Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-04-28

20 e0'ch 'HoA 49, "e -
cold; IN the Spring Of the pext year, he started again
to go to New York or Phiiadelphia; he certainly got no
farther than Philadelphia; on his return this lime, he
said the people would not let him go; that this Govern
ment opposed his going; that | and others had prevented
him; that he should not be able TO 20, until he got a
ship and captain of his own; that when he got to Phila-
deiphia, he found all the papers so full about him. that
he was Obliged to come back: Aler this, he remained
IN my house six months, but did nothing said he
had no occasion; that he lived on his people it
was very well for mon such as me to work, but
he had no need; that lie had large claims ON this
Government, which were now before Congress; and
he used to attend Congress regularly; he left my house
IN January 1884, but previous to this, got quarrelsome
with his sister; said the colored pirl laughed at him, and
that he would kill her; hc said that other people also
laughed at him; he struck all his sisters on several occa-
sions, and once took up a four pound weight TO throw at
my wnei 1 nave seen him pass since this time, but never
nave spoken TO hun since 1888. he would 20 about the
mouse without speaking for days together; but would
.iS ana laugh to himself continually in his own cham
Der; 1t was the general impression of the ~neighbors, that
he was insane from the beginning of 1898; his father
died on Capitol Hill think about the year lo2l or ls22
Mr.. Brent inquired of the witness if L.awfence held two
estates in England ron asking Lawrence the names
OF his estates, he replied very gravely, "Tregear and Tin
many! and they were attached to the Crown of Eng
land. The witness, cfcoursc, answered in the negative1
Mr.. ReJern farther stated his belief, that Lawrence
was insane. not merely on one subject. but was suffering
under general arrangement.
by w. key:-On the occasion when Lawrence struck
my wife, l took him before Squire Waters; he told the
magistrate ne had no power over him 10 commit him; do
not recollect having represented him as u inadman; he
has done very little work since 1888; never knew him to
drink.
By 10. Brent-The prisoner is a painter by trade
used to anuse himselfby drawing landscapes, sometimes
till 10 or III o'clock at night.
Samuel Drury Examined.
ByMr Brent.-Have known the prisoner twenty-five
years; tor the last year have observed a change in his
conduct; he would talk to himself continually in his shop;
ne would sometimes say--"d-n him, he does not know
ms enemies; will pat a pistol erect a gallows;" he CON
ceiyed himself TO be King Richard the Third Of England;
and likewise King of this country; this was about the
latter end of last December, or beginning of January;
after that, heard him say, "d-n General Jacksonl who
Is General Jackson On one occasion n black boy call
ed 10 collect n bill, and Lawrence said he would call and
pay IT; but, as soon as the boy left, he said, ''d-n him!
he don't know who he's dunning!" He would stand AZ
the door for hours, wrapt in thought; and even when |
passed him took no notice ofme; he was continually talk
ing to himself, and would now and then burst out into
hts oil laughter; l noticed no particular change in him as
to dress-he was always fond of dress-but ! did in his
conduct and appearance; | have often said he was a crazy
man ana nave heard others say so; have heard the boys
eau nm King Richard; on the morning of his attack on
the President, he came to the shop at the usual time and
went TO a place where | could see him through a parti-
tlon; he was sitting on n chest with n book in his hand.
laughing; l heard soon after the lid of the chest fall, and
heard him say, an be id if don't do it, he then
came out; left the shop, and locked the door.
Blythe CoUrt-Do otknoww what book he was reading;
II was a very small one.
By M. Key-Lawrence has done some little work
within the last twelve month; would converse nationally
on all subjects on which he 1c0uid converse-about
landscape painting; he would not talk on other subjects;
he used the oath mentioned.
John II. Drury examined.
By .hr. BreHt-Am the son of the last witness; know
the prisoner; he appeared to be always by himself. and
wrapt IN thought; always seemed melancholy. would
stand at the door in his cloak in the coolest weather: al.
ways thought him a crazy man.
