Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-08-06
ss0aa,sLx CoNspuRACv.
Fss the .Nashri!is Bsnssr Of July IS.
RESURRECTION OF THE SLAVES IN
MISSISSIPPI

MISSISSIPPI.
"A merchant Of Nashville received a
letter tins morning. from a gentleman
Of responsibility in Mississippi, giving
an account of an extensive meditated
instruction of the slaves in that State,
which was, fortunately, discovered a
few days before the intended massacre
took place. The letter is evidently
written under strong excitement, and
perhaps, with some exaggeraiion. but
the account given is, no doubt, substan-
tally true.
The writer says:
take few moments from the
awful distress and confusion existing
here, to inform you that this blinds,
and several adjoining counties have
been under arms day and night in our
own defence, expecting every momen,
TO be burned up or have our threats
cut by the negroes. A dreadful alarm
exists, particularly among the females.
IAN instruction has, it appears,
been on hand among the negroes, for
the last six months, headed BY white
men. The massacre was 10 have COM
menced on the fourth of July. Their
plans were well laid, and no doubt but
that thousands of the whites would
have been murdered, had we not been
saved, only week before the time, by
a faithful negro man, who was in all the
secrets, and was TO have been high in
command, and who revealed 10 his mas
ter the whole plan; and to convince
him of its reality, placed his master in
position where, from his place of con.
cealment, he could ovcrhcar one of Their
midnight meetings, at which the whole
scheme was discussed.
"A great many negroes were, in con.
sequence, taken up in Madison coun.
~. from whom the committee found
out who the white leaders were. About
ten negroes and FIVE or six white men
have been hung without any form Of
law or trial, except an examination be.
fore the examining committee. They
are still going on trying and hanging
IL appears, from confession that DR.
Cotton made that their route was tc
have commenced from some place a.
bove this. and proceed thence, through
the principal towns, TO Natchez, anc
then on to New Orleans, numbering all
the white men and ugly women-spar.
ing the handsome ones and making
wives of thcm-and plundering and
burning as they went. DR.. Cotton af
ter being condemned upon negro test
mony, made confession, and disclosed
the whole plan. He is an old confede
rate of man by the name of Murrcll
now IN the Nashville pcnitentiary."
Extract Of a letter from a gentleman in Gin
ton, Mississippi, 10 gentleman in Lynchburg
Va, dated the 5th July, 1885.
Our community is in a state of ex
element, on the subject of an insur.
rcction of the slaves. II seems proba
bic that they contemplated 1t prctt,
generally, and that last night was The
time fixed on for the purpose. In Madi
son county they have hung two whit,
men Doth steam doctors, and sever
negroes at least. About Livingston
the excitement was greatest. The sum
mary justice, however. of Mississippi
ans has probably quoted the spirit 10
years. Acting on the principle O
g salus Populi suprema est lex" tn,
good people of that place and its vi
cinity appointed committee to pas
on the guilt or innocence Of the accused
and they acted accordingly. The tw,
whites were pronounced guilty ON yes
terday and after the sentence was an
nounced, an heur was allowed then
Tor preparation, when they were Swun;
of.
One of them under the gallows, ac
knoWledged the justice of has fate, an,
stated that the plan was for a genera
rising that night, from Beaitic's Bluff IL
Madison, 90 Ns'chcz: that the dicoyer,
there would probably defeat il as &
this part OF the State, but that ther,
would be a rising that night so sure a
the night should come, sc. The white
appear 70 have been al the head Of II
and with the foolish hope Of geiiin.
and carrying of plumber.
We have heard nothing further thu
morning. The Postmaster at Livingston
sent notice to this place, so soon a
there was a surmise Of the apprehend
ed agitation among the slaves. and !
I Is possible Chat il may be supprUssc,
over the State. We arc, however un
easy here about the large plantation.
below; a day or two will remove q
confirm those fears. Other whit,
persons and slaves were under examina
ton OF trial, before the court. At Liy
ingston, last evening. We have no
yet heard Of their fate"
b FURTHER PARTICULARS or TIE 40
FAIR At NICkSBJHG. AND TIE cos
TEk4WT arm nTNnF n - assaaaa an