American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-03
Reply to the Rev. Mr.. Gorsuch.

Having copied the letter Of this gentleman
from the Baltimore San Of the 10Th or Goth
ultimo, we are constrained to give place to the
following reply to it also, regrettng, however,
the controversial character the affair has as
sumed. The writer of this letter is the Attor-
ney General of Pennsylvania:
SIR: In letter dated the 18th instant, ad-
dressed to Governor Johnston by the Rev. ]. S.
Gorsuch, of Washington, which the writer
thought fit to publish, without waiting for any
reply or explanation he assailed the Governor
in the most vindictive terms, and imputed to
him and to me inactivity and gross dereliction
Of duty in regard to the murder of his father,
near Christiana. In subsequent card, dated
the 25th instant, he retracts, and apologies for
his charges against me, but takes occasion to
reanirm his offensive imputations upon the
Governor.
| cannot consent to be placed in n different
position in reference to this matter from Gov
ernor Johnston, upon consultation with whom
all the steps have been taken consequent upon
the lamentable affair, and in pursuance of
whose suggestion took part in the inyestiga-
ton. If, as the writer now acknowledges, |
have proved my loyalty to the Constitution and
laws, and my zeal for the vindication of public
justice, the Governor is also entitled TO the
credit which belongs to him, of having placed
it in my charge as matter of public duty.
The course pursued by the Rev. Mr.. Gorsuch
has been most extraordinary, and a reference
to the dates of the transactions may afford some
clue to the motives which have actuated, and
the influences which have prompted it.
The murder of Mr. Edward Gorsuch took place
on the morning of Thursday, the l1th inst. A
number of arrests having been made of persons
suspected Of participation in it, hearing Of the
case was fixed before Alderman Reigart for
Tuesday, the 10th inst, at IL o'clock, a. IN. At
the time appointed l appeared in behalf of the
Commonwcal prepared to assist in taking part
in the investigation. The Rev. Mr.. Gorsuch was
then present; | was made acquainted with him !;
he was apprised of my connexion with the case,
and had considerable conversation with him on
the subject. In consequence of the absence of
witnesses, the hearing was postponed to Tues
day, the 23d. After the postponement Mr.. &.
went down to Chrlstiana, where he wrote a let
ter which has been extensively published, dated
September 18th, containing pretty correct and
fair statement of the facts, and giving credit to
the public authorities for doing every thing ne
cessary to bring the transaction to light and tho
offenders to justice. lie then proceeded to his
residence at the city Of Washington, and there
on the next day, the 18th, indited the letter
which contains the injurious imputations have
alluded to. Whether the writer could in the
meantime have acquired any additional informa-
ton which could have induced the entire change
of tone, temper and feeling, from that which char
acterized his letter of the previous day, or whe-
ther tits not more probable that he was subjected
to the evil instigahon of some determined and
unscrupulous political enemy of the Governor, |
leave to the public to determine. His publication
induced no change in my course on the second
hearing From sense of personal dignity,
however, | avoided as much as possible any in
tercoursc with the reverend gentleman, who
seemed so entirely devoid of Christian feeling
and to have so far lost sight of his obligations
to his fellow men, rs that publication showed; !;
and his retractiou of the 10Th inst. could not
have been prompted by any thing which occur
red on the second hearing. This statement will
enable the public to Judge of the conduct of
Mr.. Gorsuch, and Of those who have used him
as an instrument in endeavOring to prejudice
Governor Johnston.
THOMAS +. FRANKLIN.