Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-08-03
MtrDees osrO SGs1etg.
MONDAi MORNING. AUGIISI, a Is2o.

e'or such an event Is upprehendcd, whether upon
good grounds, grounds 1T ALL is absurd and
iinpoltc. If there indeed be just for expect
inS 1--WE will not say fearing) catastrophe of this
nature, the public prints present the best medium of
putting all parts of the community its guard-if(as
ih the present CASEY there be- no rational ground for
any such apprehension. the public prints afford the
readest means OF circulating information which may
serve to tranqnilil, tho Imagination oi the distant
public, and perhaps to abatc the fears OF those near
er the supposed danger. In shot, to talk about the
thog Ill whispcrs-to meet in tie squads and evnce
an anxiety, ridiculous if there no cause ofalrm and
impoitic if there is-to trent rumors of this nature
with so much seriousness, as they were something
too horrible to be ncntoncd--all these things we say
are calculated to enhance The confidence ofthe slaves
in themselves and to make them really imagine it
possible for them to engage in conspiracy with dis.
tant hope of succcss-of all notions certainly the most
crazyand impracticable. The courage ofonc side Is
elevated in proportion the depression o. the
other; and if shame cannot prevent men with boards
their chins, from showing lrigit which the very
women and children laigh at, the reelection that
their pusalanimity is provoking the danger they
remble at, ought at least to induce them to restrain
any external symptoms of alarm.
Some weeks ago, rumours ot an expected insur-
rccton reached this place from he counties Of Gou-
cester and Matthew's. As is the with all rumors,
but especially those which menace dunger. the ru-
NOR in question flew through the country in all Gircc-
tons exaggerated by every Individual who circulated
it., until it at last assumed an Importance most ridcu-
lousy i'll contrast with the truth. We understand
from good authority, that investigation by the civil
authority in the counties mentioned discovered 40
single fact to justify belief the supposed conspiracy
but on the contrary that it left all men good sense
with reasonable share of pl - y in tie finn per-
suason, that the plot was wholly imoe mary, getting
wind no body could tell exactly ho,y, though It's
spreading easily enough accounted for from the
love of human nature for the horrible and marvellous
Ii so happened, that the Of The imaginary n
surrectOn in Matthew's and Gloucester reached This
part Of the country about the time that Bowers was
murdered in tho ncghbnring county of Hanover by las
slaves The coincidence quite sufficient for
the weak and credlhous. Although 1t sutslacto-
riy established las we hear that Bowyers &as muir
dercd because he proposed to carry his slaves
other part oF the Commonwealth, yet upon this CO.
incidence, built the whole structure OF the alarms
which have agitatcd this part of the country for
ten twelve days. We sorry to have occasion
say, that these aIr ms seized even upon men,
whose station in socicty,if it could not protect them
against fright, ought to have prevented them from
making public exhibition of it. Men thus getting
scared, it is wonder that the panic should seize up
on the women and children; and yet understand
that tho ladies' of Hanover cvnccd great magnanim-
ity and courage.
The conduct of the Executive has been sue, a. TO
increase The apprehension OF individuals Ills Ex-
cclency has had the lidgcs for the last ten days.
His aid de camp, the celebrated MIR. Daniorh has
exhibited great industry and his looks of big import,
seemed TO declare that if be and Gov Giles could
save the Commonwealth it would be ; much. We
Certainly have wish to throw undcsorvod rdicue
upon the highest authority of our States yet in truth,
what could be ridiculous than (when some of
the people of Hanover pctitoned for arms for the
Governor to send them through the midst OF the sup
posed insurgCnt district without any guard in wa
tcrmcon cart, driven by boys negroes Did he
tlini the pistols could take of themselves & that
sight ofthcm was sufficient To cool he courage ofthc
disaiIcctcd? We only to express our opinion
that the public apprehension has been much increased
By the mystery observed by the Executive the oc-
casiou, which apprehension is well calculated To
produce tho very mischief sought to be guarded
against. We humby think that the Exccu-|
tive should have laid their information, fthcy had
any, before the public, that the extent the entire
fancfulness of the d1ngcr might be seen.
As to evidence to Justify apprehension cou
after much enquiry not learn single fact, or even
-uspcious circumstances except that oil Saturday
evening, information was laid before the Executive
byan individual in this place against two negro men,
whom he overheard that day cYhortiug each
other or one the other, to punctuoy and lirmncss
in executing the purpose Of their rising on that night.
This is the slIapo that rumor has given TO the IN
formation, whether truly not, not prcpar-
cd to shy. lit be ms we have stated, and the in
formart did not misapprchcnd tho purport OF what
passed (Which is at lcset pos5blc) tho evidence is
unqucstionaby material. The negroes arc in Gus
tody. But ifthis wild scheme has entered the heads
ofsomo few slaves, there is no reason TO believe it
general, and We have not yet met with well in
formed person who placed any credit whatsoever on