Washington telegraph., 1850-05-08

parties, endeavOred to detain;Mr Benton from oo
rag forward but he overcame all resistance aud
continued toward Mr., Fcote, who, .eaving his
place. stepped into the main aisle and took a t,osi
ton in the area in front Of the Sergeant at
seat to the tight of the Vice President aud drawing
pistol from his bosom, cooked it.
The scene which ensued is indescribabIe. Cries
Tor the Sergeant at Arms, and order, order. re-
sounded from all parts of the chamber.
Mr. Benton was about attacking Mr.. Foote.
when the latter drew his pistol, retreating as he
did SO to the centre of the hail. and 1t was only bv
the most strenuous exertions that tue parties were
kept asunder.
Persons from the galleries rushed out, appre-
hending general melee. Several Senators sur.
rounded Foote-Dicknson seized his pistol: in the
meanwhile Benton was struggling in the hands of
friends endeavoring to restrain him from approach
ing Foote. Benton loudly denounced Foote as an
assassin, who had dared to bring pistol in the
Senate to murder him. He said, 81 have no arms.
Examine me! carry nothing of the kind! Stand
out of the way. and let the assassin fire.
! AS Benton said this, he threw off those who
held him--tore open his vest, waiting the FIRE eff
his antagonist Foote was restrained from advanc-
ing:
! The Vice President, after repeated calls sue
ceeded in restoring order and comparative quiet.
Messrs Benton and Foote resumed their seats.
/ Mr.. Foote and enquired il he could pro-
ceed in order.
Mr.. Benton, (in loud voice and much excited,)
demanded that the Senate shoulc take cognizance
of the fact that pistol had been brought into the
Senate to assassinate him.
Mr.. Foote explained that he had no intention
| TO attack any body; his whole course was on the
defensive. He had been informed that an attack
would be made on him, and supposed when the
Senator from Missouri advanced towards him that
he was armed and prepared to attack him; he had
advanced to the centre of the chamber to be in a
position where he could get Mr. Benton in the
main aisle equal terms.
Mr.. Benton protested that he never carried
arms.
The Vice President requested Mr.. Foote to take
his seat until it would be ascertained what course
it was proper for the chair to pursue.
Mr.. Hale said he could not let such trans
action had been witnessed 90 to the country
without investigation.
MIR. Foote--"I court it."
Mr.. Borland said he never knew Mr.. Benton to
carry arms. Benton in his seat, "no, he very
Mr.. Dodge moved committee of seven be ap-
pointed to investigate The subject
Mr. Clay expressed the hope that Mr.. Benton
and Foote would 90 before magistrate, else
pledge themselves before the Senate not to commit
a breach of the peace.
Mr. Benton, have done nothing TO authorise a
charge of an intention to commit q breach of the
peace and l will rot in Jail before will give
Mr.. Foote said he willing for the investi-
CATION, he had only prepared himself for an attack
of which he had been warned lie felt bound a
man of honor to take proceedings elsewhere.
Mr. Benton greeted this with contemptuous
laugh.
A committee to enquire into the matter was
appointed and they adjourned.
HoUsE.-After four baotngs this morning Mr..
Richard NJ Young, ldemocrat,) Of Illinois, was
oIa tod (,Iark hv vofe nd last al
stood Young SO, Prindall 5; Walker II; scattering
5: total lSS-necessary to a choice 20.
The Speaker declared Mr. Young elected and
the House then adjourned.
April l9.
SENATE-Mr Douglass moved that the Cali
ria bill be taken up-agreed to.
Mr. d. then moved it be made the special order
imme dately after the appointment OF the COM
mlt,ee of thirteen.
Mr. Turney moved its reference to the select
committee.
The question of postponenent having priority |
put and carried
The Senate then proceeded to ballot for Chair |
man of the select committee of thirteen lst ball
lot, Mr. Clay received % votes, Bell /, Benton /, |
Mangum l, blank
The President then declared Mr.. Clay elected.
Messrs. Cass, Dickinson, Bright, Webster, Phelps,
Cooper, King, Mason, Downs, Mangum Bell and
Berrien, were elected the remaining members of
said committee without opposition.
Mr.. Phelps asked to be excused from serving
particularly account Of his health
Mr. Mangum appealed to MIR. T. to withdraw
his application.
Mr.. P. said he had other objections, he would
if placed upon said committee feel compelled to
throw himself entirely his personal views, and
he had no doubt that the whole proceedings would
prove unsatisfactory to the country.
Mr.. Webster expressed the hope that Mr.. p.
tI,, ,,la oh. h.c
for excusing members, he should perhaps be ill.,
duced 10 follow
The question to excuse Mr.. p was taken and
carried (NoTE.--1he opponents OF the appoint
ment of the committee failed TO vote)
Mr.. Douglass called for the special order, and
the California bill was taken up.
After some conversation with reference to the
absence of the committee to carry Mr.. Caihoun's
remains to South Carolina, motion for postponing
the further consideration of the bill till Monday
two weeks agreed to.
HoUsE.-The Speaker being absent, Mr.. Win
throp, by CONSENT acted as Speaker.
April %
SENATE-After the presentation Of petitions and
the transaction Of the usual morning business, Mr.
Benton moved to take up his motion to instruct
the select committee of thirteen on Mr.. Clays and
Mr.. Bells resolutions to report separately on each
subject involved, and not to unite i'll one bill two
more ncongruous subjects.
Mr.. Clay objected to the consideration of the
motion in the absence Of the committee of six,
who left the city this morning with the remains
of Mr.. Calhodn, and who went away under the
impression that the Senate would act upon no i'm
portan, business during their absence upon duty
imposed on them by the Senate. The majority,
said Mr. c., had already determined by decisive
vote not to give the committee any instructions,
general or special But, in the absence of SO
many Senators, whose places were vacant this
morning he could not say that the actual majority
of the body was now represented
Mr.. Benton asked no vote, but simply desired
the motion to come up for discussion.
Mr.. Clay suggested that the appropriate time