The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-08-27
The Late Slave Riot at Hsrrisburg-Arrest
OF the Masters and slaves-General Tx
element I'm the city.
HARRISBURG Pa, Aug.

HARRIsBURe Pa, Aug. 81, 1850.
party Of ten ortwelve men from Clarke county,
Virginia, arrived here some days ago, in pursuit o
three fug tive slaves, who, they alleged, were also
fugitives from justice, having stolen three horses
10 aid in their escape. They found and arrested
three colorrd persons in Harrisburg, whom they
claimed as properly, and also charged before JUS
tce Beader, with having stolen three horses in
Virginia.
The Justice committed them, without any hear
ing, Ia the Dauphin county prison, and their mas
tiers hired carriages for the purpose of conveying
Them away, thinking that they could withdraw the
charge OF larceny, prove their properly, and take it
away. Bot when they went to the Justice for this
purpose, he told them II could not be done. This
conduct on their part, induced some persons TO
think that the charge of larceny had been made for
the purpose Of getting possession OF the alleged
slaves, and that u was all a mere preiext, without
HDy foundation.
With tins view Of the subject, the prisoners were
brought before the Court of Quarter Sessions.
Judges Pearson, Cewdtn, and Hester, on a writ
oi hatCas corpus, and after full examination, were
renamed TO prison, TO await the decision OF the
court.
This morning. the court (Iudge Pearson) gave
another opinlOn. nd ordered the prisoners To be
discharged on the ground that no larceny had been
proved TO have been committed. but indicated that
abe persons claiming them a. property, could take
them afterwards, case II was done without any
breach Of the reace and carry them away, but that
such couise would constitute kidnapping II they
werenoi slaves Whereupon the prisoners were eject
ed from the pnson, and Immediately taken into
focy by their claimants, IN the yestibulc OF the
prison, where and when an afiray took place be-
tween the ulltCe slaves and their master or mas
tiers, and two 1T the three were beaten in such a
manner with clubs that they could offer no further
resistance, the third one in the melee having sue
oeedsd IN making his escape. Their heads were
severely cut, ana their bodies brutality bruised, the
blood flowing freely. They were then hundcuiied
Together, ano just as they were about 20 be taken
away, IN order Of court arrived, and the slaves and
Their masters were committed 10 jail together, to
await an examination for breach Of the peace
h. whites were suhec queny brought out on hdbens
roTJts, and after full riai bound over 10 aspear
st the next term Of Quarter Sessions in Dolphin
county, TO answer on charge Of riot, in the sum
at hive hundred dollars each, with one sufficient
surety IN Pennsylvana, 10 the same amount They
gave the required bail, and were discharged. The
slaves had their wounds dressed, and are now w.
ina on their backs on the floor Of cell, where
they will probably stay tall next court Tn. deci-
sous 81 the court appear TO have given great sltis
faction To our citi1ees generally; and some Of
the agturing patty admit the correctness and fair
nee Of the whole procett ding, far as the court
and the law s concerned. The Judge remarked,
on itqunrg bal to snswet for an offence
Shareholder or owner could be permitted to use as
much force aud violence AZ was necessary 10 take
and carry away the slave wlich he owned, but
that he could not he allowed te 20 any further
and vent out vengeance upon him here, though
il might he allowed blythe laws Of Virginia, when
they got there.
A large crowd Of colored people nal gathered
about the jail az the time the slaves we're let ont
and aftef the beating Of the slaves had commenced,
some noise and violence, with throwing II stones,
DC took place. and several OF the most active one :
have been held to bail tor their appearance at the
next Quarter Sessions.
The following is Judge Parsons opinion NJ
pfsCHaHor IHE SLAVES.
LARCENY - Commonwealth VS.. Samuel Wilson,
Geo. Brooks, and Billsy.--These three defendants,
negroes, escaped during the month OF July from
their masters, in Clarke county, Va, near Battle
town, or Beryve, and on the same night the
owners Of the negroes missed also three horses,
saddles and hridles
VIM. Taylor, the ownerof two Of the slaves, and
q. III. Eisler, resident Of Berryvie, arrived here
rome dsys ago, and made Information before
Henry Beadcr. Eco chsrgipR the above named
defendants with larceny, and rs being fcghves
nom justice. Upon this, warrant vas Issued,
and the men were arrested and lodged in isil
On Friday, defendants were brought into Court
def,nded hy M,ssIs. Rawn and Iucse Mckinney
The owners. VIM. Taylor, and Geo " Eisl,r
underwent long examination, and Il was conclu-
tvely proyen. (as the Cour, admit-ed) that a. es-
men wire slaves from the State OF Virginia, and
the hOrses stolen werr no doubt used for the pur-
pote Of their escsp- from bondage
The whole q Friday was occupied by this ex-
emnati.n. ard the argument by counsel or both
iass. Ihe Prosecution was eerducied BY Messrs