i3e!st: mgi -w. , i 1 . -ii,
I liave sworn upon tlic Altar of God, eternal hostility io every form of Tyranny over the Mind of BIan. Thomas Jcflbrson.
PltlNTED AND PUBLISHED BY II. WEBB,
. Volume II. BliOOMSiilTIRG, COIUMOTA COUNTY,. PA. SATURDAY, AUG-TLTST 25, 1838. Number 18.
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1 STOjiy.QF, THE EE VOLUTION',
t.cjln the-commenociijent of the diffetencps
.between jp American ipolonjes andithe1
parent edirntty, many persons were dis
posed to advocate the cause of Great Bri
tain. Whilst the most of those who did
go were actuated by a sordid interest and
the fear of the loss of property, there were
.some of generous feeling3 who maintained
their allegiance from integrity of principle
and purity of motive. Of the latter class
a poor man in the western part of Massa
chusetts, who was. ijUbe habit of attending
all the meetings.tjjat grew ont of the oppres
sions and usurpations of England. , t.
At the same time thajjie did noliattempt
.to justify the measures mf iho- rarttw.tr
- ,he endeavoured in his plain, rusucwov, j
palliate them, and deprecated tho active
measures of :tli.e. .colonies as a subversion of
all order, and the introduction of anarchy
and confusion. Ho was a simple hearted
man, but eminent for integrity .phdilovc, of.
,truth, so much so, that in his own neignuor
hood his word was considered as good as a
bond: therefore, while his arguments against
the resistance of tho Colonies were not
permitted ,to weigh a feather in the scale of
pubiic. opinion, his undoubted honcsty.of
heart exempted linn Irom tne natreu which
11 1 1 it. .
tho "lories, ' as tliey were caueu ai ine. ume,
so commonlv excited, and from the exlnbi
tion of that hatred in tho usual forms of
forcible ablution and a coat of tar and fealh
lie children, wept from sympathy and from -and thenrctircd to sleep, assured and grati- ho proceeded to .give a dstail of tho private
an indefinable sensation of evil which they fied that his . charge had fled. Tho next character of the prisoner, his unexampled
could not comprehend, Yet tliore was-re-1 morning on-awaking, lie found the prisoner conduct while m conhncment, his coming
lief in those tears, and tho sanctifying efli- lying with his head pillowed unon-tho mis- to trial unguarded s and ho concluded by
cacy of prayer calmed' the tumults of the on steps where he had sunk down from fa- saying that ho believed that it would bo po
breast, and poured a soothing balm into the tiguc. During the day and night, the mis- ltic in tho council to pardon the oflenco
wounded feelings, which was not of earth, crablo man had been to visit his family, and and that he, for his part must consider tho
Tliq children were put to rest. The father in going and returning had travelled a dis- sacrifice of a man of so much integrity and
Iu3qd them, affectionately as they lay smil- tance of sixty "miles. truth, as a stain, upon human nature.
