Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-02-26

both called upon him and endcavorcd 70 induce him
to promugaic the fact He however felt it due TO those
who had repeated the circumstances his authority
give the statement definite and authentic shape and
he voluntarily made and sent the affidavit given below
to the President
Mr.. Foy had ALSO Immediately after the event ut the
Capitol, mentioned to Of his acquantances that he
had seen Lawrence 90 repeatedly To Pondcx crs resi-
dencc; and understand under the advice of MIR Colt
"a member OF the City Council gave the fact the
form Of an affidavit and had it delivered the President
as the person most interested in the evidence.
These circumstances, which were known To many per-
sons in this city, Qor many called the President
see the deposluons and they shown to all who de-
sired to sec tEem found their way into the given
by the letter writer's in this city the journals in the
neighboring cities Mr. Southworth spondcnt for
New York print had heard the rumors repeated by Mr.
Pearce, of Rhode Island and he communicated them in
letter. This led TO the correspondence which given
below, and explains itsclf-and upon which MIR. Poin-
dexter has founded his application for committee
make report upon the subject
With regard to this procedure, have only TO say
that is certainly unusual, fno absolutely without pre-
cedent. The implication which it seems MIR. Poindex-
ter fears may affect him personally has not the slightest
reference to him officially. If the facts given tend in
the slightest degree to bring suspicion upon him. hav
ng stimulated the assault the President, Mr. Clay
supposes, it is matter touching MIR. Ponde xcrs ndi-
vidua conduct for which he is answerabe before the
Judicial tribunals and not his official conduct for which
he is responsible to the Senate. MIR Pondextcr
must have known that it would necessarily be full
ly investigated before the court which sits in this CT
ty next month, when every fact that shed light
upon the act of Lawrence WILL of course, be adduccd
1t is evident, then, that Mr.. Pondexer resolved
bring the esprit de corps of the majority with which he
by getting if possible favorable report from that high
COURT TO foresta and rown down the action of another
and less imposing tribunal What lends countenancc
TO this supposon is that hours before the motion
tor committee made, ballots for the members
compose it, distributed among that portion of the
Senate with whom MIR. Pondexter has been politi-
cally associated that he himself went from seat
TO seat and held Conversations tcted-tctc with them
and the first ballot resulted in Il committee a ma.
jory of which the personal and political friends
OF Nlr. Pondextcr. This result, which first blush
looks decidedly favorable TO the production of report
not harmonic well with that rule of parliamentary pro-
cecding which requires majority of Committee of
press the inquiry with the utmost scrutiny We are
bound TO believe, however, that the Committee raised
this anomalous affair." will probe the subject the bot
tom, IT they shall feel ii their duty to enter the nqui
ry and that, although selected against rule they will
show themselves superior to the influence which, it
supposed would govern their conduct.-GtoJc.
Copy
SENATE CHAmBER, Feb. Doth, 1885.
SIR: The writer" of the letter published in the New
York papers, duplicating in the attempt of Lawrence
to assassinate the President has given your
his authority for the contained in the letter
referred to- am, therefore, inquire of you by what
authority you authorized that statement;
Your immediate reply is expected, which will be
veyed TO by my friend, Judge Black.
"' . '''' 'O' GEO. PoINDExrER.
Hon. DurEE J. PEARcE.
> 5. = Southwark.
WAsuxGros, Feb. Doth, 1885.
Hon. GEORGE PoISDExTER: Sir-Y our note of to-day
has been put into my hand by Judge Black who has
given the name of the gentleman who the let.
ter published in of the New York newspapers,
which have called my attention. The writer of that
letter has taken the usual humor of the Washington let
ter-wrers and has published more than he autho-
rsed TO publish by Some few days ago, he was in
my room and stated TO him what was, then thought
very generally known, that aidavits had been taken
which; in the opinion OF many, would inpcato you in
the late assault OF Lawrence upon the Presde of the
United Suites, to wit That but few days preceding
that assault it would be shown by the testimony of re-
spectacle witnesses that Lawrence going into
and coming out of your house several times that
were also seen talking with him in the street.
was authorised TO make this statement by two gen.
tlemen, who iellowboarder the Hon Joel X. Mann
and passed midshipman Ward, the first named gentle
man had the afdavs of two Witnesses proving in
substance what have stated. had then the
adavIts, but have since read them and found that what
have noted, nearly | recoect their
tents proved by them. The atlantis said be
tho ufdavits taken before Coltman a member
OF the City Council The OF one of the gentlemen
is Stewart and the other Foy.
am your very ob't servt,
DUTEE j. PEARCE.
The above is the original draft of the letter sent TO
Governor Pondexter. The letter may vary in two
or three words but not TO change the in
way Judge Black has promised me exact copy of
my letter Tomorrow also of my him of the 2st
in which corrected two words in letter Cover
Poindexter; in stating that MIR Goldman was the
Magistrate before whom the affidavs taken and
the other in saying that Gov. Pondexter was seen in
the with Lawrence, instead MS | ought TO have
to by of the whose aidavits have been taken
DUTEE J. PEARCE.
(Copy)
WAsHISGToN, Feb. Dist 1896
SIR Your note of yesterday in reply mine Of the
date accounts for the in which the letter