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Circuit Court Of The United States For The District Of Michigan

Circuit Court Of The United States For The District Of Michigan image Circuit Court Of The United States For The District Of Michigan image Circuit Court Of The United States For The District Of Michigan image Circuit Court Of The United States For The District Of Michigan image Circuit Court Of The United States For The District Of Michigan image
Parent Issue
Day
28
Month
July
Year
1848
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Present - Hon. John Mc Lean, Circuit Jutlge. do " Koss Wilkins, Dist. Judgs. Francia Giltncr vs. Charles T. Gurliam and otliers. Por PlnintiflT, Messrs Pratt and NonvEi.L. For Dt.-fendants, Messrs. Romevn, EmmoXS, Cook, Wei.t,s and Clark. Cross examinen !. - Doos not Know t' at Corastock voted for Jábez S. Fitch for Governcr in 1841 - never heard him say so. I passed Girham a short distance from our store. I saw Comstock vvhen he wa9 coming on the ground. There was probably onc hundred persons on the ground when l came. There might have been one honJred and fifty persons on the ground. I moved with t!ie crowd - they kept around Mr. Troutrrian all the time, except. a fvv times when he stepped out. There was a great deal of talk and excitement I could not repeat all that was said - have conversed about the matter recently - have met with wiinesses at Mr. Emraons' office since I have been in the city - have talked vrith Dr. Comstock and A. B. Cook about Lusk's testi; mony - may have conversed with otliers. I did not see any one man all the time. - Kept Mr. Troutrrian in tny eyo nearly all the time - endeavóred to keop near him. I was in Mr. Hughs' office after the aiFair, and looked at the luw of' Congress. Asa B. Cook called, on the part of the defendant. Has lived in Marshall near sixteen years. I was on the ground at Crosswhite's on the morning spoken of at half past 8 o'clock. When I arrïved, there were six or seven white persons on the ground and eight or nine negros. Harris was on the ground - two Bunnels, a man by the name oi'Vaughan, ana oíd Mr. Firj man. The wagon arrived aboul the timo that I didl saw it soon after. Saw Troutman, Lee and Giltner. Mr. Giltner first accosted me, I went up ti the house with Mr. Frain and Sqtiires. Mr. Lee was standing near the it-nce Troutman walking rear the door. The door vas open, and the house nearly full of colored persons. I went to the door and looked in. As I passed I heard Giltner say we are going ! to take these slaves away, and if any one in ! terferes we will bring a regiment from Kentucky and biirn the town. I walked back to the í'enre and spoke to Mr. Lee, and said to him, vour fViend lms heen maliing threats when we vrere coming up civil ly . You see people are coming' on,tliey inav be excited - you had bctter go nnd speak to hirn to mak o no more threats. Mr. Troutman must have heard Giltner's threat. John I?. White first apprised me wliat was going on at Crosswhite's. He saiJ there were sorne Kentuckians kidnapping the Crosswhite t'ainiiy. Mr. lorlm;,r .-unie pn ground some i.wenty or thirty minutes nfter I did. I saw him come, saw him meet Troötman. Before he como, quite a crovvd liad gathered. Soon afíer Mr. Gorharo carne up my attention was called te him and Troutman, by hearing Trontman quite peremptorily ask bia name - Gorham gave it. Troutman said to him after he had given his name, I understand i you say I shan't tako these slaves. Gorham ! replied I have not said so. I say you cannot take them, and I should think you would be convinced of it y tlie appearance if the orowd Goiliam converscd some time with Trontman - expostuhiting w-tli him in a kind munner, and trying lo persuade him that it was not best to 'irv f.o take the family ander ÜK ; citement. Mr. Gorham appeared earnest but civil. This conyersation oocupied some time. I Before this we were apprnacfied fy Dixon, l asked him wliat he was going to do. Dixon replied that lx; was going to take the slaves. I enquired of Dixon f he had any writ. Ho said he luid one. 1 requested to see. He refused to show it. I expostulated with hun and he showed it. I asked ïf ho wassüre the writ was legal, and that he had a right to take the