Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-09-05

AN INTERESTING LETTER FROM j.
G. UNDERWOOD, THE VIRGINIA
REFUGEE

AsroR HousE, n. Y, Aug II, 1856.
]. r. StzFR, Esq Dear Sir:
| had been staying at the Astur with my wife
aud boy so long that began to fear that my
credit was suffering and supposed owed
nearly a hundred dollars, when went to the
Office to settle my bill, but found there was
no charge against me. appealed TO Mr.
Stetson. the proprietor, who positively r.
fused to accept any compensation for the
trouble and expense J had caused him. He
said he might himself be plnced in my cir
cumstances, and require the aid of strangers.
| hope the friends of freedom will remember
the great -heared proprietor of the Aston,
when they come to the city Of New YORK.
Ny expulsion from home was most unex-
pected ] knew there was intense feeling
IN favor of extending slavery, and the hope
of a large increase IN the price Of slaves re-
sulung from the extension of the slave mar
bot Gov M,so boz, inei ,oHn.,,. 90
rice by saying, substantially, in his ratliica-
ton speech at Richmond, elect Buchanan
and spread slavery over the western terrific
rles, ana you will increase the price of slaves
from $1,000 10 from $1,000 to 5000" Bot
had no IDEA Of the madness which tho gov
eruors extrayagant declaration had produc-
ed. Besides, we had not long ago, trans
action winch had supposed had produced
some calmness, reflection, and even modera-
ton on the pnrt of our pro-slavery men.
The case refer to was this. One Of the
most worthy men of which any country can
boast, Samuel NJ. Janney, a Quaker miuls-
ter, residing near me IN Loudon County, Va,
had been indicted for what was deemed a
sedttlous publication m one of our newspa-
pers. But IL was found, IN examination
that the words complained of We're almost
literal quotations Of jefferson and John Yves
ley, and the Commonwealth attorney be
came very willing and ANXIOUS to enter a not
ie prose9iH aud let the Quaker 60 Having
this case before ne | confined, IN my Phlla
delph,a Convention remarks. to quotation
from Jefferson and studlously avoided evel
his harsher expressions. You know he says
"ii the suves should rise IN arms agnius
Us, the Almighty has NJ Ottrihue whlc
could take sidee with us IN the contest"
certainly said nothing that could compar
with this.
have Just received letter from a poo
nelghboc, asking when | will return, an
promising am armed escort OF az least lii
~ Of my neighbors from the railroad de
pot to my farm. distance Of ten miles.
Gao hardly resist the strong inclination
feel TO 20 home. BIT have thus far yield
ed to the advice Of friends, and the mn
qualified remonslrance Of my wife, who be
heyes 1t would he rushing upon certain des
irncton. She points to our little children
aud claims her right to my aid in their car
and education, end TINT appeal is irresistible
have written great many letters HON
, TO try 10 allay the excitement, and my wifi
has. through Gen. Spinner, appealed to Coy
Smith, an old friend of her family, and IN
representative in Congress of the dlstric
, where the most violent proceedings agains
me have been held. The General inform
us that he presented the letter to Gov. Smil
who, in returning 1t, the General says, seem
ed, IN common with other Virginans, TO b
: possessed with the idea that ! had foriete
my right Of residence IN Virginia, md tina
where thera was no statute law IN meet Nh
case, they had right to rely on the con
mon law. What common law ia meant
don't know perhaps It is the "higher law,
though | am rather inclined to believe
must be- lower law
have promised 10 attend a convention a
Wheeling for the nomination Of a Fremou
State Ticket for Virginia, in Sep,embe
and viii try to see you on my way. Yer
truly and sincerely yours
j. c. UNDERWOOD.