Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-12-04
The Chrlssiana Rioters.


cradle feeling was manifested. The trials
will awaken great interest as they progress.
Every one of the prisoners, twenty-eight, is to
be tried separately. The District attorney
has been engaged since the 10Th of Septem-
Der, in the preparation of the Indictments
The order of the proceedings will be as fol-
lows:-
First, they will be tried for TREASON.
"Secondly, should they be acquitted of the
crime Of Treason, they will be taken 10 Lam
caster and tried in the State Court for the
murder of Edward Gorsuch. And at the sug-
gestion of the District Attorney of the United
States the States Attorney for Lancaster
District has already lodged at the Prison,
warrants charging all the prisoners with the
crime of murder.
"Thirdly, if they are acquitted both of trea-
son and murder, they viii be tried in the Dis
trict Court of the United States for obstruc-
ting the Marshal in executing the process is
sued by Mr.. Commissioner, Ingraham, and
for aiding in the escape of the slaves"
The counsel who appeared for the United
States, were U. S. District Attorney John w
Ashmead, James r. Ludlow, Esq, and Geo.
l., Ashmead, Esq. For the State of Mary
land, Robert J. Brent, James Cooper, ard j.
R. Ludlow. Counsel for Cashier Hanaway
John N. Read, Thaddeus Stevens, J. ].
Lewis, Theodore Cuyler, and w. A. Jackson,
Esquires.
Ofll6 jurors summoned from various coun-
ties in the State, 81 appeared, and Judge
Gr;er ordered fine 500 to be imposed upon
the absent jurors, unless their failure to be
present should be shown to have been una
voidable.
Castner Hanaway, member of the Socic-
ty OF Friends, was the first one of the accused
arralgned. The bill of indictment read
He plead not guilty, his wife clinging to his
arm. The clerk asked him how he would be
tried, stating that it was matter of life and
death. Hanaway replied he would be tried
by God and his country. The clerk wished
him safe deliverance. The prisoner, who
is young man of about thirty-fvc years, Of
tall and slim person, displays much selfpos-
session.
The following is list Of the Jurors to try
this cause: Robert Elliott, of Perry; james
Wilson, of Adams; Thomas Connolly, of Car
bon; Peter Martin, of Lancaster; Rob't Smith,
of Adams; VIM. R. Sadler of Adams; James
NJ. Hopkins, of Lancaster; John Junkin, Of
Perry; Solomon Newman, of Pike; Jonathan
Wainwright, of Philadelphia county; Ephraiu
Fenton, of Montgomery, and James Cowdea,
Of Lancaster.
After the jury was seated, the District At ]
torney, opened the case and addressed the
Jury at great length. He said the outrage
at Christiana was treason against
The United States, and all who participated
N II were guilty Of that offence 1t was con-
,erted and combined resistance against a
statute of the United States, and as far as
defendant, HanGUGy, was concerned, was
made with the intent to render that statute
void and imperative. The proof agnst the
prisoner would be clear and convincing, and
'uch as would satisfy every man of his guilt. /
fbo l.
testimony Of more than two witnesses. and in I,
20 pointed and distinct manner that no oues-
ion Of their truth could exist.
This important case is now fairly under
way, and the testimony is being taken. The
irst witness called was Officer Kline. He (
elated The particulars Of his visit to the Gap /
ear Christiana, III company with others, for
he purpose of arresting the slaves. With
'uide, they approached Parker's house near
aylight, witness little ahead; within forty
ards Of the house saw Nelson, one of the
laves, who ran and witness after him; the
after fell, but got up and ran OF, reaching
be house after Nelson. Witness called up
tairs TO the landlord and told who he was.
nd who he was after. They denied that
uch persons were there, and thrust pitch
ork down at him. lie went out and asked |
ir. Gorsuch to talk TO them from outside
hey fired gun and witness fired pistol.
le read his warrant three times, and remon-
rated with them. Hanaway then rode up
} the bars; witness asked him several ques-
ons, to which he replied, st is none of your
usiness; he also refused 10 assist, and advised
lat the effort to arrest be abandoned, as blood
ould be spilled-said the blacks were armed
I'd had right to defend themselves Many
acks were now in and around the house,
med with guns, scythes, clubs, &c. Fif It
en or twenty came up in the same direc-
on, and after Hanaway. Elijah Lewis {