Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-12-16
SOUTH CAROLINA.-FANATIcs


Gov. Hamilton has transmitted an interesting
Message to the General Assembly of S. Carolina.
from which we quote the material extracts Can
II he necessary to go to work in the circutous way
he Proposes-by amending the Constitution of the
United States, and enabling that Government to
coerce obedence-to prevail with the Legislatures
of the non-slave-holdng States to pass laws pro-
hibiting the publication in their respective limits,
OF the inceDdiary tracts which bare the tfroats of
the women and children of the South to the knife
of the fanatic? Will New York, Massachusetts and
Pennsylvania, in whose capitals are elaborated
those heiish appeals to negro fanaticsm require TO
be coerced by the arm of Federal power, into the
enactment of laws necessary to save from butcherv
the women and children of the South? 1t is harsh
reflection upon them to suppose it. The SUPPOSE
ton is contradiCted by the whole development of
public opinion in those States. They solemnly
protested their readiness to fly to our assistance
had it been las it never will be- necessary with
money, arms and men. The organs of public SEN
timent IN the North, have teemed with sympathetic
expressions for the massacre of Southampton and
with thoughts liberal, just, enlightened and frater-
nal, They do not require to be forced, - put I'M
dot the ban of the law, those mortal enemies of the
slaves themselves and their masters, those blind
and wretched fanatics, who, in pursuit of a nista-
ken and impertinent Philanthropy are doing all
they can to deluge our land in blood and to call
down on the heads Of those they have undertaken
to patronise, vengeance dire and indiscrminate-
We perfectly convinced, that nothing is neces-
sary to ensure the immediate interference of the
Legislatures of Pennsylvania, New York and
Massachusetts, but to bring the subject to their at
tention, and show them how we are put in jeopardy
by incendaries among them.
Such Correspondence, understand has been
opened by Gov. Floyd with the Executives of one
or more States at the Moth, and we do not doubt
the success of the application.
FeElo,O Citizens Of the
Senate and House Of Representatives.:
! In conformity with the assurance which gave
you in the first communication / had the honor Of
making at the commencement of the present ses-
sion, now beg leave to present. for your cOnsde-
ration, some views connected with the security of
our State, in particular in which we can only be
vulnerable from a criminal apathy and neglect of
our duties to the people whom represent.
You aware, that OF the close of the last sum-
mer great excitement prevailed in certain parts of
our State, in consequence of an imputed spirit of
revolt i'll portion of slave population in the
Districts counterminious TO North Carolina, or re-
ceiving its impulse from that quarter, in conse-
querce Of the atrocities which had been perpctra-
ted in Southampton County, Virginia
i Before / left the City of Charleston on nv Re-
views in the interior. took the proper precautions
by authorizing the Senior Officer of that Division
! Major General Hayne) to act promptly and cf1ci-
emily in my absence, and placed under his order
| the public arms and munitions, for instantaneous
distribution in any quarter of the State where they
might be required, without the delay of communi-
eating with me. / am happy to assure YOU, that
after a careful investigation of all the circumstan-
ces attending this excitcmont, i have arrived at
the undoubting conviction, that, far the dis
positions of our colourod population were concern
ed, the excitement without Just foundation.
he nirG
appearances, authorising contrary conclusion, is,
that in two Of the Districts whefo the be-
lief prevalent that large bodies Gf slaves
about to ns dde the Stale from the States of forth
Carolina and Virginia, in some instances language
was held indicative of what part in such an event,
some Of the slaves would take in these movements.
In Laurons District two or three slaves have boon
tried and convicted, for efforts which they actually
made; and in case, has been convicted TO
mcctby combination, with others in such contin-
gcncy.
The sscitcmcnt, however, which prevailed, and
\ to great extent (as 1t has been prosCG) without
adequate cause, was OF a character calculated 10
inhct serious injury security and interests.
Whether some corrective may not he applied TO
prevent, by proper penalties, either the weak OF
wicked circulation Of such groundess and injur
Gus rumors, is a question which submit to your
legislative discretion.
After the tcrmiaation Of this excitement
communicated with the Governors Of Virginia and
! North Carolina with view, not only of ascertain
ing the extent Of the peril to which their respective
Statos had been exposed, but also to learn whether
they could, in order to give greater sectry TO the
interests Of the Southern States, suggest any mca
sures that VIC might jointly adopt for this purpose
n Their scplies, marked A. and y. are herewith
i communicated. tt will be perceived that the excite
e rnent in n. Carolina resulted, in a great dcgrce
from the insurroctionary movements in SouthamP
. ton County, Virginia, and that, in the latte
" ! State, the spirit of revolt was confined to thu
= County.
: The letter of the Governor of Virginia leaves n'
IN doubt that the spirit Of characterization in ths