Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-12-16
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&0Ses2ics"a FIX SS&.e.
EXKcrrIya DEPARTMENT. Dec. 6, 1851.
Fello,g- Citizens o( tie Senate,

ga diS NEdlh tSSS'flDIS0 nDCer CT
cumstances calculated to inspire the COM
tnunity with i just expectation that your
deliberations will be followed by measures
equal ia energy ard decision to the
crisis Ia which your country is placed ::
an expectation which am sure will not
De disappointed. The deep interest
which the citizens in every part OF this
Commonwealth have felt and manifested
IN relation to occurrences OF a grave and
distressing character, which have taken
place since your adjournment, new, ur-
expected, and heretofore unknown 10
the State-together with the anxiety
FELT in the future fate OF some OF the
SCeatsubiects which were agitated atvour
iast session, and the unpleasant aspect
OF ouc Federal RELATIONSHIP conspire to
cause the people to turn their eyes upon
you at this time with profound and fix
ed attention. You alone possess the
power Of plishing all the great OBJ.
jects which the public desire, and much
OF the future welfare OF this Republic
depends upon ycur present deliberations
deliberations which doubtless will be
first turned TO the melancholy subject
which has filed the country with attic.
ton, and one of the fairesl counties in the
Commonwealth with mourning.
Whilst we were enjoying the obun-
dance of the last posing in the
peace and quiet OF domestic comfort and
'ealety-we were suddenly aroused from,
that security by receiving information
that portion OF our fellow citizens had
fallen victims to the relentless fury of
assassins & murlerers even whilst wrapt
In profound sleep, and that those bloody
deeds had been pTepetrated In a spirit CT
wantonncss and cruelty unknown to sa-
wage warfare. even in their most revolt
ing form.
In August last, banditti OF slaves, con-
sisting OF but few at first, and not at any
time exceeding greater number than
seventy, rose upon some of the unsus-
pechng and defencelese inhabitants OF
southampton. and under circumstances
of the most shocking and horrid barbara
ty, put to death sixty-onc persons, OF
whom the greater number were women
and helpless children. Much OF this bloc.
dy WORK was done on Monday morning;
and, on the day following, about ten o.
clock, the last murder 4vas committed.
The citizens OF that end the adjacent
counties promptly assembled, and all real
danger was speedily terminated.
The conspiracy was 1t first believed to
be general : wherefore I was induced TO
call into service force sufficient to crush
ote single blow al! opposing power,
whatever might be Its strength. To
this end, detachments Of Light Infantry
from the 9TH and 54th Regiments, and
from the 4th Regiment of Cavalry and
lth Light Artillery, under Captains
Harrison and Richardson, were ordered
to repair to the scene OF action with all
po5dibiG speed, and report to Brigadier
General EPpes, who had been desired to
assume the command, and call out bis
Brigade. Arms and ammun;tion were
amply furnished, and thrown into ali
the counties which were suspected OF
disaifection. Two Regiments in Bruins
wick and GreensYille were called into
service BY their commanding officers, IN
der the law vesting them with power to
do 60, for such purposes. These troops
being within the Brigade commanded
by Brigader General VIM. II. Broad
max, that officer assumed the command
OF them and remained in the field until
the danger had passed.
II gives nee great pleasure to commu-
nicate TO the General Assembly the high
'satisfactio.i feel IN bearing testimony to
the zeal, prompttude, 81 despatch, with
which every officer discharged bis duty,
and the cheerful alac-ity with which ev-
cry citizen obeyed the call Of the law.
Though thecail upon the light troops
was 50 promptly obeyed; yet before their
arrival, the revolt was subdued, and ma
ny OF these deluded fanatics were either
captured, or were placed beyond the
possibility ofescaPe; some had already
been imnolated by an excited people.
feet the highest qualification in adj
ding, that the readiest aid was offered by
Commodore Elliott OF the United States
Navy, aud q detachment Of sailors from
the ship Natchez, under his command,
who Notwithstanding they bad Just re-
turned from long and distant cruise,
repaired to the scene Of action with a
highly creditable alacrity. Much is al
50 due 70 Col. House, then commanding
officer OF Fortress Monroe for the promp-
titude with which he detached a part Of.
bis force 10 our aid, under the command
Of Lieute nant Colonel Worth, 90 whom
similar praise is dup, as likewise to the
officers and soldiers under his command,
Tor the promptitudc with which they al.
an r-y,.t-sJ q, NOR t,,,..,. 20 - s-... = e.