The Volcano lubricator. (Volcano, W. Va.) 1871-1879, 1873-10-14
.MsceLhnU.
Foote,, Benton and Fremont.
A STARTLING SCENE IN THE SENATE
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES CHALLENGE

In one Of his "reminiscences, published
in the Washington Ckrcnielc, Hon.
Henry S. Foote gives the following:
a scene occurred in the Senate
between Mr.. Benton and myself which
should here briefly explain. In the
sumrncr OF 1850, while Mr.. CalhoGns
remains were being transported from
Washington to South Carolina, but
before they had icit Washington, Mr..
Benton rose up one morning 'mAce'
as | understood them, some very dis.
respectful illusions to the illustrious
deceased. l stepped to the chair Of
MIR. Butler Mr.. Calhoun's own Sena-
toriai colleague, and urged him to say
something in response. He seemed
not exactly 10 understand the import
of Mr.. Benlon's words, ,,and therefore
responded to him in 4 very confused
and ineffective manner. | rose up to
subjorn one or TWO observations,'in 4
style, as | am willing 10 acknowledge,
not 4 little animated and indignant
MIR. Benton rose up suddenly in his
chair, winch was some distance from
mine, making at the the time pro-
uigions noisr, and advanced rapidly in
the direction Of my position, which was
on the outer circle Of seats, not iar
from the central door Of the chamber,
and seemed to be aiming to get behind
me while was speaking, in order 10
strike me when in this unprotected at
,itude. had been warned by Sema-
tor Pratt, only day or two before,
that he had publicly threatened TO do
me violence in the Senate if ever un
dertook to allude 10 him again, and !
had deemed it expedient to put on
arms for my own defense. was wear
ing at the moment Colts revolver,
winch | certainly intended TO use
should il become necessary. On draw.
ing it | took step or two TO the right,
which carried ME to the central alele
OF the Senate. I then turned toward
the central door of the chamber, in
lending certainly if Mr.. Benton should
pass tile corner near my seat and ad'
vance a singe step down the aisle !
was standing in, after having warned
hin OF my intention, to fire upon him
At once, conce!ving that, in shooting IN
the direction OF the central door /
should be able 10 avoid doing injury to
any one else, tor undoubtedly did not
Intend to'succumb TO his violence while
III the decorl:S performance vi Iny Sem
atorial duties. When Mr.. Benton saw
| WAS arne6h he paused. and in a second
or Two allowed the venerable Senator
from Wisconsin, Governor Dod &c, 10
conduct him 10 his chair. Before he
had fairly seated himself, Mr.. Dickin-
son, OF New York, ASKED me for my
pistol, which | willingly handed him.
Then it was that Mr.. Benton broke
out again vociicrously, exclaiming:-
Let the assassin shoot" at the saline
time thealrlcai!y tearing open his vest.
/ made short explanation OF IN, con-
duct to the Senate, after which the al
lair was referred 10 special committee,
whose report and the evidence anacx.
cd thereto occupy one large printed
volume, in which future generations
will find huge and somewhat lncon-
srueus mass oi lacrs OF 4 very lgdlcr-
Gus and interesting character.
Will close this reminsccncc with =
somewhat curious auecdote: y few
days after the lwo Senators from Cali.
lornla, Aiessrs Gwln aui Fremont,
were admitted to the seals which thuy
had been quietly claiming for several
months, the latter MIR t'remonU III.
,rouuccd several oils, evidently drawn
b, Braton, his hcr.in-law, having
relation 10 important local concerns IN
California, and OF Il nature as thought,
II allowed to pass, 10 do very great dc
triment tc valuable National Interests
in that Guartrr. Several Old and valued
friends Of mine in Canloruia, anu
among these Judge Sh%ttIck, had
warned me- i'll very serious manner
against these very movements. Before
taking am decided step in the mater.
counscled with my old and valued
friend, D.. William g. Gwiu, who. |
knew from more than twenty y.ara
acquaintance. ,.ard familiar intercourse.
would be sure to give me correct lnior-
nation. The doctor, in very concise
and decided language, confirmed all
that Judge Shattucn had said OH the
subject, and 'ste!.ed that he should.him-
sell .be disposed to do wha, he couldto
defeat these schemes Of Colonel Ere
mont, but for the fact that he was his