The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-01-22

had inlormnd him Of The existence of tho
affidavts. OF course, Shackleiord had no
authority TO offer any such terms or threats
but as lie was very nuch disposed 10 fsrre
IN the business, and thus strengthen him
in the tenure Of his office, he submitted
proposition at once insolent and infamous
| lie was assured, in return, that 10 ones
name would be produced until elter CON
sulaton had been had with The original
| posscssors OF the secret alIidaviis. Shack1
Ie!ord then replied, that he was authorized
10 say that forty eight hours of considcra-
| ton and consultation would he allowed
AFTER which, il the name Of the Informant
we're not yielded, summary action would
be had.
The next day, at very early hour. n
son o, Mr.. John c. Calhoun called on tho
author o the letter as the friend of the
| Hon George Poindexter, and in his behalf
demanded how he knew OF the aifidavits.
and inimaed that unless this call were
complied with, resort would he had 10 a
more summary process for a remedy lie.
at the same time. handed in" missivo
from Gov. Poindexer, which partook at
once of chivalry and snlipeirc.
The author of the letter remained obsti-
natcly mute, refusing TO make use of the
name Of any one and as the affair had at
this period generated an intense excitement,
he was afraid to call upon his informcrs to
sustain him. because he feared that thcv
would deny their former assertions.
In this state Of dilemma, having partially
recoverable bethought himselftha lie would
call on General jackson. So thought. so
done. lie availed himself of an early hour.
and was fortunate enough 10 find the old
soldier at leisure and alone.
Sir, said he. come here on delicate
business | am the author of letter origin.
ally published in New York paper charc-
ing that you are in possession Of ailidavits 10
prove that Kchard Lawrence was employed.
10y Geo. Poindexter to assassinntc YOU. Ills
not in my power to prove the existence of
any such papers and if | cannot make GOOD
the contents of my letter, am irrevocablr
ruined. cannot contend with the Senate;
and unless make out my case, nv repu.n.
ton as mar, and my reputation rs writer
are destroyed. Mr.. President may 1 he
permitted TO ask ifyou possess the aiidayi,s?"
Make Yourself perfectly easy, Young
man" said the General the afiidnyits are
in my possession and here they are. sir :"
At the same instant he drew them from his
pocket, and in IL voice of thunder, while his
eyes flashed fury, he exclaimed 20, Young
man go sir, tell the Senate that Andrew
jackson has the evidence of the Guilt q
George POlndexter and is responsible TO
God, and his country! Take them, sir. if
you desire TO do so. and sustain yo,.r~elf,"
But upon after consideration, he made up his
mind to retain the originals, and suffer cories
10 le taken.
The names Of the original informers we're
now surrendered to the Senate, and select
committee OF investigation was ordered. com
posed of MIR. Silas Wright of New York.
Nr. Willie 7. Mangum, Of North Carolina.
Mr.. Thomas Ewi;.g, of Ohio, and Mr.. John
Tyler, of Virginia.
The committee was in session six davs,
and examined n multitude of witnesses. IL
proved that Lawrence was a maniac who
had taken it into his head that lie was the
monarch Of England, and had come over to
this country to subdue and re posses himself
of his revolted provinces. That he regarded
Gen. jackson as a usurper, and had made
up his mind to aSsassina,e him himself. and
;lus win an impcrishabe rcnown. On all
other subjects, save this of being eniite d to-
thrones, and the possession of kingdoms and
provinces, he was perfectly sane lie was
a painter by occupation, and when about
Gov Poindexter's hotel, was actually Gu
gagged in painting he building. All these
facts were abundantly proved, and the com
mittee reported full acquttance of Gov.
Poindex xter.
Lawrence, after his arrest, went through
an examination, before Justice Cranch. who
ordered him to find bail for his appearance
at court, to answer for the assault, with tho
attempt 10 assassinate. The sum demanded
for his appearance was $500, which was
deemed too small by eager and sycophanti,.
partzans; but 1t was equivalent to eternal
incarceration, as The poor fellow could not
have found any one TO be responsible for him
r the sum OF fifteen shlings.
At the time of the arrest of Lawrence. il
was doubted by many if the pistols wero
loaded, as neither of them went off, To as
certain the fact they were placed in tho
hands of Major Donclson and a company Of
gentlemen, who examined them. They werc
found TO be loaded with ball. slug and buck
shot, and being rccapped went off, and per-
iora,ed Il two inch oak plank, at the distance
oil some ten yards. They were brass-bar-
relied, connected near the breech o. cham.
Der by a screw
Why they did not explode when placed
nj the breast Of Gen jackson, Of course no
one can tell. butit was supposed,as Lawrence
had carried them in his bosom many days,
and as the weather was very warm for The
season, that the warmth of his body had de-
stroyed the percussion cap.
Lawrence was committed to Jail in the
month of February, 1885, and remained shere
many years, when, think, he was conyeved
to the lunatic asylum in Baltimore. When.
| saw him last, he appeared to be happy anil
conlented, and was very husly engaged irg.
parcelliLg out crowns and kingdoms, while
he originated monarchs and despoti.ms.
The Rochester Knocking.