The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-10-15
Cur Covinsson Cva.) CerrssPonaencs.
CovNoroN, Allegheny Co., Va,
Sept. 16, 1860. 4

rHd-IHe OtUetOptHeTuS IN We deFutu w heJe-
renee to H-Accessisn of a Large French Colo
ny 10 Giue additional Tone to The Mocemerat-
The Border Counties Of Virginia 10 be Fortified
N Vie,o Of Impending Emergencies P'obd-
llisy Of Conflict in the Neat Legislature Be-
hseen Eastern and Western Vaylatd-Bad
Asts Of Things in General, DC.
The emancipation movement In Western Virgil
MA to which referred in my last letter from the
White Sulphur Springs, may be set down as nxed
net. The prevailing excitement growing out OF
"a slavery question, in which the West is
.ot materially interested, while from its bor-
Ser position il is necessarily made to feel
ssep concern and apprehension in the mat
>er il furnishing even stronger motive TO get
ia of slavery than the enormous pecuniary bur.
hens to which it is subjected to defray the expense
Of It's protection in the East. The people in this
vegion, and other points in the trans Allegheny
ssuntry through which ! have travelled, openly
admit that they are tired and weary Of this con-
vsant excitement growing out of the slavery ques
tisn. "No sooner have we been relieved, they
observe, from the terrible excitement occasioned
BY the John Brown raid, than another frebrand is
thrown in our midst in the shape OF disunion cry
IA connection with Lincoln election" There is,
Il short say they, mo respite from continual ex-
element and apprehension in connection with
the slavery question:, and we must get
ID Of 1t. Our domestic peace is sacrificed
BY reason of the nominal existence OF this
Estitutisn in our midst, and we must
sjShsr abolish it, or remove to some point where
We can enjoy peace and security" Such know
70 be the sentiments OF many leading men IN west
err Virginia, and they will soon find more pract.
cal expression in the emancipation movement
which is now determined upon.
The Developments relative to this scheme,
u - H.xu. har nEnv in hfs
region by surprise-surprise because of the scheme
sening to light despite the efforts made to keep 1t
secret. The intention originally was to operate
sub during the interval between this and the
assembling of the next State Reform Convention,
when it was contemplated TO bring to bear upon
he East such pressure from the great and grow
ing West as would compel them to yield to their
schemes Of emancipation. To proclaim their pur
nose at tbs early stage would be TO forfeit some
hStle additional boons in the shape OF additional
appropriations for unfinished public works, which
they anticipated receiving from the East l. may
be that these consi ierations would now influence
\ disayowal of the purpose developed IN the
HIRALD but whether that shall be so or not, can
net and will not detract from the truth OF my state
nent for the information therein contained was
derived from one prominently identified with, If
not the prime originator OF, the movement. At all
events, feel confident that future Developments
win fully vindcate the truth Of all have said upon
his subject.
The originators of this emancipation movement
discover an additional source OF strength in the ac
session of colony of some forty or fifty thousand
Frenchmen, who are to settle along the great coal
mining regions of Kanawha, under the auspices of
q French company that have lately purchased the
James River and Kanawha Canal from the State
and stockholders. This company have recently
become proprietors of some millions Of acres OF
land in the counties of Kanawha and Boone, en-
hracing the richest coal lands in the world. This
land was lately recovered from the state under an
cid title given by the original proprietor, Mr..
Swami who, after long service in the Revolutiona.
~ war, emigrated TO France, where he mortgaged
his estates in Virginia. The present .propretors,
seeing that this rich acquisition would be compare
either to the Ohio or the Atlantic seaboard, immedi
stelv entered into negotiations for the purchase OF
tiatgreat State work, the James River and kanawha
Canal the line of which lies directly through the
heart Of the Kanawha coal mining country. Ihey
made the purchase upon terms entirely satisfactory
- the stockholders and the States agent the Board
Of Public Works; and it only now awaits the rati-
cation of the Legislature to be perfected TED; That
enc entertains the shadow Of doubt.
This little history Of the acquisition OF this large
territory and OF the purchase Of the canal, have
deemed necessary to proper understanding OF the
ssionization scheme whichis looked to so hopefully
hy the friends Of emancipation TO aid them in car
ryibg out that project. It's feasible nope; ior
BY the accession of so large an amount OF free labor
at once, the death blow s given TO slavery in that
seAton-indeed in the whole trans Allegheny re.
gisn, for the rich coal mines Of kanawha offered
he only field west even OF the Blue Ridge where
A. II 10 counteract the evil Influences 10 which
have referred operating TO produce dissatsfac-
ten in regard to slavery in Western Virginia, II IS
new contemplated understand, 70 fortiiy the vir-
mia border lying along the Ohio river and opro-
ute the State OF that name. This may do very
well 20 far as giving some security to the inhabi-
tant Of this region against raids and sorties from
tAeir abolition enemies Of Ohio. But what OF the
enormous taxation to which the West is subjected
ar the protection Of an institution in which they
have but q nominal interest-thousands OF them
none at all' And the proposed forthcauon scheme
win but aggravate the evil by increasing taxation.
From all I can ascertain, this remedy, SO called,
viii not be satisfactory. The interest at stake and
Mat which Is the source Of the evil-slavery-
sf this fertilization scheme, while It
would furnish nothing Like counter
balance for the Inconvenience and apprehensions
nseparable from the state OF things contemplated
by those who propose to extend this forthcation
boon. The remedy IL found in aboshng the
source Of the evil, and II Is THAT conviction that
leads to the emancipation movement 70 which
have referred.
In case an extra session OF the Legislature Of this
64ate SHOULD be called. Of which there Is some pro.
liability, q conflict between Eastern and Western
Virginia win probably be precipitated in ccnnec,
non with the measures TO be adopted in view OF
Ilncons election. The East, II s said, will favV
an extreme policy, while the West will be opposed
20 Il. The eagerness Of the latter TO ratify the
purchase Of the James River and kanawha Canal,
IN which they feel q great interest, may prevent
them from Offering any violent opposition 70 any
measure that may be introduced; and the proba-
bility is that both sections will compromise upon
some class Of measures somewhat reflective OF the
average sentiment of the East on the subject OF
Liaoolns election. This, however, will depend,
A 3 great measure, upon the order Of business TO
BE pursued by the Legislature. IL they should give
urecedence TO the James river and Kanawha
question and ratfy the sale, the West, having OBJ
fainsd their great desideratam, may fall back
upon their conservative policy and defeat any
event conflict will arise which may precipitate
The very issue which forms the leading subject OF
thia communication II such a state Of things shall
occur, then, indeed, viii there be an end to har.
usny in the Old Dominion.
In sny aspect We view the existing state Of things
IN virginia, nothing but confusion, conflict and
sfrife n foreboded. Mutual disrust seems 70 per.
vade the inhabitants Of the two sections, growing
eUt OF the conflict OF interests which characterizes
sha relations Of both There Is evidently deep