A History of the Trial of Castner Hanway and Others for Treason, at Philadelphia in November, 1851: With an Introduction upon the History of the Slave Question

Jackson, W. Arthur

U. Hunt, Philadelphia, 1852

[Rare African Americana: Slavery in the Courtroom] Bound in publisher's wraps. Lacking rear wrap.  Some edge wear. 86 pages. Held in a custom made fine leather clamshell box with red leather cover label.. "When Edward Gorsuch, a Maryland slave owner, acting on a federal warrant, attempted to seize fugitive slaves near Christiana, Pennsylvania, he was met with a volley of gunfire. A pitched battle ensued, in which many including Gorsuch himself were killed. President Fillmore, urged by the Governor of Maryland, sought to make an example of those who would resist enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Castner Hanway and others were indicted for "treason" and put on trial in Philadelphia. W. Arthur Jackson, attorney for the defendants, wrote this pamphlet to expose "the most glaring absurdities and incongruities contained in" Maryland's Attorney General Robert Brent's pamphlet on the trial. An acquittal was sought and obtained by the defense, much to the chagrin of Attorney General Brent. Cited at length in Finkelman (Slavery in the Courtroom. 101-102). Finkelman calls this pamphlet "a very useful summary of the case and the strategy of the defense." Cohen, 14182; LCP 4563; Blockson 9529" - Swann Galleries - Printed & Manuscript African Americana, Sale 2342, March 27, 2014.