Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-02-07
ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF THE PR

DENT.
We had hoped 10 have been able 10 give full report
Of the foo,sng proceedings IN our PAPER Of ycstrav
but found II impossible. without the risk of Being too
late for the Northern Maill
The prisoner being in Court well dressed young
in-i, about feet inches in aiaturc--
MIR. r hey, (hr District Attorney Generally as soon
as Judge Cranch had taken his scat said that be had Sc
vsr' witnesses present, and mentioned the names of
Mr. Randolph. (Sergeantat-Arms Of the House of Re-
personal---very. Mr.. Woodbury. Mr.. Ornc aud LIEUT..
Judge Cranch-what is the prisoners name.
MI k"y--llc says his is Joseph Lawrence
Slr Randolph was sworn a witness in the case 1
, Nr fancoiph.-lic heard the pistol snapped at the
RESIDENT there were two pistols else double,
Iarsccd pistol; lac did not know which lie asked tic
prisoner The reason why he had acted So and he replied
bccousc the President Lad killed his father lie (Nr
IL cad not see the ASSAULT the Marshal had him m Gus
tody before he the prisoner
ihe Judge informed the prisoner that if lac wished 10
d. So '''' "'''''sS' ne was II iO't'y 10
The prisoner doggcdly replied that these who saw him
10 the act, must he supposed state what they did see
mr. Lew Woodbury. was then communicable would
state what he knew with regard to the act of This un.
,uA9te m2n; lie (Alr W) was passing from the Ro-
tundo. the President. wing hold OF his arm they Ind
Just got the threshold on the eastern portco when
ne ar't noise which sounded like the report of ps
toa lie turned round, and this unfortunate man
Wi'a pistol IN his hand, who them all appearance
Stew another, finding the first did go off sic (Mr
W then seized him by the collar and nj the moment he
u p ,he prisoner discharged the other pistol,
Upied TO ito So for the percussion cap only snapped
ueJudycd that the pistol did 90 OH from the noise
Several persons had got hold of the prisoner when nc
saw him lie had no doubt as to the identity az The
prisoners he had seized him BY the collar and kent his
eyes on him until he secured by other persons and
Then he (Alr W returned to the President He thought
the prisoner -
In reply to question from Mr. Key the witness said
ne was certain the second discharge was aimed at the
PRESIDENT; The President from 6 to feet from the
prisoner Among the crowd who rushed upon him, was
the President himself No language passed betwxt him
self aud The President nor bctwxt him and The
CyrNy ntnrc ia
Mr hingman was next called on as a witness He
was passing from the Isotundo the Eastern por:co-
saw the President walking the right of Mr. Woodbu
ry-heard crack, as IT appeared TO him. of a rifle il
was so loud lie turncd round and saw the prisoner
with pistol in his hand This the first report lie
then locked round TO at what object The s al cold
have been directed; turning again he saw The
ann, or level the pistol either the President or Mr.
woodbury. The witness noticed particularly the brirh-
plosionS.
Mr. kcy-llow the prisoner to the President:
Mr. kmgman about ten feet. lie was satisfied MS
70 ie identify Of The prisoner He had kept his eyes on
him until the Marshal had him in custody
Judge Cranch-Was there any thing more than the
explosion ofthc percussion cap,
Mr.. Kingnan-Nothing more
hlr. Ornle examined. He the second platform
OF steps OF the eastern portco, and the prisoner
make both attempts.
Lieutenant Gedney examined In passing from the
hotundo he saw the President the arm OF Mr. Wood
bnryas soon as they got out to the eastern porco he
saw Inc prisoner pull out pistol which he leyelled AZ
the President; the cap of which snapped and he then
pulled out another lie lr CD rushed on the prisoner
and took away pistol; Mr. Burd took atvnv tLe
other Himself and Mr. Burd had tried the pistol with
pencil, and found that full and that there
was aba init He was certain to the person of the
prisoner
Mn Orme further testified that he held tie nr;sonc
until he was told that it the Marshal who had In
Ken hold OF iIni, and then he gave hi:n up
Judge Crunch, 10 Lieutenant Gcdney-At what dis
lance was tic prisoner from the President;
Lieutenant Gcdney.-About feet, should Judge
MI Di Ecker , WAS next sworn and examined As
ono or two steps OF the Eastern portico; lie heard the
report OF pistol so il appeared him. such ms they
very ocn heard from pocket pistol: He did not see
me man until he saw rush towards him. Aftcr1tLc
man was sezed. he him, deliberately as n man in
MS situation could do, take another pistol and snao
1t at the President. lie was positive az To the idnt;t
me man. there was no person bctwixt the prisoner
and himself The distance of the prisoner from the Pre-
IGe'i was or ssS certainly not more than feet
cupriN tiia' 9us"S' 70" the
The Hon. Dir. Burd was examined He was near tho
Resident heard the snap of cercussoncap and turn
cd his head, the individual then before the court
he prisoner9 dwelling pistol ina.hc direction of the
lreSiient lie (Mr b. rushed upon him. but previous
TO That Lieutenant Gedney had got hold of him He
had ascertaned together with that gentleman that the
pistols Were loaded, and with balls
Mr. Burd produced one of the pistols1
Mr. Burd in reply TO question from Judge Crancl,
sad the barrels of the pistols did not unscrew
The prisoner expressed hope that the pistols MIGHT
Ic kept IN the same condition, they>wcre his own
gunsnitll ordered TO be sent for to draw The
charge OF the pistols, but Mr. Blair the Editor of the
Globe who was present, oihcated and drew the charge
the pistol was loaded with ball
Judge CTanch called for witnesses to the fact
Mr. Key announced such, himself Mr. Blair Con
Hunter and Col. Pope. Mr.. K further said that Tho
arshai had gone for the powder and balls which had
Deeh taken out 81 the prisoners pocket TO if they
cerresPonded with these Of the charge in the pistols
Mr Hurley was sworn and examined The prisoner had
bearded IN the same house with him for three or four
months lac believed he lodged there The prisoner
was By trade house painter Ii was now two months
sn5e he came TO work for Mr. Purdy He (he witncss
ln never heard nun say any thing against the President
ne was man of few words; he never spoke unless he
was spoken to. Ii was four weeks since he len Tho
house of the witncss
Mr. Key said, he did not know that II would be- neccs
sary to cali for further testimony Had the prisoner any
qrcatlons - put 20 the Witness;
The prisoner said he had no questions to put bc had
nothing 10 say the matter
MI Key asked If there had been any thine rc,,arL
BE III the habits of the mani
Mr. furdy testified that there had not been any tlinn
se1rkaDic III his habits, Inc reckoncd to be steady
sober man. -
Judge Cmnch.-Iave you ever heard the prisoner cav
any thing injurious 10 the character of the President
have you ever heard him express feelings Of malice to-
wards himY
The Witness. lie had no conversation with him on
political subjects. 80. -"
Mr. Key said, he had great deal more testimony
winch ne could produce, but presumed he had produced
all that necessary
Judge Cranca, 60 the witness) Do you know any
uing OF INC circumstances Of the prisoners
The Witness lie had not heard Of his beine, e,,har
birth. y
-Dr. Clark examined Tho prisoner had been apnrcn.
ticed 70 him. lie Ind known the prisoner for ten Years
Is christian name was Richard lie had lived with him
counted 10 be Of the finest Youths in C;eorgso,,r
lie had never known any mpuatiou 10 be made o,;st