Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-04-03
EXCITEMENT IN GRAYsoN COUNTY


braces of the Democracy.
EXCITEMENT IN GRAYSON COUNTY.
Modification and Lynch Laa0 threatened.
The reader will recollect that some months
since the good people Of Grayson county were
thrown into an intense state of excitement conse-
quent upon the manifestation, in neighbourhood
in that county, of spirit of INSTRUMENTATION the
part of several slaves. Under the teachings, as it
was charged, of an abolitionist named Jarvis G..
Bacon, several slaves belonging to citizens residing
in Grayson county, armed themselves and attempt
ed to reach the State of Ohio. They were pur-,
sued, overtaken and captured, after strug-
gle, in which worthy citizen of the county NAM
ed Samuel Bartlett, lost his life The slaves thus
recaptured, were committed to jail as murderers.
In due course of time they were brought to trial,
convicted and executed. Pending the trial of
these poor deluded slaves the citizens of the coun-
ty met together, and after vowing vengeance, hot
and swift against Bacon, who had fled the State,
| appointed committee of vigilance whose duty
it was to purge the county of all aboitionists. In
execution of this trust the committee apprehend-
ed two or three citizens, who, they allege, had
so far forgotten what was due to their neighbours
and tothe laws and institutions of their State,
as to join Bacon and embrace his wicked faith
1t is needless to say, these citizens were pretty
summarily death with, according to the code of
Judge Lynch.
One of the smen ofwicked faith" it appears Jno
Cornut by name, feeling indisposedto submit tame
y to the indignities he had suffered at the hands
of the Committee of Vigilance, instituted suit
against fifty or sixty citizens of Grayson men,
bers of the committee. Finding it impracticable
to obtain legal assistance in the county, he obtain
ed the services of two gentlemen-Jas. Sheffey
and B. F. ysor-residing in adjoining coun-
| ty, upon paying each fee of $500. Suit having
been instituted under the auspices of these legal
| gentlemen, the people of Grayson assembled in
| large numbers, at their court house on the 22nd
ultimo, and amongst other things resolved, ''that
| if Messrs. Jas. w. Sheffey and B. F. Wysor
should visit Grayson county for the purpose of in
stituting or carrying a suit or suits for John
Cornut any other of the like character we think
they should be treated to coat of tar and feath-
ers, and that we will aid in bestowing the same''
| They also resolved that the clerks of the coun-
ty and circuit courts should not be permitted to is
sue any writs from their respective offices for the
commencement of any suit against any citizens of
that county for any act done by them in expelling
the abolitioniss, and that the Sheriff of the
| ty should not execute any such process upon the
| citizens for the cause aforesaid. They pledge
themselves to hold the Clerks and Sheriff person
ally responsible for violation of these injunc-
sions whilst at the same time they promise to
stand between these officers and all danger, wheth-
er personal or pecuniary.
The citizens 60 even further than this, and de-
clare that neither Geo. w. Reeves, Stephen M.
Dickey, Tavern Keepers at the Court House, nor
any other citizens of the county, shall receive as
guests into their taverns or houses, James w.
Shelley, Benjamin F. Wysor, OR any other per-
son, who shall come to the county for the purpose
of propagating Abolition principles, or aiding
them in any manner, shape or form. They also
adopted a resolution making it incumbent upon
all candidates for office in the gift of the People,
to endorse these resolutions, and to agree in wri
ting to strike from the polls the of all known
Abolitionists, and not count them in ascertanng
the result of the elections.
Thus matters stood at last accounts. Judging
the temper of the meeting from the tone of its
proceedings, we incline to the opinion that
it would not be safe for either Mr.. Shefey or
Mr.. Wysor to venture upon the prosecution of the
suit in which they have been retained. Every
lover of law and ORDER however, will be forced to
condemn the proceedings of the people of Gray
son. They have virtually nullifedth laws ofthe
Commonwealth, and usurped the seat of justice
French papers received by the last steamer say
that the news that the Government of the United
States is on the point of sending representative
to the Swiss confederation has produced feeling
of satisfaction in Germany, where it is regarded as
proof that the United States desire to intervene
in the affairs of Europe. This seems like jump
ing to a great conclusion from small premises.
REINsTATED.-We are glad to learn, as we do
from the Norfolk papers, that Passed Midshipman
Edmund Sheph erd, formerly of this city, has
been restored by the Secretary of the Navy, to his
former rank in that service. His case was laid
before the President, who, we are gratifed to
learn, appreciated the circumstances OF his appli-
L.