Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-06-07
MIR. Summers Statement.
WASHINGTON, May -, 1856.

A'i''"i''' !h"s -, l0Oo-
The House Committee of Investigation wait
ed on Mr.. Sumner to-day, and took his test-
mony with regard to the assault. He was al
so croSs-eXamined. lie was in bed during the
examination, and has set up but little since the
assault He is still weak, and the physicians
counsel him not to attempt to go out of the
house during this week.
The following is the statement of Mr.. Sum-
ner, under oath =
| attended the Senate as usual on Thursday
the 22d of May. After some formal business
a message was received from the House of
Representatives, announcing the death of a
member of that body from Missouri. This was
followed by brief tribute to the deceased from
Mr.. Geyer Of Missouri when according to
usage and out Of respect to the deceased the
Senate adjourned at once. Instead of leaving
the Senate chamber with the rest of the Sena-
tors, on the adjournment, | continued in my
seat, occupied with my pen, and while thus in
tent, III order to be in season for the mail
which was soon to close was approached by
several persons who desired to converse with
me, but | answered them promptly and briefly,
eXcuSng myself for the reason that | was
much engaged. When the last of these per-
sons left me drew my arm chair close to my
desk, and with my legs under the desk centin-
ucd writing. My attention at this time was
50 entirely drawn from all other subjects that
though there must have been many persons in
the senate, | saw nobody While thus intent,
with my head bent over my writing, was adj
dressed by person who approached the front
of my desk | was SO entirely absorbed that
| was not aware of his presence until | heard
A. I -ol al
pen in hand, | saw tall man whose counte-
nance was not familiar standing directly over
me, and at the same moment caught these
words " | have read your speech twice over
" carefully it is libel on South Carolina,
"and Mr. Butler, who is a relative of mine"
While these words were still passing from his
lips, he commenced a succession of blows with
heavy cane on my bare head, by the first of
which | was stunned so as to lose mysight |
saw no longer my asSailant nor any other per
son or object in the room. What did after
ward was done almost unconsciously, acting
under the instincts of sclf-dcfense With head
already bent down, | rose from my seat
wrenching up my desk, which was screwed to
the foor-and then pressing forward, while
my aSsailant continued his blows. | had no
other consciousness until | found myself ten
feet forward in front of my desk, lying on the
floor of the Senate, with my bleeding head
supported on the knee of a gentleman whom |
soon recognized by voice and manner as Mr..
Morgan, of New-York Other persons there
were about me offering me friendly assistance,
but | did not recognize any of them. Others
there were at distance, looking on and offer
ing no assistance, of whom | recognized only
Mr. Douglas of Illinois, Mr.. ToOmbs, of Geor-
gia, and | thought also my assaiIant standing
between them. | was helped from the floor
and conducted into the lobby of the Senate
where was placed upon sofa. Of those who
helped me here have no recollection As |