Alexandria Gazette

TWENTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS
EXTRA SESSION.

THE SCENE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

The House of Representatives, on Thursday, being engaged on the Diplomatic Appropriation Bill, and the subject of the Mission to Naples being under debate, Mr. Stanly congratulated the gentleman from Virginia, (Mr. Wise) on the very proper and patriotic course he had pursued on this occasion in favor of the Neapolitan mission: but he must be malicious enough to remind him of the very different course he had pursued, last session, in reference to the mission to Mexico, when he had moved to strike out the appropriation for a minister to that Government, or to reduce it, and Mr. S. had opposed the motion.

Mr. Wise here turned round and addressed to Mr. Stanly a reply in explanation of his course the last session, in which the Reporter understood him to say that he had not moved to strike out the item for a mission to Mexico, but only to reduce it to the salary of a charge. He concluded by observing that he could not but regard the mention of that circumstance, on the present occasion, as evincing some small degree of malevolence.

Mr. Stanly, in reply, said something of Mr. Wise's frequently manifesting himself a small malevolence, but in what Mr. S. had said, he had owned openly that there was a little malice aforethought, if the gentleman pleased. It had been said by a gentleman some time ago that he was sure a measure must be right because the gentlemen from Massachusetts (Mr. Adams) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wise) were both opposed to it: the same remark might now be turned the other way, and it might be said that this mission to Naples must be right, since both these gentlemen were in its favor. Mr. S. should vote for this appropriation because it was recommended by the Executive; although he did not know whether hereafter to support President Tyler's Administration or not: he thought it not improbable he should go against it before long. But he could not vote to strike this item from the bill when both the gentleman from Massachusetts and the gentleman from Virginia told him it was right. His position was now for the first time in his life somewhat equivocal: but as long as he remained in it, he would not vote against appropriating for a mission approved by the President and by the venerable gentleman from Massachusetts, who was perfectly familiar with all these matters (and he might almost say with every thing else in the world.) The gentleman from New York—he meant the gentleman from the city of New York—he who went away for two or three weeks, and as soon as he got back talked on every subject before the House—that one (Mr. McKeon) had brought up the subject of Mr. Enos T. Throop—a subject in regard to which a gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Jones) had said that Mr. S. referred to it last session at least twenty-five times. Well, it was true: Mr. S. had held it up repeatedly as a reproach to the administration of Martin Van Buren; and he had so presented it at home to his constituents. And that very case of rewarding a man who had so grossly betrayed his trust, was of itself enough politically to damn Martin Van Buren and his administration to all eternity. He wanted no more to prove that, than the report of the Investigating Committee which had been made by the gentleman near him, (Mr. Dawson) {Mr. S. here quoted the report in reference to Mr. Throop's conduct stating that for a period of nine years he had utterly disregarded the law prescribing the duties of his office, and the orders of the Treasury Department, and had rendered the very object of his appointment nugatory; and that through his neglect Mr. Swartwout's defalcation had gone on accumulating for years.} Nor let it be said that this was a mere ex parte statement, dictated by party spirit. for it that received the sanction of an honorable gentleman from Virginia, who stood high in the same political party with Mr. Throop himself. and with the gentleman from New York. Mr. McKeon.)

Mr. S. here quoted Mr. Hopkins' endorsement of the report. Yet, with this report, the truth of every word of which the gentleman from New York would not after this deny, staring him in the face, Mr. Van Buren suffered this man to revel in luxury at Naples, and for two years to draw his $6,500 out of the Treasury.

Mr. S. observed, in conclusion, that if John Tyler should veto a hundred bank bills, he would excuse him on the ground of obeying his conscience; but if he could so far forget his duty, if he could so far listen to the whisperings of a depraved ambition, as to keep an officer like this in an honorable and lucrative station, he would deserve the contempt and execration of every honest and honorable man. He rejoiced to learn that this Enos T. Throop was to be recalled.

Mr. Fillmore said he was informed that Mr. Throop had been recalled, and was on his way home

Whilst Mr. Fillmore was in the midst of a sentence, the Reporter (who had noticed Mr. Wise cross over to the seat of Mr. Stanly, and had observed those two gentlemen in conversation apparently of a very excited character) saw Mr. Wise raise his hand violently and aim a blow at the face of Mr. Stanly, who as instantaneously met or returned it. A violent fight followed, and, in less time than it can be described in this report, a scene of mingled uproar and fight, such as the Reporter in many years' experience has never witnessed on the floor of the House. ensued. Messrs. Wise and Stanly were lost to the sight of the Reporter in the general rush, whilst Mr. Arnold, of Tennessee, and Mr. Butler, of Kentucky, were noticed in a violent personal struggle, striking at and grappling with each other. Mr. Dixon H. Lewis and Mr. Gilmer, and others, were seen in the midst, endeavoring to quell the disturbance, which had now reached a point at which it seemed impossible to arrest its progress. The members had rushed from all parts of the Hall, some rushing over and others standing upon the tables, literally piling themselves one on the other, and several canes were seen by the Reporter raised up as if in the act of striking. The Speaker during this time had resumed the Chair informally, but no one paid the least regard to his voice, and he called in vain on the officers, none of whom were observed by the Reporter, with the exception of the door-keeper, who was endeavoring to close the doors and windows against the crowd from without, who attempted to rush within the hall.

