Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-09-06
From TIE Richmond Whig Of Sept S
SOUTHAMPTON AFFAIR.

mass vi exchange papers accumulated IN our ao-
sence, to see the number Of false. absurd and
idle rumOrs, circulated by the Press, touching
the insurrectIen in that county. Editors seem to
have applied themselves to the task of alarming
tho public mind as much as possible, and of per-
suading the slaves to entertain high opinion of
their strength and consequence, While truth is
always the best policy, aud the best remedy,
the exaggeratiOns to which we have alluded, are
calculated TO give the slaves false conceptions of
their numbers and capacity, by exhibiting the
terror and confusion Of the whites, and to induce
them to think that practicable, which they see
is so much feared by their Superors.
We have little to say of the Southampton ira
sedv, beyond what is already known. The orr
Gin of the conspiracy, its prime agents, its extent
and Interior direction. is matter of conjecture.
The universal opinion IN that part OF the country,
is that Nat, slave. preacher and pretended
prophe,. was the first contriver, the actual lead
er, and the most remorseless of the eXecutiOners.
According to The evidence of u negro boy whom
they carried along to hold their horses, Nat
commenced the scene of murder at the first house
iTrayis) uith his own hand. Having called
upon two others to make good their valiant boast
ings so often repeated. of what they would do,
and these shrinking from the reQuisi,ion, Nat
proceeded 10 despatch one o' Tue family with his
~
horiafon~-c their leader. having Taste of blood,
and convinced that they had now gone too far to
recedc, his followers dismissed their qualms and
became as !er0ciuus rs their leader wished them.
10 follow the blOody dogs from the capture of
Travis house before day, to the dispersion at
Parker's corn6eld early in the afternoon, where
they had traversed nearly twenty miles, murder
ed 65 whites, aud approached within three or four
miles of the village Of Jerusalem, the immedi-
ate object Of their movement-to describe the
scenes at each house, the circumstances Of the
murders, the hair breadth escapes of the few who
were lucky enough to escape-would prove as in
teresting as heart rendins. Many Of the details
have reached US, but not in so authe ntc shape
as to Justify their publication. nor have we the
time or space. Let few suffice. Of the events
at DR.. Blounts we had narrative from the GAL
liant old gentleman himself, and his son a lad of
about 10, distinguished for his gallantry and mo
desty, and whom re take leave to recommend
TO Geo. Jackson, for a warrant in the Navy or at
West Point. The Doctor haG received infor.
nation OF the insurrection, and that his house
would be attacked, a short time before the attack
was made. Crippled with the govt and indispos-
ed to V, he resolved to defend his house. His
force was his son, overseer, and three other
white men. Luckily there were six guns, and
plenty Of powder aud shot in the house. These
were barely loaded, his force posted. and the in
structions given, when the negroes from lj to so
strong rode up about day break. The Doctors
orders were that each man should be particular
in his aim, and should fire one at time; he him
self reserved one gun, resolved if the house was
forced, to sell his life as dearly as he could The
remaining Ave, fired in succession upon the assail-
ants. at the distance Of fifteen or twenty steps.
The blacks upon the fifth fire, retreated. leaving
a l,,o HI. Hal t. ,l
low called IIark.) and were pursued by the Doc
tors negroes with shouts and execrations. Had
the shot been larger more execution would doubt
less have Deen done.
Mrs. Vaushan's was among the last houses at
tackled A venerable negro woman, described
the scene which she had witnessed with great en-
phasis. Ii was near noon, and her mistress had
been making some preparation in the porch for
dinner, when happening to look towards the road.
she deserted a dust and wondered what it could
mean. In second, the negroes mounted and
armed, rushed into view, and making dn exclama-
tIon indicative OF her horror and agony, Mrs.
Vaughan ran into the house. The negroes dis
mounted and ran around the house, pointing their
guns at the doors and windows. Mr.. Vaughan
appeared at window. and begged tor her life,
inviting them to take every thing she had. The
PRAYER was answered by one OF them firing at her,
which was instantly followed by another, and
fatal shot. In the mean time, Miss Vaughan, who
was up stairs, and unapprised Of the terrible adj
vent until she heard the noise of the attack, rush
ed down and begging for life, was shot as she ran
a few steps from the door. A son Of Mrs. Vaughan,
about Is, was at the still house, when hearing
gun. and conjecturing, it is supposed, that his
Brother had come from Jerusalem, approached the
house. and was shot as he got over the fence. 1t
is difficult for the Imagination to conceive situa-
ton so truly and horribly awful. as that in which
these unfortunate ladies was placed. Alone, I'M
protected, and unconscious of danger, to find
themselves without moments notice for escape
or defence, in the power of a band Of rutians.
from whom instant death was the least they could
expect! In a most lively and picturesque man
ner, did the old nesress describe the horrors of
the scene; the blacks riding up with imprecations
the looks of her mistress, white as sheet, her