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Public Ledger from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 1

Publication:
Public Ledgeri
Location:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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1
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

i 4 Tr' fN 0) vr. A i i4; I i )' t' VOL. V. NO.90. PHILADELPHIA, WEDNESDAY MORNING, JULY 18, 1838.

1.1 I PRICE ONE CENT. I i I i I I I I I I I I I I I I I'M I A I I I I in 4 Pl In ITT I ma iJL. vkij.g I 11.1 I I I I 1 NL JJUJ JLLUO REPORT of tta ConmlttM bn Police tk tirtunufntti Mrfi a4 enicteU tciU DUTHVCTiOM fRMJntLVJlXlA Ma. WARKiRiCbairmta. InCoan Jo 5th, J83.

COXMOM CoDHCIfc CMtmtR, I May mt, I do hmby ceitify, ihn the following frf amble 'uni Eitolutiona vera this eveaiitf pawoa" by the trtltct and Commea CouaciU lit City of fbila delphla; via. i Waareaa, there li anal ezeiUment la toe yuklle tin, in rel'ercnea to the lata diitutkancea ifinltiag In tiM burnlni of lk tetiylanla IJall, and oilier bieachoa of ine ataca: Ana wbereaa. it would bo prejudicial to tba reputation of the City and the ttorooration to let tbeto aveoti aaaa unnoticed. tbereby giving a tacit aiwat to tbeia Infractieni of law ana gooa oracr: inereiore, leMlved. TItat the Comniittee on rolico be re to investigate at repcit to Councila the crrcurntlancea attending and tonectd with the de '(ruction of the renatylvania liall, and other cob nequent dieturbancea of the yetce." Eitract from the Journal.

Atteet, Lavi Hotu ao worts. i Otrk Cmn i Tna ComiiTTit on Folicb, in comyllane will the duty Resigned to tlx in ay tae roregolag Keaoiu ilon. REVOKT. i Thatthvmctanthe4tkof and. after tone inouirv Into iba of the dutiee aniined 10 them, believing that the Information required of them could be tt obtained on application to tna Managers of th rennsylvania Hall, tnev aoaresseo a letter to tne mtmeni or taai ooaro, (se nyymu Ait A itBrloainv a eoav of thn Besol.tion of Coun that the Committee wpald meet on the em luttaut, ana mat any commnnica lion from that Board might be made to Uie Chair min of tk Cwmmiitea.

i At their adjourned meeting, on Um 8th, letter KAapendii was recelvd from vaniei neau, nire, fresident of the Board of Managers of Ilia P.na.tlvania Hall, in which ha Hates In answer to your nnezptcted and nneolieited invitation, I ana instracted ay tne nanagcrs say, wa are in notsaation nf much iuformatian in rela tion to the Matter alluded to, which wo would be 1 willier 10 communicate, if it be the request otuonn cila, or of the respectable Committee of which thou art Chairman He adds, that the preparation of the commanica tion would icquire time that they believe the id' formation should be laid before the public; and con eludes. we are nrepaiine a statement, containing, as far ae oracticable. all that waa aaid or done in oar Hall during the btief period of its existence, and also all the circumstances attending its aeiirucuon, in order that our fallow citixeas mar aee that we did not deserve Die treatment we received flow the mob; and that we did dsseive that protection from the city authorities which wc did net receive." The Committee had not. till tbea, received any ia timation. either from the action of Councila on the subject, or from aay responsible source, tkat a belief was seriously entertained ay any persoa.

prepare and willing to sukstaatiate the charge, that the city authorities had withheld from aay citizens the pro tection which, if they had it ia their power to give, it wae their Douuden cuiy to anord to an. wnen therefore, in reply to an official application for in formation ao to the causea of the disturbances, they received from responsible persons, professing to be possessed of much information in relation to the nsattar. an assertion eo distinctly conveying charge of a refusal on toe part or the city auihomiee to af ford protection to those who deserved it. the Con mitue deemed it a duty which they owed to those who had made the charge to those whose character waa impeached in It to the Councila by whom Una Committee waa appointed and to tuo public at laice. whoso representatives the Councils are, in the management of their municipal affairs, that so rnevoasan imputation should not ae permitted to sleep upon tneir minutes anaoticea.

out mat tne ro sponsible promulgators or a sdoum ae at once in vited to denne and specify the charge ia such man ner as to enable this Committee to report the same at once to Councils for their aciioH. Accordingly a Resolution was adopted, that the Committee would adjourn to meet again on the Bin or Jane, Mand mat the Managers or toe rennsyiva nia Hall be notinod that they may attend tn person or by attorney, to make such charges or allegations as they may think And the Chairman was requested to traasmit to them a copy of the Resola tion. which ho did, by a note dated the 7th of Jane, fde Appendii la the absence of Mr. Neall, the Preaident, a reply was written by Mr. Samuel the rennsylvania Ball,) dated the 7th (see Ap peudiz which waa read at the meeting of the Committee on tbtdih.