ing in slumber, .unconscious of. the bereave- Tho time of his trial came on, and the Many a heart warmed with sympathy & ad
ment they were about to .sustain embraced Sheriff made preparations.to conduct him to miration,as tho character of tho simple hcart-
his disconsolato wife again, took up his Springfield, where he was to bo tried for ed countryman wa3 unfolded, and he was
musket, and aided by tho shades of night, high treason before the council of Massa- pardoned without a dissenting voice. As
started for the royal army. As ho pursued chusetts, at that timc.thc supremCiexccutive his, word had been sacredly kcptrthey con
his way, the moon that had been obscured, of the State. The prisoner assured hiin -scnted to consider him a prisoner onparole,
broke from the surrounding clouds, and on that it was unnecessary to incur the trouble and permitted hiin to return to his fam
.turning to take a look of his dwelling, the and expense of a journey, in order to take y
lamp, shone through the open door in which him there, as he could go as well himself. As the vole was reported, the acquitted,
lus wile, stood fo .catch the last echo of his tls word was taken without hesitation, and who had hitherto, in the prospect of death,
foot step3. Th,c light oT.hcaven and of faih- he set out upon his melancholy journey, to restrained himself, gave vent to his feelings,
lui love he lelt were united to cheer mm on prpscht himsell lor trial and certain con- acd wept like a child then turning to
his way: , demnatiojj. . I thank his deliverer,- his eyes fell' upon the
On the evening ofMthc. following ,dayias As he proceeded onward . night. overtook pale, bloodless features of his wife1, who
he approached Boston, ho .feH,iin.nitHijdie him in a large wood; and coming .to a cross unnoticed , had glided into court, and 'was
scouts of, tho Arnerjcan 5'rmy then parading road he was in doubt weither to direct his standing behind him with her infant .in hot
in the vicinity, and his answers not proving steps. Fatigued with walking and full of aims. As she hastened to meet him, the
satisfactory, ho was captured and taken be-1 uncertainty, he sunk upon his knees and I child fell from her embrace, and.overpow
fore the proper officers. He did not dis- poured forth his soul in agony of prayer, ered with joy, she .sunk insensible at the
guise his intentions; but made known his until ho w.as loused by the tramp of feet, I feet of her husband. , t
determination of joiningtho royal army.-?- and. onJpoking.up beheld a person on horse- On tho 4th of July, in the following year
He was accordingly sent up into the ,c.ouh- 'back beside- him. Tho stranger had heard the Colonies declared themselves freo and
try and lodged in jail in one of the.jvestern his pious petitions, and with kind solicitude independent, and then thevhero of our tale,
towns to await his trialf.jrhej place was inquired into the nature of his journy,fc all. clearly comprehending his duty to .his
thirty miles from his 6,wn home, and as the little particulars of his history. He took country, and taking up arms in her -favor,
whatever of. interests transpired was, ,raado him to his home, ,a'nd having entertained rose to the rank of Captain, and assisted in
known, through the diffeent, committees of him for (he night, sent him to Springfield gaining several battles.
correspondence, the true chracterof the pris- in care of a friend; The officer (for it was The good old man lived to a green old
oner was soon learned. l,he piety, the mi- an officer, of justice in whose care the stran- age and has been permitted to see hischjld-
uouojea honst to honor and prosperity.
lilti UHCUHJoiauuua in Yviiiuu in- it- w n 1 77 o 1
family, and the awe of punishing a man The country was men struggling against
with death who. had followed the dictates a sea of troubles, and compelled to restrain
e i,:.. mnuimnn in wliii Im hplmvRil to be the ancnev of treason, bv prompt and con
, .w..w ' - ... . nvr inr-f7nrTrr ,
1.:- .1..... .11 :.,..:.., 1 i, .mlisti inlnnsx lirrn nnnishmnnt. I lif nrimfi ntthh nns-1 HiSBSBk. O ETJJIV M1J .
interest in the, breast of the Sheriff,, and he oner was substantiated by ample proot. .lie -nnouicr vwumny ivC,iu uy , vV,ww
determined to Hve him an opportunity to es- even admitted it.himsclf, and was . accord- ders ofJ.oscph miner against tie aemo
cape. . , ., , 1 . , , . ingly.declareu guilty. Belore reading the
He accordingly observed to him one.even- sentence, however, tho President put the
. . T . Mt 11 I' ,--.1 1 t I., I
ing "these chains 1 lear, will gaii your an- question wneiucr a paruonsnouiuuBgraiuu.
cles, I will therefore, substitute smooth pie- Scarcely had he ceased speaking, when a
ces, of leather for the iron bands but don't member. occupied the floor, and to that spirit
ers.
