Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-04-28
lHONIESTIC.
TRIAL OF RICHARD LAWRENCE
ieutenant Gednev examined.

(Conduded)
Lieutenant Gedney examined.
By Mr.. Key.-At the time of the assault was entering
the door of the Eastern portico, going into the Rotunda;
/ observed the President with Mr.. Woodbury. they had
advanced two or three steps from the door; observed some
movement in the crowd; turned my eye and saw this
man with n pistol; | seized him by the shoulder and rot
him down. he dropped the pistol there were two; Mr.
Burd had the pistols; some FIVE or six persons seized the
prisoner, and l then lost sight of him; examined the pis.
tolls, with MIR. Burd; did so with a pencil-case; both were
loaded; saw nothing further till | saw the prisoner in
court; took one pistol, Mr.. Burd the other; examined
them both directly; saw but the first discharge; the pistol
was apparently aimed at the President.
By Mr. ". L. Brent.-Was ut the distance of eight
feet from Lawrence, and ut about an equal distance from
the President, on the left; was directly between Law.
renee and the President; was n great crowd at the door.
by a Jmror.-Had hold Of him at the time he snapped
the second pistol.
Mr.. Secretary DiekersOn re-eramiaed by Mr.. Breat.-
The President spoke angrily to those who prevented him
from getting at Lawrence; said, " Let Inc alone let me
alone !! Reconect hearing him also say, he knew
where this came front" Understood he did saw moro
Mr.. Hunter, 0he Marshall examined.
By.h Key-Seized the prisoner had been ia attend
ance in the Supreme Court; perceived q crowd pushed
through 1t, and took the prisoner, without knowing what
he had done; this was a few moments after he had been
disarmed; brought him down before Judge Cranch ~"as
present on his examination am quite sure sre pistols
now in Court are the same they wer- 'harked al the
time. T~o
nv. Burd's evidence, wtnch had been taken before
Judge Cranch, by consent of the prisoners counsel, to
allow Mr.. b. to return home, was nov given by the no.
norable Judged
f
TO be the same they were marked on the breech; he
was asked if they were in The same condition as when
taken from Lawrence, and said, yes; both were loaded.
Mr.. Hunter continued These were the same pistols;
saw the bullet extracted by a ramrod, believed by Mr..
Blair 1.-THE ball and powder were produced.] There
wasa patch on the ball; the pistol was charged in the
usual way; there were other percussion caps, balls, &c,
found in the prisoners trunk; also in his pocket; saw the
powder in the other pistol took one ofthe caps found ON
Lawrence, and fired that pistol; the ball passed through
one plank, and nearly buried itselfina second, some yards
beyond.
r. L. NJ ,... ...s -
casion; tried several times with the other pistol, and was
surprised that il did not 20 off; but found the reason to be,
that there was nothing III 1T; the powder and ball having
both fallen out.
By NJ. Byent.-Mhen Lawrence was conveyed from
the Capitol, in the hack, he appeared perfectly collected;
said his reason for the act was. that The President had
killed has father that his influence was so great, that he
got every one to pefsecote mis- father, so hattie died poor.
by a JuyOr.-Do not think he said then, how long
his father had been dead; he said he could not account
for the pistols not going of, unlessit was its being n damp
day; that he could kill a man at ten PAGES with them.
1.-THE witness related some further particulars as to the
uial OF the pistols, IN the presence of MIR. Key and Ma
Jor Donelson, which were not distinctly heard.
Lieutenant GcdRey re-e1aained by Mr.. BreRk-Was of
opinion that the cap did not explode the second time.
Mr.. Hunter further o'aminedb by NJ. key-Both pistols
were without caps; but a portion of the cap always re-
mains on the hammer; the pistols we're in possession of
Judge CFanch for a short time; but since then have been
in my possession.
Judge Crunch examined Jy M. Key-The prisoner on
the occasion of his first examination did not seem to at
tend very particularly to the evidence given; his man
ncrs were cool; but he seemed Indifferent; do not recol-
lect the prisoners remark as TO proof being necessary of
his identity, after the examination of the first witness.
believe he was asked if he wished to put any question,
after the examination Of each witness; he did not APP
pear absent in mind, but rather regardless of what was
going on; on one occasion did say, 81 cannot contradict
what the gentleman has said"
The foregoing evidence having been gone through on
the part of the prosecution,
Mr.. w. l.. Brent asked permission for the prisoner 70
leave the Court. IL was painful to all that he should
remain; particularly so TO himself, as counsel; and the
law did not require his presence.
IaWrpnCp flpp rnca and adIraueoH bfp,rc1f ,t1d1- L.
the Judges; what he had done 10 Jackson, was or ac-
count Of money which he owed him; he had come there
for that purpose, he considered all in that court as under
him; the United States Bank had owed him money ever
since 1909, that he wanted his money; hc must have his
revenue from that bank. You are under Iec, gentlemen.
lmr. Woodward, the Deputy Marshal, endeavoring to
prevail on him TO resume his seat, he turned round, in.
dignantly, and said, " Mr.. Woodward! mind your own
business, or | shall treat you with severity ~ 1t is for
me, gentlemen, TO pass upon you, and not you upon me.
Mr. Brent again appealed to the feelings Of the Court
to spare itself, and the jury, This painful exhibition, by
permitting Lawrence TO depart in custody Of the Mar
shall Why should the prisoner be detained on this any
more than on similar occasions. lie felt, for his own
part, that he could not do justice to the cause Of the
prisoner if he sat beside him; the very fact, that he
should take a course in the defence Of the prisoner with
which he was displeased, would prevent il. lie hoped
the honorable counsel for the prosecution would permit
Lawrence to leave the Court.
MIR. Key said, he hoped il was not understood that nc
objected to that course he was neutral on the subject,
he had himself no power 10 grant him leave to depart.
The Court was Of opinion that Lawrence should re-
main until proven TO be insane. He would, howe cr. be
permitted 10 withdraw, if it was his own wish 20 to do.
lThe unfortunate maniac again started up, and denied
the power Of the Court 10 try him he was his own man.
he said, and would have his revenue.
MIR. Brent endoavored, and successfully, to soothe
Lawrence, by telling him he should have his rights.
"Ay, bat when - To-day, replied his counsel; and he
sat down, contentedly, on this assurance
Mr.. Brent said, he thought it quite unnecessary, after
the able exposition ofthe law Oftha case, which had been
given by the Counsel for the United States, to trouble
the Court or Jury with any further remarks on that sub.
joct be subscribed fully TO the principles laid down by
that learned gentleman; al that remained was. 30 provo
that the mind Of this unfortunate man was in = state Of
morbid deiusion. lie would proceed 20 call Witnesses for
this purpose.
Mr.. Redfern sworn.
Examined by M BreHt-Iayo known Lawrence for
sixteen years; i married his sister; first observed n
change in him in 1888; in the fall oflS32, he Ien Wash.
ington, with the intention, az he said, Of going to Eng.