i In that letter they again atate that the time ia too abort Ut prepare a statement of the injuries" they received. Us adds From the Resolution of Councils it appeared to ns as taougn tney were anxious to obtain informs tion in relation to the wanton destruction of our property; and we felt willing to aid in anyimpu tial Invoatiratioa which taey mirht wiah to make but from thy last letter it would seem as though it was desired we snouid assume tne attitude or ac tassrs, which is a character the Managers have no desire to appear in. If the Mayer has not done his duty, it doea aot lav with as to impeach This was the first personal allusion to the conduct of the Mayor ia this investigation. Tbo Cemmiltee felt the delicacy of the task which devolved upon them. In the diocharee of the duty assigned to them they had asked fur information from those persons whom they believed to be possessed or it.

in reply the bad received an accusation against the city au thorities of neglect of duty. When they ealltd fur charges, those who bad made the accusation answer, ed, that the attitude of accusers is a character the Managers have no desire to appear in but, in a manner which broagbt the insinuation more directly heme, they add that, if the Mayor has not done his duty, it does not lay with tbem to impeach him." The Committee were unwilling, without special instructions fiom Councils, to institute themselves into a committee of inquiry into the conduct of the Mayor, or of aay other officer the duty assigned to them was merely to iavestigate and report to Councila the circumstances attending and connected with" the disturbances of the peace. Tney therefore again applied to the Managers of toe Hsu; not tor a toatmuaiealioa in writing, which the Maaagers had alleged would take a few days to prepare but they invited them to attead at an adjourned meeting, to be held on the giw to the Committee such evidence aa they may themselves possess, or aa may be obtained by there from others to enable the Committee to discharge the duty enjniaed apon tbem by Councils.1 It wss the persons! at lends see of the Managers and of their friends which was requested, so as to obtain from them, verbally, that iafermatien which the Committee were required to procure. The Com mittee did net invite them to come forward as accusers, but aa witnesses and, lest these gentlemeu should bo deterred from appearing, by the apprehen sida that questloaa of an arabarraaajng character woald be asked, they were informed that if they thought proper to be atteadrd by their eoaasel, the Committee desired that he might also be invited to aypear. And as it became evident thai the information of which those gentlemen were possessed, waa ia their opiaion calculated to Implicato the character of toe city authorities, it was deemed an act of Justice to invite the personal attendance of the Mayor on the occasion.

It was not aa one aeused that bo was in vited bat aa one who, from hia official station, was probably possessed of roach infoimaiion La relation to too receal distuikaacee, and who, aa the Chief Magistrate of the City, was moat deeply is teres ted ia aay investigation connected with dietarbanori of the peace," and best able to vindicate the charao ter of thocity auihorltiee, if it was unjustly assailei' lie waa also informed, taai iinecnoseio neaiienaeo by bis counsel be was at liberty to extend tbe invitation to him. (Copies of the Resolutions aad letters addrtssed to the Managers and to the Mayor are annexed sea Appendix nad jr.) On the liali. the Committee again met, and after they had proceeded somewhat in their buviness.tbey received a letter from Mr. Nesll, dated tbe Jxtb. (Bee Appendix rrom this letter it seemed that tne Managcia declined making any communication, written or verbal, to the Committees they aay, they "doubt whether the period haa yet arrived when the history of the rbort exisienco, and destruction of the rennsylvania nan, wouiu ne aispassionnieiy rean and coolly decided on.

bf tbe time aad manner of mnking such publication, we request to be permit ted to judge hereafter, according to existing circuai staneea1 la a subsequent Dart of that letter, tbe Mauagera seem to have assumed that the object tbe Committee waa to call for Information relation to an investigation into tba conduct of tbe Mayor of the City although tbe Committee bad care fully avoided auaaiar to this suUeet. bom in weir resolutions and correspondence, as they did not deem it within their province to institute aucb an investigation. Tbe Managera renew their disclaimer of aay wish to become informers and prosecutors, and they repeat some of theviewsexptessed In letters. i The Committee, find nf that the Managers were not willing to eomiounticate at tms time ine inior nation in their possession, made no furtber applica tion to mem The Mavar attended In eomal lance with the invi tation that had been sent him and when aked by the Chairman of the Committee, whether he had aay communication to make, he declined making any atntingtbat be bad attended on account or tna invi tation: that if aavchartea wcra made at ainst nim.ne waa prepared to meet them, and" to defend himself atainst an cnartes or insinuations: nut mat ne claimed Ihe nrivilese of all accused persons, thatspe cine charges should be made', and the prosecutors' names revealed. The Committee Infeimed him that they bad not been anoointdi to iavesticate hia conduct that no distinct charges had been made against blm thai no one had chosen to aseume toe attitude or a prosecu tor; but that they would cheerfully receive any information be had it in his Bower to five tbem, which woald facilitate the investigation imposed upon them kv Councils.

