Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-01-31

(" Written laws, like eobwebs serve TO cn,an.
gle The poor and weak, while the rich and pow
erful break through them with ease.
.insehsrsis
MsSks. EDiToas:
The humble position occupy as a mechanic
Of this county, has ever preclucied my appear.
nnce before The public, but in this instance
must be excused for occupying a small space in
your paper. and TO an enlightened public would
respectfully submit the following
charge has with much gravity been made
against me, and by the untIIing industry If Ger.
tain individuals disseminated widely-denomi.
Mating me as the repuied leader of a "Afob. "
which claims that should attempt a iusii6ca.
ton OF my conduei, lest my silence he construed
as corrcboration IF guilt, And IN so doing,
VIII present the facts IN the case as cOnciSey as
possible, avoiding all personality, but applyin:
my remarks IN general sense.
On the iaSl day Of November Court. NEGRO.
the property OF MIR. Reyes Il this county. was
arralgned upon the charge Of an attempt 10 com
NIT a Rape upon a small white pirl, an orphan
OF thirteen years, and a resident of this county.
The attempt was clearly proven before a Cour,
cnmSosed OF siI Of the must respectable Macis-
iraieS Of this county,-and they, by a unanimous
decision, condemned him To de on the oath of
December. In the intermediate time, between
me concentration, and day of execution, Pc
Hlion was gotten up with tic utmost privacy
allowing no man 10 read u, without frsi having
Pledged himself u sign II. This petition was
sent 10 the Governor Of Virgnia, PRAYING \ coro.
mutation OF punishment and through tins neil
ton, (WhoSc wealth alone gave the signefS inGu.
ence,) respite of sixty days was chained 4,
had been Iumofcd that the character of the -irl
was not what u should be, aud cin1na,ing FINN
the source ~ dad the report had gained much
eredenee, and also the Governor of Virginia was
informed that public opinion wa N favor of Inc
negro. Thus u was GEAR 10 the peup'c of tins
county, uIat they wished TO save the criminal By
aspersing he reputation of The giIl IN question.
ard she not only being an orphan, but peer, Il
was thought could make no defence fhs ex-
element which naturally followed this at,err. .
81 The rich 10 crush the poor manifested itself IN
ChariestUwn nn The 2sth December. The peo-
pie. or as sone Artsfocrafs have been pleased 10
term us. the " Tabbie. :" assembled from All paris
of The counfy, embracing almost every man In
uFcd to toll, and put N ehngy ihoSe who had been
most active ~ the attempt II save the criminal.
ihus showing that public opinion was nsainsl
him, and fDf this condnei, and ihis alone, tfor
you have he facts before VOC, they have pieas.
ed 10 call os opprObrousy mob and denoni-
mated me a. their leader
FeIow-ciuzens Of Virginia, amer presentlng
The facts, I would appeal 70 you a. the only i'm.
partial tribunal. end ask n IN this land 81 Repul-
licanism, The people assembled IN heir majesty,
can Be legally termed a seIf-conaiifuted mob. an.
al hey have set a. open defiance the laws Of our
country We violated no lnw. and n We had.
7 for one, consider myself smenable 10 my conn
Wy for any infrsetion Of her Laws Tie con
Goci e each party have s0uFhi 20 place impair.
TALLY ant unvafnished befofe you, fhat your
Judgment may BE- exercised therein, without b.
ing ed aaT@y By misrepresentation. And II
The Aristociacy u wealth Is ~ Ter 70 tubveYt
law. that The poor cannot obtain justice, b. q ~
for one will brvsf submii without q struggle
Were ve living under the bhehiinR influences II
drspoiism, N The poor rai.s heir hands 10 would
b considered treason, bot hank God u s nfhsT-
wise, and shall connnue % sxrfers, siihouf
seeking 20 propitiaie he favour ~ any one :" un-
feservsdy ny uiisr ahhofFsncs anA ennienpt
~ ail means used 70 screen he negro q euesiion
from he decree ~ justice vhirh aeaim ksD.-
A = nschsnie, I feel prrud Of hat siaiioo a. q
pnor nan. I have iong sinos learned ~ - sails
hsd With my coBditios; % en- Amerean will
sasiain Ne laws ~ nv eo1nIry a. q Politician,
] WI eNpose corruptioa and ~ IN individaai.
yin stamp ny rprobaiion On an sp~ciez ~
srtstocFaey. and nsvPr sabnit "a he conuructioa
p,seed upoa lsw " saii bsiT ovn paSPossl -
Cellaes pofshnd fools.
WILLIAM 8 SMITH.
HssPsnrFTFy, Jan. ~, lee,