Washington sentinel., 1856-05-31

4
/ attended the Senale as usual, on Thurs
day, the 22d Of May; aiter some formal busi
ness, a message was received from the Hous.
OF Representatives, announcing The death OF d
member OF that body from Missouri This was
followed by briet tribute TO the deceased fron
Mr.. Geyer, OF Missouri, when, according "a
usage aud out OF respect To the deceased, the
Senate adjourned AT once. Instead Of leaving
the Senate Chamber with the rest Of the SeDa.
Tors, on the adjournment, continued in my
seat occupied with my pen, and while thus
intent, in order 10 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,
excusing IN yself for the reason that was much
engaged. When the last OF these persons left
me, drew my arm chair close TO my desk, and
with my legs under the desk, continued writing.
My attention ut the time was so 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 addressed by person
who approached The front Of my desk, so en-
trely absorbed that was not aware Of his
presence until heard my name pronounced.
AS | looked up with pen in hand, saw tall
man, whose countenance was not familiar,
standing directly over me, and at the same mo-
ment caught these words: II have read your
speech twice over carefully. 1t is a libel on
South Carolina, and Mr.. Butler, who is rea-
tive of nine." While these words we're still
passing from his lips, he commenced a success
sion OF blows with heavy cane on my bare
head, by the first Of which was stunned SO as
TO lose my sight / saw no longer my assail-
ant nor any other person or object in the room.
What did afterwards was done almost uncon-
sciously, acting under the instinct OF self
defence. With head already bent down rose
from my seat, wrenchiDg up my desk which
was screwed to the floor. and then pressing
forward while my assailant continued his blows
/ had no other consciousness until found my,
self ten feet forward in front Of my desk, lying
on the floor of the Senate with my bleeding
head supported on the knee of q gentleman
whom soon recognized by voice and manner
as Mr.. Morgan of New York.
Other persons there were about me Offering
me kindly assistance, but | did not recognize
any Of them. Others there were at distance
looking on and offering no assistance, OF whom
recognized only Mr.. Douglas, Of Illinois, Mr.
Toombs, Of Georgia, and | thought also my
assailant standing between them. was helped
from the floor and conducted into the lobby OF
the Senate, where / was placed upon sofa
Oflhose who helped me here have no recol
lection.
As | entered the lobby recognized Mr..
Slidell, of louisiana who retreated, but re-
cognized no one else until felt friendly
grasp Of the hand which seemed 10 come from
Mr.. Campbell, Of Ohio. ] have vague i'm
preston that Mr.. Bright, President of the
Senate, spoke to me while was on the floor
of the Senate or in tbe lobby.
] make this statement in answer to the inter
rogatory of the committee, and offer il as pre-.
senting completely all my recollections of the
assault, and of the attending circumstances,
whether Immediately before or Immediately
after.
| desire to add that beside the words which
have given as uttered by my assAilant, | have
an indistinct recollection of the words old man I;
but these are so enveoped in the mist which
ensued from the first blow, that am not sure
whether they we're uttered or not