New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-06-17
CHARLES DEvELIN, APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR
AND BOARD OE ALDERMEN.
STATEMENT OF AN EYEWITNESS.

In conversation with j. g. HavilaDd, of the Eighth
Ward our reporter obtained the following statement:
At about O'clock having business with Judge
French whose Office is in the City Hall, proceeded
to that place. observed great number Of police
men in the halls, and upon the steps and around the
PAX were various gangs of men, whose appearance
W as more that of mob than of law-abidng citizens.
As passed through the crowd in the hail. | saw a
man whom | knew weil-a man conspicuous in the
Tammany Hall quarrels, and oiceholder under the
Mayor. | heard him say, "There goes of those
id Black Republicans" As Judge French was not
in, / went out and met him upon Nassau street. and
afterward called upon him. | saw about the same
crowd which saw at frat.
After attending to my business, passed out and
was going toward Chambers street, and the Met
ropolitan Police force coming into the Park. Being
aware of their errand, turned around to watch the
result; and succeeded in getting place where
had a fair view Of the whole transaction. As the
Metropolitan men advanced toward the steps in the
rear Of the building, the excitement of the crowd be-
came very intense Threats and imprecations, and
the foules language known to the FivePoints vocGb-
uary, were heard upon every hand, too filthy to be
repeated. The crowd was TO all inents and purposes
mob animated by The single desire to beat down the
Metropolitan Police. They Were perfectly mad, and
prepared for the most desperate aud bloody deeds
As the police force advanced to the steps and
ascended about half way up heard some of the crowd
upon the the steps sing out. There coaes the d-n
sons Of BIS, give il to EN- =
The Mayors men were arranged in very adyan-
tageous position. They presented a solid, compact
'front.' completely covering the front steps and extend
ing back into the hall, which was literally filed with
policemen and desperate men.
The METROPOLITAN men advanced in a solid body, and
in perfect order and met about midway upon the
steps, when one Of the Mayors struck one #
them. am pOsitire that II ras one Of The Mayors
men rho struck first. /! necessary, can testify TO
hts fact IN any court Of justice.
After this first blow was struck, prolniscuous
fight commenced. l watched the movements of Mr.
Smith of the Fifth Ward with great admiration and
intense anxiety having long known him as a most
worthy and brave officer and excellent citizen. lie
fought with valor worthy of the most gallant cham
pions of the age of chivalry. He was attacked by
four or FIVE men, and repeatedly felled them TO the
earth and this after the blood streaming from his
wounds. His club and cap finally wrested from
him. when he was beaten and dubbed in a most bar
'barous and inhumGn manner
saw two Irishmen break limb from tree and
taking each club knock anybody aud everybody
they could re ach who had the badge of the Metropo
tan Police. The Mayors men issued in great
numbers from the basement, and completely surround
ing the Metropolitan men. attacked them in flank and
rear. suppose that, being known to come of the
politicians present, was pointed out Black Re
publican" at any rate man came up to me and
applying that epithe; attempted to strike me- l was
on my guard however, and parrying his blow,
knocked him off and escaped from the crowd