Mr. Swift, then, net as Mayor of the City, but aa a citizen win bad witnessed some of the circumstances attending tkee disturbances, communicated to tke Committee, verbally and unofficially, suthcir cumstaacea as bsd come under his notice; he also placed ia their possession certain letters wnicn are ereio aanexeo, (marnsa at, sj'bia communication, tozelher with tbe publica lions made by the Managers of the rennsylvania fJairXsMociatiea in the newspapers, as well as tbe information derived by tbe members or the commit lee from other sources, hsa enabled mem to prepare the annexed brief atatement ia relation to toe te eeni breaeheaof The Committee have endeavored as far aa possible to avoid the introduction of any controverted facta, They are aware that a statement prepared aatbeira is. withont tba advanlaze of an examination of wit nesses upon oath, must necessarily be imperfect, The Mayor, it ia true, expressed his willingness to be sworn to the truth of tbe facta atated by biui; but the Uunsmittee declined hearing him upon oath. Aware that they, were invested with no judicial character that they had no authority to require and to compel the attendance of witnesses thai they could hot rightfully administer an oath or affirma tion that none administered before mem ny a ma eiatiato. extra tadieiailv.

would have an lef alsanc tion: and that no deviation of the truth, however cross or wilful, on the port of a witness so sworn would make him liable to the pains and penalties of perjury, the Committee thought it better not to attempt evea the form of a Judicial iavestigatidn; and, as they could not bear other witneesea upon oath or affirmation, they declined tbe Mayor's offer; not doubting that any statement made by bim without an oath, would be tne same aa tr awora to. Tbe Committee deem it unavoidable to dwell fer a moment upon le causes which produced among a certain portion of our community thai deep excite ment, which, breaking through every bouad, aad setting at naught tbe dictates of law, reaaon, or right, doomed to destruction a large and coeiiy edifice, but recently erected in our city, and deai cated to liberty, and the right of free discussion' upon all aubjects. It would ill become this Commit toe to niter a single word in palliation of the deep stain which the character of oar city baa received from this violent outrage upon private rights and prime propertyr But, however deeply the Committee may deprecate and censure the existence of that feeling; however impossible it may be for tbem in any manner to justify or excuse it; they owe it to the cause of truth, to dwclare that thia excitement, (heretofore nnparralleled ia onr city.) waa occasion' ed by tbe determination of tbo ownera of that build ing and of their friends, to persevere ia openly pro mulgating and advocating in it doctrines repulsive to the metal aense or a large majority or our com munity; and to persist ia this course against the advice of friends, heedless of tbe dangers which they were encountering, or reckless of its consequences to the peace and order of ear city. Of their strict legal and constitutional right to do so, there can be no question. Our Constitution declares that "tbe free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the invaluable rights of man, and every citizen may ffoAaala atsvaaet anus at a as tA nrinl nn at a fleahiasdaf kalalo mymm vr i a cassia assssnw vw wa sj vi i responsible for the abuse of that liberty;" andagaia, "the citizens have a peaoeeble manner, to assemble together for their common good," and to apply to those invested with the powers of govern ment for redress of erievancea, or oilier proper pur posea, by petition, address, or remonstrance." Nei ther can there be aay deubt of the duty of the city authorities, so far aa it is in their power to do it, to extend protection to all.

and to secure, as far as pos sibld, the right and tbe property of all citizena against invasion from any quarter. But bow far it waa prudent, or Judicious, or evea more II right now tar it Dtcame peaceful and, good citizens to per aevere in measures generally admitted to have I tendency toendaager the public peace how far they could anticipate any result different from that which nas occurred. are questions upon wnicn puMic opt nion is to a certain extent divided. However much it may be a subjoct of regret to this Committee. It can be no matter of surprise to them, that the mess of the cemmuaity, without distinction of political or religious opinions, could ill brook the erection of aa edifice in this city, for the encouragement of prac tices believed by many to be subversive of the established orders of' society, and even viewed by some as repugnant to that separation aad distinction which it has pleased the great Author of nature to establish among tbe various rsces of man Had tne founders of the building, however, been satisfied with les public dedication or their uaii, it is prooaue taai ine gene rai food aense of our community, and the all pervsd ing influence of tbe law, woald have availed to secure tbe building agaiast the attack of its lawless aggres sor.

