Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-05-01
VOL. XXVIEs.---No. la1.

Question by the oeetsed-Werc you in company with
the accused previous TO, and at the time Of meeting with
Mr. Stanbery: IL yea, state the circumstances that pre-.
cedeG and occurred at the meeting.
9nStcer-On the evening Of the 18th, think after tea
was over at my boarding house. stepped into the room
oil Mr. Grundy; we sat there conversing for few mo-
ments Gov H. entered the outward door, and passed
down the passage intending thought TO pass the door
OF Mr. Grundy, which was partly open at that time AS
he came opposite the door, he halted and looked In.
spoke to him, and asked him into the room INDUCED
while in idle, playful conversation. Mr. Blair who was
10 the adjoining room in few minutes stepped in ALSO
Gov. Houston relating anecdotes which occu-
pied our attention some fifteen twenty minutes, when
Mr. Blair and myself rose TO retire We walked out of
the room, 1t being very fine evening, aud turned
essy towards tue outward door, not having any particu
lar object in view. Gov Houston after us and as
he stepped out OF the door, took each OF by the arm
on each side OF him, and bore up the Avenue Wo
continued in light conversation, walking slowly till came
TO the cross street which up the City Hail. across
the Avenue the the brick pavement; when we rot
to that place. Mr. Blair observed that we had gone far
enough we had gone half way with Houton and that TO
be polite he ought TO go back with Houston answer
ed no; saying, think, that he had cornpanv and must
go back AT that time we all faced 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 brisky without waiting for me 10 go with him.
was surprised at this movement, and asked Houston
what makes Blair so off so fast Houston standing
not directly facing the pangs but rather quartering
towards ii, and quarering TO Inc; without answer
ing my question, he appeared to shin the position of
his ieet saw nothing at the time, but discover
ed gentleman coming across the Avenue, and pretty
near to us, and near 10 the pavemcn the time did
recognize the individual when FIST observed him
but as he approached near and in the act Of put
ting his foot upon the pavement, discovered it be
Mr. Stanbery 1t occurred Immediately ,ne that there
would be difficulty between them, having understood
previously that there had been dissatisfaction betveers
them Houston did not reply to my question. As STAN
berry approached nearer, he appeared halt in his place
Houston asked if that Mr. Stanberv he replied very
politely and bowling at the same time, eyes sir " then.
said Houston you the damned rascal and with tina,
struck him with stick which he held in his hand STAN
berry threw his hands his head and staggered back
his hat fell off, and he exclaimed sob, dont Houston
continued TO follow him up, and continued strike him.
Alter receiving several severe blows, Sanbery turned,
thought to run off, Houston that moment sprung up
him in the rear, Stanberys arms hanging down appa
reny deienceess He seized him and attempted to-
throw but not able to do Stanberv carried him
about on the pavement some little time, whether he
treated himself Houston thrust lin from him. am not
able to determine. thought he thrust him from him
he passed him. he struck him and gave him trip STAN
berry ie when he fell he continued halloo indeed he
haoea all me time pretty much, except when they were
sculng. Stanbey after having received several
blows put out both hands in this way he then lying his
back did not discover what was in his hands, if any
thing was; but heard sound like the swapping gun
lock- and saw particles of fire. Houston appeared take
hold OF Stanberys hands and took something from them,
s f0S not see After that Houston stood up more
ana SIDES Sanbery still kept his hands spread out After
iiousons giving him several Other blows he Law ON b;s
back and put up his feet, Houston then struck him else
where. Mr. Stanbcry, after having received several
blows ceased to halloo, and lay thought perfectly
still All this time had spoken TO either of the par,
es or intericred in any whatever now tbouoht
Stanbery badly hurt or perhaps killed from The nan
ner in which he lay. stepped up 10 Houston to tell him,
oesis Dq without being spoken TO, lac quit of his own
accord Mr. Stanbery then got up his feet and then
saw the pistol III the right hand of governor Houston
Tor he hrst time; some alteration passed between
mem; houston observed that he had taken the pis-
'ol from Stanbery. Mr.. Stanbery about that time
asked Houston 'why he attempted to assassnate him
IN The night - Houston replied ''he had not attcmp-
ca 10 ass3ssnae hin but had chassed him for having
raduced his reputation. BY this time crowd had qah
GTed round and some person. do not know who spoke to
Housionltouston replied 'hat he attended 10 his bns
ness, and that he had cAassed damned scoundrcl if
he had offended the law he would for what he had
done" lie repeated ''thot he had dsarmed him, and
borne of his pistol Houston then walked off and left
me; then after standing for few moments walked off
and Ieit stanbeTy standing with the crowd | saw no
more Of i.
Question by The accused.-Is the stick now slIewn to-
YOU tue one used by the accused on that occasion?
4nSIcer.-I think it is
Question by The accused-Had you any, and what pre-
vious acquaintance with the accused!
ilsCer-l had acquaintance with the accused I'M
III my arrival in this city during his session of Congress
in the latter part of the winter 1t wa that rtime1 first
saw Coy liouston; think he introduced TO me by
Judge Grunly, or by some one in Judoe Crnn's rom,
Since that time have him but rarely and have no
/ intimacy or acquaintance with him. met and passed
Gov Houston as gentleman who had been introduced
/ TO me as such by my friends.
Question by the Gccuscd.-Did any thing pass while
you were with the accused, indicating any intention on
his part TO way-lay, to attack Mr. Stanbery? Or did
the meeting appear to you to be sudden and unexpect-
.4ns,cerNothing Of that nature passed between us.
Gnhcr then or at any other time had no idea that
Houston had any intentions. at that time TO attack Mr.
Slanbery or any body else, and being together
entirely accidental; and believe the ineeuV of Mr..
Stanbery and himself entirely accidental there was
no lying in wait in the all. If we had not made
halt as we did, Gov Houston would have been 20 or 80
steps m advance of the crossing of Stanbery and would
have missed him altogether.
question by he COmmittccWas the siick or budceon
now presented to you split and fractured the time Of the
ASSAULT
Hsicer.-I had not previously yamned the stick bu,
The @ blow or two did not indicate by the sound that
was fractured; after twas became very evident hat
/ 1t was So by the sound of the blow.
Question by Mr.. Burd.--iIow many blows during the
renconlre, according 10 your estn1on did the accused
inlet on Mr. Stanbery with the stick he then and there
held in his hand1
fnstcer.I really did not them, nor am able TO
say with accuracy, but ne gave him great many.
Question By Mr. Slade.--Of what timber is the cano
with which the blows inflicted on Mr.. Stanberyl
] .dHsWeT.-I believe il is young hickory.
Question By Mr. Aruold.-How long did YOU remain in
! Mr.. Grundy after Houston came ini
i Ans'oer-I suppose, perhaps about twenty thirty
minutes.
! Question ~ Mr.. Slado.-I3 or ia not the cano with
which the blows inflicted apparently loaded at tho
lower enG
.Gnstcer.I should presume not than with an or
binary fcrrule Oh the outside.
uENRF UAw, witness tls part Of the accused was
sworn aud testified az follows, viz
Question by me Gccued-Are you acquainted with the
handwriting Of William Prcndss2 II yea. the affidavit
Of Luther Blake, shewn TO you, in the said Prens'
hand-writiinc2
.fnsWsr.-l am acquainted with the hand writing. I
should say it wasI mean Of The body OF the af
fdavit
Question 6y The occUsed.--Are you acquainted with
Tuftp ,Vho ne ri