Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-04-27

nate. given on the trial OF Samuei nou'lo", W."
pending in the House Of Representatives,
ALEXANDER BucxNIR. Senator OF the United
States from the State OF Missouri, was sworn 10
behalf Of the accused, and testified as follows,
viz:
Question. by the accused. Were you in COM
pany with the accused previous to. and at the
time Of, meeting with Mr. Stanberyl If yea state
the circumstances that preceded aud occurred at
the meeting.
.4nsuer.-On the evening of the 18th, think
after tea was over. at my boarding house, step-
ped into the room Of Mr.. Grundv; We sat there
conversiug for a few moments. Gov. II. enter
ed the outward door. and passed down the pas.
sage intending as thought to pass the door OF
Mr.. Grundy, which was partly open at that time.
As he came opposite the door. he halted and look
ed in. spoke to him. and asked him into the
room; We INDUCED a while IN idle, playful con-
versation. Mr.. Blair, who was IN the adjoining
room, in few minutes stepped in also. Gov.
Houston was relating some anecdotes, which nc.
cupied our attention some fifteen or twenty mi
nutes, when Mr.. Blair and myself rose to retire.
We walked out of the room, it being very line
evening, and turned carelessly towards the out
ward door, not having any particular object IN
view. Gov. Houston came alter Us, add as he
stepped out Of the door, took each of us by the
arm; one on each side Of him. and bore US up the
Avenue.
We continued in light conversation. walking
slowly, till we came to the cross street which
runs up to the city Hall, across the avenue at
the end Of the brick pavement; when he got to
that place, MIR. Blair observed that we had gone
Tar enough; we had gone half way with Houston,
and that to be polite he ought to go back with US.
Houston answered no; saving, think, that he
had company, and must go back. At that time
we all laced about, Houston was rather in the
rear, Mr.. Blair little in the advance on the
right After we faced about Mr.. Blair moved
off very briskly without waiting for NE to 20 with
him. | was surprised at this movement, and ask.
| ed Houston what makes Blair move of so FAST
Houston was standing not directly facing the pa
ings. but rather quaI,erlng towards ii, and quar-
| terins to me; without answering my question he
appeared to shift the position OF his feet. ! saw
nothing at the time but soon discovered gen
tleman coming across the Avenue, and pretty
near to us and near to the pavement; al the time
did not recognize the individual when first 90.
served him, but as he approached nearer and was
in the act Of putting In, foot upon the pavement,
| discovered it 10 be Mr.. Stdnberv
| 1t occurred immediately to me that there would
| Ue ulihSul'S uetWccU tlcHis HdStHS
previously that there had been dissatisfaction be.
tween them. Houston did not reply to my ques-
| ton. As Stanbery approached nearer, he ap-
peared to halt in the place. Houston asked if
that was Mr.. Stanberry: he replied, very polite.
| ". and bowling at the same time. ''Yes, sir;''
then, said Houston, you are the damned rascal;
and with that struck him with a stuck which he
held in his hand. Stanbery threw up his hand-
over his head and staggered back; his hat fell off,
and he exclaimed, son, don't" Houston con,
tinued to follow him up and continued to strike
him. After receiving several blows, Stanbery
turned. as thought 10 run off Houston at that
poment sprung upon him in the rear, Stanbery's
arms hanging down, apparently defenceess. He
seized him and attempted to throw, but was not
able to do so. Stanbery carried him about on the
pavement some little time. whether he extricated
himself or Houston thrust him from him, | am not
able to determine. thought he thrust him from
him; as he passed hm.he struck him and gave him
trip, Stanbery fell, when he fell he sill CONT
nued to haoo; indeed he haloed all the time
pretty much, except when they were scuffling.
saw Stanbery, after having received several
blows, put out both hands in this way, he then
lying On his back. did not discover what was
in his hands. or If any thing vas; heard sound
like the swapping of gun lock, and saw parti-
cles OF fire. Houston appeared 10 take hold OF
Stanbery's hands and took something from them,
which could not see. After that, Houston stood
up more erect, still beating Stanbery with stick
over the head arms, and sides. Stanberry still
kept his hands spread out. After Houston's Civ
ing HIM several blows. he lay on his back aud pu,
up his feet Houston then struck him elsewhere
Mr.. Stanbery, after having received several blows.
ceased to halOo, and lay, as thought perfectly
still All this time had not spoken to either of
the parties, or interfered in any manner what.
ever. now thought Stanbery was badly hurt
or perhaps killed, from the manner in which he
lay. stepped up to Houston to tell him to de-
sist, but without being spoken TO, he quit of his
accord.
Mr.. Stanbery then got up on his feet, and |
then saw the pistol in the right hand of Governor
Houston for the first time; some alteration pass
ed between them: Houston observed that he had
taken the pistol from Stanbery. Mr. Stanbery,
about that time, asked Houston I" why he attempt.
ed to assassinate him in the nighl?" Houston re-
piled, he had not attempted TO assassinate him,
but had chasfised him TOR having traduced his re-
ttlttA 81 a..