Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-16
Arrest Of a Suspected Insurgent.

1t has already been mentioned that pr.
VIM. A. Palmer had been arrested at Mem
phS, Tenn, on suspicion of being connected
with the Harper's Ferry business. The
Memphis Enquirer says:
1T seems that Palmer has been resident
of this vicinity for number of years past;
that he married lady residing near town,
but procured divorce some months since
on account of domestic difficulties. and has
since that time been boarding at the BEDFORD
House, where he was arrested. Palmer is n
man about 10 years Of age, very respectable
in appearance, five feet ght inches in height,
slightly STOPPING and hestates somewhat in
his speech.
1t appears that some two weeks ago. dur
ing the excitement of the llarper's Ferry in
surrection, q gentleman, seated in Il railroad
car between Baltimore and Philadelph on
his way to New York, observed n man on a
seat near him closely muttled. appearing to
use every means possible to prevent recogni-
ton, and shield himself from observation
On the arrival of the train ut station, the
man hurriedly gathered up and left the car.
The attention of the gentlemen who had pre-
viously noticed his movements, was attracted
To number of letters and papers on the floor
beneath the seat, which had accidentally
been dropped in his haste. He gathered the
papers, with the view of handing them 10 the
owner, but the cars at that moment starting,
he was obliged to return TO his 5 at with the
documents in his possession. They proved
to he two letters and 4 small memorandum.
This being. as stated, at the time when the
whole community was aroused to the move
ments of the Instruction, the defeat and i'm
prisonment Of its leader, and the letter being
addressed to John Brown, connected with
the suspicious movements OF the man III
whose possession they had BEEN excited his
curiosity not n little. The idea flashed to
his mind he had i'll his possession something
which would throw light on this subject
He accordingly perused the open letter, which
greatly confirmed his suspicious. On his ar
rival in New York he addressed Grow. Wise,
of Virginia, an anonymous letter, inclosing
the documents, stating the circumstances
his suspicion. GA their receipt. Gov. Wise
Immediately forwarded them to Gov. Harris,
who thought the matter of sufficient impor-
lance TO demand an investigation. lie accor
dinghy dispatched John Z. Burch of Chat
tanooga, to this city, who arrived some time
last week, and after various inquiries and in
vestigations arrested Palmer as previous y sta
ted. The court room during his examination
was deusely crowded, and great deal of ex-
element was manifested. After thorough
examination into all the facts of the case
Palmer was required to enter into bonds OF
$4,000 for his appearance at the District
Court. in default of which he was committed
To prison.
One of the letters referred to above is as
follows:
CmAMBERSBuEG, Oct. %. 1853.
Dear Willam--As Mr.. Martin goes down
TO IIagerstown this evening. could not help
writing you line by him. You are so
head-strong you will not listen to me. DO,
for Gods sake-dont go to Iarpers Ferry
now; you can do nothing if you go; | fear for
your life. You can keep the letter for Capt.
Brown until all is safe. You cannot give 1t
to him now: you would be suspected and
taken up. Come back and wait at Cham
bersburg until Capt. Cook gets here. | am
afraid this business will get US into trouble
yet Last night never slept wink. Do
come back for shall be crazy until you
return safe. Now, for once. do listen to
your loving wife. MARY lloRNER.
The other letter il signed Lawrence Thatch-
er. 1t is addressed from Memphis to Capt.
Brown. We make the following extracts:
81 have just completed my tour through
the Southern States and am now or my way
to Kentucky. In my last letter to you
mentioned that | should give the States Of
Tennessee and Arkansas thorough scour-
ing did so, and am satisfied that Of all
the States in the South, Tennessee and Ar
kansas are the best fitted TO make the first
strike in. These two States have but few
whites in favor OF slavery, while they con-
tain al immense number of slaves already
ripe, and ready, at the rstintimation, 10 strike
a decided blow Tor their freedom; while the
large mass of the whites are against slavery
and will be read to assist them at mo
ment's warning Several of them stated TO
me that they had gone far rs to prepare arms
for their slaves and instruct them in their use
and how 10 act when the worst comes 10 the
worst. While at Brownsville, Tenn, ad-
dressed a letter to the school teacher. MIR.
Ii, and he came 10 Brownsville to see me.
ale says there is no avocation in which y
man can do SO much good Tor our cause as
that Of school-teaching. because all the
country around have 50 much confidence in
a schoOl-teacher who conducts himself right.
lie says that the large majority of cnlored
people in his part of the State are ready to
take up arms at moments warning, and
large number of whites are ready to join
them. lie says we must send out more we'll
qualified men to the South rs school-teachers,
and work them in everywhere"
The writer then states that on arriving ut
Memphis he had an interview with Palmer,
who sympathized with Capt. Brown. lie
(Palmer) had made arrangements to take
five hundred or thousand slaves off to the
swamps of Indiana That he had friends in
Cincinnati who had promised to have one OF
the largest and swiftest steamers on the river
sent to tie up and wait for them at the mouth
of lIatche river, under the pretence of I'M
dergoing repairs"
NEW CARPET STORE.
TIME subscribers having rented the commodious
i and elegant Upper Rooms of the Perry
Building" corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and
Ninth street, Washington City, have opened there
in, an extensive stock of
CARPETS
CURTAINS,