slaves. He replied that he supposeu it was - was nol tertain. I said to him, had you not better holii on, counsel with a lawyer and see that you are acling legally. I propoSed to him to send for Governor Gordon, and if the writ was legal we would use our influence to have them go peaceably. Mr. Gorham was with me and assented to it. We called to Mr. Hurd that was near us, and requested him to go f'or Governor Gordon - he left for that purpose. The crowd (vas increasing aud becoming noisy. For the next ten or fttteea minutes 1 employed my time in endeavoring ti) quiet some who were becoming (ixcited. Gorham was with rrifl trying to quell i!ni excitriment.When Patterson came on with his boll and sword, Gorham went and look hold of bis horso aiul turned liim round, and told him to clear out - he went ofF. In about fif'tcen minutes after I was standing witli Gorham and Mr. Covert. Dixon approaclied us and said, " i'll bo d d if I aui gding to fooi round hcre any more. I command you Mr. Gorham, you Mr. Covert, and you Mr. Cook to assist me in taking these slaves, or L will .put the law in force agair.s-t you." Gorhatn calleu him a contemptible puppy, and Siiid do you think l am going to dirty my fingers in thia business? Dixon made 110 more effort to take the slaves - only making this cali on us. Thero was after ihis a great deal of talk and excitement. Sume liltle time after this, Dr. Comstuck carne up. He enquircd of Troutman ivhat he was doitig. Troutrnan replied, he was going to take the Crosswhite family. Comstock said to him you see by the excitement ihut you cannot take the slaves. Tronttnan asked him ibr his name. He guve it. - Troulman asKed him if he was resjjonsille - said that he did not want the slaves if he could get responsiblo names - he could get his pay f'or thern. Troutrnan then said, I understand you to say that I shall not take the slaves. No, sir, said Comstock, ] said no such thuig. I said ihat you ought to see, by the excilement that you cannot by moral, legal or physical forcé, take the slaves. About half' in hour after this Mr. Hurd caine on the ground. The exciternont Imd much snbsided by the time Mr. Hurd camo on to the ground - ihey were talking and augliing, and passing jfkes. I left in company witli many others soon after Mr. llurd cauie on the grourid. There liad been no resolutinns passed when I laft the ground. If any had been passed by acclarnation 1 raust havo baard it. I left about half an hour aftor Dr. Comstock made the remarle to Troutman. I was originally joined wit.h these defendants ín this suit. Croas examined. - Thcre might have been one hundred and fifly on the ground at one lime - from one hundred to one hundred and fifty. Could not sce all tliat were on the ground at the same time. Could not hear all that was said. (Queslion hy Counsel.) Did you not admit lo nie that you considered it dangerous to remairi on tlic ground t I did nol. Did you rot admit to trie that you were afraid tu remain on ihe ground 1 1 did not. Did you not state to me that you were ly excited. I did not. I said that T was not excHed ! ly for a moment, when Dixon commanded to assist in taking the slaves. Dinct resumed. - When Mr. Hurd carne on the ground 1 think all the slaves were gone. - j I saw the oíd lady leavejust before or just ter Mr. Hurd carne on the ground. John 15. White called, on the part of the defence. Resides in Marshall. On the morning in question I had just arisen from breakfast when a colored girl by tho name of Gomer carne to my house and said there was kidnappers taking off the Crosswhite family. Harris and j my boy were at my house. Harris and my boy slarted, I started in five or ten minutes. About half way to Crosswhite's, I met Hackett and Parker going from Crosswhite's loward the village, a few rods further on I met Ford going toward tke village. I approached ! the house and saw Lee and enquired of him wlnit tliey were dolng. He replied we ave %oing totake the Crosswhite family. I soon after j saw Dixon and enquired of liim what he was! doing there. He said he carne with the Kjii! tuckians to Ueep the peace. 