Southampton County Virginia USGenWeb Archives News.....Insurrection, 1831 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ Southampton Insurrection, 21-23 Aug 1831, as covered in a Whig party weekly - "The Genius of Liberty" (Leesburg, VA) The Genius of Liberty, Volume 15, Number 35, 3 September 1831 p. 1, col. 4-5 INSURRECTION OF THE BLACKS. Letter from the editor of the Norfolk Herald to Wm. G. Lyford, of Baltimore. NORFOLK, 24th Aug. 1831. I have a horrible, a heart-rending tale to relate, and lest even its worst features might be distorted by rumour and exaggeration, I have thought it proper to give you all and the worst information that has reached us through the best sources of intelligence which the nature of the case will admit. A gentleman arrived here yesterday express from Suffolk, with intelligence from the upper part of Southampton county,* stating that a band of insurgent slaves, (some of them believed to be runaways from the neighbouring swamps,) had turned out on Sunday night last, and murdered several whole families, amounting to forty or fifty individuals.---- Some of the families were named, and among them was that of Mrs. Catharine Whitehead, sister of our worthy townsman, Dr. N. C. Whitehead- who, with her son and five daughters, fell a sacrifice to the savage ferocity of these demons in human shape. The insurrection was represented as one of a most alarming character, though it is believed to have originated only in a design to plunder, and not with a view to a more important object- as Mrs. Whitehead being a wealthy lady was supposed to have had a large sum of money in her house.---Unfortunately a large number of the effective male population was absent at camp-meeting in Gates county, some miles off, a circumstance which gave a temporary security to the brigands in the perpetration of their butcheries; and the panic which they struck at the moment prevented the assembling of a force sufficient to check their career. As soon as this intelligence was received, our authorities met, and decided on making immediate application to Col. House, commanding at Fortress Monroe, who, at six o’clock this morning, embarked on board the steam-boat Hampton, with three companies and a piece of artillery for Suffolk.--These troops were re-inforced in the roads by detachments from the U. States' ships Warren and Natchez, the whole amounting to nearly 300 men. To-day another express arrived from Suffolk, confirming the disastrous news of the preceding one, and adding still more to the number of the slain.---The insurgents are believed to have from 100 to 150 mounted men, and about the same number on foot.---They are arm-ed with fowling pieces, clubs, &c. and have had an encounter with a small number of the militia, who killed six and took eight of them prisoners.---They are said to he on their way to South Quay, probably making their way for the Dismal Swamp, in which they will be able to remain for a short time in security.---For my part I have no fears of their doing much further mischief. There is very little disaffection in the slaves generally, and they cannot muster a force sufficient to effect any object of importance.---The few who have thus rushed headlong into the arena, will be shot down like crows or captured and made examples of. ---The militia are collecting in all the neighbouring counties, and the utmost vigilance prevails. I subjoin a list of the victims of their savage vengeance. Mrs. WATERS and family, - 14 Mrs. WHITEHEAD, - - 7 Mrs. VAUGHAN, - 5 JACOB WILLIAMS, - - 5 Mr. TRAVIS, - - - - 6 WM. REESE, - - - 4 Mr. WILLIAMS, - - - 3 Mr. BAINS, - - - 2 Mrs. TURNER, - - - 3 UNKNOWN, - - - 10 58 Besides these, a private letter adds the families of Mr. Barrow and Mr. Henry Bryant-numbers not mentioned. Muskets, pistols, swords, and ammunition, have been forwarded to Suffolk to-day, by Com. Warrington, at the request of our civil authorities, and a number of our citizens have accoutred and formed themselves as a troop of cavalry, and set off to assist their fellow citizens in Southampton.-I trust the next news you hear will be that all is quiet again.-In haste, yours. * Southampton is bounded by the counties of Isle of Wight on the north, and Northampton, in North Carolina, on the south. Extract of another letter to the same gentleman, dated at Norfolk, 5 o’clock, P. M. "It is now 5 o’clock --Thomson’s stage has just arrived- the above statement is confirmed; and in addition it is said that 300 negroes, well mounted and armed, and headed by one or two white men, is the amount of the insurgent force." The Genius of Liberty, Volume 15, Number 36, 10 September 1831 p. 2, col. 4-5 From the Richmond Whig, of September 3. SOUTHAMPTON AFFAIR. "We here been astonished since our return from Southampton, (whither we went in Captain Harrison’s troop of horse,) in looking over the mass of exchange papers accumulated in our absence, to see the number of false, absurd, and idle rumours, circulated by the press, touching the insurrection in that county.