The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-09-02
Affairs in sampson.
STATE OF NORTH-CAROLINA,
COUNTY OF New HANOVER. o.

j
DUNCAN HOLMES being duly sworn deposes
he went to Clinton, Sampson County, y. G., BY
appointment to speak at q meeting Of Republi-
cans and Union men, which bad been called there
for that day. That he arrived at Clinton about
halfpast Il O'Clock, noon, and proceeled TO the
Court House, in front of which the meeting was
to be held That on arriving there he found
about two hundred people present, half OF whom
were whites that he took his place on the piazza
in front of said Court House and proceeded to
address the people That his speech was con-
stantly interrupted by the whites who were pres
ent by threats to drag him from the piazza II ne
did not cease his speech, and Immediately leave
the place. That the white portion of the crowd
appeared to be armed and this deponent noticed
pistols passed from one to another. That several
parties, (whites) in the crowd said to this depo-
nent that he could not speak there unless ne
smoke as he ought to-" That in consequence of
the actions and threats made by the white men
present, this deponent was in fear OF MS lie,
and expected that he would be killed. That the
colored people present were completely suD]ec-
ted and that so great was their fear OF death in
consequence of the threats made by the whites,
that none of them dared say word. That large
numbers OF colored people were prevented from
attending said meeting in consequence OF the
threats made by the whites. And this deponent
was informed and verify believes, that at the
time said meeting was in progress. colored men
were taken into the room of the Democratic
club, and were there compelled by threats to
swear upon the Bible that they would vote
for Seymour and Blair And this deponent fur
ther says that over thirty colored citi-
zens Of Sampson came to him private
ly, after the meeting was over, and asked
him for Gods sake to represent their mis-
cradle condition TO the Governor of the State,
and to say to him, that in said county Of Samp-
son there was no protection for the life or pro-
perty OF any Union man, either black or white;
that the condition oft he colored citizens of said
county was miserable beyond description; that
many had been taken from their homes and killed,
and that no man dared make any remark or In
quiry into the matter, and that their condition
as slaves was preferable to that they now suffered
that they have no rights and no protection from
the law or from any source, and they pray for help
from the State Government to protect their lives
and the little property their masters have allow
ed them to retain. And this deponent further
says that from his own experience and from what
was told him by others, who came to him in fear
and trembling, and with tears IN their eyes, be
verify believes that said county Of Sampson is In
an utterly lawless condition, and this deponent
believes that his own life was only saved by his
going twenty miles out of his usual way and
striking the railroad at a station not on the d.
rect road. @ ~ his
Sworn and subscribed to before me this 25th day
of August, 1858. j. G.. NAM,
US .hla. IN Clerk Superior Court.