Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-12-09

murder nave Deen designed, planHeu anu Wdtut-
ed by unrestraIned fanatics in some Of the neigh
boring States, who find facilities IN distributing
their views and plans amongst our population,
either through the Post Office, or by Agents
sent for that purpose throughout our territory
Upon inspecting these documents, and contem-
plating that state of things which they are intend
ed to produce, felt it my duty to open cores
pondence with the Governors Of some OF the
neighboring powers Of this confederacy, to pre-
serve, as far as possible, the good understanding
which exists, ard which ought to be cherished,
between the different members of this Union. -
The result of this correspondence will be made
known to you, so soon as it is ascertained.
The most active among ourselves. in stirring up
the spirit Of revolt, have been the negro Preach
ers. They had acquired great ascendancy over
the minds Of their fellows, and infused all their
opinions, which had prepared them for the deve-
lopement Of the final design. There is also some
reason to believe, those preachers have perfect
understanding in relation to these plans through
out the Eastern Colnties-and have been the
channels through which the infiammatory papers
and pamphlets, brought here by the Agents and
Emissaries from other States, have been circulat-
ed amongst our slaves. The facilities thus at
forded, for plotting treason and conspiracy to re-
bel and make insurrection, have been great
Through the indulgence of the Magistracy and the
laws. large collections of slaves have been permit
ted to take place, at any time through the week,
for the ostensible purpose of INDUCING IN religious
worslLp. but in many instances, the real purpose
with the preacher, was of different character; the
sentiments and sometimes the words OF these IN
flammatory pamphlets which the meek and cha
riable of other States have seen cause to distr'-
bute as fire brands in the bosom of our society,
have been read What shall be thought of those
tiends who, having no interest 10 our community,
nevertheless seek to excite servlle war-a war
which exhausts itself in the massacre ol unof:
Tending women and children on the one side. and
on the other, in the sacrifice Of all who have
borne part in the savage undertaking? Not only
should the severest punishment be inflicted upon
those disturbers of our peace, whenever they or
their Emissaries are found within our reach. but
decisive measures should be adopted to make all
their measures abortive. The public good requires
the negro preachers to be silenced, who, tull OF
ignorance, are incapable OF inculcatlng any 'hihS
but notions of the widest superstition, thus pre-
pairing fit instruments in the hands oil the crafty
asitators to destroy the public tranquility.
As the means of guarding against the possible re-
petition of these sanguinary scenes cannot !all to
recommend to your early attention, the revision
of all the laws, intended to preserve IN due sub
ordination, the slave population of our State In
urging these considerations upon you, let me not
be understood as expressing the slightest doubt
or apprehension Of general results; all communl-
ties are liable to suffer from the dagger OF the
murderer and midnis ht assassin, and 1t behOves
them to guard against them.
With us the first returning light dispels the
danger, and soon witnesses the murderer IN
chains.
Though means have been taken BY those OF
other States to asitate our community. and DIS
content our slaves, and incite them to attempt an
unattainable objects some proof is also furnished
that for the class of free people OF color, they
have opened more enlarged views. and urge the
achievement of a higher destiny, by means, for
the present less violent but not differing in the
end, from those presented to the slaves. That
class of the community our laws have heretofore
! trexed with indulgent kindness, aud many IN
stances of solicitude for their welfare. have
marked the progress of Legislation. II the slave
IS confined BY law to the estate OF his master. as
It is advisable he should be-the free people OF
color may nevertheless convey all the lncendlary
pamphlets aud papers with which we are sought
to be inundated. This class too, has been the
first to place itself in hostile array against any
and every measure designed to remove them from
amongst us. Though it will be indlspensably ne
>N'''''''''-
ty. yet in the spirit of kindness which has ever
characterised the Legislature of Virginia, 1t Is
submitted, whether as the last benefit which we
can confer upon them, it may not be wise to APP
propr,ate annually sum of money to and IN their
removal from this Commonwealth
Whilst recent events had created apprehrn-
sions in the minds of few. some agitation was
also more extensively feIt wherefore 1t was deem
ed prudent, to arm the militia III the manner cal
culated to quetal apprehenslons, and arms we're
accordingly furnished to nearly all the regiments
on the Eastern frontier. The want of them. up
on this sudden emergency, was so senshv telt
by those IN the vicinity of Norfolk, as to induce
| Commodore Warrington, in command of the Ma
w Yard in Gosport, to distribute portion OF
the public arms under his care. That gallant
and patriotic officer did not hesitate t" assume the
responsibility of this step, and it is gratifying to
perceive that his conduct has met the appreciation
of the public functonares. The policy of dis
arming the militia, it is believed, was pursued as
measure of economy, as the men and officers
had been culpably negligent IN their attention to
their preservation. 50 that many were lost, or by
c..