Extending, as tney cm, private invitations, aa well aa a call ia the public papers, most widely not confining themselves to tbe city, or even to this Commonwealth, but inviting fiera distant States men whoso names bave been but too conspicuous before tbe community as active agitators aad em bracing in their invitations all persons, witbswt distinction of color, they vafortuaately produced ia tbe public mind a high state of excitesoeat, aa prejudicial to tbe peace of the city, as It may hart been unexpected by tbem. rerbaps, evea, if the active participators la thia eelebratiea had been confined to residents of oar ewe city, well knowa, and endeared to many by private worth and respectable character, the feelings of those opposed to them ia oviaioa, might have beeej repressed by the general regard of the bat wbea it was found that our city had been selected as lue rallying point of aeon knew nmong aa only as restless agitators aad duiarseis of the peace elsewhere and wbenon the arrival of these sti angers in rbiladelnhia. and darins? their so Joura here, our stroets presented, rot the fiist time since ine aoys or William rena, the aausual union of black and white walking arm ia arm ia aocialia tercouiae, it ia a matter of no great surprise, howe ver ii snouia ne or deep tut any individuals should bave so far fwrgotteo whnl waa duo lo tbe character of the city, and to tbe supremacy of the law, as publicly to give vcat to taat indignation hdicu vagm never lounve seen leu; or irreil, should have been suppressed within thcir bosema. The reanivuuia 11 all waa opened oa Monday the 14th of May. and it appears taat the only application made to the police for assistance at too pea lug, consisted in privately engnging Urn services of two of tbe ailent watch, Messrs.

Samuel Barry aad Gen bom Craft, who were at once permitted to go to iu nu, wun ine assurance lo tae naaagera, taat tha whole police loreo of the city weald bo teat to them if required. Tbe Mayor had summoned the wnoie or rue force to be at the fJtate Uomse. oa tbo afternoon of that dav: but the Mans sera aavinr re quested tbat these two police officers should bo ex cased, (see Appeadix the Mayor readily aaoeated to it Their tetter of the 14th has appeared to this Committee important, inasaoea as it nqoeotod pcriiiiwoa mr inete two men to remain at tne Hall, to keep tbe bos from making a noise by running in and out of tbe Hall during tbe excrciata." Tbis seenia to have been the only aanoance then apprehended by tbe Managers, and it sppears that tlity considered these two mea ae affording them anf Ocient protection against iu These mea are represented to tbe ffoainuttee aa faithful aad vigilant ia the discharge of their duties. They bai probably been selected by the Managers from their well kn wa frit adly feeling to the cause of abolition. They remained constantly at tbo Hall aad neither they aot tbe Manageis, nor any othir person, intimated to any of the city auihoruies lor three days, that there wns any cause of alarm at the Hall, It was only Into in tbe evening of tbe loib, (Wednesday.) that notice 'was sent to tbe Ma)or'a office, that bia presence wa required to quell a disturbance at the coor.

Tha Mayor was aot at hia office, bat aaaaea aa be could be found, and beard of it, be waa proceeding to it wbea he asceitaiaed that all was again quiet; the assemblage had dispersed. He wss informed that atones bad been thrown at the bvilding, and tbat the people assembled there were mock excited. Tbe Committee have beard, (bat aot aaviag been alio to trace tbe report to aay responsible source, tney refrain from repeating the expressions that those who were in the building made aaecf vary indiscreet aad intemperate laagaage, greatly calculated to increase the irritation. The persoa to whom thia ia chiefly ascribed, is one of those strangers, who, unconnected with our city aad ita iaeti. tuliens, came here merely for the purpose of partk i pating in this dedication.

It appears from a letter addressed to the Mayor, (see Appendix 1.) by the President of tbe Board of Managers, that while the Female A nil 8lavery Society were holding a public meeting," and whilst Angelina E. Grimke Weld, of South Carolina, waa addieaaing the meeting." tbe whuw waa assaulted a a ruiLlesa mob, who broke the windows, alarmed the women, aad dista bed the meeting very much, by atamp ing, and throwing brickbats Red other missiles through tbe windows." But tbe tbe disturbance did not last long; the rowd sooa dipered, aad all waa agaia quiet. It appears Ibat the Mayor being ab sent, ano tne ponce force being at tnat time extreme ly weak there, (as no.dis'urbanee had been ahtiei pated,) it waa, Ibeagbt expedient by the City Solid tor to suggest to tbo police officers aot to make ar rests of persons at that time, as aa attempt to carrv away the prisoners might lead lo a mccessfuJ rescue, and wonkJ, even if thia did not occur, so weakea tke peliee rorce oa tbe ground, as to prevent their checking the tendency to a riot, aa they succeeded ia do ing. Tbe Mayor waa absent' at tbe time, and the advice or tne City Solicitor waa aot only wen meant, but has been considered by many who were on the spot, to have been the most judicious measure which, under existing circumstances, could be ad pled to prevent greater destruction to the building, injury to me large crowo wnicn was assembled in it many of whom were colored people, indiscriminately seal ed with tbe white, and whose Uvea it was a great oojeci ia secure irons tne violence or ine raoo. On tbe morning of tbe 17th, aa interview took place between the Mayor and a Committee of the Managers, wao delivered to bim tbe letter marked I.

