Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-12-03
]. W. Hunnicutt Indicted for Incendiary
ToaohinRa


Teachings.
On Wednesday afternoon Sheriff John
w. Wright, OF Richmond, arrested James
W. Hunnicutt the well known Radical
sgitator Of this city, on bench warrant
issued by James NJ, Wilcox, presiding
justice of Charles City county 1t seems
that the warrant was issued upon the
presentment of the grand jury of that
county.
The grand jury present "that James
w. Hunnicutt, on tho twenty'seventh
day of September, in the year OF our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and
sixty-seven, at Elan Church, in the
said county of Charles City, unlaw
fully contriving and intending TO con
spire with other persons to incite the
colored population of the State of Vir-
ginia to make instruction by violence
and war against the white population of
the State of Virginia, did then and there
wickedly, maliciously, fradulently, know
ingly and feloniously conspire, combine,
confederate, and agree with divers other
persons, to the jurors unknown, to incite
the colored population of the State Of
Virginia to make insurrectien by acts of
violence and war against the white popu-
lation of the State OF Virginia, and did
then and there address large audience
composed Of white and colored persons,
malO and female, for about the space Of
two hours, IN discussing the political is
sues Of the day, and delivered in the said
address sinsurrectionar sentiments to the
following effect You, the colored peo-
pie, have no property. The white race
have houses and lands Some of you are
old and feeble, and cannot carry the mus.
ket, but can apply the torch to the
dwellings of your enemies. There are
none too young-the boy of ten and the
girl of twelve can also apply the torch,
Aud divers other sentences expressing
sentiments calculated and intended to
incite the colored population to make in
surrection by violence and war upon the
white population, and thus disturb the
public peace, contrary to the form OF the
statute in such case made and provided,
to the evil example of all others in like
cases offending, and against the peace
and dignity OF the Commonwealth of Vir-
ginia. And that James w. Hunnieutt,
on the said 9th day of September, in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and sixty.seven, at Elan
church, in the said county of Charles
City, not regarding the laws and statutes
Of the State of Virginia, but contriving
end intending to violate the same, did
u.1lawfully and feloniously conspire,
combine, confederate, and agree with
divers other persons, to the jurors un'
known, to incite the colored population
of the State of Virginia to make insur-
rection by acts of violence and war
against the white population of the State
of Virginia, contrary to the statute in
such case made and provided, to the
evil example of all others in the like
cases offending, and against the peace
and dignity of the Commonwealth of
Virginia"
The Sheriff was therefore commanded
to apprehend Mr.. Hunnicutt and carry
him before some Justice of the Peace to
answer the complaint and be dealt with
according to law. Cannellum c. Folkes,
Edmund Waddel, and Isaac II. Chris
tian, are summoned as witnesses.
In obedience to the requirements of
the writ, Sheriff Wright was about to
carry the prisoner to Charles City, when
he was called upon by Lieutenant Paul
r. Hambrick, Military Commissioner,
who ordered that he be released on bail
George Rye, of Woodstock, and John
Hawxhurst, of Alexandria, gave security
for his appearance ten days after the
adjournment of TIE Constitutional Con-
vention, and Hunnicutt went on his
way rejoicing that the day of his punish
mcnt is still longer deferred.
Below will be found the return made
by the sheriff to the authorities in Charles
City:
"By virtue of the within warrant |
ar rested James w. Hunnicutt on the 9th
da,r of November, 1867, and on the 18th
day of the same month he was discharged
from custody by order of Lieut. Paul R.
HamI1rick, he, the said Hannicutt, having
entere d into recognizance before said
Hambr.ck for his appearance in the
penalty of $4,000, with George Rye and
John Hawxhurst securities thereto, for
which the bail bond is herewith returned.
| was requested to state in my return, by
Lieut.. Ham brick, that Gen. Schofeld
disliked to in terlere in this matter, but
directed him to bail J. W. Hunnicutt, so
as to enable said Hunnicutt to attend the
Convention which will convene on the Sd
nroximo. JOHN w. WRIGHT,
Sheriff, City of Richmond.