The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-14

NAs met IN Rschms~d-The Governor
Threatened with Violent Treatncns-A
Csunser Meeting. ~ ~
We have already given some account Of the OK
element which prevailed In Richmond, Va, incon-
sequence of Gov johnson having conmutsd the
sentence Of THE negro boy Jordan, from the death
vunishment to transportation for life. The South
Side Democrat gives the following account Of the
whole transaction, precedent to and at the time Of
tho riotous proceedng,-N f~faTxE&4
Some month or two since, an overseer (Mr Jack
sony in one Of the tobacco factories OF Richmond,
was killed by negro boy, under the following cir
eumstances:-The boy having done some portion Of
his work in careless manner was called up by the
evefseer to receive chastsement. The boy begged
the everseer to spare him, bat deemng the chastse
ment merted, the overseer persisted in fogging him.
After awhile, the boy caught hold Of the lash-the
sverseer ordered him to let 60, but he would not,
Of the moment the boy seized an iron poker lying
at his feet, and struck the overseer blow, which
failed hm'to the ground. The boy then let dropthe
poker, and ran down the stairs. Inc overseer,
rising instantly, ran in pursuit him 1t was very
soon asceraned that the was seriously in
jared; o surgeon was called in from examination
Il was evident that the skull had been fractured; an
operation performed, but it brought relief to
the patient; and on the second day after the blow
was struck, he died. The negro arrested,
tried and on proofof the foregoing facts, convicted
and sentenced to be hung on the I'D Of April.
Application was made to Governor johnson,
either to pardon the convict or to commute the
sentence Of death into some less severe punishment.
The Governor declined, but did, however, grant
. reprieve of q fortrghts duration. Meanwhile,
some seventy-fve or one hundred of the most
eminent and respectable citizens of Richmond
laid before the Executive petition, praying
. communication of the. punishment which the
boy was condemned to suffer, in considera-
tiOn of the facts, that the crime of which he was
guilty not murder, but simply manslaughter-
shat beyond all question he had no intention OF taxi
ing the life of the overseer, whose death the re-
suit of accident rather than design, and also in
saeraton Of the youth Of the convict, he being only
seventeen years of age. The Governor was con-
strained by the urgent appeal Of the petition, by
the force of its arguments and the great respecta
bility and influence of the gentlemen who had sign
ed it, to reeede from hfs determination to suffer the
sentence of law TO be executed upon the boy, and
10 commute his punishment into transportation for
kfe. At this announcement of the humane intention
Of the Executive, excitement ragged throughout
Richmond. An indignation meeting was called by
advertisement In the newspapers, and pacaTds post
ed along the streets. Here is copy
NoTrcE-This is to notify all good citizens who arc
willing and at all times ready to stand by the institu
tens Of the South and especially Virginia laws to meet
at the City Hall night at O'Clock for the purpose of
heding an indignation meeting against Governor Joe
Johnson for pardoning negro slave Jordan, for killing
young jackson. Come one come all and protect your
hrssdes ~ putting down all those who uphold murder
In response to this invitation, some fifteen hun
Sred or two thousand. parsons assembled on the
evening Of the 7th inst. in the City Hail. chair
man was selected to preside the deliberations,
and secretary appointed to record the resolves.
The Commonwealth attorney for the city of Rich
mond opened the ball by remarks denunciatory OF
the conduct of the Executive.
Mr.. William +. Watson, quiet and peaceful ci-
Gzen, submitted to the meeting this proposition
Resolved, That committee be appointed whose duty
should be to wait the Governor obtain the papers,
signatures &C., which had been presented to him in be-
half Of committing the punishment of the convict and
sePOrt to an adjourned meeting of the citizens.
This proposition was rejected by an overwhelming
majority George X. Peake guhmitteQ the follow
ing resolutions
Resolved, That Governor johnson, in committing the
sentence Of the slave Jordan Hatcher convicted Of the
wlful murder ofWiam Jackson, has abated the trust
eonded to him by the constitution has outraged the
ent to characterization crime which calls for the
indignant reprobaton OF the people OF Virginia.
This resolution was carried by accIamatien
Mid the applause consequent upon the adoption OF
this resolve, the meeting adjourned.
From the Richmond Wing, 18th instl
A meeting was held at the City Hall last evening
Mt o'clock to take into consideration the mob, aud
matters thereunto pertaining. General Peyton was
called to the chair, and Mr.. Robert G. Scott pre-
sented series Of resolutions from the Common
Council, reprobating any conduct of an insulting
character towards the Governor ana declaring 1t te
be the duty of the police to repress all sach con-
duct, but at the same time, avowing it to be the
unquestiopable right Of the people TO meet and ex
press their opinions regarding the public acts o
public agents. These resolutions adopted, at
ter some discussion.
A resolution was then oferd by Mr.. Roberts, to
the effect, that the people of Richmond disapprovt
Of the disorderly proceedings at the Governor
House, Friday night; but that there was nothing II
the action Of the meeting which they condemned.
This gave rise to long discussion, in the course
Of which many very sharp things were said of those
HOnorabes who had taken upon them selves the func
lions Of censor. Mr.. Lyons, in the course Of some
animated and pertinent remarks, observed that the
fruits Of the Governors misplaced clemeney had that
day been realized in the city, by the enaction Of
another scene very similar to that which produced
tho death of young jackson. In this case death
had not occurred, though blood had been shed.
After much discussion by various gentlemen, DR..
Gooch--a gentleman and democrat, who pre-
sent at the '.mob," and witnessed everything that
passed-submitted a resolution, which declared. in
substance, well we could hear, that there had
been ''mob;" that all the hubbub there
was fallal; that the people of Richmond were thu
friends of order, and would maintain it; and that
they had rights from which they would not shrink
40. This was adopted and the meeting adjourned