The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-01-28
.uisceiiaNe0ssS.
Andrew Jackson and his Assassin

.uSSceff0NeONS.
Andrew Jackson and his Assassin
In compliance with the invitation Of tn,
committee to lay the cornerstone Of thu
monument to DO erected to the memory o
the mothcrof Washington, President Jack
son. with several members of his Cabinet
and his private secretary. accompanied b,
many other gentlemen. left the city o
Washington for fredericksburg, Virginia
on Monday morning, the 9th Of May
about ten o'clock, in the steamer Cygnet
The day was mild and the air soft and re
freshing. After the company had assem-
bled on board, they paid their respects IL
the Executive, which that venerable pa
triot received with the case and grace o.
the most finished gentleman Of the old
school.
They then separatcd; some Of the party
went upon the upper deckto admire the
beautiful scenery Of the surrounding coun
try, whence from the north round TO the
south lay line of high grounds. forming
within their interior and extensive amphi'
theatre. On the south the broad and
peaceful Potomac stretched rs far rs the
eve could reach. On the eastern branch
of the river were to DO seen the Navy
Yard. and several of the vessels of war
lying In the stream with our flag floating
in the breeze while on the western branch
the distant but beautiful view Of George
town, as Il slopes from the high grounds
to tho river. Between that and the Navy
Yard was to be seen the city Of Wash
inSton.
Among those who were on the upper
deck were the heads Of departments. a
group of ladies. with their attendants,
were seated in the after part of the boat ;
and an excellent band of music was play
ing several national airs, rs the steamer
glided on her way, and shortly arrived ut
the city Of Alexandria.
General jackson had. just previous to
the boats reaching the wharf, retired to
the cabin, and had taken his seat at a long
table. which had been set preparatory to
dinner; he was seated on the west side
and next to the berths, there being barely
room enough left between the berths and
table for a person to pass by sideways.
Upon his left sat Mrs. Thurston of WASH
ington. and at the opposite side of the ia
HE sat Maj. Donaldson, the Generals pri-
vate secretary. Mr.. Potter, clerk in one
of the departments of Washington, and
Capt. Broome, of the Marine corps. The
President was reading a newspaper and
smoking his pipe. While in this situation
(there being no other person in the cabin
or near him), q large number Of citizens
came on board, rs il was supposed, to pay
their respects to him. Among the num-
Der was Randolph, late lieutenant in the
Navy. He made his way into the cabin.
and AFTER speaking to Capt. Broome, who
had long been acquainted with him, he
Immediately advanced between the berths
and the table toward the President, rs If
to address him.
The President did not know him, and il
seems that Capt. BroOme did not mention
his name, because, he said. he believed
the object of his visit was to present pc
tition, praying to be restored to the navy
again. Still, rs the Captain did not know
that this was the object of his visit, and
fearing, as he said. that he might intend
to commit some act of violence, he step
ped quickly TO the same side of the table,
and advanced up to and near Randolph,
who had by this time come so near to
General jackson rs to be Observed by
him, and who, supposing il was some per-
son about to salute him, said that he was
afflicted with severe pain in his side,
and begged to be excused from rising.
Seeing that Randolph had some difficulty
in pulling of his glove, he stretched out
his hand toward him, saying. at the same
time, Never mind the glove, sir" Upon
this Randolph thrust one hand violently
into the Presidents face; but before he
could make use Of the other or repeat his
blow. Capt. Broome seized and drew him
of to the door. A part of the table was
broken down in the scuflle. Mr.. Potter
threw his umbrella at Randolph across the
table Mt the moment Capt. Broome seized
him; whereupon Randolph's friends
clinchcd him. hurried him out of the cab
in. and off from the boat, leaving his hat
behind.
This was done so quickly that the few
persons who were near the President were
not aware of it, as they had all turned
around after pushing Randolph away, to
inquire whether or not the Chief Magis-
trate was much hurt.
General Jackson was so confined be-
hind the table that he could not rise with
ease, nor could he seize his cane in time
to defend himself. The news Of this out
rage was soon circulated around the boat,