>> From the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. >> The Law Library of Congress has an account of many trials in its rare book collection. This is an account of the trial of Richard Lawrence for his attempt on the life of President Andrew Jackson. This item was printed by William Mitchell, who operated out of 265 Bowery in New York City. Mitchell printed a variety of titles in the 1830s and took on a partner in 1837 named Turner. Other Mitchells continued to operate out of the same address into the late 19th Century. On January 30, 1835, an unemployed painter by the name of Richard Lawrence made the first attempt on the life of a sitting U.S. President, President Andrew Jackson President Jackson had traveled to the Capitol Building to attend a Congressional funeral in the House Wing. As the President exited the funeral, he approached the east portico of the Capitol. Lawrence drew a pistol from his pocket and fired, but only the cap fired. Even though he was 67 and in poor health, the President charged Lawrence with a cane. Before the President could reach him, Lawrence produced a second pistol and pulled the trigger. This pistol also misfired, allowing the President to reach Lawrence, who ducked to avoid being struck by the President's cane, which is what you see depicted here. The President reportedly yelled, "Let me alone! Let me alone! I know where this came from." Lawrence was then subdued by onlookers and the President was taken by carriage to the White House. The political environment of the time was highly charged due to the President's veto of the bill to reauthorize the charter of the Second Bank of the United States. Some believed Lawrence was the instrument of a Whig conspiracy, including the President himself. Despite these early claims, scholars now believe Lawrence acted alone and of his own accord. Lawrence claimed that the President had killed his father, a claim that was quickly revealed to be false. Lawrence also said he was King Richard the III, and the President's opposition to the Second Bank of the United States had denied him the ability to receive a dispensation owed to him by Congress To bolster his claim he was a monarch, Lawrence dressed the part of royalty at trial, sporting a shooting jacket and cravat that you see depicted here. He also expressed some indignation at the fact that he was being judged by commoners. After the jury was instructed, Lawrence said, "It is for me, gentlemen, to pass upon you, and not you upon me." The jury found Lawrence not guilty by reason of insanity and he was confined to an asylum for the remainder of his life before passing away in 1861. >> This has been a presentation of the Library of Congress, visit us at LOC.gov.