The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-04-12
DEATH OF THOMAS H. BENTON

The intelligence Of Col Benton's death reached
us by telegraph on Saturday morning The Wash
ington Star says
His dying moments were distinguished by the
same calm fortitude which characterized his long
and painful illness, Almost MP 10 the moment Of
his death he worked with the full force of his
indomisable energy upoE his great work, the
Abridgement Of the Debates Of Congress. BY
force of will, apparently. he suspended physical
dissolution until that work was completed, and
he, In fact, brought II down to the time proposed.
viz TO the end of the compromise session Of
1850.
MIR. Benton was in the Senate for twenty four
years, and In the House, as member from the
St. Louis District, two years.
For upwards Of thirty years Mr.. Benton has
been a resident of this city, aud has indeed,
looked upon Washington as his hsme. lie leaves
three daughters one of whom. Mrs. Fremont, is
now on her way with her husband to California.
Mr.. Benton has stamped his name indeiibly
upon the history of the country, in connection
with the Administration of General jackson, the
sxpunging resolutions, the United States Bank.
the currency question, the specie BILL Fishing
bounties. the Texas resolutions, South Carolina
notification, aud his last Herculean labor, the
Arrangement of the Debates in Congress.
1t appears that on Friday Col. Benton expressed
his conviction that his death was nigh. lie
awaited the event with great calmness, and al
though suferinge severely, was accomplishing,
and retained the full possession of his faculties
Whenever strength would permit, he was dicta
ting letters, and making provisions for bis hourly
expected demise.
Immediately after the adjournment of the House
on Friday, Mr.. Jones, of Tennessee, sent to the
Clerks desk the following letter from Col Ben
ton, which was read by the Clerk, and listened to
with profound interest:
C. STREET; WASHINGTON, April S, 1858.
To Samuel Houston, Esq. Senator in Congress from
the STATE Of IeIdS, and George W. Jones, Esq
Representative IN Congress from Tennessee.
To you, IA old Tennessee friends, address my
self to say that in the event of my death here
desire that there should not be any notice taken
of it in Congress. There is no rule of either
House that will authorize the announcement OF
my death, and if there were such rule should not
wish it to be applied in my case, as being con-
trary to my feelings and convictions. long enter
tanned, as shown in a note to a speech of Mr.. Ran
dolph's on the occasion of the death of Mr.. ravid
Walker, published in the Abridgement of Debates
vol vi p. $50. The request of MIR. Walker there
recorded, and the remarks of MIR. Randolph, ex-
press entirely my sentiments and convictions
Should, therefore, any of my kind friends in either
House make it necessary to do so, entrust to
you to make known by means of this note my ex-
press wish, and desire that the event remain unuo-
ticed in Congress Your old Tennessee friend.
THOMAS III. BENTON.
The Washington Union says:
tinued to labor at the great work he had under
taken--the Condensed Congressional Debates,
which, we believe, he had nearly brought to a
close. His age was extreme-we believe about
severtyfve. As his life had been full of houors,
the award of his fellow pen, so did he die full of
years. the boon eff Providence.
His disease was cancer in the bowels. He had
endured severe surgical treatment a few months
before his death, and obtained temporary relief.
His affection returned upon him, however, in a
more aggravated form, and resulted in linger-
ing aud painful death. His intellect remained uD-
impaired to the eud and he made every arrange
ment AID preparation for his demise with Roman
fortitude.
The President, hearing of the extreme iluess OF
his ancient compeer, called upon him on Friday
evening. The dying statesman declared afterwards
his exceeding qualification at the visit. The in
tervew is SAID to have been protracted. Mr.. Ben
ton is said to have expressed his extreme solicit
tude for the condition of public affairs and pain
full sense of the imminent dangers which threaten
the country. He is said to have exhorted the
President to rely upon Divine support aud gui
dance, and not upon that of men, who would de-
ceiye him.