in favor of acquittal. A third unanimous vote finally resulted in the conviction of thirteen of the eighteen men charged in the Muncy Abolition Riot. This conviction was essentially overturned by Governor David R. Porter when he pardoned the rioters several days later. Governor Porter's statement of pardon said: "It is represented to me by highly respected citizens of Lycoming County, that this prosecution was instituted more with a view to the accomplishment of political ends than to serve the cause of law and order." Porter's pardon message placed the blame for the riot on the abolitionist speaker. Porter stated that the speech was "notoriously offensive to the minds of those to whom they were addressed and were calculated to bring about a breach of the peace." This pardon led to Governor Porter being given the less than flattering nicknames of the "Previous Pardon Porter" and "The Pardoning Governor." Historians believe that Porter pardoned the rioters under rampant political pressure regarding the issue of slavery, as was often the case in the years prior to the Civil War. References Abolitionism in the United States Pre-emancipation African-American history History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania 1842 in Pennsylvania 1842 riots White American riots in the United States Riots and civil disorder in Pennsylvania April 1842 events American anti-abolitionist riots and civil disorder