1 er.qui;-ed of Dix' on il there had berin a breach of the peace. - j He answered no ; but I expect there will be a fisht, I enquired of him if he had anyauthority and asked him to show his papers. He did'nt show any papers, or say that he liad any anthnnty. I passed into the house and saw part of the Crosswhite family. Saj the Ken tnckiiiiis, there were no other whites there but Harris and my hoy. There were no blacks but the family. I enquired after their ! ty, they made no reply. I was tlie Marshall ol' llio Villaje. Troutman told Ornsswhitn tü gel ready and go wilh hun hefuro the Jucttce. Adam said he was not going to walk. Troutman replied that he had sent for a wagon. I Siuv Crossvvhite putting a powder horn in his porjiol. Dixon took il avvay frora hitn. I "soon éJSend Wéñt int') the vili.-.ge, gtopped at Cook's store. Saw Forti as 1 went intü the store, starting with a wagon from Covert"s harn. Wednesday, July 5. Conrt met at 8 o'clock. Calvin Hackett called for on tlio part of the defend-ants. Resides in Marshall, did so in January, '47, i knew Adam Crosswhite and family, was at liis ; house early in the morniiig, when the ; kians were attflnapóivg to lake them. Heard from Charley Parker what whs goin on. - There were nope of the tnhabiiants of Marshal diere when I arrived that I saw. I went in company with Harris and onê of the White boys. When I approached I saw Troutman in the dotar, the door was broken down - his face was from me. As I approached near the door he turnad around, and I enquired what was going on. He told me to stand back. I repeateu the enijniry. He again told me to stat'd back. Iapproached near the door and ted to look in, when Troutman draw a Disto! and pr-esented it at me. I lurned round and left. I proceeded to Mr. Brown's office - I took out a warrant against Troutman. l took out the warrant on my own snggestion and had seen none of the defendants. I returnod on the ground in some two or three hours. When I returned on the ground I saw Gorham. Gorham approached me and wished me to go and talk wilh some of my people, meaning the colored people, and try i to keep tliem quiet. As I was going down afier a warrant T saw Planter Moss near the Marshall House, and told him what was g"ing on. J. M. Easter'.y called, on the part of the defendants. Resilles in Marshall, ana did 30 at tlie time of the occurrence referxed to 'ui tliis cause. - Was on the groun'l, arrived on the ground about half past eight o'clocii. Went op in i pany with E. G. Squires and otherg. Cook and Frain we re just be&re me. When I j rived on the ground, tliere were about half aj dozen white inhabkants on the ground, 'more black?. About á hall' an hour after 1 got on the ground Mr. Gorham carne on. Wlien he arrived thore was some dozen or fifteen arnund Mr. Troulman. Some called out üorham is coming. 1 loolted up and saw liim ten rods offj approaching, The crowd separated and Troutman Btepped towards hito. When Gorham came up I was near Troutman. There was conversation between them about what was j ing on ; I ilo not recollect what. Troutmm lold Gorham his business. I do not recollect the precise coi:versatinn. Troutman made the ; remarks after Gorbam had enquited his business. Gorham to!d him lliat lie could nottake them, cir, somfelhiug to tliat effect. Troutman Btsked hiiu for his name. Gorham gave it After Troatman had wrote it down, he said to (iorham, do I understand you to say that I shall hot takc the slav-es'J Gorham replied I said 110 snch thing. you si'e the (copie are cxciied, apd you ought to see from the present state ofthirigs that you cannot take iheni, and l advise you to leave without them. 1 retnem!er this more distinclly, because I had often heard Gorham called a cautious man, and when he qualifitid bis words, I thougíit he ought to have taken a different posiüon. I should uot have taken any llniijr baeU. Troutman enquired if he was responsiblo. Troutman said in this ennversatinn that the law was on liis side. Gorham replied in stibstanco - this is no ubolition mob, these are the dear people, and they have taken the law into their own handa. Gorham's manner ms eautreui and coo], he did not joUe, and spoke decided, At this time, tho crowd was greatly increased nnd were noisy. When Gorham made his remarks t'iere was a great deal of excitement llie most of any time - it began to subside ímmediately after. The colored people