Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-04-17
An1xo,nrnr IN cosaar.s.

Immediately after the House assembled, |
on Friday, Mr.. Morris, Of Pennsylvania. an.
nounced TO members the decease Of Hon.
Thomas II. Benton. The clerks had not left
their desks yet. when Mr.. Jones, of TenDes-
see, one Of the Oldest members OF the House,
sent the following letter TO the clerks deck
to be read. Before the reading was com.
menced members returned to their seats and
there was solemn stiffness in the hall.
q. STREET, WASHINGTON, April 8, 1858.
To Samuel Houston, Esq, Senator in Con.
gress from the State OF Texas, aud George
w. Jones, Representative in Congress
from Tennessee:
10 you, as old Tennessee friends, address
myself to say, that in the event Of my death
here, desire that there shall not be any
notice taken Of it in Congress. There is no
rule of either House that will authorize the
announcement Of my death; if there was
such rule, should not wish it TO be ap-
piled in my case, as being contrary to my
feelings and convictions long entertained, as
shown in a note to speech Of Mr.. Randolph
on the occasion Of the death OF Mr.. David
Walker, published in the AbridgemeDt of
Debates. vol. vi, page $50. The request Of
Mr.. Walker there recorded, and the remarks
OF Mr.. Randolph, express entirely my senti-
men;s and convictions. Should, therefore,
any of my kind friends, in either House, make
it necessary to do SO, i entrust to you TO
make known, By means Of this note, my ex-
press wish and desire that the event remain
unnoteed in Congress.
Your cid Tennessee friend,
THOMAS II. BENTON.
The body of the letter is in the hand oil
another, Lut the name is his own signature,
! and denotes that it was written with u weak
aud trembling hand, the last time he put pen
TO paper, aud when, perhaps, the agony OF
death was upon him. The letter was handed
to Mr.. Jones on Friday morning by Mr.
| Benton himself, the latter expressing his
acknowledgements for the knd visit OF his
| friend, and parting with him with the assu-
rance that they were no more to meet again
10 this world.
niormOnism-The Affnirs of Pnri.y Prntt aud
| Mrs. McLain.
The following curious letter appears in the
! Cincinnati Commercial.
EDTroRs CoMsERCIAI.--It will be remem
befed by many Of our readers that Farley +
Pratt, one Of the twelve apostles Of the Sail
! Lake Mormon Church was killed by MIR. Nc
| Lain, after he had taken the wife or Mr.. Nc
Lain unto himself The children of Mr.
and Mrs. McLuin were secretly taken ava,
from the guardianship OF their grandparents
(thc father aud mother OF Mrs McLain,) foi
the purpose Of taking them to Utah. Tt
prevent these children from being carried OF
to Utah, communicated knowledge Of facts
in my possession 10 their grandfather. nei
ther expected nor advocated the killing o
Pratt, but | have obtained indisputa
BILE evidence that the Dauites Of Brigham
Youug's Church have decreed that | shai
share in the fate of +. =. Pratt.
The public, and more especially the consti
tuted authorities of this city, will, therefore
understand where they may find the guilt.
party in case they succeed IN their malicious
and murderous designs. | can however lool
back with delight on the part that per
formed for the delverance OF these chldrel
from Salt Lake degradation, although
know that it may cost me my life. unless tn
publication Of ;hese facts prevents it. If
am sacrificed for this act ! shall die mantyr'
death, for | never sought the life OF Parle
p. Pratt, and detest the wicked practice
OF Salt Lake Mormonism, inasmuch as he
lieve in those principles which were former
called Mormonism, and which the Salt LAX
leaders have abandoned.
Isaac SAEEY.