Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-07-23
a STRIKING PARALLEL TO THE
RECENT TRAGEDY.

the House of Commons, III company
with Lord +. Osborne, when he was
shet with a pistol, and expired, ut
tering only the words, "oh I'm
murdered y A person was standing
between the assassin and the deceas-
ed at the time the pistol was fired,
and the assassin was obliged to raise
his hand over the shoulder of the in
tervening individual, and the ball
consequently took a slanting direc
ton.
The murderer threw down the pis-
toll, but on his person was found an
other with steel barrel seven inches
in length, and bundle of papers.
He made no effort to escape. Hor-
ror and dismay at first prevented any
attention being paid to the assassin,
but when the question was asked,
"where is the rascal that fired?H
John Bellingham, who had been I'M
observed, coolly stepped up and re-
piled, 81 am the unfortunate man."
When asked the motive of the hOrrid
deed, he replied, ''it is private in
jury know what | have done; it
was denial of justice on the part OF
the government
On the preliminary examination
before the magistrates, it appeared
he had on the previous day been
watching the entrance of every mem
Der from Liverpool, testified he had
received many memorials from the
prisoner, respectingh his claims on the
government, based upon his alleged
services in Russia, for which he had
received no remuneration.
These representations had also
been made to Percival, and Tarleton
Speaker of the House.
Bellingham, during the examina-
ton, was perfectly composed. He
said he had for more than fortnight
watched for favorable opportunity
to effect his purpose that he had i'm
plored for Justice. in vain; he had
made application to every person
likely to procure him redress, and
that he had at length been driven to
despair by being told at the public of
fees that he might do his worst. ~
have done my worst, and I rejoice in
my deed"
Mrs. Percival was on visit to the
Honorable Mrs. Ryder, in Great
George street, when the sad catastro-
phe happened and was apprised of it
on her return to Downing street. She
and her children were plunged into
inexpresible grief.
The culprit only evinced anxiety to
vindicate the justice of the act. He
said if he had shot Mr.. Percival from
personal malice he should have been
worse than brute. 1t was the min
lister, not the man, that had let. him
to commit the deed, and if he had a
million of lives to lose he would do
the same way. He had bought the
pistols, proved them, (those were the
days of flint locks, and loaded them
for the purpose.
He was brought to trial On May 18th
before Lord Oh. Justice Mansfield. Ba-
ron Graham and Sir Nash GrOse. He
plead not guilty, land after the evidence
was in he was called upon Tor his
defence. He asked whether his counsel
had nothing to urge. On being inform
ed that they were not entitled
to speak he said that his doc
uments had been taken from
him and not returned. They
were handed to him and he deliber-
ately examined and arranged them.
He then rose, and bowling respectful
ly to the court and jury, went into
his defense with firm voice and
withoutany appearance of embarrass-
ment or feeling for the awful situa-
ton in which he was placed.
We can only quote the opening SEN
fences which will show that insanity
was the ground on which his counsel
relied for his defence.
Il feel great obligation' he said,
"to the Acknowledgement for the OBJ
lection he has made to the plea of in