55 watched the motion of that right arm, [of the witness,] the elof which could be seen by me, and had it moved one inch, he had died on the spot. That was my determination." All this will be found in the thirteenth volume of the Con-
bow
gressional Debates, with the evidence in detail,
and the
discus-
sion thereupon.
Here is another instance of similar character, which did not occur in a committee-room, but during debate in the Senate Chamber. "While the Compromise measures were under discussion, in 1850, on the 17th of April, 1850, Mr. Foote, a Slave-master from Mississippi, in the course of his remarks, commenced a personal allusion to Mr. Benton. This was ag-
gravated by the circumstance that only a few days previously he had made this distinguished gentleman the mark for most
Mr. Benton rose at once bitter and vindictive personalities. from his seat, and, with an angry countenance, but without weapons of any kind in his hand, or, as it appeared afterward before the Committee, on his person, advanced in the direction of Mr. Foote, when the latter, gliding backward, drew from his pocket a five-chambered revolver, full loaded, which he Meanwhile Mr. Benton, at the suggestion of friends, cocked. was already returning to his seat, when he perceived the pistol. Excited greatly by this deadly menace, he exclaimed: " I am I disdain to carry arms. Stand I have no pistols. Mr. Foote remained out of the way, and let the assassin fire. standing in the position he had taken, with his pistol in his hand, cocked. " Soon after," says the report of the Committee not armecL
1
'
appointed to investigate this occurrence, "both Senators sumed their seats, and order was restored."
All
this will
re-
be found at length in the 21st volume of the
Congressional Globe.
Another instance, which belongs to the same class, is given the Hon. "William Jay, a writer of singular accuracy, and of the truest principle, who has done much to illustrate the history of our country. It is this Mr. Dawson, a Slave-master from Louisiana, and a member of the House of Representatives, went up to another member on the floor of the House, and addressed to him these words " If you attempt to speak, or rise from your seat, sir, by G d, I'll cut your throat." The duel, which at home in the Slave States is " twin " with
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