The Christiana Riot and the Treason Trials of 1851: An Historical SketchHensel, W. U. (William Uhler)
History
The Christiana Riot and the Treason Trials of 1851: An Historical Sketch
Hensel, W. U. (William Uhler)
Christiana (Pa.) -- History; Riots -- Pennsylvania -- Christiana
The whites, at this time, were coming from all quarters, and Kline was
enrolling them as fast as they came. Their numbers alarmed Pinckney,
and I told him to go and sit down; but he said, “No, I will go down
stairs.”
I told him, if he attempted it, I should be compelled to blow out his
brains. “Don’t believe that any living man can take you,” I said.
“Don’t give up to any slaveholder.”
To Abraham Johnson, who was near me, I then turned. He declared he was
not afraid. “I will fight till I die,” he said.
At this time, Hannah, Pinckney’s wife, had become impatient of our
persistent course; and my wife, who brought me her message urging us
to surrender, seized a corn-cutter, and declared she would cut off the
head of the first one who should attempt to give up.
Another one of Gorsuch’s slaves was coming along the high-road at this
time, and I beckoned to him to go around. Pinckney saw him, and soon
became more inspired. Elijah Lewis, a Quaker, also came along about
this time: I beckoned to him, likewise; but he came straight on, and
was met by Kline, who ordered him to assist him. Lewis asked for his
authority, and Kline handed him the warrant. While Lewis was reading,
Castner Hanway came up, and Lewis handed the warrant to him. Lewis
asked Kline what Parker said.
Kline replied, “He won’t give up.”
Then Lewis and Hanway both said to the Marshal,--“If Parker says they
will not give up, you had better let them alone, for he will kill some
of you. We are not going to risk our lives”--and they turned to go away.
While they were talking, I came down and stood in the doorway, my men
following behind.
Old Mr. Gorsuch said, when I appeared, “They’ll come out, and get
away!” and he came back to the gate.
I then said to him,--“You said you could and would take us. Now you
have the chance.”
They were a cowardly-looking set of men.
Mr. Gorsuch said, “You can’t come out here.”
“Why?” said I. “This is my place. I pay rent for it. I’ll let you see
if I can’t come out.”
“I don’t care if you do pay rent for it,” said he. “If you come out, I
will give you the contents of these”--presenting, at the same time, two
revolvers, one in each hand.
I said, “Old man, if you don’t go away, I will break your neck.”
I then walked up to where he stood his arms resting on the gate,
trembling as if afflicted with palsy, and laid my hand on his shoulder,
saying, “I have seen pistols before today.” Kline now came running up,
and entreated Gorsuch to come away.
“No,” said the latter, “I will have my property, or go to hell.”
“What do you intend to do?” said Kline to me.
“I intend to fight,” said I. “I intend to try your strength.”
“If you will withdraw your men,” he replied, “I will withdraw mine.”
I told him it was too late. “You would not withdraw when you had the
chance,--you shall not now.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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