The following account, it is presumed, is the most candid and important that is within our reach. It is from the Peoria, Illinois, Register, of Dec. 16th. The editor of that paper is a slaveholder, but he does not forget that he is also a citizen. Having visited Alton the week after the massacre, he published on his return an extract from a communication in the Cincinnati Journal, which he says he had ascertained to be generally authentic and trustworthy.

“On Monday night, (Nov 6th,) the obnoxious press, so long looked for, arrived. Its friends had taken the precaution to have it landed late in the night, when it was supposed a mob would hardly be raised. They took the further precaution to have about fifty armed men secreted in the ware-room, ready for the service of the Mayor at any moment. While the press was landing, the spies of the enemy were seen lurking about, and the sound of their horn was raised shrill and long. But whether the enemies of peace and order were buried too deep in the arms of Bacchus and sleep, or whether they feared the formidable preparations that were made to receive them, I know not. There was no further molestation than the throwing of a stone or two, while the press was removed into the ware-room of Messrs. Godfrey, Gilman & Co..

“Things remained quiet on Tuesday, saving the threats and imprecations that were heard along the streets, against Mr. Lovejoy and the press. Mr. L’s life was threatened openly and repeatedly. The Attorney General was heard to say, emphatically and significantly, that ‘Mr. L. would be killed within two weeks.’ Soon after dark, there were unwonted gatherings in certain coffee-houses. Here the spirit of vengeance which had been rankling in their breasts, was excited to desperation by the spirit behind the counter. By about ten o’clock they were prepared for the work. Accordingly they repaired to the ware-house of Messrs. Godfrey, Gilman & Co. They commenced the attack by hurling volleys of stones through the windows and doors. Mr. W.S. Gilman appeared in the door of the second story, and addressed the mob in his peculiarly kind and impressive manner. He earnestly and affectionately advised them to desist from violence; told them that the property was left with him on storage; that he was bound to protect it; assured them that nobody in the building had any ill will against any of them, and that they  should all deprecate doing any of them any injury. At the same time he assured them that the press would not be delivered up, but that he and his associates would defend it at the risk and sacrifice of their lives. He was answered by a fresh volley of stones. Those inside then disposed of themselves at the different doors and windows, and prepared to defend it to the last. They all agreed that no gun should be fired till the doors were burst open, or till there was some firing from without. Volley after volley of stones were hurled into the windows and against the doors, then a gun was fired into the window from the mob. Presently a second gun was fired. The balls were heard to whistle through the window, but neither of them did any injury. At this juncture, one of the party within, with the consent and by the advice of the rest, levelled his gun upon the mob. One man fell mortally wounded. His associates took him up and carried him away to a physician, and the mob dispersed. The young man died in about half an hour.

“In about half an hour after the mob had had time to revive their spirits, and recruit their courage in the aforesaid coffee-houses, they returned with increased numbers, armed with guns, muskets, &c. &c., and recommenced the attack with renewed violence. They formed on the east side of the store, where there are no doors or windows, and occasionally a fire was given from each party. Whiskey was brought and distributed profusely among them, and all were exhorted to be ‘good men and true.’ Occasionally one of the mob was heard to sing out, ‘If any more guns and whiskey are wanted, away to the French coffee-house.’ Baffled in their attempt to gain admittance into the store by the doors and windows, they resolved unanimously, with a shout which cleft the air, to fire the building, and ‘shoot every damned abolitionist in it, as they should attempt to escape.’ Accordingly a ladder was made, and combustibles prepared, and a man ascended to the roof. Presently it was in a blaze. Meantime the company within sent out a detachment of four or five of their number to prevent it. Mr. Lovejoy was of the number. The man on the ladder was fired at and wounded. Just about this time, Mr. Lovejoy, who stood near the ladder, was deliberately aimed at by a man who stood a few yards from him, and shot down. He jumped up after he was shot, went into the counting room, exclaiming, ‘I am shot, I am a dead man,’ and fell down and expired in a few minutes.”

Remarks by the Editor of the Register.

We have remarked that this statement was vouched to us in Alton as being in the main strictly correct. There is one fact, however, of much importance, which is not adverted to. The defenders of the press had frequent conversations with the Mayor on Tuesday, to know how far they might rely on the civil authorities, and how far they might themselves proceed in defending it. He assured them that they had a perfect right to take fire-arms into the building, and use them if they were attacked. Indeed, no plan of defence was determined on until the Mayor had been first informed thereof, and his acquiescence gained. That he could not sustain the defenders of the house afterwards, was not his fault. He endeavored to do so, whereby he exposed himself to great peril, but without success.

The narrative does not detail all the circumstances immediately connected with the death of Mr. Lovejoy. The mob were chiefly collected in front of the north end of the building, which has a vacant lot on each side of it, and extends from Second-street to the bank of the river. The ladder was fixed to the east side, on which there were no windows. To defend that side, Mr. Lovejoy, Mr. Weller, and two or three others, went resolutely out of the south door, and fired at such of the mob as they could see in Second-street and elsewhere, and dispersed them. They then returned into the house without sustaining any injury, and remained perhaps half an hour, when they were informed that the roof was on fire. Mr. Lovejoy and Mr. Weller again went out at the south door, where they saw no one, and both stepped to the end of the building. Mr. L.  then saw a man on the ladder, fired at him and stepped behind the corner, his face fronting the east. At the same instant he received the contents of a musket, containing four balls, in his breast, fired from behind a pile of boards, 30 yards distant. Mr. Weller was at his side, and received a wound in his leg, below the knee, while another bullet passed through his hat. He thinks he heard three guns fired.

During all this time the bells were ringing, and the party in the house were not without hope that citizens would come to their rescue. Mr. Lovejoy was killed, Mr. Weller lay wounded by his side, and the roof over their heads was on fire. There was no way of attacking the mob without being instantly sacrificed. If a door or window were opened, a shower of bullets would be instantly discharged into the room.