The Christiana Affair

THE CHRISTIANA AFFAIR.

A letter is published in the Baltimore Sun, from a son of Mr. Gorsuch who was killed while attempting to arrest two colored men, his reputed slaves, at Christiana. The writer is a clergyman, and his statement is regarded as reliable. He states that the slaves, four of them, escaped nearly three years ago, and were at that time between 19 and 22 years of age. They were to be released from service when 28 years of age, and this fact, he states, was known to them. It was discovered that they had stolen wheat, and sold it to a free negro; and a warrant having been issued against the free negro, he and his accomplices escaped together. After a time, their place of concealment was discovered, and they were invited to return to their master, with a promise that their theft should be overlooked. This they declined doing, and accordingly, Mr. Gorsuch, having procured the necessary papers for identification of the slaves, went in company with a deputy marshal and two constables from Philadelphia, his son, nephew, cousin and two others, to Christiana. The deputy marshal delayed his arrival at the place, to elude, as he said, the observation of a negro from Philadelphia who he believed to be a spy. The house where two of the slaves were supposed to be, was reached at about dawn. As they approached it, along a narrow lane, Nelson, one of the negroes sought for, made his appearance, but immediately ran back to the house, pursued by the whole party. He succeeded in escaping, and the house was then put under formation, says that an axe was thrown down at the officer. The people were told that the arrests would be made, even if blood was shed, and the law which authorized it was read and explained. One of the pursuing party was wounded by a missile thrown from a window, and he attempted to shoot at the people in the house, but his pistol missed fire. At length the negroes were informed that a certain length of time would be allowed surveillance, the negroes being up stairs. The marshal and Mr. Gorsuch entered, and the owner of the house was informed of their purpose and authority. The master saw Nelson, and told him that if he would go home with him peaceably, he would be as well treated as before his escape. This was not heeded; and as the marshal and Mr. G. were proceeding up stairs, they were struck at with a stick shod with an iron spike. They then left the house. A gun was fired at them from a window, as they went out, which did not take effect, it having been aimed high, (and having probably been discharged as an alarm,) and the marshal returned the fire by discharging his pistol into the window.

The marshal went into the house again and made another attempt to ascend the stairs, but was deterred by the opposition made by the inmates. It does not appear that any real violence was used, but the writer (who was not present, but may have got correct in them, in which to surrender; but before the time had expired, a white man rode up to the end of the land, in front of the house, whose presence animated the blacks and rendered them quite determined to resist. The officers called upon the white man to assist them, but he refused and advised the officers to go home, as no arrest could be made, and blood would be spilled if they persevered. The alarm meantime had been given in the vicinity, and the negroes began to come in from all quarters, armed with fire-arms, clubs and corn-cutters. After a parley, the marshal concluded to abandon his purpose, and called upon his party to retire. Mr. Gorsuch and his friends, who were still about the house, became separated from the officers, who were leaving, and the negroes fell upon Mr. G., knocked him down, shot him and cut him with corn-cutters. His son rushed forward to where his father lay surrounded by the negroes, and fired his revolver among the crowd, when it was struck from his hand, and a volley of large shot was fired into his side. The son, nephew and cousin of Gorsuch then fled, followed by a crowd of negroes. The former soon fell from exhaustion, and was protected by an old negro, who called upon the rest to assist the young man, as he was likely to die. He was soon afterwards taken up by gentlemen who came to the scene, and was carefully treated at a neighboring house. He is likely to recover. The remainder of the party escaped, but with severe handling. The Marshal appears to have got the start of the rest, and was not attacked at all.

This statement is not that of an eye witness, but may be a true one of the facts in the case - a very bad one on all hands. The persons arrested as participants in the riot have had their examination at Philadelphia, and several were committed for trial upon a charge of treason. We have full confidence that they will have a fair trial, and that the law will be vindicated. This slave-catching is a bad business altogether, and we do not believe that it is necessary that blood should be shed in attempts to recapture fugitives. - Negroes can hardly be blamed for seeking to evade recapture, but they are not blameless when they shed blood. In that they committed a crime against human and divine law, and can find no palliation for so high an offence, even though pressed by the man-hunter. In submitting to slavery, or death even, there may be great virtue, but to do evil that good may come to one's self or to another, finds no sanction in any code. - Democrat.