AflTmrsntlfinffth reached a crisis. The
.battles of, Lexington and Concord roused
the people to arms, and tho Congress which
'assembled at Watcrtown, resolved to raise
tbirtv thousand troops : and the business of
fenlisting and draughting; was immediately
commenced with great vigor, lhere was
'therefore, no alternative left for the simple
.rustic, of whom I have becnjHpoaking, but
to take up arms against England, contrary
io his. conscience, ,or join the forces, under
Gen.. Gage. IIo "determined on the latter
.and in, ijoing he experienced all ,thM bitter-
jtcss which is incident to civil war, m.leay
init his wife and, children unprovided for,
and to tho prptpclion of those who nccessa
rilv would become his enemies.
- ... .... ,
It was a beautiful evening m tno cany
.part bf May.- .The labors of the day were
over, and the. father had retqrned to enjo
tlte hours of rcst.wfth his family. IIo oc
JSUpiCQ HIS USUai BUUll.H.uiu uiuu.ui uj ..."
olocjrofhis whito-wahed cottago. Beforo
Vim .w.erc two children playing on the green
Lasapldt a third lay in .the, cradle, and
peaido it sat tho.mqther watching its slum
bers. How many wero tho pleasant inagc3
pf the past cojugal happiness and paternal
Joyo that busy memory conjurod up in the
silliness of that soft evening houi ! but the
very repollection of them caused melancholy
forebodings to cast a gloom over the spirits
r for now,, they wero to bo forgone for a
time perhaps forever.
The hourof.prayor arrived, and oh I with
jvhatctrneUnesdio the,. parent wrestle with
heaven, and implore its protection for the
ypung and the belplesa q,vas leaving be
hind. T.ho. parents shed copious tears from
sibihties of nature and
POLITICAL,
cratic condidate, triumphantly refuted!
Tin "Western Argus.V an antimasonic
paper published at Beaver, contains the fol
lowing which is now going the rounds of
the state, and which bears the manifest mv
vnn it H.nm off. nn.l break out: for I will which the temper of the times appeared to press of the hand of that infamous traitor,
certainly catch you Jf you do.". "You demand, poitrayed in glowing language, the John Dickey, now one of the board of ca
need not fear me," replied tho prisoner, as aggressions of England, the unavailing sup- nai commissioners.
a smile passed over his features, anifhe bade plications & remonstrances of tho colonies, (, From tho Beaver Argus
the keeper (rood nichf. The Sheriff retired the. slaughter of their bretheren in the streets ,.La3t week we published extracts lrom tti
to bed with a light, heart determined to take of Lexington and Concord, and the confla- records of Huntingdon county, showing the
a nap in tho morning of an .extra length, but gration of Charles.lown by the vandel torch time, manner and circumstances of David
he was disappointed, for tho loud voice ol of the. invaders.. Ho then spoke ol the dilh- R. Porter's taking the oenent 01 ine msoi
tho prisoner, chanting his morning psalm cultics they had no encounter of the pow- vent laws; but the facts now in our posses
. - - 1 ........ .1
as usual, broke his slumbers. The next cr of the foe with whom they wero grap- sion, connected with that matter, place ine
nirht. on leaving his prisoner, ho informed pling ; and coucluded by expressing a hope Loco .candidate in an unenviable position
hiin that "there was something tho matter that not a member there would sacrifice the and exhibit his character in. its true light
with the key, and that unable to lock the great interests of the country by granting before the people. . I he Huntingdon ccun
door, he would tie it with a rope on tho out- impunity to the subtle and destructive agen- ty records make out a pretty strong case a-
side. At the same time he charged him cy ol treason, several speakers expresscu gainst him! but those 01 weaver coumy, con
not to thinfc of escaping, as he had a very similar sentiments, with equal, warmth ; and nected with them, will astonish and startle
fleet horse, and would eertainly catch him. the unfortunate man ceased to indulge a every man of moral feeling m tho Liommon-
Im muttered to himself hone. For himself ho dreaded not death ; Uvotlth. Wo uivilo the attention otitic
