The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-05-02

AN ATTEMPT TO BURN ALL TIE AFRICAN
CHURCHEs-ONE CHURCH DESTROYED AND
ANOTHER INJURED-THE GORDON HORSE
STEALING CAsE--CoNfLICT BETWEEN MILL
TARY AND CIVIL AUTHORITIES.
PETERSBURG, May /, 1866.
Alarms of fire have lately been quite
frequent, though with but little cause.
But last night two fires occurred of seri-
Gus character, indicating Enthusiastically the
presence of gang of incendiaries, who, it
is feared, will not be arrested in their vii
famous designs till large amount OF pro-
perry is destroyed.
About 2 o'clock the school-house con-
nected with the colored Methodist Church,
ON Union street, was discovered to be on
fire; and it was burned down before the
flames could be extinguished. The church
itself took fire several times, but was
rescued withou. serious damage.
While the fire was raging, another OF
the African churches was ignited, and was
burned to the ground before efficient as
sistance could be rendered-the first fire
absorbing all the attention of the fire
men. This was the largest and most costly
African church in the city, though not
vet entirely completed. 1t was built of
brick, and in process of erection before
the war. 1t was then secured against in
iury from the weather, to be finished off
at a more convenient time. 1t would
have been credit to any colored con-
gregation in the South.
1t is reported that attempts were also
made during the night to fire the other
colored churches. At any rate, there
seems to be a design on the part OF some
fendish persons to destroy them all, but it
is not known that suspicion attaches to
any particular quarter.
This diabolical spirit is much to be
deplored, for it may very naturally, and
even unavoidably, lead to discomfort and
trouble. Their religion is as dear to the
colored people as any other class, and they
deserve to be protected in its enjoyment
equally with the most favored part of the
community.
A case of conflict of jurisdiction oc-
CURED here few days ago which created
a good deal of interest and no little ex-
element. AS / have seen no reference to
it in the Dispatch, a brief history may not
be unacceptable to your readers.
A young Massachusetts man BY the name
Of Gordon, who appears to be respectfully
connected, hired horse and buggy of Bob
Clark, well known and respected colored
man in the city, for the pretended purpose
OF visiting his relatives in Prince George.
Not returning at the appointed time, and
several days having further elapsed, the
police were put on his track, who overlook
him in Surry county, where he had
been endeavoring to sell the horse.
He was thereupon arrested for horse steal
ing, and lodged in the Petersburg Jail. In
this state Of the affair, petition was for
warded to General Howard, Of the Freed
mems Bureau, praying that he should be
taken out Of the custody Of the Virginia
authorities on the grounds that he had
once been in the army, and that be could
not have fair trial here. The petition
was favorably considered by General How
ard, and forwarded to Colonel Brown, with
his approval, who obtained an endorse
ment from our so-called Governor on an
order for his transfer to the military au-
thorities. This order was presented to the
sergeant Of the city, John II. Patterson,
Esq, who refused to give up the prisoner.
So that the military can only get possession
of him by force, and that has not been at
tempted.
The penalty of horse stealing is now by
our laws made hanging matter, or pro-
lOnged imprisonment in the penitentiary.
The case comes obviously within the civil
jurisdiction Of the State, and it would be
q high-handed outrage to trample on the
laws in the manner proposed by those who
are interfering in their execution.
SN0wDEN.