The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-10-17
MOVEMENTS IN SUMTER.

Considerable excitement exists in Sumter District
relative to the institution Of slavery and stern de-
termination seems 10 bc awakened 10 execute rgdy tho
laws tha, govern it. T. j. Coghlan Esq, the lncn'
dan, of Sum,crvic, has requested through the Ban.
ncr owners of slaves who wish them 10 visit tho wi
lage on Sundays 10 mention il in tho pass or ticket
they give ,hom. lie says that he is induced to be
moro particular than formerly, from tho fact that there
are few unprinciplcd characters in the place, who
manage 10 battle the Law, and who nrc engaged every
Sunday in illicit traffic in spr,uous liquors with tho
slave population. determination i. expressed 10 pre-.
vent the elevated mora condition Of The negro from
being contaminated hy, and sinking TO level with
such characters who arc by far more dangerous and
moro to be dreaded than all the abotionss in tho world
The Committee Of Safety for TINT District held a
meeting ut the Court House the 9Th inst, 10 hear
The rcpor, of the Conmt,c appointed to enquire what
alterations and additions necessary in tho negro
laws of the Slate. From tho tenor Of the resolutions,
il might be easily inferred that there existed some i'm.
mediate Cause OF alarm in that District, but tho Editor
Of tho Banner says such is not the case. That com.
muny however appears to have boon visited by some
suspicious persons, and the bclef entertained, based
upon recent developments. "that some notions havo
been ins,lcd into the minds Of certa cass OF the
popuation which arc moi at all consistent with their
posion."
Tho Committee in their report, regard tho existing
laps as sufficient to secure und maintain tranquility
and due subordnation amongst the slaves but express
the opinion that they arc "gcncrally performed very
tamely and sparingy." They recommend an amend.
mont to the act Of 1899, by requiring tho commander
Of the patrol at least often cach week, 10
call out the patrol SC instead Of " once fortnight"
and empowering the commander TO nrm his men, IT
deemed necessary. The committee think that ro.
ligous instructions given 10 the negro should be oral
and from the mouth Of ,ohite persons alone, and re.
commend that slaves free persons Of color should be
prevented from preaching inslructing their fellows
in public change in tho Of 1903 is urged, and
n nactment Of clause in tho act of $500, which
prohibits meetings for the mental religious instruc.
ton Of slaves or FREQ persons Of color &C., before
rising or afler sundown. The committee concur in
giving the enforcement Of tho act Of l740, which
qurcd owners 10 give slaves sufficient clothing and
food to the Grand Jury Of oach District, instead Of 10
Justice Of the Peace. The committee, through their
chairman, Capt. Sumter, recommended the following
resolutions, which were adopted:
lst. That tho Committee of Vigilance should
request the Colonels of the Regiments of the
District to order out the patrol at night, at least
twice week, and that the patrol 60 armed.
I'd. That the officers Of uniform corps, use
efforts TO increase their companies, and 10 pro-
euro full compliment of arms.
Sd. That efforts be made to raise Troop in
Salem.
Our citizens ought to bc tho alert for these mis-.
chcvous Intermediates from other sections, and if any
urc detected in their wicked designs, they should be
made to feel The heaviest penalties Of the law.
CHARLEsroN MAYonALTY.--The citizens of Charles.
ton Jalioted on sl inst. the question Of extending
nj form fho Mnvor and j,leruen fou, nm