maue threats. I was there some half an hour before Gorham arrived. There was great excitement before he carne on - soon after it greatly , ted. I remained on the ground until tlio crowd dispersod. I was in the house but once. I remained near Troutman the most of the time. The crowd gathered round him. Was near him wlien the resolutiors were put. j man offured the first resniution. I think no resolution was offered before :t. I must have heard it if any other had boen offered - I was tlicn so situated ihat T must have heard. Troutman : did offer the first resolution. It was - Resolved, That as good citizens, lovers of, your country, you suffer me as agent oí 1 cis Giltner.'to take the slaves back to ' tucky. [ Gorham offered an amendment lomething j lilee this - "if it is dono legally." The resulution was voted down, Mr. Hurd offered a resolution same as testified by other witnesses. Camp rnade rernarks aboiil tar and feathers, and had made some before. Loe, Giltner and Ford left about the time of pulürig the resolutions. Troutman offered a resolution to adjourn, and all left. At the time the resolutions were offered the crowd was going off, a majority had gone, and all were moving olí' when the resolutions were put. I often heard Gorham say to those around him, " keep quiet," and such like remarks. I saw Comstock come on the ground, - he carne on after Gorham. Heard part of the conversation betvveen Gorham and Comstock. 1 was not ver} near them. Heard only some remark hy Comstock about moral, legal and phyeical force. Heard Gorham give liis name - he gave it after he came on the ground. - Comstock gave his - did nol hear Troutman cive any renson for tak'Bg the names, made some remarks about responsiliility. I did not hear any general cali for names that were responsïbfe and who were going to interiore. - The cali was made to individuals for their names, tlius - " your name, sir," Troutman al thé ?ame time puiling out his pocket book and wruing down the name. Cros examined. - When I first went on the o-round 1 went into the house. Saw white's wife and sorae ot the cluldren, several colored persons were within the house. The family were hovering around the fire and appeared to be cold. Adam had gone, or was going wlth Dixon to take counsel. I heard aomething taid about it, but have an indistinot recollection of it. Saw some blacks armed and making threafs. People were coming on verj fa.st, wben I arrived much excited - there might have been two hundred persons present at une time. I was much excited myself, the crowd were much excited. I made remnrks and said things to different individuáis during the time I was on the ground - I partook in the excilement. When Gorham cave bis name, he said to Troutman write it clown in capital letters. I heard nothing said by Gorham about bearing it back to Kentucky, uothina: of' that kind was said in my hearing. I was by the side of' Gor!nm when he gave his name. Gorham gave his name long befo re the resolutions were offered. Comstock offercd his narne before the resolutiona were oflered. He ropeatcd his name as Oliver Cromwell Comstock, jr., and directed him to write the junior, as he did not want his father to be acoountsble ior his acts. I heard Troutman say to Cook before Gorham carne on the ground, that he was going to take them before Esquire Shearinan. Cook said to him hold on we will see. Troutman appeared to abandoned taking the slaves before tbé resolulions were put. I should have considered f rom the excitement of the blacks that if Troutman had attempted to take the sla;s he would have been ihterferéd with by the blncks. 