WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1834
288
imputation was undeserved, and slanderous, he nevertheless, ad- dressed a mote of civility to said Stanbery, asking to know whether the language as published had been used by him in the House of Representatives? To this note a ve1·bal reply was only given to your memoralist, and a written answer addressed to the Gentleman who handed the note- The language used in the note, as well as disrespect implied by his silence, was such as to satisfy your memorialist that all restitution for the injury which he had sustained, was denied to him. While resting under this state of mind, and being assured by many persons on whose veracity he could rely that said Stan- bery had armed himself and had assumed an attitude of defiance, your memorialist met him in the Pennsylvani.a Avenue by sheer accident, and had no other weapon than a small Hickory cane, not larger than a mans finger. After giving notice to said Stan- bery, he proceeded to chastise him as his only remedy for un- provoked injury which he had received.-Stanbery flashed a Pistol in the face of your memorialist which showed that he was pre- pared for the combat, tho' your memorialist was not prepared. Said Stanbery forthwith made application to the H. of Representatives, and accusing your memorialist with having attacked him with unusual weapons- He failed in all his charges against the accused except as to the fact of his having been chastised. Notwithstanding these matters · and things, your memorialist was tried by the H. of Representatives, and sen- tenced to receive a Reprimand from the Speaker of the H. of Representatives. He submitted to the sentence, which was awarded to him.- No sooner was he discharged from the custody of the Serjeant of Arms, where he had been detained for more than thirty days, on trial for a breach of privilege, than he was arrested, ~nd brought before the Court of District of Columbia, where, after considerable delay, he was sentenced by said Court to pay Five hundred dolla?·s fine, and costs of suit. This your memorialist was not in a situation to do without great distress to his circum- stances, or without calling upon other persons for aid. The ex- penses incurred while upon trial before the H. of Representatives, as well as before the Court were very considerable and oppressive to your memorialist.-For these reasons set forth, as well as the
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