Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-11-09
The Case of passmore williamson

Mr.. Williamson still lies in Moyamensing y
prison, and the results Of all the efforts to
free him from his unjust Incarceration atiord
as yet no prospect of his release. On Friday
Of last week Mr.. Meredith, his counsel, Of
fered in court petition which he asked per-
mission to read Judge Kane declined to
receive petition from Mr.. Williamson. un-
less such petition should be to relieve himself
from contempt hy pur-rtion. Mr. Meredith,
then proceeded to argue that the contempt
could be rursed by making an answer to the
court AMI paying the costs, which he was
now prepared to do What followed we
copy from the report
Judge Kane said that up TO this moment
there has been, on the part OF the individual
to whom the function of the court has been
delegated and exercised in tins matter, not a
single particle of conscious excitement. He
did not believe it WAS in the power of the
entire press of the Unitrd States, after he had
honestly administered his duty to the best
Of his ability, to give him pang, or pro-
duce one excited feeling. therefore, now, as
heretofore, he looked upon the question as
one that has no feeling ON the bench
Ii he understood the remarks of Mr. Mere
dith, he meant to say to the Court that
Pas-morc Williamson was desrous Of testi-
tying now his willingness to obey the exigen-
cies of the writ of hd5cdS corpus. If so, he
had "A simple. straight forward, honorable
course to pursue. lie has no need of making
a narrative OF facts or argum nts of protest :;
let him come forward into Court, declaring
that he i willing to obey the writ issued by
this Court, and when he has done that, in
the estimation of the Judge, he is purged of
h> contempt
Nothing on hIs part OF personal offense
was cynced to the Court, his demeanor was
entirely respectful but he failed to obey the
writ which the law issued t. him, and when
he has obcyrd that writ, 1t will be the duty
Of thi, Court to free him. What is under
stood by purgltun i not simply mere form
Of words. 1t matters not about that. pro-
yidcd he received from the party who is in
contempt for having dlsobeyed the process Of
the Court, the assurance that he l. non-pre-
pared to obey such process, and until he is
prepared to announce his disposition to obey,
he could not hear him upon any other SUB
lect which asserts that the Court has erred
either in point of fact or law, or has ex.
crciscd IA jurisdiction which does not belong
to it lie said he would hear the counsel
upon the question whether the Court can
legally hear any other petition than the one
OF purgatlon.
Mr.. Meredith proceeded accordingly to
argue the question. Judge Kane delivered
his decision ON Monday, refusing the leave
to present the petition, on the ground that
Williamson is still in contempt and by the
petition he seeks to present does not purge
himself To the end, however, that he may
purge himself, the Judge ordered, whenever
Williamson shall declare under oath or affirm
alton that he is willing to answer such inter-
rogationS rs may he addressed him by Court
touching matters, heretofore enquired into by
the habeas corpus, that the Marshal shall
bring him before the Judge in Court of
Chambers, to abide the further action ofthe
Court.
1t will be seen from the above that
Kane will not be satisfied with simple perjury
On the part Of his victim When William
son has declared that he is willing to obey
the writ commanding him TO produce the
bodies of the woman Jane and her children
this mercitul Judge will consent to listen to
him, and "whcn he has obeyed the writ, it
will be the duty Of the court to free him -
In the mean time he has the gracious per-
mission to hear whatever interrogatories the
Judge may see fit to PROFOUND, if he will
make oath that he is willing to answer the
same.