The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-03
Vol. XIII.
WASHINGTON ITEMS.
From the National InIelligencer ofFebruary o
DEPLORABLE OCCURRENCE.

DEPLORABLE OCCURRENCE.
Our community was yesterday aternoo,
thrown into a state of painful excitement and p.
gretby the reports ofan encounter and resultip,
homicide, which took place about two o. CLOCK IL
the First Ward, at the corner of Pennsylvar;a
avenue and the east side of Lafayette Souara
The parties were Philip Barton Key. F.,
United States District Attorney for the Dils
trict of Columbia, and the Hon Daniel +
Sickles, Representative in Congress, from the
city Of New York. The meeting ended in M.
killing of MIR. Key by Mr.. Sickles. the forne-
having lived but very short time after rpcriv.
ing three shots from a revolver.
The provocative to this dreadful affair Is Al.
closed in the testimony of Mr. Butterwortb Il,
New York, before Justice Goddard, the Chic
of Police. He states that about the time abor.
mentioned he met Mr.. Sickles on Pcnnsvlvap;
avenue little eastward of the corner of l.,
fayette Square, and nearly opposite the Stat
Department. He had few words Of convsr
sation with Mr.. Sickles, who left him as NJ
Key approached, the latter coming down The
avenue towards the State Department. They
met at the corner of Lafayette Square. wber
Mr.. Key extended his hand towards Mr.. Sickle,
saying, How are your" Mr.. Sckles refused
to take his proffered hand, saying, You have
dishonored my home and my family" and an.
plying to him some epithet. Mr. Kew immet.
ately put his hand in his side pocket. for The
purpose, as the witness supposed, of drawing
weapon, and Mr.. Sickles at the same time m,
his hand into his skirt pocket, from which b.
drew pistol. As Mr.. Key raised his hand 10
throw at Mr.. Sickles the article he took out OF hi,
pocket, (which proved to be an opera glass;
Mr.. Sickles fred his pistol and shot Mr.. Key
The latter staggered little back, but rallied
and made at Mr.. Sickles, who, stepping few
feet backward, fired second shot into the
body OF Mr. hey, who then reeled back towards
MIR. Maynard's house, with one hand on the
railing and one knee on the pavement. exclaim.
ing, you have shot me, and then CRYING "mur.
der" Mr. Sickles then fired a third shot into
the body of Mr.. Key, and left him. after which
Mr.. hey was conveyed to the "Club House.
close at hand, where he expired in few
minutes.
We learn, in addition to the above. that i'm.
mediately after firing the third time. Mr.. Sickle,
proceeded to the residence of Judge Black.
which is in that neighborhood and to which
place he was followed by several police officers.
whom he afterwards requested to accompany
him to his own residence, that he might make
some necessary arrangements preparatory 10
surrendering himself to the Chief of Police
The officers having complied with his wishes.
the Mayor and Chief of Police were soon i'm at.
tendance, and after brief examination. Jus
tice Goddard having declined to take bail in So
serious a case, Mr.. Sickles was committed &,
prison for a further examination.
The "22d" was celebrated in Washington
by military parade. The Shields Guard,
came on from Baltimore, and were reviewed
by Gen. Shields. The day was also appropr
ately celebrated at Georgetown college We
have accounts, also, of handsome celebration,
in Boston, New York, Baltimore, Richmond,
&c. &c.
From Observation-Disclosures or SLAYER
The Navy Department on FRIDAY received dis
patch from Lieut. Braine. commanding the ship
Vincennes dated Norfolk, in which he stated
that he has captured the SLAYER Julia Dean on
the coast of Africa, and brought her into that
port. Augustus Freyeran, represented as
passenger on boaad the Dean, died on the pas
sage to the United States, previously requesting
that his effects be sent to his wife at Havana
He is supposed to have been the captain of the
vessel, on board of which is supposed to be
great deal of treasure.
The Navy Department this morning sent or
ders to Lieut.. Braine to turn over the hands on
board of the vessel to the Marshal for trial. Il
is supposed that the Dean is owned in Charlie
ton.
The Vincennes has been ordered to be- ok
amined, as it is supposed she was injured by
having struck reef.
THE GULF.-The rumor that all the available
naval force, including the Vincennes, has been
ordered to the Gulf seems to be strengthened
by the remark made in the House on Friday
by the chairman of Committee of WAYS and
Means, that this American sea, as he termed
it, belongs to us, and that we will and must eX
ercise control over it. The next arrival from
Mexico will, it is anticipated, bring highly i'm
portant intelligence in connection with the
French and English fleets, and requiring larger
American naval force than heretofore in that
quarter.