Richard Lawrence’s failed attempt to kill President Andrew Jackson marked a dramatic moment in American history and highlighted early concerns about presidential security.
The Context: A Divisive Presidency
By the time of the assassination attempt, Andrew Jackson was nearing the end of his second term as the seventh President of the United States. A war hero and a populist, Jackson was known for his strong leadership, his opposition to the national bank, and his aggressive policies toward Native American removal. While he had passionate supporters, his presidency was also met with fierce opposition, particularly from political rivals who saw him as tyrannical.
During this period, political tensions were high. Jackson’s fight against the Bank of the United States had powerful economic consequences, and his bold exercise of executive power led some to believe he was exceeding the role of the presidency. This divisiveness likely contributed to the motives behind the assassination attempt.
The Attempt: A Pistol Misfires—Twice
On January 30, 1835, President Jackson was attending a funeral for Congressman Warren R. Davis at the U.S. Capitol. As Jackson exited the Capitol Rotunda, an unemployed house painter named Richard Lawrence stepped forward with a pistol. He aimed at the President and pulled the trigger—but the gun misfired.
Incredibly, Lawrence pulled out a second pistol and fired again. Miraculously, this gun also misfired. Seizing the opportunity, the 67-year-old Jackson, known for his fiery temper, charged at his would-be assassin, striking him repeatedly with his cane before being restrained by aides, including Davy Crockett.
Witnesses later claimed that both pistols had been loaded and in working order, leading some to speculate that the damp weather had caused the weapons to malfunction.
Aftermath and Impact
Richard Lawrence was quickly subdued and arrested. Upon investigation, it became clear that he was mentally ill. Lawrence believed he was the rightful heir to the British throne and that Jackson’s policies had personally ruined him by suppressing the national bank, which he imagined would have funded his “royal inheritance.”
At his trial, Lawrence was found not guilty by reason of insanity and was committed to a mental institution, where he remained for the rest of his life.
The event marked the first known assassination attempt on a U.S. president, raising early concerns about presidential security. However, it wasn’t until Abraham Lincoln’s assassination in 1865 that formal security measures for U.S. presidents were seriously developed.
Legacy and Reflection
The failed assassination attempt on Andrew Jackson was both bizarre and historic. It underscored the vulnerability of U.S. presidents and foreshadowed future threats to American leaders. Jackson, for his part, viewed the event as confirmation of his belief in divine protection and remained as combative as ever in his final years.
Though relatively minor in comparison to later presidential assassinations, the 1835 attempt remains a fascinating moment in history—one where fate (and faulty pistols) prevented a dramatic shift in American leadership.