In that setter, and In the Interview, the Committee expressed the intention of tbe Managers to bold ntteting. morning, noon, and evening, of the Fe I male Convention of American Women." of tbeTree Produce of ih Methodist Anti Blavery Society," and of the "State Anti Elavery Society." and to continue, to meet in their building. rrom time to occasioa may require; and they add "And we call npon thee, as Chief Magistrate of the city, to protect us and our property, ia tbe exercise of our constitutional rights, peaceably to as semble and discuss any subject or general interest." This interview led to no satisfactory result. Both tbe parties that met, hnd no doubt the same great object at heart, tbat the peace of tbe city snouid not be broken but tneir mode or nmving at thia result was different the Committee wished tneir meetings to continue uninterrupted, and the Mayor, believing laat those meetings were' the cause nf tbe past aa well aa tbe anticipated dia turbances. waa anxiooa to dissuade them from fur ther adding to the excitetneut which already exist ed; and be was particularly desirous that they should forego their sosaiag meetings.

He told tkem that tbe police force was veiy small; that dnriag the day, be could put down almost any disturbance, bit that after night his power was very much impaired; tbat at night distsrbances were much more difficult to quell; and be would give tbem no assurance that if they persisted in their effort to bold evening meetings, the police waa able te afford to thtJa an adequate and effective protection. But he promised that be would do all ia his power; I hat newoold attend in tbe evening, aad endeavor, by addressing tbe crowd, to induce tbsra to disperse; nt aay rate, be would be with tbem, and would give tbem all tbe assists see in his power. As their meeting wns to be at 8 o'clock, he sara mened the police force to be at his quarters at aa early hour; he requested some active citizena, whose courage aad firmness were known to him, to meet bim also tbeie; be coatultod with soase of hi meet Judicious friends aa to the stats of affairs; aad be used every exertion during tbe day to prodace indirectly upon Ike Maaagers a favorable iadaeoeo, tbat should convince them of the necessity of cloo ing their ball ia the evening. The powers sf the Mayor to guard agaiast the commission of crime, or to arreat those who meditate the execution of it, are indeed very limited. He has the power to secure aa offender; be mav watch a suspected individuet, but until an actual breach of the peace oeears, bia authority is very restricted, aad be must needs use it with great eaatioa aa4 prudence.

Were ear preventive potke invested with greater pewera, our city might bave been spared the deep mortification of the event of that night. In other countries, where tbe arm tbe magistra'e is strong not only to arrest the offender, but also te anticipate the perpetralioa of crime, and even to Interfere (when occasioa Justifies it te revest the recurrence of those caasss which may ncite others te it, an evsat like the scout one caa readily be prevented. There tbe magistrate would have had authority to close the Imildiag; he might have placed a military force around it, aad have guarded all the avenues te It be might, by a auli tary force, bave dispersed the first aacleve eif a aob; bat eoeh harsh measures are ae Ineoaaiswat with tbe spirit of oar people, aad the genia of ear lasts lotions, aa they are wiih the seller of smr laws. With however, such powers have never yet been required although oar police bee bet a very limited physical power, there ia ia the well directed iafta eae of public opinion, a moral force which has aereioiore aiwaye sumeed to preserve tne posiic peace. This aystem, the happiest, aoaadest and beat of all, caa continue odly so long aa there continues to ae, oa ine part or Individuals, slksposition to respect aad submit to pub ie epieiea and on the part of the public at large, a keea eeaaibility to every attempt to disturb the public peace or to encroach npon privats right.

nan tae aavice ortno Mayor been complied wun. and aa announcement been made at aa early boar ia the day. that the Hall woald be closed dunnr tbe evening, it ia probable that no breach of tbe peace woum uave occanra; out ine Manngera aad unior innately adopted the opinion tbat they would aot be justifiable ia yielding their own wishes and plann to what they may bave considered if liberal orelu dices on tbe part of tbe pablic; aad tbat while they aept wuaia ine aoeonsoi in taw, tney were entitled to and could not fail to receive adequate prelection from the constituted authorities. Ii does aot belong to UisCocnmitiae to express an opinion an this sab Jcet. Every indsyidaal caa aad will Judge for aim seu si ira propriety ana expediency oi tne course adopted by tbe Manager.