1 do not thinl; the whites would have interfered, but I tliink they would have stood by, and seen the blackb fight the Ken tuckians. Wm. A. Sweet called on the part of the defendants. Was on the ground at the time of the affair testified by other witnesses. Went up on ihe ground in company with i Comstock and Baker, some others were along II went into the yard with Comstock near the house. Comstock emiuired fof the Southern gentlemen. TroUtHian V pcunted ont to HMD Comstock approaclied him, I was by his sitie. I Comatock askod hïs business. Troutman I plioil lie was Loing to take tlie slaves, and l wished to take the!T before Esquire Shearman I and mate proof of iroperty. Comstock replied that it would ne impossible tr take them by l moral, lega] or pliysical force. Troutman maniiéd his namo. Cnnstock replied, Oliver i C. Comstock. jr. Troutman commenced i ünf and enquired again. Comstock repeated j i OÜver Cromwell Comstock, jr., sometliing WM said about tlie name Cromweil. Troutman said lifter lie had taken tlie name, yi-u say I slian't have tlie si aves. Comstock replied, no, I said no such thing, I say you cannot take them as you may perceive from tlie excitement. The marnier of Dr. Comstock wes gentloïnanly and conciliatory. Comstock left just beforn I did - when I Itft three-quarters of tlie crowd were leaving. No resolutions had been i ffered wben I left. Immediately after tlie interview wit'n Troutj man, Comstock stepped across the path lo Dixon and enquired of' liim what part he was actingandby what authority. Dixon produced a paper and showed it to the Doctor, and I took it and read it. Tho Doctor was civil to Dixon. Wben I left three of the Iventuckians hacl left, I saw them before me - Troutman re mained. I saw Mr. Lee, one of the Kentuc kiahs, he was peculiar in his appearanee - was a tálkative man. hd agía eye - rufiian-like ; in hisnppearance. Heard him talk a gotti deal j in a bwggad 'cia tyle, his mannor was threatetiín- ÖuW strike his glass eye and say r.o icould do that, and said he should like to ; fight the negroes. I Wal in justice Hobart's officn and heard a ; conversation betvveen Gorham nd Troutman, on the morning of the 28th of January, about ' bringing back the slavcs. I do not reeollect all of it. Troutman saiíl he would give $100 to liave ihe slaves brought baok. Gorham asked ií' lie would not doublé it ; perhaps we will take the job, or somelliing to that effect. Cross examined. - I could not mensure limo precisely. 1 was not on the ground long. I think I ara ne;irly correct in the order of events The cro-.vd were talking with Lee, vvhen ho made the gasconadnig re raarkt. I hcard no other give their names but Comstock. Direct resumed. - I think it would have been impossible i'or any resolution to have been put and pi3sed by the crowd without ny hearing it. Dennis E. Bunnell called, on the part of the defendants. lias resided in Marshall eleven years, was on the ground when the affair happened. I live within fifly rods of the ground. Heard of the affair by Mr. Furman ubout half past seven o'clock in the morning. Went immediately over, some six whites were there, and tivo blacks, these were other than the Kentuckians and the Crosswnite family. The first that attracted my attention was Dixon and some others conversing. I liad some conversation witti Dixon about their business. He told me the men were frotn Kentucky, and were going U) take the Crosswhite family before Esq. Shearman, and make proof of tlieir property. I enquired if they liad any precept, he suid no they did not need any. I went into the house, and sav Adam Crosswhite and the family - saw no other blacks in the house at that time. I did not know the two blacks that were on the ground. I know Plan ter Moss, he was not there at this time as I saw - I saw him afterwards, did not see him come on the ground. 1 saw Gorham come on the ground, it was near nine o'clock. I went directly where he was when he addressed Troutinan. Gorham enquircd his business. Troulman replied they had come to arrest lic Crosswhite family as slaves. Gorham enquired bis nuthority. Troutman said, by the aulhority of the Const.itution and laws, and as the agent of Fran cis Giltner. Gorham replied, poinling to the crowd, I think you caiwiot take tliem, you see the excitement and it will be hazardo'js. Troutman promptly said what is your name, sir. Gorham gave his name. Troutman enquired if he was responsible - he said he was. Troutman said to Gorham, " I understand you to say I shall not take the Crosswhite family." Gorham replied l did not say so, 1 said from appearance you cánnot take them, there is so much excitemont. The crowd fol'owed Troiitman wlierever he went. The converaation with Gorhara was outside the yard - Troulman moved inside tlio yard, the crowd followed. I saw Comstock and Troutman conversing inside llie vard. I approached them, the first I