The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-08-16

~ The eFeete and Fremont Difficuley.
The difHculty between Senators Eoote and
fremont grew out of the circumstance that
kbote charged Fremont in the Senate, with
I1eekipg legislation in reference to the gold
mines for the sake of his own private advan-
tage, which Fremont pronounced false. AZ
forwards they met in the ante-chamber, when
Fremont struck Fo, te and brought blood
They were Immediately separated BY Sena-
tor Clarke. Subsequently Fremont address,
ed note to Foote demanding retraction of
the language used by him in debate, to be
signed in the presence Of witnesses, and q
Challenge note was left if he refused. IL 81
sMr. Foote declined to sign the paper, but
addressed note in reply to Mr.. Fremont,
disclaiming any intention Of giving any per-
sonal offence in the language used by him in
debate. @o "a ~~
tl"The friends Of both parties considered this
satisfactory to Fremont, but at his instance,
the note was submitted to Col, Benton, who
consented to the arrangement. The follow
ing card is the result
pea e "WAsHrNGroN, Sept. %, 1850,
IA CARD The undersigned are author
lied to state that the difficulty between the
Hon. H. S. Foote and the Hon. j. G. FIRE.
mont, growing out of certain expressions
used by the former in relation to the Califor-
MIA II in the Senate last evening, has been
adjusted satisfactorily and honorably to both
these gentleman. (Signed.)
IA. C. DODGE, HENRY H. SIBLEY.
"WM. GWIN, RODMAN NJ. PRICE.
The above originated in the Cleveland
Plain Dealer, paper notorious for SANDER
coinage. 1t is having the usual run of the
Buchanan press and orators, and is ampli-
fed upon to suit readers and audiences. 1t
is not unusual to hold Fremont up as the
''model RI ffian," and to state that 'scopying
after Fremont, Brooks attempted to gain no.
toriety. Some of the apologists for Brooks
go So far as to declare Fremont the sgreater
rufianw
The New York Evening Post copies the
Plain Dealers article, and corrects two or
three of its falsehoods, as follows:
In the first place, Fremont did not strike
Foote, and of course did not draw blood.
The facts are briefly as follows: Senator
Foote entered the Senate the last night of
the session, with an uncommonly large brick
in his hat, and availed himself of the first
opportunity, as is the habit of people with
hats thus furnished, to make a speech. In
the course of his remarks, he reflected often
sively upon certain California measures which
had been pending before the Senate, and up
on the motives of those who advocated them.
Col. Fremont Immediately left the Senate
chamber and sent for Senator Foote to come
out. When they met, Col. Fremont told
him that he had sent for him to say that he
(Foote) had just used language in reference
to the California legislation and senators
which no gentleman could use, and unwor-
thy of an American Senator. Foote imme-
diately struck at Fremont and slightly graz
ed his face. Senators and officers who were
near. doubtless anticipating something of the
kind, promptly interfered and prevented any
further controversy at that time.
On the following day Fremont sent Foote
a note by Gov. Price, of New Jersey, de-
handing retraction of his offensive Ian
guage, and Foote wrote retraction which
was deemed satisfactory by the friends of
the respective parties
Every reader must detect the apparent alb
surdity of the Plain Dealers statement, that
Fremont challenged Foote after having struck
him and drawn blood. What, inquiries the
Post, should he challenge him for2 That he
did not draw cider? If he had been the
smiter, he would scarcely have stood in need
of the further satisfaction of pistols and cof-
fee, however Senat:r Foote might have felt
about it.
There is no parity whatever between the
case of Fremont and Brooks. Fremont new
er lifted his hand against Foote, but simply
characterized his language as it deserved
Foote was the Brooks of the occasion, not
Fremont. He was the one who, like Brooks,
resorted to personal violence, and he was
the one who like Brooks, was ready enough
to back out Of tie consequences when they
stared him fairly in the face.