had he not promised the place to Colonel John Chambers, of
Kentucky, his former aid-de-camp, who had been acting as his private
secretary. The next day Colonel Chambers had occasion to visit
the Department of State, and Mr. Webster asked him if the President
had offered to appoint him Governor of Iowa. "Yes, sir," was the
reply. "Well, sir," said Mr. Webster with sour sternness, a cloud
gathering on his massive brow, while his unfathomable eyes glowed
with anger, "you must not take that position, for I have promised
it to my friend, General Wilson." Colonel Chambers, who had been
a member of Congress, and was older than Mr. Webster, was not
intimidated, but replied, "Mr. Webster, I shall accept the place,
and I tell you, sir, not to undertake to dragoon me!" He then left
the room, and not long afterward Mr. Webster received from the
President a peremptory order to commission John Chambers, of
Kentucky, as Governor of the Territory of Iowa, which was complied
with.

Mr. Clay undertook to insist upon some removals, that personal
friends of his might be appointed to the offices thus vacated, and
he used such dictatorial language that after he had left the White
House President Harrison wrote him a formal note, requesting that
he would make any further suggestions he might desire to submit in
writing. Mr. Clay was very much annoyed, and Mr. King, of Alabama,
making some remarks in the Senate soon afterward which might be
construed as personally offensive, the great Commoner opened his
batteries upon him, saying in conclusion that the assertions of
the Senator from Alabama were "false, untrue, and cowardly."

Mr. King immediately rose and left the Senate Chamber. Mr. Levin,
of Missouri, was called out, and soon returned, bringing a note,
which he handed to Mr. Clay, who read it, and then handed it to
Mr. Archer. Messrs. Levin and Archer immediately engaged in an
earnest conversation, and it was soon known that a challenge had
passed, and they as seconds were endeavoring amicably to arrange
the affair. After four days of negotiation, Mr. Preston, of South
Carolina, and other Senators, acting as mediators, the affair was
honorably adjusted. Mr. King withdrew his challenge, Mr. Clay
declared every epithet derogatory to the honor of the Senator from
Alabama to be withdrawn, and Mr. Preston expressed his satisfaction
at the happy termination of the misunderstanding between the
Senators. While Mr. Preston was speakin