Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-09-04
THE HARRISBURG AFFAIR.

Great excitement recently prevailed at Harrisburg, Pa.
account of an endeavo 10 reclaim fugitive slaves
from adjoining county of Clarke From one of the par
ties concerned have received version Of the
whole affair. 1t is substantially as follows:
On the 10th inst Nessrs William Taylor and George
III. lser, of Clarke, Va, and Ihos Herbert and Joseph
Kense of Washington county, Nd arrived Harrisburg
in search of the fugitives Major. l.. T. Moore of this
place joined them the next day in pursuit of nerro benr
ing to Mrs. A. r. Davis and held by himself as
There were seven iugyes altogether Three of the no
groes belonging TO Alessrs Taylor and John E Pare Of
Clarke, asceraned to ben the place. and the Doth
inst warrants served upon them for horse stealing
which resulted in their being committed TO jail by Justice
of the Peace.
Subsequently, they brought before the Court by
writ of hGbea corpus, and the Judge after hearing estimo-
ny on both Sides decided that the charge was insufficient
admit of the imprisonment of the slaves On the trial,
endeavor made TO prove and alb and afterwards to
show mistake Of persons, both (which requests elus
ed by the Judge Free negroes We're introduced for that pu
pose and the conscience of VIM. NJ Jones' coored min
iste elastic enough TO allow him TO that they
were his house the l7th of july number Of other
cOOred witnesses that they were in Pennsylvania six
" days before the the Goth of the month No prose-
cuion commenced against these persons for perjury
though hundred persons that the slaves did
not leave Virginia until July ~.
The next morning the negroes released. Messrs
Taylor Isler Liuleohn and Mccormick, of Clarke: L. II.
bert and Kense, of Maryland, and Mr. Gregg, OF Delaware
appeared the Jail for the purpose of taking possession of
the negroes crowd of about hundred coured persons
assembled and hazardous fight ensued inside the gates
tween the and the slaves Pages negro escaped
the confusion. About hundred and fifty white citizens of
Harrisburg inerposed themselves between the Jail and the
negroes, for the purpose of aiding the masters The Court
then in session. hearing of The affair, ordered the conne-
nent Of all who were inside The gates. All the gentlemen
above mentioned were committed 10 prison, except Mr. j.
Mccormick, who had gone for carriage They were i'm
mediaey brought out writ of bGbeas corpus, and gave
security in 500 EACH for their appearance the NUyen
Der term to answer the charge ocreatng riot. Mr.. Tay
or's negroes committed rioters He himself has
gone Philadelphia prove his property before the u s.
District Judge and get Ihos Herbert appointed Deputy
Marshal to return them 10 this State.
Messrs kunkle Carson, AIcAlster and Lamber,on were
the counsel for the owners. Judge Mckinney and J. w.
Rawn were the counsel for hesaves and showed them
selves emineny qualified for their places Great praise
due Judge Pearson, who did every thing in his power
the of the On trial, he declared he
did believe word Of the negro evidence but that his
opinion made mp from the evidence of Mr. Taylor alone,
Several gentlemen of Harrisburg worthy, also, Of
menaton for their generous espousa Of the side of right
Thus ends this affair. The Constitution OF the United
States plain and unnstakeabe in its PROVISIONS has been To-
tally dsregarded by mob, and the have been fore
ed return home without their property, the security of
which has been guaranteed TO them in that sacred ns,ru-
ment. hen the fugitive slave bill passes Congress,
have hopes that this heavy for grievance will be eff
fectually removed.-Wiachester Republican.