Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-06-26

much for Greeley VS.. Walton. The Tribune
cannot give full reports OF the current proceed
ings of Congress, unless it likes them-of
course not the proceedings of 1S49: SO you
will have to put this into the Watchmdn.
A DEFENSE OF GOV. sTANLY.
The Newbern correspondent of the New
York Tribune has had a talk with Mr. Stanly,
the provisional governor of North Carolina, and |
explains and excuses his conduct in regard to
the slaves and negro schools as follows =
"Immediately after his arrival in Newbern he
was called upon by Mr. Colyer, who sail he had |
come to report what he had done as superin
tendent of the poor. The governor expressed |
himself pleased at the attention, and listened |
with great interest to his statement of the des-
titution among the whites and the blacks, and |
the generous measures of relief which had been
adopted by Gen Burnside's orders. He in
formed Mr. Colyer that full power had been
given him by government to use the public
supplies for the relief of the suffering people,
and that he should be most happy to aid him
in every possible way in the prosecution of his
philanthropic labors. Mr. Colyer further stated
that he had opened free schools for the instruc-
ton of white and negro children, and thought
he would mention the fact to him, to learn what
he thought of the matter. The governor re-
Piled that he could not a. prove of this affair,
for he had been sent to conciliate the people OF
North Carolina by all proper means, and de-
velop spirit of loyalty. The movement was,
to say the least, premature, for by waiting
few months the policy of the government would
have been shaped and he could then act under
standingly. The delay would not be damaging
to the spiritual welfare of the negroes, for
meanwhile Mr. Colyer could give them religious
instruction orally, without any interference
whatever on his part. If, on the other hand,
the old order of things sholld be restored, the
blacks VINO had been taught to read and write
would always be regarded with distrust by their
masters, and probably be subjected to much
personal suffering. That by the laws of North
Carolina, growing out of what we call the cruel
necessities of slavery, it was forbidden to teach
slaves to read or write, under severe penalties.
If he a military governo". 1T to concillate the
people of the state, should commence by dis
regarding her laws by encoura ing these for
hidden schools, he would be a most unwelcome
visitor to the people.
"The whole interview was characterized by
courtesy and forbearance of speech on both
sides. He made no threats whatever of fine,
Imprisonment or Punishment. The next day,
Gov Stanly was again waited upon by MIR Col
yer, who informed him that the obnoxious
school nau Oeen closed. Inc governor odlu le
had done Just what was right.
" Gov Stanly says that Bray, whom he had
known as a citizen of Newbern from his boy
hood, came to him one day and said that one
of his female slaves had been enticed away by
our troops, and was held against her will. The
| governor replied that if he could assure him
that such was the fact he would give him per
| mission to search for the woman within oul
b, lines. If she were really held against her will
e and desired to return to servitude, he coul(
D take her back, and would be protected in 81
y doing. He was not to use force or threats
y however, TO accomplish his purpose. All wa
!. to be free and voluntary on the woman's part
s the warrant empowering Bray to search for tn
n slave was issued she was found and brough
= to Gov Stanly's door by Bray and his wife, VIII
y reported her discovery to him, and requeste
y him to ask the girl hirsef if she was willing t
l, return. He did not do so, however, as he con
e sidered the matter amicably settled. Thf
e night party of three white men-Massacht
g sets soldiers-and two negroes went to Bray
Is house, burnt his fences, and, as he (the gov
N ernor) was informed abducted the woman i
4; force According to this statement there VIZ
h no enforcement of the fugitive slave ac
b. There was no swearing of papers, no warraI
ID of arrest no posse comitatdS sent to compel Il
e. capture of the fugitive. 1t was to be voluni
e. arv return to chains and slavery, or none at al
en Gov Stanly told me that he has not and new
to expected to, enforce the fugitive slave La
Mt That when Bray applied for help to recoy,
d, the woman, whom lie alleges to have been to
ly from him by force, he refused to give it, for
it. was powerless to assist him. The experime
ne of rendition had been made and failed, althous
lal the slave was said to be willing party. /
ks seould not venture to make a second atteml
ng Gas a pure matter of military necessity, I
ess iustness of which will strike any one, Gen Bur
wo side issued general order some time ago tn
ed no person, white or black should be tax
ne North without pass. This order was in fol
nal when Gov Stanly came to Newbern. Co
ng plants were made to him that our shipmastt
al were taking fugitive slaves to northern port
he some as stewards, cooks, foremast hanC
lb- some, perhaps, as free passengers II this w
ees to be allowed, government, says Mr. Stan
pes might as well pass an act of emancipation
N once, for we should not only be giving an a
I'M lum to the contrabands, but shipping them
of to northern ports. Accordingly, he orde
on the harbor master to enforce Gen Burnsit
,e." order, and thus escaped the ugly responsible
the of enforcing the North Carolina law by spe
ugh action.
But "After Mr. Colyer closed his schools,
,ept HELPER addressed letter to Gov Stanly
eley which he SAYS that he had laid out cert
nu sphere of labor, among the non slavehold
e as whites for himself and had intended 10 dey
himself persistenty to this mission, but tina
e of the negro schools were closed, he though
liect was bad beginning for a line OF policy, an
ID, if !, wos 10 be followed nm he should need
we ,yc1e further light but prepare as soon poss
'ries to leave the state satisfied that he could rer
ubHc the state no service SO acceptable 10 him.
letter of Mr. Helpers he regarded as piec
lay, great impertinence. lie was addressed by
T ,en' writer as if he were a member of his cab
as n, council, and as if he had a right to shape
n,ot policy and control his Official action. He I
did Mr. Helper at his word, thinking that his de