power can estimate, the aggregate of woe and guilt which was the
legitimate result of that Fugitive Slave Bill.

The year 1855 was marked by a series of events unique in our
history. A citizen of Philadelphia, whose name will always be
associated with the cause of American liberty, in the legal
performance of his duty, quietly informed three slaves who had
been brought into this State by their master, a Virginia
slaveholder, that by the laws of Pennsylvania they were free. The
legally emancipated mother, Jane Johnson, availing herself of
this knowledge, took possession of her own person and her own
children; and their astonished master suddenly discovered that
his power to hold them was gone forever. No judge, commissioner,
or lawyer, however willing, could help him to recapture his prey.
But a judge of the United States District Court could assist him
in obtaining a mean revenge upon the brave man who had
enlightened an ignorant woman respecting her legal right to
freedom. Judge Kane, usurping jurisdiction in the case, and
exercising great ingenuity to frame a charge of contempt of
Court, succeeded in his purpose of imprisoning Passmore
Williamson in our County jail. The baffled slaveholder also found
sympathizers in the Grand Jury, who enabled him to indict for
riot and assault and battery, Passmore Williamson, William Still,
and five other persons. During the trial which ensued, the
prosecutor and his allies were confounded by the sudden
appearance of a witness whose testimony that she was not forcibly
taken from her master's custody, but had left him freely,
disconcerted all their schemes, and defeated the prosecution. The
presence of Jane Johnson in that court room jeoparded her
newly-acquired freedom; for though Pennsylvania was pledged to
her protection, it was questionable whether the slave power, in
the person of United States officers and their ever ready
minions, would not forcibly overpower State authority and obtain
possession of the woman. It was an intensely trying hour for her
and for all who sympathized with her. Among those who attended
her through that perilous scene, were the president of this
Society, Sarah Pugh, and several of its members. All those ladies
will testify to the calm bearing and firm courage of this