heard was Troutmun saying to Comstock. what is your name, sir. Comstock gave his name. Troutman enquired if he was responsible. Comstock replied, enquire of my neighbors. Troutman thcii said to Comstock, you say I shall ïiot take the slaves. Comstock replied, 110 s;r, I said no sucli thing, 1 said from the appearance of the crowd you cannot take tliem, neither morally, physically or legally - again pointed Troutman to the crowd, and advised Troutman not to attempt to take the slaves. Comstock's marmer was cool and civil 1 heard Hurd's resolution, likewise Trout man's. Troulman's was to arijourn. I carne out of the house when 1 heard Hurd's resolution. I heard Camp speak of tar and feathers. Hurd rcbuked hitn I was at the house a good deai of the time. Saw Adam go away with Dixon. I did not see him return, but saw him after he had returned. 1 did not see Adam after tejí o'clock. I did not see the boys of Crosswhite after Adam returned with Dixon. Cross examincd. - The re was much excitement and talk among the crowd. I was in the house perhaps ten minutes wliilo I was there. I was in the Justices' office a short time'in the evening of that day. I wai a little excited. I took no part in the talk against the slaves being taken away. Nelson Church calied, on the part of the defendants. Ha.s resided in Marshall nine years. AVas on the ground, somewhere in the neighborhood of nine o'clock in the rnorning. Wentup with Mr. Gorham - was with him when he first met Troutman - met him immediately-after coming on the ground. Gorliam enq'jired of Troutman what tho matter was. Troutman replied he was going to take the Crosswhite fkmily before a Justice for the purpose of proving prop erty and takir.g lliem to liis grandfather. Gorham demanded his authority. Troutman plied thut all the authority lie required was to take his property when he culd finJ ït, and take tliem Jjeiore a Justice. GoiViam made sorne remark about the people having taken [he la iv into their ow n hands - do notdistinctly recollect what. Gorham ilien snid you can't rake tliem. Troutmun deinanded his name. - Uorlib.ni pave it. Trontman seemed to have sorne dilliculiy in getting his penci!. Somn one said write it in ihe snow - Gorham offored lo write it for him. Trontman said to Gorham aftc w riting his name N You say, sir, tliat I slmn't takc ttBM slaves, do vou V' Gorliam replied, " 1 said no snch thing. I said ihatit was evident froni the excitement and the crowd, that you can't take the slavcs. Goilinm appeared courteoos in his manner, treated Mr, Troutman politely. When Oorham made the remark abotil the people liaviug taken the law in'o their hands, ho poi.nted to the crowd. Troulman demandfd his 'name perotnptorily and siMinod disposed to intimídate. This conversation was some two rodi outside the gate. After tlio conversntion the; cr-vd moved noarer tho house. The crowd ■oro aro r ui Troutm in rncist of' the time. Saw Dr. Comstock when be carne on the ground, He arrived about half an liour after Gorham. Comstock approached Troutman npar the house. I did not see Troutman at the instar:'., but saw him soon after conversing with Comstock. I heard Comstock give his USX, this was all 1 heard of their conversation. 1 was some two rorls off. 1 remained about anjnuir ou the ground. Leftin company with Mr. GreenNo resolutions were offeied while I remained. S I did not move about mueh - remained out1 eidfl the yard most of the time, 1 went on' withi'í tiie yard and lookeil into the house. - The füivco was three rods 'rom th; hon - TUe crowd remained inside lh; yard most o llie time I remained. If a resolución had been oflfered so as to ar rest the attenlion of the crowd I must have he;ird t - I heard none. I was a looker on saui hut liltle tnyself. I lef't G-orham on the ground - do notknovv that Comstock was on the giound when I left, bul ihink lic was. Augustus Burnell called on the part of the defendants. Went upon the ground about half past sevrn,. Harris and White's boy was there when 1 got there. 