Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-05-02
Correspondence OF the Are
WASHINGTON CRY, }
Anil 10 ISSn

April 10, 1850.
The National Iutelgencer of TODAY CON
tains two cards, from Senators Benton and
Foote respectively. They are very char,c-
teristic OF the authors. Mr.. Fooie wishes
merely to remove any doubts as TO his cour-
age from the public mind, and has some nice
special pleading in regard 10 the difference
between retreaung from Mr. Benton and
walking away from him. Not single
expression of renIorse for drawing a deadly
weapon on an unarmed Senator in the SEN,
ate Chamber; not a line of apology 10 The
American people for the fasitious insult
against the peace and dignity of the Repub
lie!
Mr. Benton's card is addressed TO Mr..
Fendall, the United States District Attorney,
enclosing the official report of the affair.
and advises Mr.. F. that he thinks it "a proper
subject for court of justice, and wishes it
10 be brought before the Criminal Court Of
this District
The opinion of the community is, GER
Jainly. on the side of Mr.. Benton, in this
matter. His moral courage is admired by
every one of calm judgment. The offence
is of great gravity, and ought not 10 be passed
over. as Mr.. Borland wished it 10 be, AS a
mere flare up. MIR. Borlanfs leviIy on this
subject is very much dlsapproved, and
few only excuse il, on the ground that he
sought TO palliate, in this way, his own pug
:listic assault on Mr.. Fooie, some two or
three weeks ago. Mr. Foole has no right TO
expect any sympathy in this strait. He is
understood TO have been party in more
than one duel, and, from his first appearance
on the floor of the Senate his conduct has
tended 10 provoke personal conflict with
some one. He has attacked several with his
scathine eloquence rs some term it
Senators Badger, Baldwin, Webster, Clay,
Seward, Smith, and Benton have been by
turns his targets. and there is hardly Sem
ator who ever differed with him that did not
have to endure the scorntul and iusolent
viruence OF his tongue.
From the first he has exhibited the most
inveIeraie hostility 10 Mr.. Benton. lie has
induged in elaborate and repeated abuse of
his acts and Of his motives. He lately ut
tered regular phillipic against the Senator
from Missouri, aud it was noted, on that oc-
ca>ion, thai he had taken the trouble TO com.
NIT 10 memory several lines in Cicero's ora
ton against Caraline, and repeated them in
the course of debate, as applicable TO that
venerable citizen and distinguished States
man. The truth appears TO be that Mr..
BenIons anti-nullitcation principles and
fearless patriotism have rendered himself
troublesome 10 certain Disunionists, and it
would suit very well with some peoples views
if he could he put out OF the way NJ all haz-
ards as poor CIlley was The voice that
cried out 10 Mr.. Foote IN the Senate day be
fore yesterday shoot him = shoot him =
must have come from such bosom.
The Committee appointed to investigate
the facts of the late disgracetul scene in the
Senate, are taking evidence. aud will in due
time report. This due time may not he
for two or three weeks, SO as 10 allow the
late etiervesence TO subside. What else thew
will DO cannot say. Whether they will
offer any resolution vindicating the insul,ed
dignity of the Senate, or recommend any
measure of penance or retubutlon is un-
known. But it can hardly be that such
violation OF every rule OF legislative decor
um is 20 be passed sub silenio.
The committee of thirteen on Mr.. Foote's
motion were elected to-day. MIR. Clay is
the chairman, us il is generally conceded that
Mr.. Calhoun's mantle has fallen upon him.
He was looked upon, al the commencement
of the session, as occupying neutral ground ;
but, OF late, he has been passing over 10
South Carolina.
1t is thought they viii, in their report
recommend the admission of California, the
organization of oflerritorial governments wiih>
out inhibiting slavery, the reduction OF the
boundaries of Texas, she ceding her lands
TO the United States on the payment of some
ten or fifteen mllions o! dollars. Verify,
very pretty Omnibus Bill There is some>
thing IN such a report suited TO every body
fancy, and il is great pity that every mem
her Of the pp rpuln rho
ination for the Presidency in 1852. Ii is
very ediiyng 10 see the devoted paterual
affection existing between certain leading
members of the Senate Might il not well
be called the Presidential Committee
Dr