The Mayor waa waited opoa ia tne course or the afternoon by several geatlemen, interested ia or connected with the feaasylvaaia Hall, lo all of whom he repealed hia wishes After. 0 clock in Ihe evening, two of those natlemea expressed their concurrence la bis view, aad premised to arge the matter with their mends. Tbsy left his office to consult with their friends; aad subsequently return ed with aa iaviiaiioB to the Mayor to come ap to tbe Hall aad confer with them. He went up. accompanied try a few of hia friends, among whom waa Captain Thomas Hayes, whose assistance aad co opersfion in the eveaing tbe Mayor had that mora ing SMiciled.

in tbe assemblage wuica tney round in front of the Hall he saw a maa haranguing the and exciting tbem agaiast the abolitionists. Tbe Mayor aeized tbe apeakei, and removed bim rrom tne scene or exeitoseut, tie inen entered too building where tbe Mann era were assembled and one or snore of his friends followed him ia. A long and somewhat doubtful consultation took place among them. They naked whether he, aa Mayor of tbe city, would require of them to close their Hall. He disclaimed thia intention, telling mem that he bad no aathority to require tbie fron them, or he would bave none so at a much earner nour or tbe day.

He could not compel, but be would ad. vise the aooptioa of that course. At last, they all ensealed to the proposition, and accompanied bim to the front door or tbe Hall where, ia a short but emphatic address, he informed lbs crowd around it that tbe Managers nam agreed aot to open taeir HaU that evening, bet to place their keya ia hi hands: aad by every consideration which the sub ject and the occasioa could proxipt, be urged them to desist from all illegal acta, aad to disperse and return to their homes. Tbe crowd consisted then of about three anadred persons, very young men. chiefly boy aad striplings, and soma respectable persona attracied by cunoaity.

ho wgn at violence were maa ires ted by tbem aad at the close or address they applauded hia views, gave him three cheers, clapped ibeir hands and expressed their ac quiescence in Die wisbee. Tne uommitiee nave ten aaxieus lo Dx tbe precise time at wnicn this circumstance occurred aad from tbe concurrent infor mation of aiany.iney think it must bave been abort ly after sunset, or at or about a quarter after seven o'clock. Tbe Mayor tbea returned to bia office, and tbe crowd for the most part followed him. He di rected ome of bis frisnda to remain at or near the building, to watch the movements of the peoplu there communicate to all the arrangement tbat had been made; and to arge npon all to retire at once. He desired also tbe Managers to disperse their owa frieads; to statioa persons aa tne leading ave nues to the building, to inform those tbat were coming loal U)e lull was closed, and to prevent their nppronciung it; and bo particularly urged tbe expediency tbat ibeir invited goests.and the colored people chiefly, should be1 earnestly adviaed aot to come near it.

It has been stated ia a publication, tbat "the Mayor received the keya," (of the Hall.) put tkem ia bia pocltvu a to bis office." The Mayor has pdli received them at ibat time, and tb lee, aaxiona to ascertain tbe exact statement oy bave made further in qnirie. which have led hrtbe following information. When the arrangement wae made in the building with tbe Managers, the keys were not at hand; they are supposed to have been Jn the cure of one of the two watchmen in the service of the Managers. After the Mnyor had left tbe spot the two gentlemen whom he bad charged to remain there te watch the crowd. (Captain Thomas Hayes and Mr.

Oliustead, tbe City Solicitor.) were accosted in the street (near tbe corner of Mulberry aad Filth streets) by Mr. Barry. (tbe aileat wjtchmaa, whose family were to be accommodated in tbe Hull.) who tendered lo them the keys. Captain Hayes received them, and told Mr. Olmstead that be would lake tbem dowa to tbe Mayor.

Mr. Barry informed him that the keeper of the Hall waa locked np in the building there were five keya handed to him, (four iron ones, which be supposes wars the key the front stores.) and one bias one, which he thiaka was tbe key of the main entraace to the buildiag he went Us the ofwe of the Mayer, wbo bad net armed there. About tea minute after Captain Hayes bad been there, tbe Mayor came ia Captain Hayes pointed to tbe four iron keya laying upon hi office table, and told him, tbat a the keeper waa locked np ia tbe Hall, he woald keep the bras kev to relieve him in case of need. The Mayor aMcnted to this proposition. Neither then, nor at aay lime since, hss be ever had the key of tbe main door.

Captain Hnyee baa alwaya retained it. and bus it yet ia his possession. Capt. Hayes informed the Mnyor. tbst when he left the Hall all was qiieu They remained tog ether at the office.

It was then quite dark. The Mayor began to entertain a lively nope that all would pass off qaietly. aad that late as waa its boer at which tbe arrangement for dosine tbe Hall bad been adopted, it migbi still prove sufficient to save the building from attack. Bona afterward, however, messenger arrived with information thai ihe crowd was gathering; and tbat Inrge collection of person coming ia from the northern distncis had rei a forced tbe mob. Mr.

