The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1850-04-27

Mr.. Clay objected on the GROUND tRe' Il was
inconsistent to the proposition BY which the
Senate declared it would not instruct the
The Vice President said that inconsistency
might be a good reason for the rejection OF the
amendment, but 1t was not the question tor the
chair to decide a point Of order by,
Mr., Clay appealed.
Mr.. Benton addressed the Senate in support
of his amendment. His object was to shO" BY
vote of the Senate that the fears Of the South
had been %groundless.
Mr.. Butler said such votes were not safety"
valves by which to avert the danger impending.
Mr.. Foote said he had endeavored to avert
discussion; that the time had come when pa
trOts should unite for the purpose Of saving the
republic from the usnger which threatened il.
He would not condescend to notice anything
coming from a certain quarter [BentOnJ II It
were not that an unjustifable attack had been
made upon a measure, the Southern address,
which many had been proud to sign; that adj
dress would live in the esteem Of patTiots.-
Who was it's author! The senator from South
Carolina, over whose death the nation is
mourning, And who was it that attempted TO
impugn that address2 1t was an individual
known as the oldest member of the Senate.
Focte was proceeding With some pungent
Ind sarcastic remarks, evidently in ~allusion to
Benton, but had said nothing sufficiently open
and offensive to justify the chair in calling him
to order, when Benton rose much agitated,
and. throwing his chair from him, proceeded
by the narrow passage outside of the bar to-
wards Foote'S seat, which is on the outside
row of seats near the man entrance.
Dodge, Of Winconsln, experimenting a COLI
sion between Benton and Foote, tried to desain
the former from moving from his seat. Over
coming all resistance, Benton continued To-
wards Foote, who, leaving his place, stepped
down the main aisle, and took a position in
the area just in front Of the sergeant-at-arm's
seat at the right Of Vice President, and draws
ing pistol from his bosom cocSed it.
The Gene which ensued is indescribable -
Loud cries for the sergeant at arms and cries
Of order resounded from all sides Of the cham~
Der. Great excitement in the Senate.
Mr.. Benton was about to attack Mr.. Foote,
when the latter drew his pistol, retreOting to
the centre o. the hall, and it was only by the
most strenuous efforts that the parties were
kept from collision. Many persons rushed out
Of the galleries and the chamber IN apprehen-
sion Of general melee. Several senators sur~
rounded Mr.. Foote. Mr.. Dickinson took the
pistol from him. Mr.. Benton was meanwhile
struggling in the hands of his friends, who
were trying to prevent him from reaching Mr..
Foote.
Mr.. Benton boldly denounced Mr.. Foote as
an assassin who had dared to bring a pistol into
the Senate to murder him. He said: 81 have
no a~rms-examine me. Stand out Of the way
and let the scoun drel and assassin firew
In uttering this sentence, Mr. Benton threw
off those who held him--tore open his vest,
and invited the fire Of his antagonist. Mr..
FOUte In the meantime was restrained from
advancing towards Mr.. Benton.
The Vice President, after repeated efforts
succeeded in restoring order.
Mr.. Benton and Mr.. Foote having returned
to their seats, Mr.. Foote rose and inquired il
he could proceed in order. w M
Mr.. Benton, in very loud tones and very
much excited, demanded that the Senate shouIc
take cognizance that pistol had been brough
here to assassinate him, Mr.. FOote explained
He had no intention to attack anybody. Hi
whole course had been on the defensive. H,
had been informed that an attack upon hin
had been intimated. Surprising, when tn,
senator from Missouri advanced towards him
he was armed to attack him, he advanced to thu
centre OF the chamber in order to get Mr. Ben
ton in the main aisle on equal terms.
Mi Benton protested against an iutimation
that he carried arms. He never did so.
The Vice President requested Mr.. Foote tt
take his seat until it was ascerta,ned VIVA
course the chair should pursue.
Mr.. Hale could not let such a transaction a
had just been witnessed 60 TO the country
without investigation. 81 a.
Mr. Foole. 81 court it," s.a a8a.
Mr. Borland said he never knew Mr. BentOI
to carry arms. ea rat
i, Mr. Benton said, ''No, never"
Mr. Dodge moved that a committee Of seve
be appointed to investigate.
Mr. Clay expressed himself that he hope
Mr. Benton and Mr. FOote would go before tn
= magistrate or else pledge themselves befor
the Senate not to commit any breach Of til
= peace. ,.
4 Mr. Benton. ~ have done nothing ri to autho
q ize a charge Of an intention to commit q breac
' Of the peace, and I will rot in Jail before l wi
give a promise by which | admit such thing
hAA