The general melee (of which the Reporter was taking notes) continued from two and a half to three minutes. It then subsided, as it appeared, though by what direct process the Reporter could not understand: but he heard the voice of

Mr. Wise, who had returned to his seat, addressing the Chair.

The Reporter thinks it proper to remark, that the entire statement under the head of “Breach of Privilege” is given by himself, according to his own notes, and that no part of it has been submitted to revision.

Something like order having been restored, Mr. Wise said he had risen, for the purpose of apologizing to the House in the most humble manner, and of asking its pardon, as he most sincerely did. He had in its presence, under the excitement of the moment, violated its order—an excitement which he could not repress

The House had witnessed what had passed between the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Stanly) and himself, in the course of the debate, and had heard the language used by that gentleman towards him—

He (Mr. W.) had passed over to that gentleman's seat, in order to remonstrate with him in a friendly and private way. The gentleman from North Carolina was excited, and he (Mr. W.) becoming so, they were soon engaged in very hot words. Our friendly relations, continued Mr. W., were interrupted. I will not state to the House circumstantially all that took place; but he repeated to me what he had said, and I gave him warning that he had not met me in the spirit in which I—

Mr. W. at the close of the sentence which was thus lost to the Reporter, was interrupted by

Mr. Andrews, of Kentucky, who said that he objected to the gentleman going into the facts, which he hoped would be ascertained by a committee of persons wholly uninterested.

Mr. Wise. I have but a few words to say. [Cries of “Go on, go on.”] In the warmth of my excitement I used harsh language, and the gentleman returned to me a word which I could not brook, either here or elsewhere.— Never, whatever may be the consequences, will I brook that word. I struck him. I have offended against the House; I humbly ask its pardon, and I submit myself to any penalty which it may please to impose.

Mr. Stanly then took the floor, and said he had not risen to ask pardon of the House— If he had offended against it—if he had been guilty of any violation of its rules, he would submit to any penalty the House might impose —even to be expelled, or to be forced to resign. But (continued Mr. S.) I believe I have done what any other man on this floor would have done under similar circumstances.

The honorable gentleman from Virginia, (Mr. Wise,) whose insolence I will not say is notorious, came round to my seat, not as he says, to remonstrate—no, not to remonstrate but to scold, to lecture, to browbeat me, as he does every body who presumes to differ with such a high-born Virginian as he is. I could not tolerate it. I told him what I understood him to have said, and what I had said in reply. He then said, “I want to warn you.” To which I replied, “No. I will not take your warning” He then said, “Come out of the Hall with me,” and started towards the door. I replied, “No, sir; you have heard what I said; you can take your own course; I have nothing more to say.” He then said, “You deserve my contempt;” and I said, “Sir, you are a liar.”

Mr. Wise. That is not the fact

Mr. Stanly. That is the state of facts. I assert it before my constituents, before this House, and before the world.

The gentleman then raised his hand and struck me; and if the members of the House had not interfered, I would have given him the severe punishment which he deserves for his insolence

Mr. Ingersoll rose and offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That a special committee be appointed to inquire into the circumstances of the rencontre on the floor of this House between Mr. Wise and Mr. Stanly, members of this House, and to report thereon to the House.

Mr. Andrews, of Kentucky, said that at the last Congress a committee had been appointed on a similar subject when a similar occurrence had taken place. How that investigation ended every body knew. He was opposed to the appointment of a committee. He considered the former occurrence disgraceful to the House, as he considered this. He thought that the two members engaged deserved to be expelled, and he believed they should be expelled now, upon the spot, and without further delay.

[Cries in many parts of the House.

Agreed

Agreed.]

There was no other way in which the House could vindicate its character and its dignity. The committee appointed in a similar case at the last Congress had done nothing—had recommended nothing—and the indignity which had been offered to the House and the country went unpunished and unrebuked. He was for no committee—it would be a white-washing affair—a mere humbug, such as we have heretofore had

Mr. Hopkins after a remark which the Reporter could not hear) moved the previous question.

Mr. Andrews moved to lay the resolution of Mr. Ingersoll on the table, or if that motion prevailed not let the following resolution be substituted:

Resolved, That the Hon. Henry A. Wise, a member of this House, having this day by his own confession on the floor of this House, when sitting in Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, committed an assault on the Hon. Edward Stanly, be therefore expelled from the House.

Mr. Andrews moved to lay the resolution on the table, for the reasons above stated by him.

Which motion was rejected.

The question then recurred on the motion of Mr. Hopkins for the previous question And there was a second.

And the main question (being on the resolution) was ordered; and being taken.

The resolution, by ayes 124, noes not counted, was adopted

And the committee was ordered to consist of seven members.