By Mr.. Key-Never had any conversation with him.
Mr.. Handley Examined.
By Mr.. Brent.-Have known Lawrence for twelve or
fourteen years; when he was a boy; he was apprentssvu
TO Mr.. Howard, n painterin this city; Mr.. H.lsft Wash
lngton, and Lawrence then went as apprentice to Mr..
Clark at Georgetown; knew, howe~er, but little of him
nhul lc2c, when l was engsgeS as u Piasterer at the
National Hotel; was VII pleased with him; he was
and col into b-sIness for himseIf; was always reserved;
had no aeFuaintances; was never seen in a tavern; ne
yer Luown to drink; in the fall of 1888, he left Wash
mgton for New York, with the intention, so he said. of
eihDarklng there for England, where he was goine TO i'm
prove himself in landscape painting; he returned, how
ever, in a few weeks, and said the reason he did moi ~,
was, that the weather was so cold. | noticed n orc9et
change IN his manner from this time; he was evidently
S Snaer some strange Impression; after this, he hired a
purchase one, but was persuaded it would be better ia
hire one; he bought a saddle and bride, however; he
became, also, very fond of dress; would change his dress
three or four times a day; there was not a boot-makcr
who could fit him; and he would stand at the door for
hours and speak to no one; he did no work all that sum.
her, nor during the winter; early in 1884 | was stand
ing near MIR. Redfern's store, when Mrs II. came out
and complained to her husband of Lawrence's conduct.
saying she could put up with il no longer; Mr.. r.. said
nothing; she went in, and Lawrence took her bv the
shoulders, and either pushed or knocked her down;
while she was down, he snatched "a four pound weight
from oil the counter; either myself or Mr.. Redfcrn then
seizcd him; he said he would not 90 to the Jail; that the
magistrate had no power to commit him; he SAID he would
go II Mr.. X. would go. The officer, however, told him he
wonld have a fine room, well furnished, where MIR Wat
kins used to be; lac was pleased, and said he could have
MS paintings thcre, and be very comfortable. lie went
believe, after this. TO reside with another brotler-in.
law at the Navy Yard.
The next place at which / saw him was at Mrs. S,ro.
theirs; il was in the summer of 1899, ] think; ne lelt
Mrs. S~trother's; do not know where he went to; saw him
standing at the shop door, about the first of June last:
l was at that time engaged at Gadsby's buildings his
slsteraPplied To me to endeavor to get him employment;
she was under the impression that lie was deranrcd. but
thought n lie got employment it might settle his mind
l thought so too, and cndcavored to get him work he
came over To me one day, and commenced talking
ABOUT work; ADVISED him to get work; think he said no
one would employ him; told him MIR. Gadsby had been
well pleased with his work before; but advised him TO oo
10 Mr.. furdy, who was now working for MIR. Gadsby: he
appeared not to like to take days work; but | told mimi
was not likely Gadsby would discharge Purdy TO give
hun the Job he agreed to work-but on the morning he
was to come l met him, and he said il was too late as he
could only make three quarters ola day; he went to work.
three weeks; then told Mr.. 7. he could not work for
the same price as other men, and left him I saw him
at WORK again for MIR. PuTdy in November thought he
was deranged, from his conduct and so expressed nv
self to persons in the neighborhood.
by Mr.. Key-Had mol considered him as deraDoed
on all subjects knew that he laid claim to this and The
English Government.
MIR Clark examined.
BY Mr.. Brent,-It was more than eight years since the
prisoner lived with me; lived with me three wears; was
then a remarkable fine boy; rather an exception 10 The
general order of boys; reserved in his manners; hui in.
dustnons, and Of good moral habits; have seen the Young
man repeatedly of late; thought there was a strange DIFF
terence m his appearance and manners during the last
eighteen months; he was always neat and cleanly; but
mad OF late been much given to dress; had worn innsta-
chios, too had thought his mind had undergone Some
had Of late appeared palid, as it now did; and there was
an altered appearance about the eye. had occa,;on 4,