Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-10-13
TO THE PUBLIC.


In consequence of various false and calumnous re-
ports which had been industriously circulated con-
corning the occurrences at the Pits, in the county of
Chesterfield on Sunday, the 2lst of September meet
ing OF the citizens OF the vicinity held at the store
OF VIM Robinson, IT., on the 29th of the month,
to take such steps as the occasion demanded.
That public opinion may no longer be abused the
undersigned, IN pursuance OF resolution passed by the
said meeting, beg leave to give brie but impartial
statement OF the occurrences referred to, as we'll as Of
some previous and subsequent facts.
On the third Sunday in August, an unusually LARGE
collection OF negroes, who had been brought up from
Richmond on the Richmond and Danvlle Railroad
made their appearance at the Midlothian African
Church. place resored to nearly every Sabbath for
the purpose OF religious worship by the negroes work.
ing the mines and those of the vicinity. This Church
IS private property, and need scarcely saw is ertre-
under the control and always presided over by
white persons. Again, another OCCASION a similar
body OF negroes was brought up but the object and
place OF their meeting isnot positively known but as
an arbor has has since been discovered in the woods
neal the Pits confidently believe that they met there
on that occasion. These and similar other facts being
made known, the citizens of the community were
Justly incensed, and Immediately resolved to prevent
like visits in the future, not by persuasion and re-
monstrance, then by process OF law The members of
the Church not only requested the Captain of the
Train, but also wrote to the Superintendent of the
Richmond and DanvIlle Railroad TO desst telling them
OF The objections that were made and the consequence
il they persisted in coming that the Church would be
closed, and that the law would be enforced against
them. Such requests Of no avail-"they were
willing to test it," We use their own language. And
NJ
ber II was announced that large body of negroes had
arrived A small number OF citizens (of whom we
are happy TO say, five Justices hastily assembling
found the procession marching, with the Captan of the
Train at their head, to the Midlothian African Church
which was closed. The number of negroes on this
occasion could not have been less than from 600 to
$40 hence the exerons made by the citizens, though
prompt and active, were not sufficiently effective. A
few OF the negroes were searched, whereupon some
We're found without any passes, others with permission
to be elsewhere. On perccivng what measures were
n info
the larger portion fastened
About this time, the Captain was told that he was
arrested, but Instead of obeying endeayoured to make
his escape. and In so doing, pulled the Constable who
had hold OF him, into the cars, which he ordered to
be started whereupon they left, the blacks utterlns
vocneEous and deafenng shouts of applause, aud
waving their handkerchlefs in triumphant glee. We
may here remark, that during the stay of these ne
gfoes their conduct was llsolent and offensive in
Decd their whole bearing seemed TO be that of def.
ance, rather than OF decorum and good behaviour
Upon their arrival at Richmond, the Constable hav-
ing made every proper exeron, ard falling in the
rest left about dark for Manchester where during the
same night, he was called upon by the Captain, who
said he was willing to surrender himself and accord
ingy did so. The next morning, on the arrival of the
cars, at the Water Station, near the pits. the Chief
Engineer being present, asked if the arrest of
lsetts, the Engineer of the Train, would detain the
mail, and answering IN the negative, 1sets and four
Others who had refused the preceding dav to aid
the Constable, were placed under arrest, not without
some difficulty however, Mr. lsetts resisting with his
hammer and threats TIL forced to yield The remain
der OF the day spent in the trial of the parties
rested-when they were all baled except one who
was acquitted.
Such is the statement we beg leave to submit. Such
are the facts which have been monstrously distor
ted and perverted, and which we stand prepared TO
vindicate; here is community, with celored pop
ulatlon OF at least SIX hundred addition to which
the agents of the r. & D. r. R. in utter contempt and
disregard for the requests of the Chuch and in def
ance to the civil authorities, undertake to bring up
from the city of Richmond, whenever they please a
number much short of a thousand If his should
be permitted, who can doubt the result? If there are
any, let them be reminded of the late Chrstiana out
rage, Not only have the above facts been misrepre-
sented but the pursued the occasion by our
Magistrates Tin every respect pralseworhy and COM
mendabe) has been assailed who, had they done less
would indeed have 'proven faihless to their trusts
and merlted and met with the indignation of every
good citizen OF the community. In conclusion, we
add that we, as community, know our duty and
mean to perform it know rights and prlv-
leges and mean to protect them
VIM l.. MOODY,
Oct s, 1851. SAML J. WINFREE.