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Doctor Causin and doctor Sewell met outside the jail, still gloomy and cold. The two exchanged pleasantries and caught up with each other as they made their way into the front steps of the jail, then their playful demeanor changed. The two were escorted to an eating area and were seated at a long wooden table with benches. On the other side of the table sat Lawrence, dressed still in his mud stained clothing from the arrest. He was silent, patiently watching the two doctors as they approached moving only his eyes until they sat down.

‘Gentlemen.’ He firmly said nodding his head to the doctors. The two professionals exchanged glances, off-put by Lawrence’s cordial manner and calm demeanor.

‘Are you Richard Lawrence?’ Sewell asked, as it was Sewell’s first time laying eyes on the would be assassin.

‘King. Richard. The third.’ He sternly corrected. ‘And you’ll be wise to show me respect for once I return to England, you will be punished for your disrespect.’

There was a brief pause as Sewell processed what he just heard.

‘Can you tell us why you did this? Why did you attempt to kill President Jackson?’

Lawrence’s brow furrowed, ‘KING! KING ANDREW!’ he shouted, ‘And I do believe it’s simple, for one, he killed my father in a duel!’

The doctors leaned into each other and whispered. Jackson had previously killed other people during his time in the military and subsequent duels that happened in the years during and following his service as a general. It was a possibility that perhaps Jackson was responsible for his father’s death in some sort of administrative function acting as a general (as in his father may have died under his command) but this was refuted. The doctors leaned away from each other.

‘I spoke to your sister, she states that your father died when you were young, after you came here from England.’ Causin rebutted. ‘She stated-‘

‘You cannot believe everything wretched women say to absolve themselves of responsibility!’ Lawrence interrupted.

‘Her husband confirmed it as well.’ Causin continued, Lawrence fell silent. The group remained quiet for several moments, although it felt like an eternity.

‘Jackson and the American government owes me a handsome sum of money in my two English Estates. I have rightful claim over this by birthright, and King Andrew’s opposition of the Second Bank prohibits me from collecting my fortune and returning home.’ He finally conceded.

‘I have had conversations with Mr. Van Buren, who has assured me that once King Andrew was dead he would support the distributions of my estates.’

‘You’ve spoken to the Vice President?’ Causin asked, Sewell looked at the other doctor and shook his head. Sewell was close with Jackson and knew this wasn’t truthful.

‘Mr.- er. King Richard, do you know the name George Poindexter?’ Lawrence sat in silence for some time again, staring at the table. He slammed his fists on the table and stood up.

‘Damn you all! Damn all of you! Let me out and back to my people! I’ve not done anything wrong! Jackson was too high for his nut, a vazey, pigeon-livered, ratbag! He’s terrified of my return to England and will do anything to stop me!’

The doctors also rose and backed away from the table, guards approached Lawrence, as he returned to his seat, cooling almost immediately, chuckling slightly, staring back at the table. The doctors, now standing, began the ending of their first conversation.

‘Thank you for speaking with us today Mr. Lawrence.’ Causin finished, as he gently guided Sewell and himself away from Lawrence to the exit. Lawrence was still lightly chuckling as they walked away. Lawrence sat, hunched over, slightly leaning on the wooden table, thinking about his situation, trying to remember his life before this. The guards gently helped him up from his table and led him back to his cell. Lawrence was always calm and respectful to the guards, never causing a fuss or an outburst until he was fully caged.

After being thrown into his cell he began to shake the bars in his cage plunging directly into intense cursing fits mixed with physically exhausting hysterical laughing boughts that would bring him to the ground until his laughs were hoarse breathing and he could catch his breath.

The doctors left the jail together, finishing their meeting where it had begun.

‘Jackson believes this was a conspiracy by either Senator Poindexter or perhaps his former Vice President.’ Sewell mentioned bluntly to Causin, who shook his head.

‘There is no possibility, despite his behavior. Clearly, the poor man is suffering from insanity. I’ve been observing him for four days, today he was mild and well behaved.’ Causin informed.

‘The man is clearly suffering.’ Sewell pondered, ‘Thank you for having me here.’

The two doctors parted ways, both headed off to write their opinions of the interaction they just had with Lawrence. Although both had different loyalties, objectives, and jobs, the two doctors had a similar diagnosis, upon initial evaluation, Richard Lawrence was suffering severely from insanity.

Lawrence laid on the ground of his cell, breathing hard from his fits. It was during times of the most extreme mental and physical exhaustion that Lawrence would get some peace. It was as if he could, for a brief moment in his current existence, remember his past, reflect, and understand his actions. He remained still, silently crying while he regained his energy. Often after these fits, he would lay in silence, the guards never complained and left him be. He’d be shouting soon enough again.

Notes: This is a rendition of the events surrounding true historical facts. Please keep in mind that sights, sounds, dialogue, etc may not be an exactly historically accurate. While the author(s) do their best to depict this story as historically accurate as possible, there are some additions for entertainment value and readability.

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