Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-08-27
ALEXANDRIA. ID. C.
SATURDAY, MORNING, aug UST %, 1881

We had hopeu tnat our eu''V''"' o
would have suffered the late riOtous movements
among some of the miserable and deluded slaves
ia the lower part of Virginia, to have passed oy
without much notice. Any attempt OF such a
nature at the present day. must be entirely local.
and unconnected with any general plan or sys'
TEN, and should he left to the prompt exercise OF
the authority of those Immediately concerned'-
The unfortunate victims Of these momentary ex'
ciements do but rush upon certain DESTRUCTION
As, however, the disturbance has been nosed III
all possible directions, and statements made
every where almost, OF different and cOntradicto-
~ natures, We feel it duty to furnish our read
ers with the particulars. as near the truth as they
can be ascertained, from the various sources from
whence we have obtained them.
The g instruction" appears to have been ra-
Their an incursion of about $50 or 200 runaway
negroes, who have been secreted in the Dismal
Swamp, into the county of Southampton. (Va,)
The hope of plnnder seems to have been the i'm
mediate cause of this movement, and possibly
they may have been joined by other desPeradoes
as they advanced; amongst them, according to
some accounts, were few white men. All ac-
counts agree in the distressing statement, that
these wretches have, in their folly. been guilty of
spilling human blood, and one letter gives list
of the victims, amounting to upwards OF nifty
Probably these desperate acts were committed IN
consequence of opposition being made to their
plundering the house of Mrs. Whitehead, who
was known to have had large sum of money in
her possession.
1t does not appear that this movement has dis
affected the slaves there or in any of the adjacent
counties. Southampton is about so miles south
of Richmond. Immediately upon its being known.
the militia assembled. Three or four companies
started from Richmond-three companies, rein
forced by detachments from the u S. ships War
rem and Natchez, started from Fortress Monroe,
and arms and ammunition have been literally
supplied-so that there is no doubt the disturb
ance will be promptly and efftctuaIIy queled,
without the further loss OF haman life, except by
the condign punishment, by due course of law.
of the ring. leaders in the business. 1t will be
warning, that such desperate efforts surely and
ed, and will repress, for the future, any attempts
Of such character.
We might swell out this paragraph to consi-
derabIe length, were we to give currency to all
that we have seen and heard; but there is doubt,
less no little exaggeration in the reports. When
a full and correct account is made by the proper
persons hereafter, we shall spread it before our
readers.
We have received a communication relative to
the often talked of Town Hall. 1t is in spirit
of complaint against the proper authorities, and
urgent in its request for the accommodation and
convenience Of our citizens. We believe, aItho'
we do not know certainly, that this matter is now
before the Common Council, but cannot say what
steps will be taken. We have repeatedly called
public attention to this subject. Surely town
containing the population of ours, should be sup
piled with some suitable apartment for the assem-
bling of its inhabitants, when business demands
their united and harmonious action.
There is no question but that the friends Of
Mr.. CLAY have gained signal triumph in Ken
lucky. 1t will be remembered, We stated.
that we would consider this triumph. the most
signal political victory ever obtained in America
We now repeat this assertion. Our friends there
have had to contend against Power-Patronage-
official nterference-corrupti on-intrigue, and
every species of artful maneuvring. 1t is sue
cess against such odds, that makes the triumph
Not that we have succeeded in turning out all
the Jackson members Of Congressman that we
have put down Jacksonism there-not even that
we Frustrated it for time All this we have fail
ed to do. But the current has been stemmed
and turned-ths tide has been rolled back.
We have not only stood our ground, but adj
yanced. We have obtained gain in our men,
bers Of Cougress-we have succeeded in slecting
majority of our friends in the State Legislature
we have secured Senator in Congress-we