FROM THE "NEW YORK EVENING POST," MAY 23.

"There were at least a dozen persons standing near at the time of the assault, which was so unexpected that, as they say, they did not think of interfering. Close by stood, as I am informed, the Senate's Sergeantat-Arms, a large, strong man, and yet he did nothing. Mr. Crittenden came forward from another part of the Hall, and denounced the attack, to the perpetrator, with the manly indignation characteristic of the chivalrous veteran of Kentucky, as a 'shameless transaction.' But the reply was, I am told, 'You'd better not interfere, we will lick one at a time.' Keitt stood by with a cane, ready to save Brooks from injury; many persons having the impression that he was armed, though no fire-arms were displayed, either by him or Brooks.

"Mr. Sumner's legs, at the time when he was attacked, were under the desk, so far that he could only rise by wrenching it from the floor. The stunning, sudden force of the blow knocked his head forward. His assailant then, seizing him by the shoulder, held him with his left hand while with the other he kept laying the blows upon his head."

"MR. SUMNER'S STATEMENT.

"The following is the statement of Mr. Sumner,

under oath:

"I attended the the 22nd of May.

Senate as usual on Thursday,
After some formal business, a

message was received from the House of Representatives, announcing the death of a member of that body from Missouri. This was followed by a brief tribute to the deceased from Mr. Geyer, of Missouri, when, according to usage and out of respect to the deceased, the Senate adjourned at once. Instead of leaving the Senate Chamber with the rest of the Senators, on the adjournment, I continued in my seat, occupied with my pen, and while thus intent, in order to be in season for the mail, which was soon to close, I was approached by several persons who desired to converse with me, but I answered them promptly and briefly, excusing myself for the reason that I was much engaged. When the last of these persons left me I drew my arm-chair close to my desk, and with my legs under the desk continued writing. My attention at this time was so entirely drawn from all other subjects that, though there must have been many persons in the Senate, I saw nobody. While thus intent, with my head bent over my writing, I was addressed by a person who approached the front of my desk; I was so entirely absorbed that I was not aware of his presence until I heard my name pronounced. As I looked up with pen in hand, I saw a tall man, whose countenance was not familiar, standing directly over me, and at the same moment caught these words: 'I have read your speech twice over carefully; it is a libel on South Carolina, and Mr. Butler, who is a relative of mine.' While these

words were still passing from his lips, he commenced a succession of blows with a heavy cane on my bare head, by the first of which I was stunned so as to lose my sight. I saw no longer my assailant, nor any other person or object in the room. What I did afterward was done almost unconsciously, acting under the instincts of self-defence. With head already bent down, I rose from my seat-wrenching up my desk, which was screwed to the floor-and then pressing forward, while my assailant continued his blows. I had no other consciousness until I found myself ten feet forward in front of my desk, lying on the floor of the Senate, with my bleeding head supported on the knee of a gentleman whom I soon recognised by voice and manner as Mr. Morgan, of New York. Other persons there were about me offering me friendly assistance, but I did not recognise any of them. Others there were at a distance, looking on and offering no assistance, of whom I recognised only Mr. Douglas, of Illinois, Mr. Toombs, of Georgia, and I thought also my assailant standing between, them. I was helped from the floor and conducted into the lobby of the Senate, where I was placed upon a sofa. Of those who helped me here I have no recollection. As I entered the lobby I recognised Mr. Slidell, of Louisiana, who retreated, but I recognised no one else until I felt a friendly grasp of the hand, which seemed to come from Mr. Campbell, of Ohio. I have a vague impression that Mr. Bright, President of the Senate, spoke to me while I was on the floor of the Senate or in the lobby. I make this statement in answer to the interrogatory of the Committee, and offer it as presenting completely all my recollections of the assault and of the attending circumstances, whether immediately before or immediately after. I desire to add, that beside the words.

6

which I have given as uttered by my assailant, I have an indistinct recollection of the words old man'; but these are so enveloped in the mist which ensued from the first blow, that I am not sure whether they were uttered or not.

"On the cross-examination of Mr. Sumner he stated that he was entirely without arms of any kind, and that he had no notice or warning of any kind, direct or indirect, of this assault."

The last set of documents which appear to deserve publication are the comments of the American writers and speakers.

FROM THE "RICHMOND INQUIRER," JUNE 12.

"In the main, the press of the South applaud the conduct of Mr. Brooks, without condition or limitation. Our approbation, at least, is entire and unreserved. We consider the act good in conception, better in execution, and best of all in consequence. The vulgar Abolitionists in the Senate are getting above themselves. They have been humoured until they forget their position. They have grown saucy, and dare to be impudent to gentlemen! Now, they are a low, mean, scurvy set, with some little book learning, but as utterly devoid of spirit or honour as a pack of curs. Intrenched behind 'privilege,' they fancy they can slander the South, and insult its representatives with impunity. The truth is, they

have been suffered to run too long without collars. They must be lashed into submission. Sumner, in particular, ought to have nine-and-thirty early every morning. He is a great strapping fellow, and could stand the cowhide beautifully. Brooks frightened him, and at the first blow of the cane he bellowed like a bull-calf. There is the blackguard Wilson, an ignorant Natick cobbler, swaggering in excess of muscle, and absolutely dying for a beating. Will not somebody take him in hand? Hale is another huge, red-faced, sweating scoundrel, whom some gentleman should kick and cuff until he abates something of his impudent talk. These men are perpetually abusing the people and representatives of the South, for tyrants, robbers, ruffians, adulterers, and what not. Shall we stand it? Can gentlemen sit still in the Senate and House of Representatives, under an incessant stream of denunciation from wretches who avail themselves of the privilege of place to indulge their devilish passions with impunity? In the absence of an adequate law, Southern gentlemen must protect their own honour and feelings. It is an idle mockery to challenge one of these scullions. It is equally useless to attempt to disgrace them. They are insensible to shame, and can be brought to reason only by an application of cowhide or gutta percha. Let them once understand that for every vile word spoken against the South, they will suffer so many stripes, and they will soon learn to behave themselves like decent dogs they can never be gentlemen. Mr. Brooks has initiated this salutary discipline, and he deserves applause for the bold, judicious manner in which he chastised the scamp Sumner. It was a proper act, done at the proper time, and in the proper place.

"Of all places on earth, the Senate Chamber, the