Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-12-15
Ito be contiaued.l
Correspondence Of the Spy.l
Acquittal of Cashier Hanway


PHILADELPHIA Dec. ii.
INessrS. Editors:-The Of Cashier Hanway,
who has been trial for the last fifteen days, before
the u S. Circuit Court, on the charge Of high trea-
sou, was brought to close this afternoon, aud a
verdict Of ''Not Guilty. was rendered by the jury,
after an absence from the Court Room of only about
ten minutes. The circumstances which caused his
arrest laid before your readers at the time, and
you have, probably, before this, received by tee.
graph the news of his acquittal; but perhaps brief
notice, by mail, of the closing scenes will not be uu-
interesting.
The head and front Of Mr.. Hanway's offending,
consisted in refusing to assist the notorious slave
catcher, Henry H. Kline to arrest two fugitive slaves
at Chrstiana, who, with some fifty or a hundred Of
their friends, were armed to defend themselves, and
the danger was so imminent that Kline himself dare
not venture them. The great zeal and apparent
confidence, on the part Of the officers Of the Govern
ment, led many to suppose he might be convicted.
until after the evidence the part of the defence
had been closed, when the greatest indignation was
manifested, that charge so grave should be prA
ferred against innocent. So paIpabIe w
jury stated, that 'the Court felt bound to say tth
they did not think the transaction with which the
prisoner is charged have been Connected rises 70
the dignity of treason a levying of war;" This,
of COURSE quashes the thirtyeght other indictments
for treason, found against persons who are said to
have been engaged in the affray. There are,
however, other indictments, for conspiracy, and for
tbo IL,
fu about their ever being called up for trial, was
told by of the counsel for the defence, that the
jury, after rendering their verdict, signifed hes-
sire to sign statement, declaring their belief in MIR
Hanways entire innocence Of any offence and exon
Grating him from all blame in the unfortunate death
OF MIR. Gorsuch. Such a statement will be ure.
pared, and signed by them when the Circuit Court
| again sits.
Thus, this quiet and unofending citizen has been
torn from his home and family, and incarcerated in
the unhealthy and loathsome County prison for three
months, his little property, accumulated by his hon
est industry as miller, has been sacrificed in his
defence, to crafty the cupidity and servity of the
Attorney General, who, it is supposed, will make
not less than two thousand dollars by the operation.
Maryland sent here her Attorney General by author
ity and wish OF the administration, and associated
with him the Hon. James Cooper, Wing U. S. Sen.
ator from this State, who, apparently thirsting for
the blood of innocent individual, appealed to the
patriotism of the jury, and their love of the Union,
as if some be sacrificed on the altar of the
Union, to appease the South.
John NJ. Reed, Esq, formerly Attorney General
OF the State, made most mastery argument for the
Defence in which he stated that it would be neces-
sary for Congress to pass laws to protect persons
from false arrests, and also, that they ought to pass
special act, to indemnify Mr. Hanway for his loss
Of property.
After the charge Of the Judge and the rendition
of the verdict, MIR. Hanway became the great hero
of the time and place. Ladies crowded around him,
congratulaing him, pressed his hand, and even
kissed him. Members of the bar, jurynen, report
ers, and even Mr.. Cooper the counsel who had,
few moments before, pleaded so eioquently for his
conviction,took his hand and congratulated him on
his honorable acquttal. One plan-dressed man,
noticed, placed in his hand four or five dollars in
gold. Ills devoted wife, who has been his almost
constant conn lion in his imprisonment, and who has
been present during the whole trial, was much affect
ed by the scene.
Thus has ended one Of the most impol tapt and
exciting trials that ever occurred in the United
States; and may the South learn by the result, that
they cannot come into Free States and convict limo.
cent Of the crime of treason, even if thew are
sometimes foiled in their attempts to catch their
"property," they pleased to call the usitiyes.
H.