Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-12-09
From the Richmond Whig.]
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, }
December 6, 1881.


Fslio.r Citizens of the Senate,
and of the House Of Delegates,
You are again assembled under circumstances
calculated to inspire the community with a just
expectation that your deliberations will be follow
ed by measures equal in energy and decision to
the crisis in which your country is placed; an ex-
pectatlon which am sure will not be dlsappolnt-
ed. The deep interest which the citizens IN
every part of this Commonwealth. have felt and
manifested in relation to occurrences OF grave
and distressing character, which have taken place
since your adjournment new, unexpected, and
heretofore unknown to the State-together with
the anxiety felt in the Iuiure fate of some OF the
great subjects which were agitated at your last
session, and the unpleasant aspect OF our Federal
RELATIONSHIP conspire to cause the people to
turn their eyes upon you at this time with pro-
found and fixed attention. You alone possess
the power of accomplishing all the great objects
which the public desire, and much of the future
welfare of this Republic depends upon your pre-
sent Observation-Disclosures which doubtless
will be first turned to the melancholy subject
which has filled the country with atfilction, and
one of the fairest counties in the Commonwealth
with mourning.
Whilst we we're enjoying the abundance of the
last season-reposing in the peace and quiet OF
domestic comfort and safety-we were suddenly
aroused from that security. by receiving informa-
ton that portion of our feIow-citizens had fall
en- victims TO the relentless fury OF assassins and
murderers. even whilst wrapt in profound sleep,
and that those bloody deeds had been perpetrated
IN a spirit Of wantonness and cruelty unknown
IN savage warfare, even in their most revolving
form.
In August last. bandi,l Of slaves, consisting
Of but few at first. and not at any time exceeding
greater number than seventy. rose upon some ot
the unsuspecting and defenceless inhabitants OF
Southampton, and under circumstances OF the
most shocking and horrid barbarity, put to death
sixty-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 adjacent counties promptly assem-
bled and all real danger was speedily termi-
mated.
The conspiracy was at first believed to be ge-
neral: wherefore | was induced to call into ser
vice force sufficient to crush at single blow
ali opposing power whatever mightbe its strength.
To this end, detachments of Light infantry from
the 9TH and 54th Regiments, and from the 4th
Regiment of Cavalry and 4th Light Artillery,
under Captains Harrison and Richardson, were
ordered to repair 10 the scene OF action with all
possible speed, and report to Brigadier General
Eppes, who had been desired to assume the com
mand, and call out his Brigade. Arms and am
muniton were amply furnished, aud thrown into
all the counties which were suspected OF disaf.
fection. Two Regiments IN Brunswick and
Greensyle were called into service by their COM
maudinr officers, under the law resting them
with power to do so. for such purposes. These
troops being within the Brigade commanded 0y
Brlgadier General WIN. III. BroadnaS. that OH
Ger assumed the command of, and remained iu
the field until the danger had passed.
Ii gives me great pleasure to communicate to
r. The General Assembly the high satisfaction l FEEL
in bearing testimony to the zeal. promp'ltude'
and dispatch, with which every officer dscharg
ed his duty. and the cheerful alacrity with which
every citizen Obcyed the call of the Law.
Though the call upon the light troops was sc
promptly obeyed, yet before their arrival, the
revolt was subdued. and many Of these deluded
fanatics were either captured, or were placed be-
youd the possibility Of escape; some had already
been inundated by an excited people.
feel the highest qualification in adding. that
the readiest aid was afforded BY Commodore Ell
lott of the u. States Navy, and detachment OF
sailors from the ship Natchez, under his com
mand, who, notwithstanding they had just return
ed from long and distant cruise. repaired to the
scene of action with highly credltable a'acrity.
Much is alsr, due to Col. House, then command
ing officer at Fortress Monroe, for the prompti
tude with which he detached part OF his force
to our aid, under the command OF Lieut. Colonel
Worth, to whom similar praise is Que as like
wise to the officers and soldiers under his COM
mand, for the prompttude with which they also
repaired to our assistance. so soon as 1t came To
their knowledge: all necessity for their co-oPera-
ton had ceased before they reached their point
of destination but they are not the less entitled
to co.umendation on that account.
Ali Of those who participated in the bloody ira.
,edy have expiated their crimes BY undergoing
1nhl;c execution, whilst some who had been con.
= emned have been reprleved for reasons which
were deemed satisfactory. There is much reason
TO believe the spirit OF insurrectiou was not con-
6ned to Southampton; many convictions have
: Nken place elsewhere, and some few in distant