"tho fellow is a fool if ho don't understand but in the yearnings of nature, his heart people to. tho facts we are about. to present,
mat. v. I trembled for his wifo and children, and con- The Huntingdon county records, show
Next mornlni' the prison door n'as open; cem for them clouded his manly features ti1Et David R. Porter wag discharged from
but on enternihg he found tlio prisoner as with melancholy. , . , confinement under tho insolvent laws, on
ho had Jeft hiin, a wind during the night He did not weep ho bent not his head, the 10 th day of February, 1819. Mark
havinir blown open the door. Tho honest but stood erect and palo as monumental mo date. To obtain that discharge, he was
hearted rustic considering himself in the marble, while his thoughts, abstracted from obliged to take the following oath
hands of lawful authority, holding as ho did tho things around him, were with hjs fam- A. B. do swear, that I will deliver up
- t - I . I m
tljo maxim which his Bible, had taught him, ily, and with that God, who is the proteot- and transfer .to my trustee or trustees, lor
that ho who qreaks the smallest la.w 01 or.r or ol the widow and the orphan. ... the use 01 my creuuors, an my piupuny
der is guilty o( violation. of principles w.hicjt . .As the vote .was about to be taken, the mat I have, or claim-any title to, or interest
tends to subvert the. whole., Ho then thank? hasty tread of feet, was heard, ami mr. r-u- jn at this timo, ami an ueois, rigum uu
ed the keeper for his kindness which he had wards, a prominent member of the council, claims which I havo at this time, or that I
showed him, and as ho had given opportu- niado his appearance- He desired, the Pros- am in any respect entitled to, in possession,
nities of escape, which ho could not con- ident to forbear for a moment, and ; having reversiou or remainder anu tna; l nave not
scienciously use, he besought permission to. recovered, breath addressed me couueu 111 directly or indireciiy, ai any imiu, Bnn
;, n,n hnrvfist fields bv dav. and cam be hall of the prisoner.- i lie conoemneu im- soid. conveyeui icascu, umpusuu
u..,(i rAriiUnirnrinfffamHv. Tho request mcdiatelv recoffiiizcd thovoico of the stran- trusted any part of my property, rights, or
utvuv iw ..- -o 1 ' " o . , , - - ttirl
was granted tho, leathor straps mat uounu gcr who overtook nim tn me vruuuo claims io any purauu
1.;. ,ina W9M Rdvered. and dutinff tho heard him sneak of himself, but half uncon- mv creditors or any of them, or to' secure,
months of haryes.tj and fpr some time after, scious, knew not what it was, nor to what teceivo or expect any profit or advantage
n.!.nni.r unnl outdailv to labor and lit tended. thereby.
a ,t nioht to be locked up in hia rhR anr Araw a distinction between In defianco of this oath; tho records' of
- - ' O I .w Wj,wW-- .. I . , . , 1 ( 1 I .
,1 .u- i .u-i fr. .nrHirlnixin nt Heaver couniv snow, uiai uisieuu 01 uuv
Ceil. 1 1 I 1110 uuaauu uiav mouii. iiuu. r
One evening the keeper waited in vain for. interest or unholy passions, and that unm- ering'up to his trustees, lor tne use n ...
n. ,.n P(tw (T it set in tentional treason wlucn is mo resuu qi a creuL.m.,.,-
,lloiuiu. o - ... , T....:iT l)..H..i.,l ,., n.mtinmrt rec
and then darknoss-and yet he came not.- misconception ol duty anu Having in niud . x -
..,n. 1.,. i,nr;.,nfivPninrr. measure iustified a dissent from the verdici and for own use, between eight and us
nino hundred dollars, from ttyo citizens of
thrs county, to whom he had nreviouslv
old land in North Beaver towhshipl On
the Gih of Deccmbc'r, 1818, a very short
time before ho filed his petitlonf Porter sold,
a tract of 'donation land, No. 1778, in this
county, to Messrs'.- James Kiddo, and Alex
ander Russell for the-surrr of 'two thousand
dollars. The deed acknowledges, the re
ceipt of the whole purchase money, while
it would seem that but about ono half was
paid down, and noteb or bonds 'given for
tho balance." These obligations were held
by Porter when he "swore out," and after
wards proceeded upon, and collected as they
become due. .' . '. -v
The first is entered on record in the-Pro-
thenotary's office, in docket No. 5, page 147,
as follows: -
AUGUST TERM, 1810'
David Porter i Summons, IJebt,
psi " ' $2,000 Scrvqd Mr .. . ..
