Litchfield enquirer., 1831-09-29

CarOlina. from reported lnsuRrectlOns Of slaves, in the vicinity of Wilmington. One runnOr represented Wilmington as in possession of band Ofnegroes whO had burnt the town, and another stated that 17 families in Duplin county had been murdered. Later accounts show that there was DO foundation for these ! rumors, and that there had been no actual in- l surrectiOn; and no mischief committed; but ! it is well ascertained, that a plot had been 1 formed in Sampson, for an insurrectiOD iD that and the other adjoining counties on the 4th of October. The following extracts from North Carolina papers will show the manner in which the conspiracy was detected, and the great alarm produced by the rumors in Ra- leigh, Newborn, Fayetteville, and other pla- ces.-N. Y. Obs.
 From the Fayetteville Obserrer, Sept. l4h
 We have an unpleasant duty to perform, in acquainting our readers, that there is no doubt of a conspiracy having been recently formed among portion of the slaves in the counties of Sampson and Duplin, in this state. On Sunday the 4th inst. the first information of the contemplated rising of the blacks, was sent from South Washington. The disclos- ure was made by free mulatto man to MT. Usher of Washington, who sent the inGorma- ton to MT. Kelly of Duplin. It appears from the mulatto's testimony, that Dave, l slave belonging to MT. Morissey of Sampson, applied to him to join the conspirators, stating that the negroes in Sampson, Duplin, and New Hanover, were regularly organized and prepared to rise on the 4th of October. Dave was taken up, and on this testimony convicted. After the conviction, he made a confession of the above to his master. and in addition gave the names of the four principal ringleaders in Sampson and Duplin, and sev- ] eral in Wilmington named several families | . tloA aL>x.., Al TNl
 was to march by two routes to Wilmington. spreading destruction and murder on their way. At Wilmington they expected to be reinforced by 2OOO, to supply themselves with arms and ammunition, and then return. r
 Three of the ringleaders in Duplin have been taken, and Dave and Jim executed.- There are SS negroes in jail in Duplin county, all of them no doubt concerned in the con spiracy. Several have been whipped and some released. In Sampson 25 are in iaiI, all concerned directly or indirectly in the plot. The excitement among the people iH Samp- son is very great, and increasing; they are taking efectuai measures to arrest all susp pect- cd persons.
 A very intelligent negro preacher named David, was put on his trial to-day and clear ly convicted by the testimony of another ns- gr". The people were so much enraged, that they could scarcely be prevented from shooting him on his passage from the court house to the jail. All the confessions made induce the belief that the cOnspirators were well understood in Duplin, Sampson, Wayne, New Hanover, and Lenoir.
 1 AMrm at Wilmington.-When the stage from Fayetteville arrived at Wilmington OH Monday, the 18th inst. it was immediately despatched back without any mail except d
 letter from c. Dudley, jun. Esq, P. M. to the F. M. at Fayetteville, informing hi,n that the place was under martial law, in con. sequence of information received at o'clock that morning, that the negroes to the number night, at Rockfish Bridge, in Duplin, forty miles from Wilmington, and about fifty miles from this place; that they were, and had been for several days, expected at Wilmington.- | The letter was written in great haste and ex- citement. Mr. Dudley had been under arms all the morning.
 Alarm in Raleigh.-A letter dated Raleigh, Sept. 18th. says: Our city has been in com plete state of fermentation since Monday | night, on account of an insurrectiOn among the negroes. On Monday night, an express arrived at ten o'clock, with the intelligence that the town of Wilmington was burnt, halt of the inhabitants murdered, and the negroes in the counties of Duplin, BladeD, Sampson, and others, in state of insubOrdination, hav- ing collected in large bodies near the line of Sampson and Johnson. murdering' and burn ing all before them.
 As to our city. every thing has been in a state of preparation for war. On Monday night, after the news arrived, about 50 men were under guard all night. On Tuesday every person was looking for the news. The city, 'n consequences. presented one continual motion. and a new company was formed of persons exempt, amounting to 90. Arms have been distributed to them and also to the militia. On Tuesday night 85 men were un- der arms all nigh!. I had a musket on my shoulder from 8. until nearly 6 in the morning. Yesterday the City Guards, the exempts, and militia. were under arms nearly all day, pa trolling every hole and corner of the city, and examining every thing. About 90 negroes, most of them free. were examined by committee, but nothing was discovered. Last night there was also a strong guard out. A number of families have leit their homes and taken refuge in the city. The militia have been ordered to keen them. selves in readiness for instant motion. The people Of Raleigh have been and still are in a h'gh state of excitement. Persons of ali aves ,., ana ranks have volunteered their services sue females are greatly alarmed.
 Another letter of the same date. sovs.- ...:.t testerday' every free negro in the citv. ""hout exception, was arrested, and undnr. went an examination hofo.r .L