The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-08-02
THE WHEELER SLAVE CASE.


we are glua that they to be made public
THE WHEELER SLAVE CASE.
Tue circumstances attending the decision of the district
court Of the United States Philadelphia in the proceed
ings against Passmore Williamson present subject
for serious contemplation saf &@Aea
The opinion of Hon John X. Kane, although it does not
restore Mr. Wheeler that property which is guaranteed
10 him BY the constitution of the United States has in
some degree indicated principle which must eventually
aid in re-esablshng that harmonious intercourse which
at one time existed the citizens of the States form
ing our beloved confederacy.
Few cases have excited deeper feelings than this and
from all the accounts we have received the public sen
appears to be unanimous that more high-handed
outrage than that in which Williamson was the leader
on the 18th of July last has disgraced our country
The facts are contained within a compass Mr.
Wheeler citizen of of the States North Carona
which in order TO form perfect union establish
justice insure domestic hanquy, provide for the COM
mon defence and promote the general welfare originally
entered solemn compact of limited authority and
power was on the 18th of july on board the steamboat
Washington on the high seas the public highway of
every nation which has adopted that great treaty known
as the constitution of the United States He had passed
over the southeast the State of Pennsylvania and
city Of Philadelphia until the hour of the departure of the
lie for New York whence he intended to embark for his
post as minister of the United States Nicaragua lie
had with bn three domestic servants who held TO
labor by the laws of the nations Of North Carolina and
Virginia and BY laws of the District of Columbia
few moments before the departure of the boat Passmore
williamson white man. heading mob of negroes, ap-
preached Mr. Wheeler who sitting with his servants
on the hurricane deck and declared the servants that
they were free Mr. Wheeler desired the crowd dess
from such conversation and leave him; whereupon
violent hands laid him by Mr. Williams
son and his coored associates and contederates. The
slaves were orcbly taken from his possession, and, al
though resisting and protesting their unwilngness to
90 rushed along the street to carriage into which
they forced and fastened to the corner of 10th and
Pine streets They then taken from the carriage
and so manifest the resistance this point that when
negroes in possession asked by Of the by
ISLANDERS the Of thus dragging woman along the
street. the reply was She is woman whom we are
taking the hospital and she does not desire to 60 and
her children crying after her" ee
William had taken active part in planning the
whole movement and the morning which he made
his return the writ of habas corpus that he had
the custody Of the domesic in question: he by
his own admission under OATH had called Dr. STILL the
negro secretary of the Antislayey Society and asked f
they were all sae" which the secretary replied they
are perfectly During the time of the abduction and
forcble detention these slaves by williamson he pledged
himself to Mr. Wheeler be responsible him for all his
egal rights.
The very first right for the protection of which MIR.
Wheeler appealed the courts of his country the
right TO have the negroes brought into court for the pur
pose Of having the question of title adjudicated Had
Mr. Williamson complied only with his duty citi-
ZEN but with his solemn pledge to Mr. Wheeler, and
brought his servants before Judge Kane the question Of
property would have been carefully passed upon But be
selected different He preferred to deny in gem
era terms that be had control Of tho negroes whom
be had by just Implication promised to bring before the
court
This transaction assumed varions legal aspects and
nnder the direction of the counsel OF Mr. Wheeler, pro-
oednps are now progress test the questions involved
/. There is an indictment against Mr.. williamson and
some six of his coored copederates for an assault and
battery on Mr. Wheeler, and for riot
This Of course is purely proceeding in the State court
The crime alleged is ono against the laws of the State Of
pennsylyana The courts Of the United States have
jurisdiction The territory Of the Delaware river being by
various legislative and concessions, within the
criminal jurisdiction of that State, and Congress not
having up to this time exercised any criminal jurisdictions
over waters of navgable rivers within the jurisdiction Of
any particular State.
I'd The proceedings under the writ Of haba eopus is
sued by Hon John X. Kane reatione John H. Wheeler
commanding Mr. Williamson to bring into court the bodies
Of the in question in order to have the right Of
possession adiudicated. Had Mr. Williamson made the
proper this writ and brought in the bodies as no
sane doubts he could have done Ind be been properly
disposed the question of property would have been the
main question in the But he preferred, as was evil
dent to every person who has read the testimony to eyade
the writ and in doing in open court he has been
guilty Of most fragrant contempt of the process OF the
curt For this offence has been committed to the Gus