When was it published?

September 8, 1836 in The North Carolina Standard

Domestic News September 8, 1836

The North Carolina Standard

Q: What entities or persons were involved?

Bridge, James O'neal, Woodbury, Richard Lawrence

Q: What keywords are associated?

Whig President, Lunatic Bridge, Philadelphia, White House Intrusion, Secretary Woodbury, Senate Meeting, Arrest, Richard Lawrence

Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina

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What is this article about?

A delusional man named Bridge from Philadelphia claimed to be the U.S. President, intruded at the White House, demanded Treasury keys from Secretary Woodbury, attempted to convene the Senate, and was arrested alongside Richard Lawrence.

Clipping

OCR Quality

95% Excellent

Full Text

A Whig President. A lunatic by the name of Bridge, from Philadelphia, drove up to the President's house at Washington, a few days since, entered, and squaring himself in the midst of the hall, (says the Globe) addressed himself to Mr. James O'Neal the porter—told him he was Chief Magistrate of the U. States—that he had come to take possession; when asked by what authority, he said by the authority of the people of Philad. After some inquiries about the number of domestics he took his leave as he said, to guard the keys of the Treasury from the Secretary. Accordingly we understood, he opened a correspondence with Mr. Woodbury, and with the other Secretaries—but his mind running on the money especially, I waited on Secretary Woodbury, first to his house and then at his office, and pertinaciously insisted on the delivery of the keys and the surrender of his office. When asked for his credentials, he would produce none. It was enough, he said, that it was the will of the people of Philadelphia. Finding that this did not accomplish his ends he addressed another note to Mr. Woodbury, telling him that "in order to prevent the business of the States from being any longer interrupted, he would call a meeting of the Senate." With this view he took his way to the Secretary of the Senate—but we learn that this unlucky Whig President, falling in with some of the police, has been lodged for the present, in the same place with his royal rival, the renowned Richard Lawrence.

What sub-type of article is it?

Riot Or Protest Politics

What keywords are associated?

Whig President Lunatic Bridge Philadelphia White House Intrusion Secretary Woodbury Senate Meeting Arrest Richard Lawrence

What entities or persons were involved?

Bridge James O'neal Woodbury Richard Lawrence

Where did it happen?

Washington

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

Washington

Event Date

A Few Days Since

Key Persons

Bridge James O'neal Woodbury Richard Lawrence

Outcome

lodged for the present, in the same place with his royal rival, the renowned richard lawrence

Event Details

A lunatic by the name of Bridge, from Philadelphia, drove up to the President's house at Washington, entered, and addressed himself to Mr. James O'Neal the porter—told him he was Chief Magistrate of the U. States—that he had come to take possession; when asked by what authority, he said by the authority of the people of Philad. After some inquiries about the number of domestics he took his leave as he said, to guard the keys of the Treasury from the Secretary. Accordingly we understood, he opened a correspondence with Mr. Woodbury, and with the other Secretaries—but his mind running on the money especially, I waited on Secretary Woodbury, first to his house and then at his office, and pertinaciously insisted on the delivery of the keys and the surrender of his office. When asked for his credentials, he would produce none. It was enough, he said, that it was the will of the people of Philadelphia. Finding that this did not accomplish his ends he addressed another note to Mr. Woodbury, telling him that "in order to prevent the business of the States from being any longer interrupted, he would call a meeting of the Senate." With this view he took his way to the Secretary of the Senate—but we learn that this unlucky Whig President, falling in with some of the police, has been lodged for the present, in the same place with his royal rival, the renowned Richard Lawrence.