Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-10-27

The NEW YoBxERs TN SoUrH CARoLISA-
Thei, Flute NOT Yet Decided 1.-The statement Of the
Charleston Courier that the two Hitchings who
were arrested at Clio, =, c., some DAYS since, on
suspicion of being abolftionisfs, had been hung
proves to be incorrect. A letter TO the Mercury,
dated at Cheraw on the 18th, says that they are
safely lodged in the Bennettsville Jail, and that
the most conclusive proof of their guilt will be
needed to secure their conviction. The writer
adds:
The Committee of Vigilance, consisting of IS
members, in whose hands the prisoners now are,
have gone to work coolly and Systematically; they
first took measures to obtain possession Of the
signments Of arms, the invoices Of which were
und among the papers Of the accused BY the
Saturdays train the last box shi pped reached
this place; il was taken to the bank and opened
and found to contain 500 % worth. The pre-
vious shipments have not yet been discovered;
they Were consigned to this place, but have not
been received here; whether they were taken from
Florence, CT some other point, has not been as
certained, The box was found b. contain eight
double barreled guns carbines, twelve shooters,
Colts revolvers, ball cartridges, powder TASKS,
and other ammunition requisites When you add
TO these suspicious circumstances the fact that the
elder Hitchings Is known to have been in cores
Pondence with VIM ii. Seward, Of New York !:
that his house at Clio was notoriously frequented
by negroes at night; and that he bears upon his
back the marks OF tisgellaton for trading with
the slaves, you may understand the strength of
the case that will be made out against him
Hitchings, ST., is aged about fifty, spare built
and Of fair complexion. He has two brothers
living in Lockport, New York 1.-THE former home
Of John Brown,) and another in the city Of New
York. He says he has lived in the Southwest,
eli and on, for the last fifteen years, including
Louisiana, Florida, Georgia and North and South
Carolina. He proposes TO show that he has a son
In Mexico who desired him to purchase the arms
for bis defence in crossing the Plains His trial
will take place tomorrow, the Committee of
eighteen gentlemen acting az Judge md Jury.
They are-fully determined to do impartial JUS
tice, and to weigh carefully every circumstance
for and against the prisoners before they decide
their fate. Different opinions are entertained as
TO what will be the result. One thing 10 very
certainEthat tue Committee who conduct the
'rial Will not In any way be Influenced by the
excitement and evaporation that now prevails
throug bout this region against the Hitchings IL
guilty the elder OF the two will certainly swing;
II innocent, both will be speedily freed.
CHERAw, 8. C., Oct 22-The trial of the two
Hitchings, father and son. came of on Friday
the 18th inst, but not at Clio, before the Clio
vigilance Committee; they were tried at Bennetts
vile, and before committee Of seventy person.
selected from the several beat companies In the
district They were acquitted, by a vote Of II
for hanging, and SO against 1t.
In addition TO the facts of their having &C
arrival Of part Of them at this place; and the fur
ther fact that the eldeS Hitchings had been cor
responding with VIM. II. Seward and Horace
Greedy, two gentlemen from Pekin appeared al
witnesses, one Of whom, DIR. Hadley, offered tC
testify that he had heard the elder Hitchings de-
clare his intention to array the North against the
Soutn, as Tar as was In his power, upon the ques
ton Of slavery.
The Committee, however, in view of the fac,
that the evidence against the accused was solel,
circumsantial decided that the death penalty In
THIS case should not be inflicted. They deter
mined, nevertheless, that the two Hitching,
should leave the State, and appointed sub-com
mirtee Of six, who forthwith performed the dut,
OF conducting them to the North Carolina line
Notwithstanding Dr. Hadley's application to on,
or more mag istfates for warrant for their al rest
which was not granted
Where they will go next and what further at
tempts they may make in the bloody work o.
assisting the MINORS OF Lincoln to crush ths
South into obedience to his bellish programme
nme alone can disclose. II 10 to be hoped, how
ever mat The citizens Of North Carolina will take
proper care Of them IL they should ever dare n
come this side Of the river to recover their arms
toeir hardihood Will be repaid by a speedy appli
cation OF the halter. Their arms are still held a,
trophies Of black republican discontinue The,
VIII OF course, be confscated, and applied to ths