Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-06-07
STATEMENT OF MIR. SUMNER.

The House Committee of Investigation waited
on MIR. Sumner to-day, and took his testimony
with regard to the assault. He was also cross
examined.
He was in bed during the examination, and
sat up but little since the assault. He is still
very waek and the physicians counsel him not to
go out of the house during this week.
The following is the statement of Mr.. Sumner,
under OATH
attended the Senate as usual on Thursday.
the 22d of May. After some formal business, n
message was received from the House of Repre-
sentatiyes, announcing the death of member of
that body from Missouri. This was followed bv
a brief thribute to the deceased from Mr.. Guyer,
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 Senators, on the adjourn
ment continued in my scat, occupied with my
pen, and while thus intent, in order to be in sea-
son 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 myself for the reason that
| was much engaged. When the last of these
persons left me drew my chair close to nv
desk, and with legs under the desk, continued
writing. My attention at this time was so en-
tirely drawn from all other subjects, that
though there must have been IN any 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, was SO entirely absorbed that was not
aware OF his presence until | heard my name
pronounced. AS locked up with pen in hand,
| saw "A tail man whose countenance was not
familiar standing directly over me, and at the
same moment caught these words
81 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 u heavy cane on nv
bare head, by the first Of which was stunned
so rs to lose my sight | saw no longer nv as
sailant, nor any other person object in the
room. What did afterwards was done almost
unconsciousy, acting under the instruction Of
self~lefence. With head already bent down,
rose from my selt-wrenching up my desk which
was screwed to the hoor-and then pressing
forward, while my asSailant continued his
blows. l had no other consciousness until
found myself ten feet forward in front of nv
desk, lying on the floor of the Senate, with my
bleeding heal supported on the kree of gentle
man whom | soon recognized by voice and man.
ner as Mr.. Morgan, of New York. Other per-
sons there were about me Offering me friendly
assistance. Of whom | recognized only Mr.. Dou
glas, of Illinois, Mr.. Toomhs, of Ga, and
thought also my assalant standing between
them. was helped from the floor and conduct
ed into the lobby of the Senate, where was
placed upon a sofa.
OF those who helped me here have no recol-
lection. As entered the lobby recognized Mr..
Slidell, of Louisiana, who relrcated: but recog-
nzed no one else until felt friendly grasp of
the hand, which seemed to come from Mr.. Camp
bell, of Ohio. have vague impression that
Mr.. Bright, President of the Senate. spoke to me
while was on the floor of the Senate or in the
lobby. | make this statement in answer to the
interrogatory of the committee, and offer it as
presenting completely all my recollcctions of the
assault and of the attending circumstances, wheth
err Immediately before or immediately after. l
desire to add that beside the words which have
given uttered by my assailant, have an indis-
tinct recollection of the words sold man;'' but
these are cnvcloped 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 sta
ted that he entirely without arms of any kind,
and that he had no notice or warning of any kind,
direct or indirect, of this assault.
In answer to cross question, Mr.. Sumner re-
piled that what he had said of Dir. Butler, was
strictly responsive to Mr.. Buffers speeches, and
according to the usases Of parli 'montary debate.