South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1835-08-08


detail OF the plan of operations a"
greed on, and list Of the prominent
conspirators. II seems from Cotton's
confession, which was, as to the most
essential particulars, reduced to writ
ing previous TO his death, and subcrib-
ed by him in presence of numerous
witnesses, that he was an accomplish Of
the celebrated MuRREL; and he in
fact acknowledged that he had been a
member of two Grand councils in assos
citation with Murrel himself. The pro-
iect embraced the whole slave region
from Maryland to Louisiana. and
contemplated the total destruction OF
the white population of all the Slave
States, and the absolute conquest and
dominion Of the country. A large
number of bold, enterprising, and un-
principled white men are concerned 10
the scheme, scattered over the country,
along the whole line Of contemplated o.
peraiions, who have succeeded in en-
gaging the aid of such among the negro
population as, from their peculiar cha.
racteris,ics, were regarded as best suit,
ed to such an enterprise-the bold, the
sagacious, the desperate. Arms & ann
muniton have been procured and de-.
.posited in various secret places, and all
other arrangements effected which
were deemed essential 10 the adoption
of incipient operations. The pubiica"
ton Of the Murrel pamphlet is under,
stood 10 have precipitated the at!emp-
ted execution of the plot. and to have
induced earlier hostile movements, by
several months, than was originally
contemplated. So far as we have been
Informed, the scheme Of operations
agreed on, was as follows: On the
night of the fourth Of July, an attack
was to be made upon the town Of Yer
non in Madison county, at a time
when most of its white population
would be asleep. The whites. thus
taken by surprise were, 10 be lndls-;
crimina,ely butchered. All the ans
munition and arms Of the town were 10
be seized, and the whole force of the in.
susgents, as rapidly as possible, was TO
be directed against the town of Living,
ston where similar proceeding we're to
be had. By the time this could be &C.
complshed, it was expected the whole
body Of the white population would De
overcome with panic, and be CONSTANTS
ed to fly from the scence OF terror !;
and every black in the county, able to
WELD the weapons of warfare, would
be found arrayed around the insurgens
standard. This army Of incendiaries
was then to march upon the town Of
Clinton, burning, sacking, and laying
desoIate the whole country as they adj
vanced. By the time the destruction
of Clinton could have been ACCOM-
plished, it was expected that the insrs.
gent army would be greatly streogth.
ened, and amount perhaps to several
thousand. A precipitous march was
then to be made to the county OF
Claiborne, along the skirts of Warren
and the whole country upon the river
bank was to be ravaged and Inundated
with the blood Of men, women, and
children. Such are the outlines Of
this plan Of conspiracy, related by
those who have witnessed much of
the Investigation which has taken
place upon the subject in Madison
county. We are assured by gentle.
man who was in Livingston on Mon
day last, that the utmost order seems
to pervade the community there. An
excitement certainly existo a.
mong the whole white population ; bul
the excitement is Of that awful and pro.
found character which discloses moi
itself in noise and uproar. The COM
mittee Of investigation occupy room
from the multitude, and the
utmost calmness and dignity have
marked their whole proceedings. The
Investigations which take place, as the
various cases are brought before them
for consideration, are conducted IN
a manner that would not do discred.
i, to the most digni6ed judicial tribunal
Of the country. Every opportunity is
to the persons inculpatsd of
cross.examining witnesses, introducing
estimooy in their defence, and ex-
planning all doubtful points by their
own voluntary statements, which the
most humane could desire /; and, what
is truly creditable, not word OF UNI
kindness is permitted to be addressed
10 the culprit on trial, and no question
to any of the witnesses
to produce statement OF
The case not entirely in accordance
with truth and justice. We are told
that FIVE white men, altogether, have