the honorable Senator from
Wisconsin hope will be placed at the head Of it, The re-
solution is:
Resolved That committee of seven be appointed to in
vesgate the disorder to-day the Senate, and that they
report the Senate what BELTS the OCCASION and have
to examine witnesses and take testimony in the
Will the honorable Senator accept this in lieu Of his
ton,
! Mr. DODGE. 1t presents my views exactly, and very
willingly accept it.
/ Mr. CLAY should have risen earlier, sir, but from
personal duty which will at present think the
course which has been proposed very proper The
facts which unfortunately occurred within the observa
ton Of most OF the Senator'S suppose was not looking
on at the moment for my attention drawn from that PaJs
of the body. But think the resolution does go far
enough. think the Senators who have been placed III
unpleasant relation towards each other ought to be places
under obligation keep the peace, and for that purpose
that they should either voluntarily otherwise so before
mag rae of the city, that both OF them IN theE
places here should pledge hemseveswhich would be
gratifying this matter at any rate during
the of the Senate further than what occurred to-day
II the Senators will make such promise to the Senate, sha
be extremely happy.
Il Mr. BENTON have done nothing upon God Almigbtys
earth authorize any charge with breach Of the
peace, and will rot in Jail before will give promise adj
hitting that the charge is true. regret nothing isBmE
and cowsrdly 10 undertake impure the bearing Of
here, in order justify the Of them upon
have done nothing, and will jail before will give
| guilty Of breach of the peace.
Mr.. CLAY. My observations did relate to the past
but to the future did pretend say whether either OF
the parties both in fault mercy expressed wish in
reference to the future, and without reference the past,
that the two Senators should under legal per-
sonal obligation not to push ths matter fur her.
! Mr.. F0OTE Mr.. President
/ SEVERAL SENATOR'S Be cool.
Mr. FOOTE perfectly cool and feel the gravity OF
the occasion deeply others have only this ann