The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-10-03

a Frighyal Massacre -Four Hundred
u Persons Killed. s

( :. 80 ~
a FSightfuI Massacre -Four Hundred
Persons Killed.
81 A correspondent Of the Leuant Herald, of
Constantinople writes
Letters from the Circassian coast report
popular outbreaks against the Russian au-
thorities at Souanettri, in the mountain range
to the north of Inertia and in the Southern
Abasian slopes of the Caucasus, and the Rus
sian Consul at Trebizond has, it is said, re-
ceived reports from Soukoum-kale more or
less confrmatory of these statements. The
direct news from Soukoum-kale, if corrobo-
rated, is very serious indeed. 1t would seem
that four slave merchants arrived short
time since in Abasia from Trebizond, and
shortly after their arrival serious complaints
were made to the Russian authorities of the
abduction ola number of young girls, some
of them Christians. The Russians, to their
credit be it said, have organized regular
police system for the prevention of this in
famous traffic, and measures were immedi-
ately taken to arrest the four yessirdjis and
liberate the girls whom they had entrap
ped
There are, however, class of influential
Circassians who connive at this trade, from
which they derive direct pecuniary advan-
tage-a set of crafty and turbulent intrigu-
ers, who profess Christianity to Christians
and Islamism to Mussulmans-to whom the
proceedings directed against the slave deal
ears by the Russian commander at Soukoum-
kale were not at all palatable. The leaders
of this clique are understood to be Mans Bey
and the immediate relations of Hamid Bey,
I'd oc kho late hooso nhsof Michael
plot was sent on foot to surprise and massa-
ere the garrison and the Cristian population
of Soukoum-kale, to plumber the place, and
then embark with number of slave girls in
coasting vessels for Turkey, where the whole
band would present themselves in the guise
of ordinary emigrants, and subsequently dis
pose of their human freight at the best avail
able profit
This atrocious plot was, it appears. to
some extent land, unfortunately, to fatal
extent-caffied out. Under the cover of
night party of armed Abasians repaired to
the country house of the military comman-
dant and murdered that officer and all his
family, massacreing even the little children.
Almost simultaneously q regular rising was
made throughout Soukoum-kale and its vi
cinity the houses of the Russian officers of
all ranks and of private individuals also,
were attacked with torch and poniard the
Abasians carried devastation in every direc-
ton, sparing neither women nor children,
until the garrison of the fort came to the res
cue, and after an obstinate struggle got the
better of the assassins and saved the town
from further pillage. Between two hundred
and three hundred Abasians are said to have
been killed, and about one hundred Rus
slams, including women and children, most
of the latter having been mastered before
the soldiers could save them. The result OF
this leplorable affair is that martial law has
been proclaimed throughout Abaisa and
several detachments of Russian troops have
been despatched as fast as steam can carry
them to Soukoun kale by way of Polh.