The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-05-27

The Sumner ana Crooks ARRAY.
GEN. J. WATSON WEBB IN TROU3LE-AN AFFAIR or
HONOR ON THE TAPIs-rHE INVESTIGATES COM
MITrEE AT wORk-MR. sUMNER's vEBsION OF THE
ASSAULT, ETC.
WASHINGTON, May 20, 1856.
rumor WAS widely circulated to-day that Mr. B oks
OF nth Carolina, had challenged Gen. James Watson
Webb, but the octs fous Gen. Quitmau to- day
~as The beaver of note from Mr. Brooks to Gen. Webb
aSlDS whether he the author of the article In the
Courier and Enqr Saturday relative to the assault
on MIR. Sumner, TO which Gen. weob replied he had ab
stained from writing on this subject Til Saturday
that the Courier Of Tuesday would contain long letter
over bis signature, from which Mr. Brooks might learn
fully his opinions relative to the affair.
The House Committee of Investigation waited ON Mr.
Sumner to-day and took his testimony In regard to the
assault. Hs WAS also cross examined he was In bed
during the examination and has sat up but tie sncs
.nc ASSAULT. BE Is stii very weak and the physicians
counsel him nos 70 go cut OF hous, darng nus week
oa,h In regard to the assault upon hin by Mr. Brookf
attended The Senate usual Thursday the I'D o.
Nay After some formal business message sas
eeiv.a f.c tho Aouse Representatives uncng tae
drah OF member Of that body from Missouri. Tbs was
fol owed BY brief tribute 70 the deceased from Mr.
respect the DECEASED the SenA.e adjourned as
hsead Ct leaving tie senate ehAmSer vita the rest OF
seat. oecnped With my pm; and white thus inseut, in
order be In for the mail, which to
s was BY Re. wss
them promptly and briefly excuspg myself for the reA
that vas much engaged. When the last Of these
and With my legs under he cesk conin ned writing NY
attention this time was SO entirely drawn from al
other SUBJECTS thai 'houga there must beeo many
persons in the sena.e saw nobody. While thus ntan
with my head sent over my writing, Was addressed by
person. who approached the front Of my desk, so ec-
treIy uDobserved that was not aware of his presence
until heard my name pronounced As looked up, with
pen 10 hand, . tall man, whose countsnance
moment caught these words: hsvsread your speech
twice over carenyy. is libel south Carolia ani
MA MI sIsf @ Mno .a Ss 0 linn s m,s snsSs
succession OF blows 9Th heavy cane, my bare hsad,
BY 'he first Of which was stunned SO a. to lose my
son or object In the room. What old afterwards was
done almost unScnaeiousy acting under The snss OF
my I fest vreucbns up my desk, which was screwed
TO the floor, and then pressing forward while my
asssisnt centiDusd his blows had NO other conscious
desk lying floor OF the Senate With my bleeding
head supp< rted the knee Of gentleman wnom
York. Other persons there about me- Offering me
iencly assistance but did not recognise any of them
nsas were 81 shor - Sosns On NJ ana
Ihincis Mr. Toombs Of Georgia and, shonshf, also my
assansnt stancing between them. ! was hipsd nom
the cor, and conducted into the lobby Of the Senas
whore was placed upon so'a. OF those who helped
here have recollection. As entered the looby,
enised Mr. slde Of l. uisiaDa who retrea.ed bus
recognised no one ess until t friendly grasp Of the
band which seemed 70 com. from NJ, CampssI Of ohi,
have vague impression shat xr. Bright P.esldent Of
the Senate, spoke 10 while the door Of the
Senate in thu lobby make this statement in answer
70 the ntslrogA,Ory OF the committee, and offer it
H. he ~ sss.at and Of tn. s.teneias sircamss.nces,
whether immeciatey before or immeiiAtely After
oesire TO sad 'hat besides ths cords which have
recollection Of the words old man, bur these
veoped In the mist which ensued from the first blow,
On the cross examination Of Mr. Sumner he sta ed
that was entirely without Of any Kind and that
he had notice or warning Of kind direct or ndi
rect, II this assault.
In answer to crosse ston M. Sumner replied that
what he had asid of Mr. Butler strictly responsive to
Mr. Buffers speeohss and according 10 the usages OF
parliamentary debate.
ACTION OF TIE MASSACHUSETTS LEGIsLArURE IN
REGARD TO THE ATTACK ON Mr.. SUMNER.
Boston, May rs, 1856.
The Senate to-asy passed the following resolves by
unanimous vote:-
Resolved by the Senate and House Of Representatives
Of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,, That have
received with ceep concern Of the recent vio
lent assault committed in the Senate chamoer ct Wash
gton upon the person Of the Hon. Charles Sumner
Of representatives. in Congress- by Preston Brooks
member Of she House of Representatives from South
brutal and oowsrdiy in i,sef-a gross breach Of par
amentary prviiege-A ruthless attack upon the hoery
Of speecb an outrage Of the decsnces Of civssd ifs
and ndigrity to the Commonwealth Of Massachusetts
e,olvsd, That the Les,slature OF nss4scasetts,
legislature entire freedom Of speech, and will uphold
ttem in the proper exercise Of the essential right Of
American citizens.
Resolved That approve Of Mr. Summers earnest and
fearless declaration Of free principles and his mahly
defence OF human rights and free terri DRY.
Resolved That the LeeislA Of Massachusetts, Is Ina
reravey called by the planest cictAtes OF duty from
decent regard Of the rights Il her citizens and respect for
her character . Sovereign State to demand and The
Legislature of Massachusetts hereby does desnd of ths
national Congress- prompt and riot Investigation into
the recent sault upt Mr. Sumner, and the expulsion
by the House Of Mr. Brooks OF South Carolina, and any
ether members concerned with him In said assault.
Resolved, That His Excepency the Governor be re-
quested to trausm copy Of the foregoing resolves to
the President of the Senate and the OF the House
of Represents ve and 10 each Of The Senator'S and mem
hers Of the Rouse OF Represen aves from this Common
wealth In the Congress Of the United States
After the adoption Of the foregoing resolutions they
transmitted to the House for the action Of that body
upon them
In the House tho revolutions excited animated de-
bate but, after slight amendment to the third they
were adopted by 1877 against 20.
MR.BRooKs' CONDUCT ENDORSED IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
CoLUamA, g. o. May %, 1856.
Contributions are being made in Charleston and Colu-
bla for the purpofc of getsg up tesmonia for presen-
talon 10 Preston Brooks, whose course IN very gene.
lAlly approved IN this lOcality,