Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-04-23
WHOLE NO. 264.
Correspondent Of The n. Y. Journal Of Commerce.
TRIAL OF LAWRENCE.
NAsHIsorov, April Il'h, 1885.

AsHINorov, April Illh, 1885.
The trial of Richard Lawrence on nm
indictment for an assault upon the Pre-
s'dent Of the United States, with intent
To Kill. took place to-day, before tho
Circuit Court for this District.
Present-Chief Justice Cranch, and
Justices Morel and Thurston.
Counsel for the United States, MIR.
Key; Attorney for tie prisoner, w. l..
Brent.
4 Lawrence was allowed to take n seat
by The side Of his counsel lie was dres-
sed with great nentness, and appeared
TO be a remarkably gentlemun-like and
handsome young man.
Prior TO the commencement Of any
proceeding, Lawrence rose and address
sed the Court to the following effect -
81 am under the prote cti0n Of my father
at home. The Throne Of Great Britain
and the Throne of this country of right
belong to me. am superior to this tri-
bunal. ask you 10 consider whether
Ito consider whether you are safe in
your course of proceedings" Many
other things to the like purpose, said the
prisoner, with great dignity and address
of manner.
Judge Cranch reminded him that he
would be heard, through his counsel,
and requested him to take his seat.
MIR. Brent rose TO make single sug-
gestion to the Court. II was evidently
impossible 10 proceed in the case, while
the prisoner was present, and he hoped
he would be permitted to retire.
Judge MorrelI saw no reason, he said,
for so extraordinary n Course. Tho
Court declined the adoption of Mr..
Brent's suggestion.
The Jurors were called, and several
Iy sworn. When the first man took the
book for the purpose Of swearing, the
prisoner rose and said-"Swear on that
hook, but remember that | am King Of
England, and ofthis country, and will
most assuredly punish you"
The Court requested, and finally COM
manded the prisoner TO be silent and sit
down, to which the prisoner replied, g"
will not"
1t soon became evident that the pri-
soner was not TO be inundated. His
counsel persuaded him 10 sit down, and
the Deputy Marshal stood by him to
keep him quiet
The Jury being at length cmpannel-
led, Mr.. Key opened the case on tina.
part of the prosecution. He said il
would perhaps be necessary to lay be-
fore them brief and plain statement Of
the facts which he should attempt to
prove, as there had been many rumors in
circulation on the subject. The prison.
er was charged with an assault, with in
tent to kill and murder the Chief Magis-
trate of the United States. The indict-
ment contained two counts. The first,
an attempt to kill and murder Andrew
Jackson; and the second was a more
particular designation of the manner and
instruments of the attempt. The counts
were the same in import. This was an
offence which, by our laws, is merely Il
misdemeanor, and is punishable only by
fine and imprisonment. The accused
was to be treated, and he has been treat
ed, in the same manner as if the assault
had been made upon the most humble
citizen Of this community. The Const-
tuition set no guard around the person OF
the President but the patriotism Of the
people, their good sense, and their love
of order. The circumstances of this as
sault we're a sufficient proof that no dam
ger was to be anticipated from this
course. Freeing their minds, therefore,
from all anxiety on this subject, the Jury
would consider the case without looking
to the official station Of the individual
who was the subject Of the assault. The
evidence which he should adduce, went
10 show, that on a public occasion, a
large concourse Of citizens and officers
Of the Government were assembled ut
the Capitol, and that among them was
the President Of the United States
That the prisoner went thither armed
with two pistols, well charged with
powder and ball, and placed himself in
situation in which he fattered himself
he could effect bis purpose with the ut
most certainty. One Of the pistols was
aimed at the President, and attempted
10 be fired; the percussion cap exploded,
but did not ignite the powder; he then
dropped this pistol and presented anotb-
sr, and attempted to discharge il with
ike nnsuccess. The friends Of the
President Immediately seized the priso-
,er, but did him no injury, and put no
Iurther restraint upon his person than
was necessary to place him in custody.
lie was brought before the Chief Mag
stra,e. Witnesses Of the assault were
examined. The prisoner heard The tcs-
imony. and mo- man could have exhibited
more caImness and compo-ure, than he