Stampless folded letter sheet.
Circular red postmark:
WASHINGTON CITY MAY 16
Manuscript rate:
18¾
Addressee:
Doctor Lewis Wolfley
Lancaster
Ohio
Docket:
J.M. Creed May 15th 1832
Recd. May 19, 1832
Also See: End Notes
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Letter:
Washington May 15th 1832
Dear Friend
The Houston case has closed at last and on yesterday he was
reprimanded by the Speaker which I could linken to nothing else than a
teacher saying to his child -- I reprimand you now and should you ever be
guilty of the like offence I shall certainly scold you again --
It was all a mere farce and was tantamount to a victory on the
part of Houston --
Immediately upon the discharge of Houston, Stanbery introduced a
resolution for the appointment of a select committee to investigate that
matter and to see whether John H. Eaton & others were guilty of fraud and
how the President was concerned in said business -- All which you will
observe in the Intelligencer -- We have fallen upon evil times indeed and
as Col. Benton very correctly prophesied during Gen Jacksons Adminstration
it would be necessary for Congress to legistate with dirks - pistols, &c --
This declaration has been very correctly verified -- on
yesterday Mr. Cooke of Ohio handed to the speaker of the house a challenge
which he had received from a Doctor Davis of South Carolina, a witness in
the case of Houston --
You must no doubt have observed in the Intelligencer a note
written by Mr. Arnold of Tennessee a member of Congress stating that he had
been met in the Avenue by a certain Major Heard -- who threatened to
chastise him for abusing his friend Samuel Houston --
{The best is to come yet}
Well last evening immediately upon the adjournment of Congress
as Arnold was stepping down upon the pavement in front of the Capitol which
you must remember well -- he was assailed by the Major Heard --
Having a walking stick in his hand he turned and at the first
blow knocked down -- he struck him several times --
Heard finally rose up, drew a pistol from his pocket -- fired
and Struck Arnold upon the left arm -- inflecting a flesh wound --
Arnold then drew the sword from the cane and commenced upon
him -- He cut his face all to pieces so that he was the most horrible
looking object that could be presented to the view -- literally mangeled --
Arnold then knocked him down beat him over the head awhile and was just in
the act of running his sword through as his arm was arrested and he was
taken off.
Everyone almost rejoices that it has to resulted -- friend and
foe and had Stanbery done the same -- it would have been a night of
rejoicing.
No man is safe here now adays -- the capitol of America has
become a place of corruption and bloodshed -- and object of disgust to
those who may chance to visit here.
Very little business is doing in either house this Stanbery
matter has engrossed every thing here --
Our Convention adjourned on the 12th -- We had a very plesant
time indeed --
Three hundred & twenty members were in attendance -- Many fine
speeches were delivered an address and various resolutions prepared all
which will be published in phamplets form and distributed throughout the
country --
Miss E is here and looks as blooming as a May flower -- She
attracts much attention and appears to be enjoying herself exceeding
well --
I shall leave this on tomorrow and return immediately home -- I
intend visiting Philadelphia but shall know but when I get to Baltimore.
I remain with assurances of respect &c.
In haste}
Yours John M. Creed
JM Creed
End Notes:
1. Doctor Lewis Wolfley: Seen as attached to US Naval Asylum,
Philadelphia, as an assistant surgeon, 1839.
2. The Houston case: “On the evening of April 13,
1832, on the streets of Washington, [Samuel] Houston thrashed William Stanbery,
United States representative from Ohio, with a hickory cane. The assault
resulted from a perceived insult by Stanbery over an Indian rations contract.
Houston was soon arrested and tried before the House of Representatives.
Francis Scott Key served as his attorney. The monthlong proceedings ended in an
official reprimand and a fine, but the affair catapulted Houston back into the
political arena.” (Source:
Handbook
of Texas Online)
3. William Stanbery (1788-1873) — of Newark, Licking County, Ohio. Born in
Essex County, N.J., August 10, 1788. Lawyer; member of Ohio state senate,
1824-25; U.S. Representative from Ohio 8th District, 1827-33; censured by
the Congress for use of unparliamentary language, July 11, 1832. Died in Newark,
Licking County, Ohio, January 23, 1873. Interment at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newark, Ohio.
4. John M. Creed: From Fairfield County Ohio. Speaker of the Ohio House of
Representatives, 2 Dec 1833-30 Nov 1834.
5. John
H. Eaton: At various times, a Senator, U.S. Cabinet member, Governor, &c.
He was Jackson Republican, aka Jacksonian.
6. Andrew Jackson, President, 1829-1837
7. Intelligencer:
A. The Intelligencer Journal, Lancaster Ohio, established in 1796.
B. The National Intelligencer, Washington, DC, established 1800.
8. Col Benton: Colonel Thomas Hart Benton (1782-1858), U.S. Senator, once brawled with
Andrew Jackson and wounded Jackson at the Nashville Tennessee’s City Hotel, 4 September
1813.
9. Mr. Arnold:
Thomas
Dickens Arnold.
10. Major Heard: Morgan A. Heard
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