Oiucstend cam in, nod Mated that they had commenced an attack oa the UaU, and that ail the pab lic light ia the neighborhood had been extiagnishod. Others casae ia with iaformatiea that they were battering dowa Ihe door. The Mayor instantly raag hia bell, ordered hia uses to form aa Fifth st, aad starched sriih them with ail spec! ap Fifth to Cherry street, and ap Cherry towards the building; finding, however, the crowd very dense ia Cherry street, aad believing that their assistance would pe more effectual if they could come np ia front of the Hall, he turned back, by the adriee of his friend, to get into Crraaoa' alley, which ia directly opposite to it Takiag ia his haad a watchmaa'a rattle, he directed kis party lo ksep together, aad as be approached the crowd he sprang the rattle, aad hi mea all boated out at oace to support tbe Mayor." The crowd opened, end ha passed wiih Ihe police asea through it, until he approached the buildiar. where the work of destructtoa wsa making rapid procresa. He tbea exclaimed to the crowd: "ahame! is there aobody here lo support the I the law Ko aa ewer waa give a (or the erst lime certainly since the foundation of our city, the voice of her Chief ntiguuate cauea epoa hi fellow citizca for assist ia support of the la w.

without receiving a hearty aad eaceuragiag nspood. It wae ride at that thcee who were beat on cnl were ia force aad reealaie; aad that the taousaed who eurrouseod tbem looked oa with deep inter, but with no aire to am the ptiim of destruction. Tbe snob begaa to doe a poo use police, aad to assail iba. Several were knocked down; amoag these Mr. Mites, a very stoat polio odbcer wa nocked dowa, and severely bruMod.

that bis lire was at one tisse believed te be ia daegrr. Not aa arm waa raised, aot a voice ia thai larp assemblage wu heard in support of the city authorities. rVeretofbre, the cry of "support the Mayor" had alwaya raised, aa it were, instantaneously, a powerful aaxiliary force from among the byatandera. It seemed now of no avail. The Mnyor might undoubtedly have cea tinned with his few, faiihml police officers, te make fight against the thovsanda Ibat surrounded him.

But what effect could it have could be have saved the building 1 could the few bave checked the work of the many When abandoned by all who might have assisted bim, when bia voice bad loot it wonted Influence, it seemed to blm evident that any exertion te continue the atruggl on his part, could aot have aaved the Hall, but would have eaded In the annihilation of bia email party. The contest appeared to him too aaequal, and the Mayor did not deem it bis duty te prolong it, 1 Tbe only persons that succeeded ia entering in lathe building were Captain Hayes, and Mr. Miller, of Ihe police. They became separated from the Mayer ia the crowd, aad pushing for the entrance of the Hall, they penetrated with considerable difficulty through iu dark paseagea. They found the doer at the head of the etaira locked aad being foiled ia their attempt te proceed ia that directiea, they weat out of tbe building, turned ap Uainea street, aad entered the Hall by the back dxor they made their way to the room ap stairs, where three Ire had already beea kindled.

These who were ia Ihe building are snppoeed to have retired by one of the staircases, while Captain Hayea and Mr. Miller aaceaded the ether; but fiadiag bow few bad gone np, they re turned to the room, and addressing Captain Hays by name, they advised bim to withdraw. Be rt refused to do so, and waa putting out tbe fires, wbea be wa aeized by one of them, who gave bia a sudden jerk, and threw him down. Mr. Miller was served in the same way.

There were ia tbe room, aa he supposes, frm twelve te twenty per sens; they were neither disguised nor disfigured, but Captaia Hayea did aot reeocnlsa lllllllf than aay one tbat he knew, though be himself seemed to be knowa to them. Their treatment of him inti. cated tbat wbile they did not wish to do him haim, they were resolved not to be interfered with in tbe object they bad undertaken. Captaia Haves aad Mr. Miller, finding themselves unsspported by their friends, and overpowered by numbers, reluctantly VIUNICIf Hum IttU IUIIUIII, On going into the etreet, they saw the engine playing on the property adjoining to tbe Hall, and they beard many in the crowd directing tbe fire ccsa paaies not to play npon tba Hall itself; or else that their engiaea and here weald be destroyed.

