DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70301#0451
LIFE AND TRIAL OF BELLINGHAM.
409
government, and some compensation for the losses which
he had sustained, he made numerous applications, both
personally and in writing to the principal officers of admi-
nistration. They, however, viewing the affair in a very dif-
ferent light, not only declined entering into the merits of
the case, but plainly informed him that he had nothing to
expect from that quarter. Exasperated by these refusals his
naturally irritable mind conceived the horrible idea of taking
justice, as he expressed himself, into his own hands, and ex-
ecuting summary revenge on one of those to whom he attri-
buted the failure of his applications for redress.
The Right Honourable Spencer Perceval, Chancellor of
the Exchequer, was the man on whom he pitched for his
victim. He frequently attended in the lobby and the gallery
of the House of Commons, either with the design of making
himself acquainted with the persons of the members, or
waiting for an opportunity to execute his sanguinary resolu-
tion. At length on the 11th of May, 1812, Bellingham,
who had purchased pistols for the purpose, stationed himself
at the door of the lobby of the House of Commons, and on
the entrance of Mr. Perceval, drew one of the pistols from
his pocket and discharged it at the minister. The ball en-
tered the left breast and penetrated the heart. Mr. Perceval
immediately fell, and before he could be conveyed to the
Speaker’s apartments all signs of life had fled.
The horror and dismay occasioned by the catastrophe, for
a short time prevented any inquiries respecting the perpetra-
tor of the odious deed, who, however, took no steps to con-
ceal himself or to effect his escape. On the contrary, with
a composure which could result only from a profound con-
viction of the propriety of his conduct, when one of the
by-standers exclaimed-—Where is the villain who fired? he
went up to him, and coolly answered, I am the unfortunate
man. At the same time he quietly resigned himself into
their hands and submitted to be searched. The pistol with
VOL. iv. 3 G
409
government, and some compensation for the losses which
he had sustained, he made numerous applications, both
personally and in writing to the principal officers of admi-
nistration. They, however, viewing the affair in a very dif-
ferent light, not only declined entering into the merits of
the case, but plainly informed him that he had nothing to
expect from that quarter. Exasperated by these refusals his
naturally irritable mind conceived the horrible idea of taking
justice, as he expressed himself, into his own hands, and ex-
ecuting summary revenge on one of those to whom he attri-
buted the failure of his applications for redress.
The Right Honourable Spencer Perceval, Chancellor of
the Exchequer, was the man on whom he pitched for his
victim. He frequently attended in the lobby and the gallery
of the House of Commons, either with the design of making
himself acquainted with the persons of the members, or
waiting for an opportunity to execute his sanguinary resolu-
tion. At length on the 11th of May, 1812, Bellingham,
who had purchased pistols for the purpose, stationed himself
at the door of the lobby of the House of Commons, and on
the entrance of Mr. Perceval, drew one of the pistols from
his pocket and discharged it at the minister. The ball en-
tered the left breast and penetrated the heart. Mr. Perceval
immediately fell, and before he could be conveyed to the
Speaker’s apartments all signs of life had fled.
The horror and dismay occasioned by the catastrophe, for
a short time prevented any inquiries respecting the perpetra-
tor of the odious deed, who, however, took no steps to con-
ceal himself or to effect his escape. On the contrary, with
a composure which could result only from a profound con-
viction of the propriety of his conduct, when one of the
by-standers exclaimed-—Where is the villain who fired? he
went up to him, and coolly answered, I am the unfortunate
man. At the same time he quietly resigned himself into
their hands and submitted to be searched. The pistol with
VOL. iv. 3 G