Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-07-31

dctlon OF feunsylyahia whllo passing from one
State 10 another upon the navigable waters of the
United States--a point which my first impress
sions are adverse TO the argument--I have TO say
!. That know OF no statute, either OF the Uni
ted States or of Pennsylvania, or OF New Jersey,
the only other State that has qualified jurisdc-
ton over this part Of the Delaware that authorizes
the forcible abduction of any person or anything
whatsoever, without claim Of property unless IN
aid Of legal process.
2. That | know of no statute of Pennsylvania
which affects To divest the rights Of property of
citizen Of North Carolina, acquired and asserted
under the laws Of that State because he has found
it needful or convenient to pass through the terri
tory Of Pennsylvania
8. That / am not aware that any such statute if
such one were shown, could be recognised as
valid in court Of the United States.
4. That it seems to me altogether unimportant
whether they were slaves or not IL would be the
mockery Of philanthropy to assert that, because
men had become free, they might therefore be
forcibly abducted.
have said nothing OF the motives by which the
respondent has been governed; / have nothing TO
do with them; they may give him support and
comfort before an infinitely higher tribunal; do
not impugn them here
Nor do allude, on the other hand, to those
special claims upon our hospitable courtesy the
diplomatic character of Mr.. Wheeler might seem
of Congress give to him and his retinue and his
property that protection representative of the
sovereignty of the United States which they con-
cede to all sovereignties besides. Whether, under
the general law Of nations, he could not ask a
broader privilege than some judicial precedents
might seem TO admit, is not necessarily involved
in the case before me.
1t IL enough that find, as the case stands now,
the plain and simple grounds of adjudication, that
Mr. hug mn rau frut lv nd
fully TO the writ Of hubsas corpus He must, there
fore, stand committed for contempt Of the legal
process of the court
Al to the second motion of the District Attor-
ney--that which looks to committal for peijury-
withhold an expression of opinion In regard to
it. 1t is unnecessary, because Mr. Williamson, be-
ing under arrest, he may be charged at any time
by the grand jury; aud l apprehend that there
may be doubts whether the affidavit should not
be regarded as extra judicial and voluntary.
Let Mr.. Williamson, the respondent, be COM
mtted to the custody of the marshal without bail
main-prize, AZ for a contempt Of the court in
refusing to answer to the writ Of habeas corpus
heretofore awarded against him at the relation of
Mr.. Wheeler.
torney Vandyke moved that a commitment under
the seal Of the court be issued and the defendant
Passmorc Williamson, be placed in the custody OF
the marshal.
Mr.. Gilpn said he desired to make motion that
the defendant be granted permission to amend his
return to the writ of habeas corpus.
Mr.. Vandyke objected.
Judge Kane said that Mr.. Glpin was too late
with his motion. Mr.. Vandykes motion had al
ready been granted, and the prisoner was in the
custody Of the marshal.
Mr. Gilpin then commenced an argument On the
truthfuness Of the original return.
Judge Kane snid that his decision would be on
fe and he also understood that it would be report
ed in full in the newspapers of this afternoon. He
thought 1t would be better for the counsel for the
prisoner to examine the decision at their leisure,
and then prepare any motion they might think
proper TO report.
Mr. Gilpin acquiesced, and the Court adjourned
A Philadelphia letter says:
"A large number Of persons, comprising the
friends Of Colonel Wheeler and Mr.. williamson
and miscellaneous audience, were pre- ient /; and
althou III no decided manifestation of feeling was
exhibited on either side, 30 far as could ascertain
from casual remarks, made by persons in my i'm
mediate vicinity, Mr. Williamsons act was con
zidered one Of aggression, and little sympathy was
manifested for him.
"Mr Williamson was present, surrounded by a
group of sympathizing friends Of the Quaker per-
suasion, and in another part Of the room was Col.
Wheeler, with his own circle of sympathizers. Mr..
wil.aloon is about 10 years of age quite tall and
rather slimly built. Col Wheeler is small man,
Of rather pleasing manners. Mr.. Williamson has
been placed ia the Moyamensing prison."
Culpeper Court House is probably village OF
one thousand inhabitants. 1t has three churches,
Baptist Episcopalian, and Methodist. The entire
place seems TO indicate the activity of the people
The fayorite resort Of this section is the "Waver.
ly House. neat and beautiful hotel, conducted
by Mr.. VIM. B. HILL who ia also the postmaster.
l. L.. -