Perhaps no circumstance so powerfully displaya the extant of the feeling which prevailed In the im mease assemblage, aa the fact that the firemen, whose zeal aad undaunted courage have long beea tbe boast oi our city, were, tor tne nrst time within our re membranee, prevented from lending their aid to rea cue the Hall from eonflat ration. Had they been permitted to play npon it, they probably might have saved it, a they aaved all the property tbat adjoined it but tbe deep excitement which pervaded trie mob wai made manifest In the control which they exercised over the efforts of the fire companies. eucn ia, ae tar aa tne uommittee nave been a We re ascertain, and, aa they firmly believe, a brief shetctf of the clrcumitanevs attending aad connected with tne destruction or rennsylvania Hall." The building, which seemed doomed to destruction, waa burnt down in the presence of thousands of our citizens, without a eingle arm being raised in ita defence, aave that of the Mayor and of his faithful for lowers. Had the gallant and daring apirit, with which Captain Hayea volunteered hia service betr imitated but by one twentieth part of that aiprra blage, the riot would undoubtedly bave been quelled and the building aaved. But no one, neither tbe friends of the building, nor the friend of order in general, yielded any assistance oa the occasion, rerbaps, if bat a single effort had been made to sup port tbe police; if a solitary voice had been beard to respond to the cry of "support tbe Mayor," tkat vice, however feeble, might have beea re echoed from other pa rta of the crowd, so as at last to give to public authority the semblance of force.

Of the subsequent disturbance alluded to in tbe resolution of Councils, a more satisfactory account can be given. Tbe deep excitement, pioduced by the events of tbe 17th, could not subside at onee. Angry and tmbu lent apirtta, who fancied they aaw la the destruction of tbe Hall a warraat for further disturbances, at tempted ti continue their lawless outrage on subsequent nights. But tney twn found that tbe city authorities, though overmatched on eae night, were' not annihilated. Pablic opinion, returning; twits' former healthy state, restored to the police tbat cog.

(Hence and that f. me which ft ahould never have lost. The active exertions of the Mayorr the Recorder, and other city authorities, seconded by the nealoua and fearless co operation of many good citizens, succeeded in at enee quelling every attempt ionise other noli; and the Committee have plensure in stating tbat they are adviaed. on tbe beat authori ty, that in no inatance after thai, wa there any pre petty of any amount destroyed, or persoa injured, within tbe corporate limit of the city. Many arrests have been made of persona aospected of a participation 4a the riot, and wbile they are awaiting their trial the Committee feel it a duty not to attempt to particularize the name of the parties implicated, or the ebargea brought against them.

Tbe Mayor received from some of those who weir connected with tbe Hull, letters requesting his assistance in the protection of their Individual property a appears from tbe documents and hereto annexed. i Tbe Committee express ao opinion as lo tbe right of individuals to "decline any attempt to protect the property" they own and, whi they call uon tbo public authorities to lend assistance, to withdraw tbemselvse all support from those authorities. It is anfficient to state, that whatever fears tbe writera of those letters may have entertained, and however unwilling they may have been toco operate in the protection of their own property, ne injury was done to it. The city authorities, assisted by numberless good citixeas, protected them moot efficiently. A fw resolute aad well armed polire efficera.

stationed in Mr. Webb's bouse, were found sufficient to secure it against any la conclusion, the Committee beg leave to add, that it waa a melancholy night for the cily of Philadelphia, and that it must evrr be Ihe source of minifying recollection to her citizen, that her heretofore poiIom character ahould have received ao deep a aula. Ii should be to all good eitiaeae a solemn warniag, asver. on any account and by any prevo caiiaa, to permit the majeety of the law to be tram plod under foot by violeat and reckless individual However excusable the excitement may ever appear to be, it can never be tolerated without Jeoparding our dearest and most valuable right. He.

that re mame neutral on aa occasioa of this kin may be nidtrd aa takiag part with th eaemiee of tbe law. Tbe mere adinisfioa or lb principle, that rood may flow out of evil, and that the imaaritiee of the social or political atmosphere caa be removed by the storm at popular turbulence, is the first dowaward step in the coarse of moral aad civil degradation We hold our liberties aad our righta ladeed by the raost precarioua of all tenure, if the acta of a mob can receive aay countenance from aay good citizen. Wbea, iaatead of the cold and impartial trial which the law providee, we admit that tbe popalace may la any case be permitted to exercise their ueaaeodoua power, te punish what they deem guilt or indiscretion, what security reraaiaaf They become not only the cxecutioaers, but the preeecutors, the witnesses, aad the Judge. Admitting tbatoatbiaeecaaioa, aay of the reports of indiscreet or an patriotic speeche. ascribed lo some of the persoa who apoke ie law Hall, wre true, (and it I but justice te say they have beea most positively seared.) what evidence bad the meb that they had beea uttered I er what propriety wa there ia iavotving, la indiscrimlaate destruction, the property of those who perhaps never coo a tenanted or approved of such speeeaesf It was a most fort oast cireumnaace, (aad perhaps tbe only one ia the dark drama which may coatera plain.

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About Public Ledger Archive

Pages Available:
31,963
Years Available:
1836-1861