Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-05-30


snses,igatioa ogf'se summer sssaH =
WAsHNGroS. Nay 26.-1he House Commit
/ tie of Investigation waited ON Mr.. Sumner to-day
in discharge of their duty regarding the recent
assault lie was in bed. but gave his testimony
and was also eross-pxamined. II" was unable Ia
sit np during the visit Of the committee, but did
~ short time 10 day. He l. still very weak
and hi. physicians counsel him not to move oui
If the house for n week
The following is Mr.. Summers statement ON
oath: 81 attended The Senate a usual on thurs
,lay. the 22d of MAY. After some formal bnsi
n... II message wa- received from the House al
panre.eutativeS announcing the death OF II mem
her Of TINT body from Missouri. This was f"i'
lowed by brief tribute to the deceased from
Mr. Geyer. of No. when according I" usage anu
nj u, >peet Ia the deceasedthe senate adJpur-
ed Instead of leaving the chamber with the rest
nj the adjournment ! continued IN my seat nc
enped with my pen.
..Whila Tins intent in order to he in season for
the mail which was soon to close, was approach
ed bv several persons who desired to consult with
me- but | answered them promptly and biiefiy'eX-
cnsing myself for the reason TINT was much en-
gagged When the Last Of these persons ieitm
drew my arm chair close 10 my desk, and, with
my legs under the desk continued writing.
Nv attention at this time so entirely
drawn from nil other objects that though there
must have been many persons in the Senate,
saw no body. While thus intent. with my head
bent over my writing. | was address ,ed by per-
son who approached the front my desk, so en-
tireiy unobsered that | was not aware OF his
presence until heard my nnrne pronounced.
AS locked up. with my pen in my hand,
saw tall man, whose countenance was not FAM
liar, standing directly over me, and at the Same
moment caught these words ~ have rend
your speech twice over carefully. Itis "A libel on
South Carolina and Mr.. Butler, who is n relative
If mine" While these words still passing
from his lips. he commenced a succession of
blows with n heavy cane on my bare head, by the
first of which was stunned so as to lose sight.
| no longer saw my assallant, nor any other per.
son or object in the room.
"What did afterwards was done amos, un-
consciously. acting under the instincts OF self
defense. With my head already bent down.
rose from my seat, wrenching up my desk which
was secured to The floor. and then pressing Tor
wnrd while nv assailant continued his blows
! have no other conscou sness until found my
self ten feet forward in front of my desk lying
on the floor Of the Senate. with nv bleeding head
supported on the knee Of gentleman whom
sonn recognised by voice and manner as Mr..
Morgan. Of New York.
Other persons there were about me, offering
friendly assistance. hut did not recognize any
nj them. Others there were ut n distance, look
ing on and offering no assistance, of whom re
eognzed only Mr.. Douglas. of Illinois, Mr..
Toomb~, of Georgia, and, thought also. my
assnant. standing between them. was helped
from the floor and conducted into the lobby oi
the Senate, where | placed upon a sofa. OF
! those who helped me there have recollec-
! ton.
As I entered the lobby recognized Mr.. Sill
dell of La. who reiterated. but recognized ne
one else until felt friendly grasp of the han
which seemed to como from Mr.. Campbell, o