Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-10-10
RICHMOND, Ger. ).

The Baaati. We have Just had the pleasure
Of seeing an intelligent gentleman from South
ampton, who is fully acquainted with the horrible
scenes. which have transpired in that county
As neighbour he most of the persons VINO
survived the loss of their families; and as ma
gistrate, he heard most of the evidence which was
exhibited on the trials.
Thirteen of the conyicts have been executed
there are four others, whose sentence has not
been put in execution. One of these is a woman
belonging to the unfortunate Mr.. Barrow. Her
master was brave maintaining fired at the ban
ditti as they approached. without wounding either,
but grazing the hat Of one Of them, he rushed IN
to his house for his other gun; but the blood
hounds were at his heels, and seized him in the
presence Of his young and interesting wife, the
elder sister of the beautiful Miss Vaughn. with
the utmost presence of mind, he besought his wife
to make her escape-she rushed into the YARD,
where she was seized By one of her own women,
the wife of the bandit Austin; another ut her te-
males nterfered, and tore the arms OF her c0mpa-
Mon asunder. released her mistress, accompanied
her on her flight to the house OF the aged Mr..
Harris, and remained with her in cOncealment in
a wood along with Mr.. Harris and the rest OF
his family. After the banditti had been to Bar
row's-were ransacking Harris's house, breaking
open his desk, from which they stole S40O IN
cash, and IA or 500 in bonds; and forcing them
selves into his cellar from which they took bar
rel of Black Jack, apple brandy the rinsleader
Nat. for fear his party should become too much
intoxicated to carry on their murderous career,
broke in the head of the barrel.
Our informant left Southampton on Friday
morning. The account of Mats apprehension
near Smithiield. as related in the Norfolk Herald.
Is not true. He is disposed to believe the &C
count from Boetourt of Mats crossing the noun
tains. Nat has been long time fanatic as well
as imposition. One Of the transports Andrew
now in the Pententiary, condemned in South
ampton. says that he kneW Nat well; and that
he had the impIety to declare himself inferior to
Jesus Christ alone. Nat and white man OF low
character, with whom he was formerly very init
mate. baptsed each other in mill pond some
years ago. He never belonged to any establish.
ed Church-but has attempted to pass himself of
as an Inspired prophet. The account lately Civ
en- in an Alexandria paper of his having been the
slave of Mr. Beverley, of his working in the Ma.
w Yard at Gosport. and the descri Ptlon of his
person, are not correct. He once belonged to a
Capt Moore, whose widow married Mr.. Travis,
the first victim of these bloody cut-throats. His
wife belonged to a neighbor Mr.. Reese, and it
was in her possession, that this fellows free pa
pers were found; comprehendlng something like
map. with figures inscribed on the margin
Our informant does not believe it possible for him
to have remained concealed in the marsh in South
ampton, which has been traversed to and fro,--
nor to have escaped into the Dismal Swamp,
about 40 miles distant, through country well
patroled-nor to have made of by water. He
doubts whether he has ever visited Richmond at
all; or whether he has gone even IN Petersburgh
as pr p,e@ n,n,,,,. - s,sv were enr,,ed unon
their bloody expedition. carried destruction
nv white person they found in the houses--whe.
Their the hoary head, the lovely virgin, the sleep
ing infant of the cradle. They spared none
They were separated by their ing-eader into
small squads which visited different houses
and this is one of the reasons of their doing so
much murder i'm so short time. Of the IS whites,
that were killed. there was greater proportion
Of women and children. This arose from the cir.
cumstancc Of their visiting the houses Of three
widows where no white man lived, of going to
several houses. where the master was either from
home or was m the woods. 1t is not wonderful
that the people should have been reused by unex-
peCted barbarl.!cs to some excuses, III the mo-
ment Of their evaporation. Some OF this afro
cious banditi. after they had been beaten back at
Blount's, and began TO dispense, bad the impu-
dence to return TO their plantations, and to effect
an lSlMaHCe Dl me WnOlC ITdHSdI t"l' OHe vi
them retained, who had dipped his hands in the
blood of his mistress. But nothing could exceed,
as we are informed. the patience and the modera-
ton of the Court. Every opportunity was given
to the prisoner to make his defence. The magis-
trates seemed anxious for the reputation of their
county. that no hasty and impetous passion should
cause the least reproach on IFS administration of
justice.
The trials are not yet over. a few cases of
slaves yet remain adjudicativc. Three free peo-
pie of color are handed over for trial to the Snpe-
rior Court of the county. The people have become
tranquiIized The slaves are obedient. A patrol
ridesthe neighbolhood twice week. The slaves
are thinning by sales for distant markets-but it
is the general opinion there, that the utmost Sc
curity cannot be obtained without the Punishment
Of the free people of color. 1t is remarkable,
how soon these b,nditti were discomhtted on
the first repuIse. When they attacked Doctor
Blount's house early on Friday morning, the moon
not giving much light, and in truth an eclipse Ia
king place that very night, they rode up with great
rapidity to the house, and were received BY
small voley of fire arms. They almost Immediate
ly turned their horses heads, and rode of. There
,v.u mt nrnhahly an infory,I nf moro th,c fiyo