New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-05-27
IBy rser.phl
BROOKS IN PURSUIT OF A DCEL

"F"i"Si Non1ay, Nay 80, IS.
A rumor was widely circulstei tina, Nj Brooks q.
South Carolina had challenged Geu. james ws,.,r
Webb: bu. the facts sire a. follows
Ger. Qui;usn to dsy WAS the t-arer OF ut. f,orn
NJ. Brook Il to Gen. Weob s.kng whether be VA, tie
author Il tie article in Ti< Coary and Esqr,r,r or
Saturday relative to the assault on Mr. SUNNI, to
which Gen. Webb replied he had sbs;ained from
writing on this subject iilf Saturday, and tina; Tse
Courier of Tuesday would oentain long letter over
his signature, FROM which Sr Brooks might Learn
fully his opirion relative 10 the affair.
MR.. SUMMERS STATEMENT.
The House Committee OF Investigation waited IN
Mr.. Sumner to-day, and took his testimony with re-
gard TO the assault. He was also cross e1amiled He
was IN bed during the examination and has set up but
little since the assault. He still very weak and the
nj, .cians counsel him DO. to attempt 20 20 on, Of
The house during this week
The following the statement Of Mr. Sumner. under
oath
attended the Senate usual on Thursday. the sai
Of Nav. Amer some formal business, a message Was
received from the House Of Representative. An
roupcipg the death of member of that BODY frsm
Missouri This folio wed by brief tribute TO the
d,cased from Mr.. Geyer. of Missouri, when according
to usage aud out Of respect to the deceased the Senate
adjourned at once Instead of leaving the Sen.
alto chamber with the rest Of the Senators on
the adjournment ! continued in my seat. occu.
MID with my pen, and while thus inteut, in order
r. be in -eason for the mail, which was soon to
close | was approached by several persons who
desired 10 converse with me, but | answered
them promptly and briefly, eXcusing myself for the
r,s,ou that was much engaged When the last Of
these % mons ltft drew my arm chair close to my
d,,k. and with my legs under the desk continued
writing. Nv attention at this time was
t;rely drawn from ell other subjects that though
there must have been many persons in the Senate
SAW nobody. While thus intent with my head ben:
over NV writing. was addressed by person who
spproached the front Of my desk; was 80 entirely
absorbed that was not of his presence until
heard nv name pronounced. As | looked mp with
pep in hand saw tall man whose coun'enance
wa. not familiar standing directly over me- and at the
same moment caught these words " | have read
"vour speech twice over carefully; it is libel on
Sou,h Carolina. and Mr.. Butler, who is a relative
." Of mjre7 While these words still passing
from his lips, be commenced succession OF blows
with heavy cane on my bare head, by the first OF
which was stunned 80 as 10 lose my sight. saw no
longer nv assaant, nor any other person or object IN
IN. room. What did afterward was done almost
unconsc,usly acting under the Instincts of seidetense
With head already bent down, | from my seat
wrenching up my desk, which was screwed to the
acor-and then pressing forward, while my
sssailant continued his blows. l had no other con-
.ciousuess until found myself ten feet forward in
front Of my d,ek living on the floor ofthe Senate with
II bleeding head supported on the knee of gentle.
man whom soon recognized by voice and manner as
Nh haFa We a
about me Offering me friendly assistance, but did no;
recognize apy Of them. Others there were at dis
tsrce. looking on and Offering assistance, of whom
recognized only Mr.. Douglas OF Illinois,
Mr.. Toombs of Georgia, and thought also my
as-ailapt standing between them was helped from
the floor and COZ Quoted into the lobby of the senate
where was placed upon a sofa OF those who helped
ire here I have no recollection. As | entered the
Lobby recognized Mr.. Slidel Of Louisiana, who re-
treated, but recognized else until felt a
friendly grasp of the hand, which seemed TO
come from Mr. Campbell Of Ohio. | have a vague
immersion that Mr. Bright President Of the Senate,
smoke to me while was the floor of the Senate
in the lobby make this statement in answer to the
interrogatory Of the Committee and offer IT az
prcsebtiDg completely al my recouections of the
assault and of the attending circumstances
whether Immediately before or Immediately after
desire to add tha. bes de the words which have
given as uttered by my assailan have an indi'tnct
recollection Of the words old man. but these are 30
enveloped in the mist which ensued from the first
blow, that am not sure whether they were uttered
or not.
On the cross examination OF Mr. Sumner he stated
that he was entirely without AIMS OF any kind, and
that he had no notice warning of any kind, direct or
indirect. of this assault.
In answer to cross-question, NJ. Sumner replied
that what he had said of Mr.. Butler was strictly re-
'popsive to Mr.. Buffers speeches, and a'cordnSto
the usagcs of parliamentary debate.