Jas. KuMo.and 24. 20tli March, ' .
Alex. Russell (' 1830, ru'lb to chooM
Issld S2d July'1619 J'ttbilratiors pt the Pri-
thonotary's office, on the 8th day'oA April
next at 12 o'clock, to hear ind detertnitfo
all'hrattors in variance 'between 'he'paitles
in thiofiuit. Exparto rble on of Pl'EServ-
ed.by Sheriff, M. 22, 5th April, 1820.
James Kidd&jnone of the defendants1 ap
pears in peraeh,ahd cortfe-ics judgment' to
plaintiff for five hundred thirty dollars eight
cents debt. ' " . vi " . .
Defendant, James" Kiddo,-(ilea three re
ceipts, to wit: one bearingMate 10th April,
1820, for $1,000, one'23d Sept. 1820, for
$465,00, and ono dated 13th Feb.-for S91
00,' which payment satisfies this judgement
itTnilirtrppilciriO-a-jftugcniecrts'innart--
same defendants, aro Not 51, April, 1820.-
Tho second appears, in same volume, p.
220, and is entered a capias case; debt $060-
GO; issued 10th April, 1820. 't'On the 20th
March following .Kiddo appears 'and cori
fesses judgment for 8176 05 .debt.- On
tho 10th December 1834 judgement satis
fied. ' '. '
The third obligation, entered April tern?
1822, same'volumc,- p. 767 'issued April
1st. Sum liquidated by Prothonotary at
S182 74. In November 1825, Kiddo paid
$173 87s; mid on tho 13th of July ,1829,
the debt, interest and costs settled in full."
It appears, than, that on the 5th'day of
December, 1818, Porter made' his deed to
Kiddo and Russel, taking their obligations
for a portion of the purchase money. ' At
the January term, 1819, one month after
wards, ha applied for the benefit of the in
solvent laws; and on tho 10th of1 February",
at a special court, wa3 discharged from con
finement. In July following he entered a
suit against Kiddo andRussell forthb collec
tion of the first bond due; and in 1820 and
1822, the other bonds were sued and final
ly all settled. Is it not plain, then, ,to over
mind, that Porter did not deliver up lor the
use of his creditors, all his property, debts
and claims,. required by the law, and the
insolvent's oath? Judge yo who are called
upon to sustain his 'election to the highest
office in the Commonwealth.-
My attention having been called to tho
above publication, I have thought it right;
and due to 1ho cause of truth and justice, to
state, that in the month- of July or August
1818, John Stonebrakcr and I became bail
for David It, Porter for a large sum of mon
ey. That he placed in our hands as secu
rity the title papers for a tract of land iii
Benver county. That in December-of tho
same year wo gave him up 'the title papers
and requested him to make sale of the land
and raise the money forus, that ho did make
sale of -the;land to James Kiddo and Alex
ander RiUGell 5 and took their bonds 'for tho
payment of 1000, on the first of April
following, and tho remainder in two or
threo yearly gales (I cannot now distinctly
recollect which.) He left theso bonds with
James Allison, Esq. attorney at law; 'bf
Beaver, for collection, and brought1 his1
his own name 1 receipt fof the same; which he assigned t$
He waited until a late hour in tho eyeningi measure justified a dissent from the
dfo
That the said bonds were collected by
nifflimrm-iHiiilfil