Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-10-17

Reply Of ReU. J. s. Gorsuch to attorney General
Franklin.
- WASHINGTON, Oct. 9th, 1851.
Sir: am sorry that the errors and charges con-
tanned in your pretended reply to my letter to Gov
Johnston, compel me toappear again before the pab
lie.
My first letter enormously dated the 18th Il
was finished early on the morning of the 10th and
mailed at o'clock the day. The editors of
the Baltimore Sun noticed its reception in their pa
per of the 18th 1t is, therefore, not true that
went to Christiana. and wrote it after first seeing
you. Nor does your reference to the dates give
you the desired clue"
When assembled in the courthouse at Lancas-
ter on Tuesday the 10th ult. the States Attorney
told that he alone and that he desired aid -.
We went and secured counsel to assist him. When
the case was about to be opened you came into court
was introduced to and took your seat upon our side
but you had not " considerable conversation with me
on the subject did you do anything that proved
to me that you were much interested in the matter
It was after leaving the courthouse, that learned
upon good authority, that you did nothing toward
securing or Fastening the arrest of the murderers
nor hasit yet appeared that you did. And although
you say it was upon consultation with Gov john
ston that all the steps have been taken Consequent
upon the lamentable affair.", you will not say it was
at the Governors instance that Mr.. Thompson and
Mr.. Reigart went to the scene of the rebellion. As
for yourself you took two stepsvery safe ones, two
and those, suppose were the steps counselled.
You say give credit to the public authorities
tor dong everything necessary to bring the transac
ton to light. and the offenders to Justice" That
did not include all the public authorities of the coun-
ty in that remark you too well know. meant espe-
cially the States Attorney and the Alderman for
until they reached Christiana nothing had been done
in issuing writs and making arrests.
My course, you say has been extraordinary -
Was it extraordinary thata Governor of Pennsyl
vana should array himself against sovereign law of
the land and lend his official aid to trammel it's ope-
ration Was it not extraordinary that my father
murdered by band of negroes, encouraged by
white abolitionsts? Was it not extraordinary that
no step was taken by the officers of the neighbor-
hood to arrest the perpetrators of the outrage until
late in the afternoon of the second day. and then not
until help had come from q distance Was it not
extraordinary that though the United States autho-
rites upon the ground almost those
of the State the executive took deep interest in the
vindicaton of the laws while the Governor of the
State showed indifference that almost amounted
to connivance! And was it not extraordinary that
the Governor should write letter to defend his neg
lect of duty containing many grave and mis-
statements Under such circumstances. it has been
found easy to call plain and honest statement
of the facts extraordinary than to disprove it.
My letter to the Governor was written by myself,
without suggestion, dctation. or aid of any one
Your nsinuation, therefore, in regard to its author
ship and intent, is as ungenerous as it is untrue
That nsinuation has the merit however, of exhibit
ing great adroitness in political jjuggery
But you cannot consent to be placed in differ
ent position from Gov. Johnstonn Well, cannot
help that. Gov. Johnston has placed himself in a
position not far removed from odium. if you re-
solved to stand with him, then indeed you are pa,
! mobile frdrtm J. S. GORsUCH.
i Hon. Thomas E. Franklin.