Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-12-16

and mv,u.sd ~ un;es.rained fanatics in
some oi the ncichbourins States, who
had facilities in Distributing their views
and piaaS gmougst our population, either
through the tos. One, or Ivy Agents
sent iIr that p"rPoSc throughout our terri
t2ry' ion - pey.ing these documents,
and contemplating that state of things
which they are intended to produce, / fell
1t my duty to open correspondence
with the Governors of some oftne neigh
boring powers Of this confcderacv, TO
preserve as far as possible. the good un.
derstaudiRg which exists, and which
oughtto be cherished, between the diff
ierent members OF this Union. The re-
suit ofthis correspondence will be made
known 10 you, SO soon as lis ascertain
ed.
The most active among ourselves, in
stirring UP the spirit ofrevolt, have been
the negro Preachers. They had ac-
quired great ascendancy over the minds
ot tkeir fellows, and infused all their O.
pinions, which had prepared them for
the Development Of the final design.-
There is also some reason TO believe,
those preachers have perfect under
Standing in relation to these plans
throughout the Eastern Coun,ies-and
have been the channels through which
the lnhammatory papers and pamphlets,
brought here by Agents and Emissa .
ries from other States, have been circu-
lated amongst our slaves. The facilities
thus afforded for plotting treason and
conspiracy 20 rebel and make insurrec-
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 ostensible
purpose of indulging in religious wor-
ship, but in many instances, tie real pur-
pese with the preacher was of differ
ent character the sentiments and some
times the words of these inhammatory
pamphlets which the meek and charita-
bic of other States have seen cause 10
distribute as fir-brands in the bosom OF
our society, have been read. " nat
shall be thought Of those fiends who,
having no interest in our community,
nevertheless seek to excite servile war
a war which exhausts itselfin the mas
sacre of unoliending women and chill
dren 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 the Emissaries
are found within our reach, but decisive
measures should be adopted to make ell
their measures abortive. The public
good requires the negro preachers TO be
silcnced, who, full! of ignorance, are in
capable ofinculcating any thing but no.
tons of the widest superstition, thus
lit instruments in the hands of
of crafty agitators TO destroy the pub
lie tranquility.
AS the means of guarding against the
possible repetition of these sanguinary
scenes, cannot fail 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
the slightest doubt or appre-
hension of general results all communi-
ties are liable to suffer from the dagger
Of the murderer and midnight assassin,
and it behooves them to guard against
them.
With US the first returning light dis
pels the danger, and soon witnesses the
murderer in chains.
vbn l l..
those of other States to agitate our com
muaity, and discomfort our slaves, and
inclte them to attempt an unattainablc
object some proof is also furnished, that
for the class of free people of color, they
have opened more enlarged views, and
urge the achieveme Mt of 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
treated with indulg gent kindness, and ma
NY instances Of sc.icitude for their wei
fare, have marked the progress ofLegis-
lation. IT the slave Is confined by law
to the estate Of his master, as it is advisa-
bic he should be--the free people of CO.
lor may nevertheless convey all the in
cendiary pamphlets and 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 ey-
cry measure designed to remove them
from amongst us. Though it will be in
necessary for them to with
draw from this community yet in the
spirit Of kindness which has ever char
actcIizcd the Legislature Of Virginia, it