The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-04-04

PHILADELPHIA, March 81.
OPPUG NATION TO THE LAWS.

On rrhay last, the Judge ct the District
Court OF the United States for the Pennsvl-
wanna District, in obedience to the peremp-
tory mandamus from the Supreme Court of
the United States, in the case of Olmstead
and others against the representatives of the
late Dovid Rittenfeusc, Esq. directed an
attachment to issue against the daughters az
Mr.. Rittenhouse, who are exccutrixes of
MS estate, to compel them to perform the de-
cree made against them SOME years AGO
On the morning of that day, detachment
OF pennsylvania militia, under the dire
OF Gen. Bright, who had previous orders
from the Governor of this state, to this effect
paraded in front of the dwellings ofthe In.
dies above mentioned, at the corner Of Arch
and Seven streets, for the purpose of resist
ing the Marshal of the United States in tho
execution of his process against them. A
house in the neighborhood was hired as a
guard house Tor the use ofthe men. and SEN,
tinels were placed before the dwellings, occu-
pied by the ladies. The guards were reru-
larly relieved during that day and night and
the morning OF Saturday.
YIN Saturday morning, about 10 O'Clock.
John Smith, Esq. Marshal Of this district. ha,
wing received the process above mentioned.
proceeded to the house of Mrs. Sergeant
one OF the laeies, attended by his two depu.
ties. to execute, it. When he was within ten
or nftecn feet OF the door, the sentinel pre
sented his bayonet mt the Marshal's breast
ana ordered him to proceed no further The
M MarshSi asked him if he knew whoiie was
Inc centinel replied--I cannot know anv
man my duty is to preveRr any person from
gong INTO that house, and will do my duty.
Mr.. Smith told him that he was the Marshal
of the United States, come to execute nro-
cess. BY this time the officer of the gnard
with lille of men, came up, cleared the nave
meht OF all except the Marshal and few
VINO were In Lis company. The Marshal
VINO had never moved from the SPOT in which
ne nad matted when the sentinel first present
ed ms bayonet, and had behaved with preat
GOODNESS and fifmness, now addressed tho
ofhcer and told him who he was. and tbat
ne mad come to'execute process. which he
would do at the risk of his life. He ,hen a +
tempted to make towards the door. but was
prevented 10y the men who were ordered to
charge oayonet and resist him. The Mar
shai hndlng he was opposed by BODY of men
III 'hihtary array, demanded of the officer
ueh present, the name of his superior Off
Ger, and was informed that it was General
Bright, who was sent fer-In the mean tins &
the Marshal caused the names ofalIthe mon
VINO were in uniform, and had then. with hos
.'Se weapons, opposed the execution of the
laws, TO be taken down to be reported to the
proper tribunal.
In about half an hour. Gen. Bright ap-
peared, and Immediately ordered the men
VINO were then at a shoulder, to charge bav,
onet. The Marshal, against whose breast
the oayonets were charged and yho could
not nave advanced six inches without danger
10 ms lie, demanded of Gen. Bright. if he
She" that ne was Marshal of the United
o'Sees, OF TINS district-Gen Bright replied
yes. Inc Marshal then read aloud his writ
anu al, eeciared he would execute it at the pc
ril OF his life, at the same time made an ar
tempt TO move torward--Bright said at the
peril OF your life do it, and imm.ediatelv a
nayonet was charged at him so close as to
teach his breast. ~
:, ne MarShal then read aloud to the SOL
d.ers and people his commission as Marshal
OF the United States, for this District and
addressed them in the following words. as
nearly as we can remember them:
F." Elbow CITIZENS,
imperious duty commands my attendance at
THIS time and place in order to execute the pro.
Iess now III my hand, and which has been issued
ny virtue or mandate from the highest Judicial
Tribunal of our country. In the performance of
my DUTY, L shall be governed by prudence and
discretion, and with all by that firmness which
should at all tunes influence those who are in
trusted officially with the execution of the laws
10 WIN PAINFUL regret view the collision ex-
iSStlhg between the State, and the paramount an.
thority OF tire United States, and it win become
inc serious consideration of those of nv fellow
ct'zens who NOW appear in military array, how
Tar tney may consider themselves authorised or
lustihed IN resisting the laws of the land The
'oVe OF country and due sense OF duty. hone
WIZ induce those who now more particul,rIv
ADDRESS, to withdraw themselves from tile oppo
sttion now made to the performance of nv pub.
TIC duty-for be it known to YOU, that the Con.
sutution and laws of the United States consider
an opposition to the execution of the laws by mi
ntary force, as TREASON, and any forcibie ODD
,shion to the execution of Judicial Process. as
htgh niisdensednor. The situation in which Won
arc paced is serious one, and should excite
rebeeuon and deliberaton for deliberation time
IS necessary, which if you require, will be gran
,ed----For now solemnly declare nv inten,iop
OF eventually executing the process in this case,
w''iGH mas excited so much serious apprehension
ior tne peace and welfare of our common country
Ny duty viii require of me the raising of The
rose oil The district, il the opposition is not with
drawn, OF which power shall avail myself ;f
laws" " '''
me Marshal then asked General Bright, if lie
wanted tune to deliberate. He replied no. / am
ready and determined to resist In the name z,
by the authority of the United States. said the
Marshal addressing the soldiers, command vo,,
10 lay down your arms and permit me 10 proceed
Ill tne name and by the authority ofthe Common.
Weaith OIL pennsylvania command Won tn rosie,
nm, replied General Bright, in which he ,oas q.