Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-04-24

particular state of mind? In the present cnsc the Prison
e mas committed an assault, certainly with murdcrous
If, under state of total insanity they would then
have to consider what the public safety required if only
under the influence of partial insanity they were then
to examine into the character of the deiuson under
winch the prisoner laboring; to ascertain the con-
neG.oh between The act committed and that delusion;
ana TO see whether il was deluson, and dcuson alone
which had induced the act. He [AIr ) THOUGHT there
might be evidence to show that the man was actually
,huer deluson as to particular subject They would
en have to compare this with the evidence on the other
SIDE and see how far the crime could be considered as
connected with that delusion. No man could have
shown more intelligence, more caution and prudence
throughout the proceedings against him; and further
iey would find, from the evidence be produced on
un part OF The United States, avowal of objects
tally unconneced with the apparent subject Of his de-
nson. lie did not say this to influence the minds of
the jury; he only wished to those means which
would tic adopted by the counsel the part Of the pri
remarkable trial, which occurred not many wears
ago in England seemed 10 have settled the law in such
cases, Mr. X referred TO the of Hadfeld for
ssootng at George III II would be found in Vol 81
o. Howells State Trials The passage he should read
FROM comm need at page 1874 He was perfectly will
ing hasthe law then laid down by counsel of the
prisoner the eminent Erskine shoNld be adopted in the
present case The counsel for the prisoner he was will
ing should have the aid Of the used and used
too, successfully by that great man in the case of Had
field He asked for the adoption of no other rule of law
on the present occasion lie would read few passages
from the trial alluded to- mir X then read am ex,rsct
from the argument of Mr. Erskine, in which he admit
ted that twas not enough TO show delusion to exist in
INC NINA OF the perpeiraor of crime render him dis
waS coiecoh between the delGson and the act
united. MIR. X. further mentioned the case of Edward
Arnold, for shooting Lord Onslow; in which like doc
uihc was laid down. and which referred and
the principle generally admitted by Eskne when plead
ing the cause of Hadfeld.l Mr. K proceeded: 1t was
not every lunatic even wh1 to be held
bic There generoi impression that such was the
case; but il was not Sc there lunacs who were
accountable at particular times.
IT, them the jury should be ofopnion that the prisoner
was at the time of committing the act under delusion.
that that dcluson originated the act he was eerninlv
X \ he'll avad ,lo
nifty would rejoice if it should be found that such was
the case but II II appeared that he violent
temper and capriclonS hunours; that the did not
spring from deusion, but from other causes then they
could not acqut him from the of his crime
lie should lay before them, only the evidence ms 10
,he manner OF the act his appearance and behaviour
before the Judge; but also the Instruments which thew
would see were well calculated to accomplish the pu
pose designed and we'll prepared for it, as they could
have been by any OF intelligence BY the with
dawal of the charge of of these pistols before the
Judge, on The occasion Of his first examination
shown that it consisted of ball well fitted the piece
and n2&aSG OF a very fine quality. The other
RasilE and was fired off without
this This, then, sufficient 10 show 49, pgere NC
no deiccl 10 the instruments their loading and also
ie ueady intent OF the prisoner whch was So honn;
frustrated by Rrovidential nlenfcrence He Knew r.,
all these acts might be done by man of nnaound
mind; but, STILL there were circumstances IN he CO.;
deTed IN TINS case IN which the guilt innocence of the
prisoner must depend the issue whether he ;s nro
perry TO be considered having been accountable hu
man agent at the time he committed the crime MIR X
concluded his remarks 10y saying was unnecessary TO
read'the indictment, inasmuch as it was nothing more
than common law indictment
M Secretary Woodbury. then sworn and ex-
amincd. W "
By Mr Key-On the occasion of the funeral ceremo-
NY WHICH took place in the Hall of Representatives in
consequence of the death of one of IFS members Nv
pavis) attended together with the President and other
olccrs OF the Government had listened m the f,ne,I
service in the Hall left III the President being ON nv
right arm; had passed through the Rotunda and
through the door, where we came rather 10 bnI
} al IL
easioned by the gentlemen who had preceded ms getting
INTO the coaches. We had perhaps passed some two
or or lnTee steps on TO the poroo, when heard noise
IKE the discharge Of pistol was to the left looked
round dircciiy, and there saw n person about six
No IN, e'' niue oDlqney to the left (night not
DC exact as TO 9istance) who Just in the act of
covering his hand when my eye caught him II was tls
prisoner at the bar; him distinctly when turned
an" sa" lle pistol IN his hand presumed he was the
person who had fred it directed towards The Presi
dent; at first, doubted whether was not myself who
aimed at; but that was towards Tho pros;dont
who was my right; turned the President to see &
e was inJured; seeing he turned 10 look for the
prisoner he then the act of aisinp his ,o;
had something IN it presumed it was pistol; was moi
certain whether IT the or another thou0ht no-
baby 1t might be doubebarre pistol; gave pull from
inc PRESIDENTS arm, and sprang the prisoner;
sezed lnn by the collar and that moment the sccond
explosion took place; thought so from the noise Other
persons hnd previously got held of him. which appeared
70 nave putn rather out of his FIRST position they CON
uhued to pull lun, with some violence, in hat
opposite direction.
Seeing lac secured, and that there was reason ,o
beheVe he had no other weapon let 20 nv hold aud
Turned to what the state of the President ofer
the second discharge as thought it, The prisoner vas
dragged forward towards the front Of tie piazza snv, no
more OF hm, until saw him here an hour after fonnd
the President IN the crowd, and went home with him
afterwards went to several magistrates Offices To zee what
ma bccons OF the prisoner; not finding him came 10
TINS roou where he had been brought for examination
IL was suggested that Mr. Burd member had possoq.
sion OF the pistols That gentlemen shortly after ar
nved bringing with him two pistols which were pro
duced should recognize il saw them aoajn Nv Their
general appearance. An inquiry was made If fIe1
were loaded; MIR. Burd or Lieutenant Gcdnev hero
upon tired them, j believe with pencil case if vent
down but Little way an anxiety was expressed en-
the part OF The Court 20 know what was the nature Of
The charge IN the pistol, and an instrument was nm
duccdj presume II had screw at the end and n
ball was drawn out The ball was examined and The
next question was, what below the ball n vas
found to BE- gunpowdcr which poured out and also
examined believe there about the quanitv usual
Tor The charge Of such pistol although am not well
vcfssd in such matters did notice any thing On.
usual or peculiar i'm the Of the prisoner in am
swcr 70 question put by the Court lac said had no an
swer to give saw nothing peculiar in either his answers
or department; although others might perhaps.
Cross. cxa1niutd by Mr. Brept- DO not know Of mo
own knt ledge, whether the pistols are The same; sevc
raj persons had hold q lie prisoner before seized him
and had pushed an ONT Of the position ia which he
fred ho Pt the prs did not OK press any reason
for te act o me but heard had done 50 TO some gen
tl,men on hs way from The Capitol
By JHrcr-li IS my impression that the powder was
loose ia the pistol, not a cartridge.
Mr.. Sec etary Dicker3on examined
By Mr. hcg.- Went wish other gentlemen of the Ca.