The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-08
PAssMORE WILLIAMSON RELEASED.

Our readers will rejoice at the release oil
Passmore Williamson from unlawful imprison
ment, aud still more that he made no dishonor
able or unworthy concession in order to procure
his discharge. Judge Kane has been brought
to a. sense of the foul tyranny which he was ex
ercising an innocent man, and has shown
every disposition to release himself of the fear
full responsibility. There is some merit in re-
pentance, at least.
THE CASE or PASSMORE WITIIAMSON-HIs
RELEASE FROM PRISON.
On Saturday morning, Passmore Williamson
appeared in the United States District Court in
Philadelphia, accompanied by Messrs. Mere.
dith, Gilpin, and Hopper, his counsel, and of
Tered petition, in which he expressed his will.
lingness to purge himself of the contempt in the
Wheeler slave case, for which he was imprison-
ed IN July last. Judge Kane received the pc
hhon, granted the prayer, and required vii
hanson TO affirm 10 what he had to say in reply
TO the Undergraduates of the Court. Certain in.
terrogatories were then propounded to him by
Mr.. Nandyke, the District Attorney, to which
he replied:
II did not seek 10 obey the writ by producing
the persons therein mentioned before the Court
because 1 had not, at the time of the service of
the writ, the power over the custody or control
OF them, and therefore it was impossible for me
Ia do SO. | first heard of the writ of habeas
corpus on Friday July Doth, between one and
two o'clock A. NJ, on my return from Harris
burg. After breakfast, about nine O'Clock,
went from my house TO Mr.. Hoppers office,
when and where the return was prepared
At ten O'Clock, came into court, as com
manded 10y the writ. i sought to obey the writ.
by answering it truly. The parties not being
IN my possession or control, it was impossible
Tor me TO obey the writ by producing them
Since the service of the writ, have not had the
custody, possession, or power over them; nor
have | known where they were, except from
common runor or the newspaper reports, in
regard to their public appearance in the city
or elsewhere"
Some discussion arose between the District
Attorney and the counsel of Mr.. Williamson.
Mr.. Vandyke contended that the replv of the
defendant was evasive and contradictorv. The
Judge said the difficulty, he thought. could he
easily overcome, by amending the answer; and
at the suggestion of the Court, it WAS amended
IN the following manner:
Il did not seek to obey the writ, by pro
ducing the persons in the writ mentioned be
fore this Court. | did not so seek. because
verify believed that it was entirely impossible
for me to produce the said persons agreeably tc
the command of the Court
This answer was then accepted by the Court
and ordered 10 be filed.
Judge Kane then remarked that the District
Attorney had been invited to aid the Court il
this case, but that he would bear in mind tina
his relation to Mr.. Wheeler was now suspended
This was only an inquiry as to what injury haC
been done the process of the Court
Mr.. Vandyke said he was aware of the posi-
ton he occupied.
Judge Kane then said: "The contempt !,
now regarded as purged, and the party is re
leased from custody. He is now reinstated tc
the position he occupied before the contempt
was committed. Mr.. Williamson is now before
me On the return of the writ"
MIR. Nandyke then arose, and addressed the
Court, stating that a ROLLe pros had been en-
tered in the case in this Court, but that he had
on behalf of Mr.. Wheeler, entered suit fo,
damages in the United States Circuit Court
Judge Kane thereupon discharged Williamson
from custody. He was Immediately surround
ed, and heartily congratulated by his friends
De is said to look exceedingly well.
1t will be seen that the only difference be
tween Williamson's answer above, and tina
originally given, is, that he now omits to asser
that he nsvcr had possession Of the negroes
but by no means asserts the contrary. Thu
has the voice of the People and the thunder
of the Press opened the prison-doors, and win
dlcated tie cause of Freedom and Justic,
against the strong arm of Federal Tyranny.