The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-26
The Culpeper Affair.

The Warrenton (Fauquier) Flag of Saturday
gives the following account of this dreadful and
disgraceful outrage
"GRAYsos HUNG Mon AT CuLPEPER CouRr-
HousE.-We learn that the negro who murdered
Miller was hung on Wednesday, at O'Clock ID. m,
by mob Of about two hundred [other reports say
seven hundred Grayson had been twice granted
new trial by the court of appeals general court:)
and the case had been ordered the circuit court
of this county. But lswless mob have taken il
upon themselves to do this awful thing. We learn
that the magistrates offered but feeble resistance;
and the Jail was broken open the refusal of the
ailer to yield the keys They bore the negro (pro-
testing innocence to the last) to a grove near by,
and fixed rail across from tree 10 another;
they placed him on horse, adjusted the rope, and
drove the horse from under him. His feet still
touching the ground, one Of the mob got up the
tree and lifted the rail to a higher limb on his
shoulder. He was cut down and remained lying
on the spot until 10 O'Clock yesterday. This whole
affair would read better among the records Of the
Spanish nqusitiop, Of the eudal age of Britain,
than by the light of the full noon OF the nineteenth
century"
We have received some oral accounts Of this de-
plorable proceeding, but cannot tell how far they
are reliable. We hear that Mr.. WIN. Green, one
OF the most prominent citizens OF Culpeper, APP
peared before the mob, and used every effort of elo
quence and persuasion TO induce them TO desst from
their illegal purpose. They thanked him for his
advice, but declared that they would have the life
Of the negro. Another gentleman IL said 10 have
displayed the most remarkable bravery, in endea-
voring 10 save the negro at the Jail. Taking his
position at the door, he is represented 10 have in
vitcd any nine men in the crowd 10 come forward,
and make with him band Of ten, TO resist with
their lives the assault upon the Jail The PROPOSE
ton not being responded 10, he deliberately took
paper, and, before the faces OF the mob wrote down
the names of all the persons he recognised avowinR
his purpose 10 report them TO the legal authorities
Such conduct deserves the unmessured applause
and support Of the community.
This occurrence in Culpeper has excited in Rich
mOnd, and must excite throughout our law abiding
State, deep feeling Of modification. No parallel
70 II has ever before, within our memory, taken
place in Virginia. II must be regarded az one Of
those cbulitons Of popular excitement, wholly un-
UNSUITABLE in themselves, but incident, in some de
gree, 10 ali communities. Many instances in his
tory prove that men, living in civilized and order
ly societies, may lose all the restraints Of reason
and law, on occasions Of violent excitement The
people Of Virginia arc 90 entirely unused 10 such
disorders, that the enormity Of the present one
file every mans mind with horror
We reluctant TO extend the knowledge Of
such transactions, and transgress general rule in
this instance, for the purpose of aiding in obtaining
for Mr.. Green, and the other gentleman, whose
name we wish had been mentioned, that general
applause which they so justly merit .
Since the above written we find the names
Major Thomas Hill, Mr.. George Thomas, Rev.
Cumberland George, and Rev. John Hoyle, men
rene as those Of gentlemen who made strenuous
erertious 10 prevent this disgracefu outrage What
adds its cnormity il tho expression Of an opinion
by the court, in awarding new trial, that the evil
dence upon which Grayson had been convicted wac
scarcely sufficient TO raise reasonable suspicion
against him.