1 did notsee Planter Moss when 1 first arrived. My father carne soon after ] did. 1 huurd Giltner eay that heorthey wo'd have them or leave their corpses on the grounc 1 went home and returneJ before Gorham carne, it must have heen bctween nine or ten o'clock when Gorham camo on the ground. - Gorham enquired of Troutman his business Troutman replied he was going to take the slaves to Kentucky. Gorham replied you can't take them. Troutman enquired oí him if he was responsible, lie replied he was. - Troutman demanded his name, Gorham gave it. Troutman then said to him, now 1 under stard you to say 1 slian't take these slaves. - Gorham replied, " no you understand no such thing, you see the excitement and it must be manifest that you cannot take them." There was a conversation of sume minutes Gorham did not appear excited. After this con versation Mr. Troutman and the crowd movea off towards the house - üorham moved of a different direction. I saw Comstock in conversation with Troutman. After the conversation with Gorham and until I saw Dr. Comstockahi conversation with Troutman the crowd were near the house I did not hear Comstock's conversation, only one sentence, whicli was, " it is evident that you cannot take them by moral, legal or physical forcé." I remained on the ground, except when I was jone home, until they disperged. 1 heard some of the resol utions, they were offcred one after another, just before they left. The largest part of the crowd had gone before the resolutions were offered. There was a general move of the crowd befiire the resolutions were oft'ered, 1 supposed tht all were going. The young man with me called my attention by sayin, there is something going on, let us see what it ie. I rettirned and they were offering resolutions. The only one I heard was to adjourn. At the time the resolutions were"oftered they were laughing andjoking, the excitement was over. Giltner once said during the time I was there, that they would bring a regiment from Kentucky and storm the town. This was early in the morning. Cross examincd. - There was some noisa and exoitement, some of the whiles were excited but most of them were not. Camp manifested the most excitement of any white man. I have conversed with the defetidants a few times about the matter. I saw but one black on the ground with a gun. The blacks were much excited. The one with a gun was tho coolest one I saw among the blacks. L. H. Robinson called on the part of the de fendants. 1 went on the ground with Preston Mitchel, it must have been near nine o'clock. I saw Gorhn.m come upon the groand, he carne soon after l did. I saw Troutman meet Gorham Gerham emjuired of him what was going on. Troutrnan replied that he was going to take the Crosswhite family, something was said about the constitution and lavv, do not recollect what. Gorham replied, there is no doubt but you have law enough, but you see the people have taken the law into their own hands. - Troutman demanded his name, .Gorham gave it. Troutman asked Gorham if' he was responsible. Easterly Baid he was, he would endorse him. Troutman then said to Gorham, you say I sliall not take these slaveg. Gorham replied that, I eay no such thing, made some remark about the crowd and said this is do abolition gathering. I do not recollect all that was said Troutman and the crowd moved off towards the house. The next that attracted my attention was Comstock and Troutman in conversation. I moved towards them, heard Comstock give his name to Troutman, he gave itO. C. Comstock jr. Troutman called forit again. He gave it Oliver Cromwell Comstock, jr. Something was said between them about the Cromwell. Troutman enquired of him if' he was responsible. Comstock replied ask my neighbors. They conversed longer but I have forgotten the conversation. 1 s;nv Hurd come on the ground, he carne on late. I heard him offer a resolution, this was just before the crowd dispersed. The resolution was as witnesses have testified. - Some ono added, " tarred and feathered" to Hurd's rosohuion. Hurd rebuked it and said gentlemen this will not do. I heard thrflats from the Kentucky gentlemen. Ono of them said they would have the negroes if they had to bring a regiment from Kentucky and storm the town. It must have been after ten when Hurd caine on the ground. I saw no slaves on the ground afler Hurd carne on. A!l of the Kentuckians, except Troutman had left the ground whna the resolutions were offered. 1 am not certain - tvro of thern were gone I know.