Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-12-06
POSTSCRIPT.
GOUes.ssOa''s e1EessWUe.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
Fsllo,r- Citizens of the Senate,
Z IL 4 L


You again assembled under circumstances
calculated to inspire the community with Just ex
Poctntion that your deliberations will be followed
by measures equal in energy and decision TO the
crisis In which your country is placed: expccta-
zion which am sure will not be disappointed
The deep interest which the citizens in every part
OF this Commonwealth have felt and manifcs ted in
rotation to occurrences of grave and distressing
character, which have taken place since your ad-
Journmcnt, new, unexpected, and heretofore I'M
known To the State-together with tho anxiety felt
IN the future fate of some of the great subjects
which were agitated ut your last session, and tho
unpleasant aspect of our Federal RELATIONSHIP con-
spirc to cause the people TO turn their eyes upon
you at this time with profound and fixed atte ntion
Y on alone possess the power of accomplishing all
tho great objects which the public desire, and pnuch
OF the future welfare of this Republic depends upon
your present Observation-Disclosures which
doubtless will be first turned to tho melancholy sub
Ject which has filled the country with afaiction and
ono OF the farest counties in the Comm OF wealth
with mourning.
Whilst wo were enjoying tho abundance of tho
iast season-reposing in the peace and quiet OF
domestic comfort and safety-we were suddenly
aroused from that security, by receiving infarma-
sion that portion of fellow citizens haa fallen
victims to the relentless of assassins and rppr.
derers, even whilst wrapt in profound Sleep and that
hose bloody deeds had been perpetrated in spirit
81 wantonness and cruelty unknown to savage war
Aare, even In their most revolving form.
In August last, bnnditti of slaves consisting OF
but few at first, and not at any time exceeding
greater number than seventy, upon some of
the unsuspesting and defenceless inhabitants of
southampton, and under circumstances Of tbe nost
shocking and horrid barbaritv put to de nth si1ty
one persons, Of whom the greater number were
women and helpless children. Much of this bloody
work was done on Monday morning; and on the
day following, about ten o'clock. the last murder
was committed. The citizens of that and the ad
Iacsnt counties promptly assembled, and all rea
danger was speedily terminated.
The conspiracy was at first believed to be gene-
III rpoo tnI -
force sufficient to crush at a single blow all oppo
sing power, whatever might be is strength. To
.his end, attachments of Light Infantry from tho
''th ana oath Regiments, and from tho 4th .Rcg-
ment OF Cavalry and 18th Light ARTILLERY, under
captains Harrison and Richardson were ordered
TO repair to the scsno of action with all possible
speed, and report to Brigader General Eppes who
had Deen desired to assume the command, and call
out ms Brigade. Arms and ammunition were am
ply furnished, and thrown into all the counties
which were suspected of di,afection. Two Regi-
'Inents In brunswick and Greensve were called
Into service by their commanding officers, under
inc law vestng them 18th power to do so, for such
purposes. These troops being within the Br;pado
commanded by Brigader General >Wm. H. Broad
max, That officer assumed the command of and re-
manned IN the field until the danger had passed
III gives me great pleasure to communicate to ID,
General Assembly the high satisfaction 1 feel in
bearing testimony to the ZEAL promptitude, and
dispatch, with which every officer discharged his
duty and the cheerful alacrity with which every
Though the call upon the light troops was so
promptly obeyed yet before their arrival the revolt
was subdued, and many of these deluded fanatics
were either captured, placed beyond the
possibility of escape; some had already been immo-
lated by an excited people.
feel the highest qualification in adding, that the
TeadIest aid was afforded by Commodore Elliott of
the United States Navy, and a detachment of sail
Yors from the ship HatchcZ, under his command
who Notwithstanding they had just returned from
long and distant cruise, repaired to tho scene of
action with highly creditable al Gritty. Much is
also due to Col. House, then commanding officer at
Fortress Monroe, for the promptitude with which he
detached part of his force to our aid, under the
command of Lieute pant Colonel Worth, to whom
similar praise is due likewise the officers and
soldiers under his command for tho promptitude with
Which they also repaired to assistance so soon
as 1t came to their knowledge: all necessity for
their cooperation had ceased before they reac he'd
ther point of destination, but they the less
emitted o CONNIE ndation on that account.
All OF those who participated in the bloody ira
gedy have expiated their crimes by undergoing
pubic execution, whilst come who had been con-
,demned have been reprieyed for reasons which
were deemed satisfactory. There is much reason
TO believe the spirit of insurreoton was not conf
ned to southampton; many convictions have taken
place elsewhere, and some few in distant counties
From The documents which i herewith Law
Defofc you, there is too mach reason to be-
lleVe those plans of treason instruction and mur
der have been designed, planne and matured
by unrestraned fanatics in some of the neighbour.
ing States, who find facilities in distributing their
views ana plans amongst population, either
through the Post Office, or by Agents sent for that
purpose throughout our territory. Upon inspecting
these documents, and contemplating that state of
things which they intended to produce felt it
my duty to open correspondence with the Cover
nors OF some OF the ncghbourng powers of this
federacy, to preserve lar possible, the good
understanding which exists, and which ought 10 bo
cherished, between the different members of this
Union. The result of this correspondence will be
made knownto you, SO soon as it ia ascertained.
The most active among ourselves, in stirring up
the spirit of revolt have been the negro Preachers
they had acquired great ascendqpcy over the minds
of their fellows, and infused all their opinions
which had prepared them for the development Of
Inc hnal design. There is ALSO some reason to be-
i'eVe, those preachers have perfect understanding
IN relation to these plans throughout the Eastern
: Counties-and have been the channels through
winch tho intiammatory papers and pamphlets,
brought here by the Agents and ,Emissaries from
other States, have been circulated amongst our
slaves. The facilities thus afforded, for plotting
treason and conspiracy to rebel and make nsurreC-
ton, have been great. Through the indulgence of
the magistracy and the laws, large collections of
slaves have been permitted to take place. at any
time through the week, for the ostensibe purpose
81 induging IN religious worship, but in many in
stances, the real purpose with the preacher was
OF different character the sentiments and some
times the words of these nAammatory pamphlets
which the meek and charitable Of other States
have to distribute as Ere brands in the boz
som of our society, have been read. What shall be
Thought Of those fiends who having no interest in
our community, nevertheless seek to excite a serve
war--a war which e1hausts itself little massacre
OF unOffendinn women and children nm tho ous