The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-08-18


in particular knew his design; but that he pre-.
sumed 1t was generally known that he intended
10 put the President out OF the way. He further
stated, that when the President arrived at the
door, near which he stood, finding him supported
on the left by Mr.. Woodbury., and observing
many persons in his rear, and being himself ra-
Their 10 the right Of The President, in order to
avoid wounding Mr.. Woodbury. aud those in The
rear, he stepped little to his own right, so that
should the ball pass through the body of the Pre-.
sdent, it would be received by the door frame, or
stone wall. On being asked if he felt no trepida-
ZION during the attempt, he replied not the slight.
est until he found that the second pistol had missed
fire. Then observing that the President was ad-
vancng upon him, with an uplifled care, he
feared that it contained a sword, which might
have been thrust through him before he could
have been protected by the crowd. And when
interrogated as to the motive which induced him
TO attempt the assassination Of the President, he
replied that he had been told that the President
had caused his loss of occupation, and the conse.
quent want Of money, and he believed that To put
him out OF the way was the only remedy for this
evil but TO the interrogatory, who told you this
he could not identify any one, but remarked that
his brother in- law. Mr.. Redeem, told him that he
would have no more business, because he op-
posed to the President, and be believed Redeem
to be in league with the President agains: him.
Again, being questioned whether he had often
tended the debates IN Congress during the present
session, and whether they had influenced him in
making this attack on the person of the President,
ne replied that he had frequently attended the dis
cussions in both branches of Congress, but that
they had in no degree Influenced his action.
upon being asked If he expected TO become
the President of the United States, if General
jackson had fallen. he replied no.
L" When asked whom he wished to be the Pre-.
sdent. his answer was, there were many persons
in the House Of Representatives. On being asked
If there were no persons in the Senate, yes, seve-
raj and it was the Senate to which | alluded
Who, in your opinion, of the Senate, would make
a good President? He answered, Mr.. Clay, Mr..
Webster, Mr.. Calhoun. What do you think of
Col. Benton, Mr.. Van Buren,, or Judge White,
for President? He thought they would do we'll.
On being asked il he knew any member of either
house of Congress, he replied that he did not
and never spoke to one in his life, or they to him.
On being asked what benefit he expected himself
from the death Of the President he answe red he
could not rise unless the President FELL and that
he expected thereby to recover his liberty, and
that the mechanics would all be benefited; that
The mechanics would have plenty Of work, and
that money would be more plenty. On being
asked why it would be more plenty. he replied it
would be more easily obtained from the bank.
On being asked what bank, he replied, the bank
of the United States. On being asked if he knew
the pTeSlueHt, OF any Ol TIE Objects OI
the bank, or had ever held any intercourse with
them, or knew how he could get money out OF
the bank, ne replied no, that he slightly knew MIR.
Smith only.
"On being asked with respect to the speeches
which he had heard in Congress, and whether he
particularly pleased with those of Messrs.
Calhoun, Clay, and Webster, he replied that he
was, because they were on his side. He was then
asked If he was well pleased with the speeches Of
Col. Benton and Judge White? He said he was,
and thought Colonel Benton talented.
"When asked if he was friendly to General
Jackson, he replied, no. Why not? He answered
because he was tyrant? Who told you he was
a tyrant ? He answered, it was a common talk
with The people, and that he had read il in all the
papers. He was asked if he could name any one
who had told him so He replied, no. He was
asked if he ever threatened to shoot Mr.. Clay or
Webster, or Dir. Calhoun, whether he would
shoot them il he had an opportunity? He replied,
no. When asked if he would shoot Mr.. Van Bu- |
rem? He replied, no, that he once mat with Mr.. |
Van Buren, in the rounda, and told him he was
in want Of money, and must have it, and if he |
did not get it he (Mr. Van BUREN, or Gen. Jack.
must fall. He asked if any person was
present during the conversation He replied, |
that there were several present, and when asked
if he recolleced one of them, he replied that he |
did not. When asked if any advised him TO
shoot General Jackson or say that 1t ought to be
done He replied, do not like to say. On be-
ing pressed on this point, he said no one in par.
tcular had advised him. |
He further stated that, believing the President |
to be the source of all his difficulties he was still
fixed in his purpose TO kill him, and if his sue
ccssor pursued the course, TO put him out of
the way also-and declared that no power in this |
country <ould punish him for having done so, be- |
canse it would be resisted by the powers Of Eu- |
rope, as we'll as Of this country. He also stated
that he had been long in correspondence with the
powers Of Europe, and that his family had been
deprived of the of England,
and that he should yet live to regain it-and that
he considered the President of the United States
nothing more than his clerk.
We think proper to add that the young
man appears perfectly tranquil and unconcerned
as TO The final result, and seems to anticipate no
punishment for what he has done. The above
contains the leading and literally expressed facts
Of The whole conversation had with him,
which continued at least two hours. The ques-
tons were frequently repeated at different stages
Of the examination, and presented in various
FORMS"
1t is clearly TO be from This medical exam.
inaton of the man that this attempted assassina-
ton of the President of those cases OF
which history presents many nstances-a dis
eased mind acted upon by general outcry against
a public man. Lawrence was in the particular
condition 10 be acted upon by what he heari