Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1859-11-18
LETTER OF LAWRENCE rHArcHER,

To Capt j. Bro.rn Clis} Of Pror;s;o.oi
Government, u. s. A.
| DEAR CArr-l have Just completed my tour through
the Southern States, aud my way to Kentne-
KY In my last letter to you mentioned that should
give the States Of Tennessee and Arkansas
securing did so, and Of all the States of the Soub
tennessee and Arkansas the best fitted to make the
first strike n Those two States have but few whi,es In
iaNor OF slavery while they contain immense number
OF slaves already ripe and ready at the first intimaton
se decided blow for their freedom while the large
mass OF the whites against slavery and will be ready
10 assist them at moments warning. Several of them
stated TO me that they had gone far prepare
ior the slaves and instruct them in their use and how
| 10 act when the worst to the worst. While nj
brownsville, Tennessee addressed letter the school
teacher, Mr.. IL, and he came to Brownsville to see
lie says there is avocation which man can do so
mueh good Tor our that of school teaching be-
cause all the around have much condolences in
| sehooi teacher who conducts himself right. lie says
tea the large majority Of colored persons in his part
inc stare are ready to take up at moments
ing and large number of whites ready Join them
he says we must send out more well qualified the
South as school teachers and work them in
ne gave me letter of introduction to your friend Mr.
fAmer who Is an extensive farmer Shelby Depot
on the brownsville railroad did get out at that
depot Tor on inquirng of passenger in the cars
learned that Mr. Palmer did then live his planta
non, on account OF difficulty between himself and Wife
and an injunction on his property and writ pending
divorce, and that he would be hard to fnd-so con-
| cudcd to 20 on.
When arrived at Memphis, I accidentally met with
MT Palmer Mt the hotel where stopped. handed him
Mr. ii = letter. After reading it. he cordially shook NV
hand, and invited me to take walk with him. We went
up TO place on the bank of the river called the Old
Navy Yard, and took seat old bags in seclu
ded place. where he said could talk freely lie said he
had sincerely sympathized with you Captain in all your
troubles as he had been martyr of shareholders him.
SELF lie said he had been working but steadily for our
cause Tor two years, and that he had married widow
who had number Of slaves for the purpose of establish
ing himself in the good opinion and confidence of the
shareholders about him tina. he had at first intended AT
.ne h good opportunity to transfer all the slaves he
had got IN his possession by marrying our friends by
way OF Cincinnati; and that he had great many more
belonging TO his neghbors that were ready to 20 with
them but difficulty had occurred between himself and
wife and that she had with the secret advice of several
SHAREHOLDERS and scounrek about his plantation suddenly
eJected him from the place, and without moments
warning That he was still Sueng her his rights by
marriage; that the Supreme Court had given decree
in his ayor that he would be in possession of his
again that when he again got full control of them he
would, at favorable moment them and between
four and i've hundred more, andma start in the night
time from Memphis and that he had friends In Cincinnati
who had promised have of the largest and swfet
steamers on the river to tie up and wait for them AZ
the mouth OF Hatche river under the preeEce of under
going repairs. That he had all his arran com
plee, and whenever he said the word could take from
500 to 1000 at trip and land them safely at Cairo in
the swamps OF Indiana where they would once be free
found Mr.. Z. very bold schcmcr and man of GOOD
address and winning Manners and the very man for our
purposes; and as it known he ia STAKEHOLDER himself
no one would, for moment suspect him of being CON
eerned with our cause. | showed him our constitution
Tor tho Provisional Government, with which he was
much pleased, and advised him TO make the stamnee
OF slaves he expected 10 make but keep them al work
secretly preparing each other, and as many Others as
they could get TO join them for October strike lie
said he would do So and that he could guarantee 900
armed slaves who would be ready spring together a
moments call, and that soon operations were
commenced with them that other slaves would flock TO
them by thousands wherever they went through all par
of the State. lie severe on doctor in his negb
Oorhood who has been appointed by the Court As rce
er OF his property, and afraid his anger against that
man Nlll cause him to be guilty of some rash act which
viii expose his plan of operations. told him he hadn't
ought TO give too loose reins his passion but curb il
until the proper time lie that this doctor was the
adviser Of his wife, and had himself appointed receiver
so as TO Illustrate all his plans but that he would dp
point him yet; and that he had him in his power
he would not spare him drop OF blood in existence
lie said that this doctor had dshonored his marriage he'd
hut that he did not for he cared nothing for his
"he as she was Southern fool that the position her
property gave him. and the power to effect his end was
all he asked for but that the doctor had nterered with
hearts blood ~
warned him to he not blood-thrsty and in all he
did not to spill blood unless in selfdefence or in FIGHT
ing Igr freedom; lie said that though born in North
'arona nc had from child hated slavery and that in
spending number Of years the North be had learned
TO appreciate the phanthTOpic motives of our friends
ana lhat he had pledged himself TO work faithfully to
the emo ever since He said he had great influence over
most OF the slaves in his part Of Tennessee and that ne
often met them the roads aud By places and had on
talks with them and that he always found lhsp zine
and in the evening Introduced me to several merchants
i han
Prom my Interview with Mr.. Palmer nudge him IN h.
ShreWd man. and through his position and influence
wen calculated TO become Of principal leaders
M 'ne outh lie seems thoroughly to understand the
| X X business. / would scarcely expeot IN find in .
southern city, situated as Memphis is in the midst of
cotton growing country, large a number of whites
e1dy 70 aid us and strike when necessary for our cause
MI. Palmer SAYS you must write to him every week
ana keep nun posted as TO plans, and he will act in
concert with us in everything YOU may direct
think he is brave and conscientious man and Won
uO lOtiht hoo
cd Where he lives and his wrongs have made him dene
rate have been through large portion of Arksrys
and have fosnd have butfew friends among the Wbi,c
~ tat state as most Of them blood-thirsy siay.
hodcrsi but the slaves all willing and ready and so
lar out number the whites that bold stroke ~ oro a.
will overthrow the whole State. leave Memnbis To-
morrow by way Of GAINESVILLE for Mammoth Cave berc
wish 10 be for a number of DAYS before anvtb;,r,
on thefe William Horner has Just arrived from New
orleans on his way to Join you Harper's Ferry Moth
ing could have happened better for me ruess met
be IN streak OF good luck. feared to write partic1
lars TO you by mail for the dangers of interccn,io H.
as William is here write you in full and trust Il IN b
care. ' u W Ills
He swears to that he will deliver Il to Won in mar
ION or DIE trying He is good boy, and may he depend
ed upon Now, say, be cautious, aud let us bav.
strike soon. IL cannot quick, for believe from
what have seen, that the whole South il rendv To-
have to be very careful here the people are very
suspicious OF Northern men. sometimes register one
name and sometimes another 20 suit the crcnns,.,o
| as travel about. Sometimes I pass for a travelling
preacher, and at others New Orleans nercbap, IoI
ng AZ the crops aud talking Of specuations in cotton
&c southern people easily gued If there will be
any failure in Harpers Ferry strike let me know in fins
! lOu snail hear from me soon. Yours faithfully
LAWRENCE THATCHER
S-sT; Palmer says you must address your letters
=, DR.. ". RUSSELL PALMER. Green Bottom, Shelby
County, Tenn. '''
PROFITABLE PHILANTHROPY.
II n