Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-07-20

Foul Assassination.

Foul Assassination.
We learn from the Petersburg Express, that :
diabolcal attempt to assassinate Mr.. Henry Bird
song and son, of Sussex county was made on FIJI
day night last. The affair appears to be yet In
volvei in considerable mystery, but as several ar
rest have been made, we have no doubt the tan
ged web will be fully unraveled in due time
lit seems that Mr.. Birdsong and his little son,
lad some twelve years of age. retired to rest I'm
day night, both occupying one bed, and that bee
situated near a window in the chamber. Mrs
Birdsong was absent from home, being on vlsl
to married daughter in the neighborhood. Some
time during the night, Mr.. Birdsong was aroused
by the shreks of his little son, and thinking that
the child had probably been frightened by dreams
he turned over in bed for the purpose of attempt
inc to pacify him. In moving. he discovered tina
| he had been wounded himselfy and upon examin
ING his child, found that one of the poor little fel
lows legs had been torn off near the thigh, ant
that the other was horribly lacerated, by gun
shot wound. 1t seems that the child was resting
near the window and that in firing upon the sleep
less and unotfending inmates of the chamber, the
vile assassin placed the muzzle of the gun uea,
the childs legs. Upon examination it was dis
covered that no less than seventeen shot had
penetrated the abdomen of Mr.. Birdsong land thlr-
teen shot were found embedded in the fleshy part
of his arm. The child fingered, in great agony,a
few hours after receiving the injuries, when death
put an end to his sufferings. Mr.. Birdsong was
alive Sunday afternoon, in full possession OF his
mental faculties, but suffering intense pain from
his wounds -Four negro men and servant girl,
belonging to Mr. B., have been arrested upon the
charge of aiding and abetting the foul deed. The
girl usually slept in the house, and after being ar
rested, confessed that she had clandestinely con-
viewed Mr.. Birdsong's shot gun out of the house
Friday night, and placed it in corner of the
chimney, where one of the negro men found 1t,
but she doggedly refused to disclose the name OF
the man at whose instigation she stole the gun
Richmond Times Of 18th.
The condition of Mr. Birdsong had slightly i'm
proved Tuesday evening, up to which period the
Petersburg Express has advices from the scene OF
the late tragedy. One of the negro men under ar
rest had acknowledged that he committed the foul
deed but we are left wholly in the dark. as to the
causes which led to the commission of crime so
dastardly and horrible. The mother and sister OF
the murderer are, it is reported, also implicated,
aud the probability is that all will undergo the
penalty which they have so justly but so Fl 'ndlsh-
iy incurred.-Times Of 18th.
o. The Hon. James Maurice, Democratic
member of Congress from the State of New YORK,
has addressed circular to his constituents, which
may be regarded as formal declaration OF war
against Gen. Pierce's administration. Mr.. Maui
rice is one of the leaders of the Old Hunkers or
Hard-shells, and his manifesto, no doubt, embod
les the general sentiment of that wing of the par
ty. We quote an extract from his address:
at is not requisite | should dwell on any spe
c;al circumstances connected with the formation
of the present national administration for :hey are
matters of history, widely known and likely to he
long remembered nGr assume the prophets PRIV
ilege, and predict any consequences from them;
these are coming of themselves, fast enough to
render such an effort equally unnecessary and pre-
sumptious; nor say much on the policy, as it is
called, of consolidating the democratic party by
the bestowal of places of great influence trust and
profit, on unmistakeahle specimens OF every fac
ton that has of late years threatened to disturb the
peace of the country. These topics can be treated
more satisfactorily at another time, and If need be
will then enlarge upon them. For the present
it will be sufficient to observe that if had bellev-
ed it possible that the nominee of the last Batl-
more Democratic Convention could lend himself
to the furtherance of faction North or South my
name would not have been presented for your suf-
ferages. find 1the great body Of The american
people had mol been deceived into his support, as
icas, Gen. Pierce ,could still be predicting ttc at
Concord, and illustrating by turns the politics and
The jurisprudence of JNsw Hampshire. have too
high a respect for the office of Chief Magistrate
of this republic, and am too willing to yield to
its possessor that respect the office itself deserves.
to say more at this time on this subject"
This is the language Of a distinguished Demo
crat-of a man who voted for Pierce, and who, Of
course, desires the success of his administration
When such men are heard declaring that the peo-
pie were deceived in the last Presidential canvass
and that but for this deception Gen. Pierce would
now be practising law at Concord, the defenders
of the President will find it difficult to convince
the country that the structures of the Wing press
are without any foundation in justice, and should
be ascribed solely to blind and actious spirit of
opposition.
The Herald states that Mr.. Maurice is not to
be alone in his revelations, but that at least two
other Hard-shel members intend coming out in
similar irculars-Richmond Times.