(Lyon-Griswold Dispute) | Riotous and Disorderly Behavior in the House of Representatives

(Lyon-Griswold Dispute)

Three Congressional Reports on the Fight Between Matthew Lyon and Roger Griswold on the Floor of the House of Representatives in 1798

Report of the Committee of Privileges, to whom was referred … a Motion Relative to the "Expulsion from this House, of Matthew Lyon, for a Violent Attack, and Gross Indecency committed upon the person of Roger Griswold." [Philadelphia, 1798]. (ESTC W27315; Evans 34757; Sabin 42862) — The Testimony given before …the House of Representatives … in relation to a report of their Committee of Privileges. [Philadelphia: Printed by Joseph Gales?, 1798]. (ESTC W27314; Evans 34760) — Report of the Committee of Privileges [on] a Motion for the Expulsion of Roger Griswold and Matthew Lyon … for Riotous and Disorderly Behaviour. [Philadelphia: Printed by William Ross?, 1798]. (ESTC W21880; Evans 34759)

Together 3 pamphlets, 8vo (each ca. 225 x 138 mm). Some very minor browning at edges, inkstain to one title. Housed together in a half red morocco slipcase, chemise.

Three contemporary reports printed by order of the House of Representatives regarding the "Riotous and Disorderly Behaviour" of two Congressional pugilists. On February 15, 1798, Roger Griswold, a U.S. House Representative from Connecticut, attacked Matthew Lyon on the floor of the House of Representatives. Griswold, a Federalist, walked up to Lyon’s desk hitting him about the head and shoulders with his hickory walking stick. Lyon, a Republican from Vermont, responded by grabbing a pair of fireplace tongs and beating Griswold back. A brawl ensued and the men threw fists before other Congressional members pulled the two apart. 

Griswold’s attack was not unprovoked. It followed weeks of bitter turmoil on the floor of Congress over an earlier confrontation between the two men. On January 30, Lyon, a staunch anti-federalist, accused the Connecticut representatives of ignoring the interests of their constituents for their own profit. Griswold took this as a personal insult on his character and retaliated by questioning Lyon’s war record during the Revolution, calling him a coward (Lyon had been temporarily dishonorably discharged from the Continental Army). Lyon’s response was to spit tobacco juice in Griswold’s eye.