The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-15
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4 A CURIOUS "REMINISCENCES.

The Savannah News copies tie account published In
the Union of Winant Strcng, and remarks:
The above calls to mind thrilling which wo
witnessed ON the eastern portico Of the Capitol inthc
winter Of 1884, when attempt mado by an insane
man, by the nano Of Lawrence to assassinaa General
jackson. 1t the occasion of tho funeral of Hon
Warren r. Davis Of South Carolina. The funeral pro-
cession in which the President and heads of derort
ments, foreign minister's senators and Representatives
passing from the Hall of Representatives to tho east
portico. Gen jackson, leaning the arm Of Hon
Levi Woodbury. then Secretary Of State, near the
head of the procession Immediately in the rear Of the
mourncrs, among whom were several ladies Of Mr. p
ys's family When the mourncrs had reached the port
co, and Just tho President passed out Of tho green door
leading to it, Lawrence stepped from behind Of the
columns of the portico where hc had concealed himself
and instantly, without word, presented large horse
pistol within three feet of the Presidents Lreast and OK
plodcd the cap. Qaic US thought Gen Jackson raised
his hickory and aimed blow at the assassin head
but missing him. Lawrence snapped the second pistol be-
fore lac seized and borne down to the ground by those
near him. Gen Jackson without rctrcatng inch had
raised his for second blow, when it seized by
those Immediately around him. who protecting him from
further assault with their persons, urged him to retro
into the rotundo, which he vecmcntly refused to do
On being informed that 1t probably conspiracy and
that there might DO than one assassin he still 70.
fused to be led from the portco and expressed his deter
mination to maintain his position where he stood
The presented most exciting. ladies faint
ing and screaming the crowd, composed Of the distn.
gushcd men Of the country hurriedly gathering around
the President, surprise depicted in every countenance
the rush of the wonbe assassin and tho excrions Of
those who had taken him in custody to prevent him from
being torn to pieces by the excited multitude babel
of voices altogether made most novel and impressive
spectacle. The sergeant arms having removed the
prisoner, order restored and the funeral obo
ques concluded.
On Investigation it was found that Lawrence in
sane man, who had been lurking about the capitol
for several days. According to his story, he
laboring under the strange haucnation that he tho
rghtful heir to tho Of Great Britain and that his
object in killing Gen. jackson that he might obtain
command of the United States army and navy, with
which he intended to enforce his right to the British
throne 1t is singular that Lawrence like Steng,
carpenter by trado.
The pistols used tho occasion were large hore
pistols, which were found to be heavily loaded The
weather at the time foggy and damp, and the pistols
having been loaded for several days and kept in his
pcntcrs chest, while he awaiting favorable oppa
tunity for the accomplishment Of his purpose the powder
in the tubes had absorbed sufficient moisture to prevent
ignition from the caps. 10 that circumstance alone
under Providence, the country owed tho preservation Of
tho life of President Jackson.