The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-06-07
Brooks in Pursuit Of a Duel.
o. AsuINcroN. Nav 9

80. WAsHINGroN, May Is.
A rumor was widely circulated that Mr..
Brooks of South Carolina had challenged
General James Watson Webb but the
facts are as follows:
Gen. Quitman to-day was the bearer of a
note from Mr.. Brooks to Gen. w cbb, asking
whether he was the author of the article in
the Courier and Enquirer on Saturday, rela-
tive to the assault on Mr.. Sumner, to which
Gen. Webb replied he had abstained from
writing on this subject till Saturday, and that
the Courier Of Tuesday would contain long
letter over his signature, from which Mr..
Brooks might learn fully his opinion relative
to the affair.
MIR. SUMMERS STATEMENT. 4E
The House Committee of Investigation
waited on Mr.. Sumner to-day, and took his
testimony with regard to the assault. He
was also cross-cXamincd.
He was in bed during the examination,
and has sat up but little since the assault.
He is still very weak, and tie physicians
counsel him not to attempt to go out of tie
house during this week.
The following is the statement of Mr..
Sumner, under oath: sr
attended the Senate as usual on Thurs
day, the Odd of May. After some formal
business, message was received from the
House of Representatives., announcing the
death Of member Of that body from Mis-
souri,. This was followed by brief tribute
to the deceased from Mr.. Geyer, Of Missou-
x.-hap ooonpI,,n, Ia, a &
spect to the deceased, the Senate adjourned
at once. Instead OF leaving the Senate
chamber with tie rest Of Tie Senators, on
the I'D ournment, | continued in my seat, &C.
cupied with my pen, and whic thus intent,
in order to be in season for the mail, which
was soon to close, was approached by sew
eral persons who desired to converse with
nc, but l answered them promptly and
briefly, eXcusing myself for tie reason that
| was much engaged. When tie 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 at this
time was 60 entirely drawn from all other
subjects that though there must have been
many persons in the Senate, l saw nobody.
While thus intent, with my head bent over
my writing, Twas addressed bya PERSON who
approached the front Of my desk was so
entirely absorbed that was not aware of
his presence until | heard my name pro-
nounced. As looked up with pen in hand
[ saw tall man whose countenance was not
familiar standing directly overme, and at the
same moment caught these words
81 have read your speech twice over care
fully 1t is a libel ON South Carolina, and
Mr.. Butler, who is relative Of mine"
While these words were still passing from
his lips, he commenced succession Of blows
with heavy cane on my bare head, by tie
first Of which | was stunned SO as 10 lose
my sight. I saw no longer my assailant,
nor any other person or object in the roo: :.
| What did atterward was done almost un-
consciously, acting under the instruction OF
self-defense. With head already b mt down,
| rose from my seat-wrenchng up my
desk, which was screwed to tie noor-and
then pressing forward, while nay assailant
continued his blows. | had no other CON
sciousness until | found meself ten feet
forward in front of my desk, lying on tl.e
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, Of whom | recoo niZed only Mr.
| Douglas Of Illinois, Mr.. Toombs, Of Ga.
| md thought also my assailant standing
between them. l was helped from the floor
and conducted into tie lobby of the Senate
where | was placed upon q sofa. OF those
who helped me here ! have no rccollecti in.
As entered the lobby recognized Mr..
Slidell, of Louisiana, who retreated, but ]
recognized no one else until felt friendly
grasp of the hand, which seemed to come
from Mr.. Campbell Of Ohio. have vague
impression that Mr. Bright, President of the
Senate, spoke to me while was OH the floor
| If. the Senate or in tie Hobby. make this
| statement in answer to the interro2atory
If the Committee, and offer it as presenting
completely all my recolIet tons of the as
<ault and Of the attending circumstances
whether Immediately before or Immediately
after l desire to add that beside the words
which l have given as uttered by my assail-
mt, have an indistinct recollection of the
words Gold man ;" but these are so cnveloped
N 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 arms
If any kind, and that he had no notice OF
Warming Of any kind, direct or indirect, OF
this assault.
In answer to q question, Mr.. Sum
| ner replied that what he Lad said of Mr..
Butler was strictly responsive to Mr.. But
ler2s speeches, and according to tic usagcs Of
parliamentary debate.