The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-09-25
THE CHRISTIANA TRAGEDY.

Gorsuch and his son, while trying u capture Il
fugitive slave. A long examination took place
the details of which it is unnecessary for us to
repeat establishing in substance the facts that
Gorsuch and sons arrival had been anticipated
by the blacks. who entrenched themselves i'm
considerable numbers, armed with guns or PTS
tolls scythes and clubs in the house of one
Parker which Gorsuch was expected to visit
When the slave hunters arrived, rs they did in
very considerable force they were warned
away by the negroes Gorsuch and his com
pany broke in the door, but were speedily driv-
en- out again by the negroes without resorting
to their weapons. Gorsuch was again warned to
90 away, but instead of doing so fred into the
crowd wounding but not seriously, several of
the negroes. The latter Immediately returned
the fire, killing and wounding the father and
son MORALLY, and several others were after
wards wounded more or less severely.
Two of the prisoners, Joseph Scarlet and
William Brown colored men, were committed
,4s.aSweS tS@ sxzEyyt til ty.1;sr ~ t@ttt ,l
ted States, by leyying war against the same. IN
resisting. by force of arms the execution OF the
Fugitive Slave Law, and also for obstructing the
Marshal in the execution of the process OF the
United Statesn Some females who were ar
rested were discharged and the balance of the
colored prisoners detained in custody. Kendig,
the only white man arrested was also released.
In reply to an application, addressed by John
Cadwallader and others, for aid, &c, Governor
Johnston addressed them the following sensible
letter, which discloses the steps thus far taken
by the Executive of Pennsylvania in the
premises and shows that careful trial before
"a competent judicial tribunal will soon deter
mine the character and grade of the offence, if
any, which the prisoners have committed.
Whether the courts shall convict them of muir
der, or mansaughter, or justifable homicide,
they will at least, have the benefit of a trial by
jury, which is more than they would have en-
joyed if they had not purchased the privilege
with the life's blood of their pursuers. Mean
| time the process of the slave hunter is paraly-
] zed and the negroes have no fear. for the pres
emit of United States Marshals or United States
Commissioners. They have now placed them
selves under the protection of the laws of the
State. which before did not shield them SO
much more benefcently do the laws of this
country view the crime of murder than that of
being slave!
LETTER FROM GOV JOHNSTON.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. IA, 1851
GENTLEMEN: Your letter, without date, was
this afternoon put into my hands by one of the
servants Of the hotel. The anxiety which you
manifest to maintain the laws of the land and
the public peace is fully appreciated, and !
have great pleasure in informing you that, more
than twenty-four hours before the receipt Of
your letter, the parties implicated had been,
through the vigilance and decision of the local
authorities, arrested and are now in prison,
awaiting an inquiry into their imputed guilt.
The District Attorney and Sheriff of Lancaster
county, acting in concert with the Attorney
| IF tba of o;aI fhan b.
for their prompt and energetic conduct. This
was all done early on Saturday morning and
duly reported to me by the local officers.
"The testimony taken by the United States
Commissioner, who arrived at later period on
the ground printed copy of which has accident
ally reached me this afternoon, confirms me in
the belief that the State authorities had vindi-
Gated the law and to large extent arrested
the perpetrators of the crimes
"The cruel murder of a citizen Of a neighbor-
ing State, accompanied by gross outrage on
the laws of the United States in the resistance
of its process, has been committed and you
may be assured that so soon as the guilty agents
are ascertained they will be punished in its
severest penalty by the law of Pennsylvania
am very proud that the first steps to detect
and arrest these offenders have been taken by
Pennsylvania officers
Permit me- gentlemen, having thus removed
all just cause of anxiety from your minds re-
spectfully TO suggest that the idea of rebellion
or 'insurrectionary movement in the county
of Lancaster, or anywhere else in this Com
monweath, has no real foundation, and is an
offensive imputation on large body of our
fellow citizens There is no nsurrectionary
movement in Lancaster county, and there
would be no occasion to march military
force there, as you seem to desire, and inhame
the public mind by any such strange exaggerl-
ton do not wish our brethren of the Union
to think that, in any part OF this State, resist
ance 10 the law goes undetected or unpublished
or that there exists such sentiment IA treason
TO the Union and the Constitution.
"The alleged murderers of Mr.. Gorsuch
whose crime is deep enough without exaggera-
ting ii, have been arrested, and will be tried
and they and their abettors will be made to
answer for what they have done in contravcn-
| ton of the law But in the mean time lot me
invite your cooperation as citizens Of Pennsyl.
vania, not only TO zee that the law IL enforced,
| but to add 10 the confidence which we all feel
in the judicial tribunals Of the land, by abstain
ing from undue violence Of language, and let
ting the law take its course. Depend upon it,
gentlemen there IL in Lancaster county a sense
OF duty to the laws of the land, manifested in
tho easy and prompt arrest Of these offenders
which will on all occasions show itself in
practical obedience.
.The people Of that county are men Of peace
and good order, and not easily led aside from
the path of duty which the Constitution pre-
scribes They and every Pennsylvania love the
Constitution and the Union They will detect
as they have done in this case, and arrest and
punish all who violate the laws Of the land
There is no warrant depend GA it. Cor represent
ing the men Of Lancaster county as traitors
and participants in AN 'insurrectionary move
ment' You do them, automatically I have
no doubt, great injustice.
II am deeply indebted TO you for afording
me the opportunity Of expressing my views.
But for your communication, ! might not have
been able TO do 80, You, and my fellow citi-
xens at large, may be sssured Of my firm deter
minstiOn, at all hazards and under oil crcuIu-
stances, TO maintain tho supremacy Of the Con-
situation. and enforce obedience to tho law alike
of the United States and of this Common wealth
In order that may BIZ sure that my answer
may reach ih destination, (your letter having
but accidentally come to my bands) | have
requested Mr.. White 10 put it in the hands of
Mr. John CadwaIlader, whose signature
observe il first
al arm, with great respect your obedient ser
want WIS. + JOHNSTON
y To Messrs John Cadpafiader, A. j.
Roumtort, jas. Pags, and others"
II viii ie remarked that Governor Johnston
could NOT no ssducsd- into ths toastoolery OF
seuding troops up into the county a. IL the
people were NIL in n state of ins,irreetion, but,
by simply handing the alleged criminals over
10 the judicial tribunals, very quietly disposed
Of IN the Glory which the toadicr Ut the