-Editors seem to hare applied themselves to the task of alarming the public mind as much as possible, and of persuading the slaves to entertain a high opinion of their strength and consequence.-While truth is always the best policy, and the best remedy, the exaggerations to which we have alluded, are calculated to give the slaves false conceptions of their numbers and capacity, by exhibiting the terror and confusion of the whites, and to induce them to think that practicable, which they see is so much feared by their superiors. "We have little to say of the Southampton tragedy, beyond what is already known.-The origin of the conspiracy, its prime agents, its extent and ulterior direction, is matter of conjecture.-The universal opinion in that part of the country, is that Nat, a slave, a preacher and a pretended prophet, was the first contriver, the actual leader, and the moat remorseless of the executioners. According to the evidence of a negro boy whom they carried along to hold their horses, Nat commenced the scene of murder at the first house, (Travis’,) with his own hand.-Having called upon two others to make good their valiant boastings so often repeated, of what they would do, and these shrinking from the requisition, Nat proceeded to despatch one of the family with his own hand.-Animated by the example and exhortations of their leader, having a taste of blood, and convinced that they had now gone too far to recede, his followers dismissed their qualms and became as ferocious as their leader wished them.-To follow the bloody dogs from the capture of Travis’ house before day, to the dispersion at Parker’s cornfield early in the afternoon, where they had traversed nearly twenty miles, murdered 63 whites, and approached within three or four miles of the village of Jerusalem, the immediate object of their movement- to describe the scenes at each house, the circumstances of the murders, the hair breadth escapes of the few who were lucky enough to escape- would prove as interesting as heart rending.-Many of the details have reached us, but not in so authentic a shape as to justify their publication, nor have we the time or space.-Let a few suffice. -Of the events at Dr. Blounts we had a narrative from the gallant old gentleman himself, and his son, a lad of about 15, distinguished for his gallantry and modesty, and whom we take leave to recommend to Gen. Jackson, for a warrant in the navy or at West Point.- The Doctor had received information of the insurrection, and that his house would be attacked, a short time before the attack was made.-Crippled with the gout, and indisposed to fly, he resolved to defend his house.- His force was his son, overseer, and three other white men.-Luckily there were 6 guns, and plenty of powder and shot in the house.- These were barely loaded, his force posted, and the instructions given, when the negroes, from 15 to 30 strong, rode up about day break. -The Doctor’s orders were that each man should be particular in his aim, and should fire one at a time; he himself reserved one gun, resolved if the house was forced, to sell his life as dearly as he could. The remaining five, fired in succession upon the assailants, at the distance of fifteen or twenty steps. The blacks upon the fifth fire, retreated, leaving one killed, (we believe,) and one wounded, (a fellow called Hark,) and were pursued by the doctors negroes with shouts and execrations.-Had the shot been larger more execution would doubtless have been done. -Mrs. Vaughan's was among the last houses attacked.-A venerable negro woman, described the scene which she had witnessed with great emphasis.-It was near noon, and her mistress had been making some preparation in the porch for dinner, when happening to took towards the road, she descried a dust and wondering what it could mean.-In a second, the negroes mounted and armed, rushed into view, and making an exclamation indicative of her horror and agony, Mrs. Vaughan ran into the house.-The negroes dismounted and ran around the house, pointing their guns at the doors and windows.-Mrs. Vaughan appeared at a window, and begged for her life inviting them to take every thing she had.- The prayer was answered by one of them firing at her, which was instantly followed by another, and a fatal shot.-In the mean time, Miss Vaughan, who was upstairs, and unapprized of the advent until she heard the noise of the attack, rushed down and begging for life, was shot as she ran a few steps from the door.-A son of Mrs. Vaughan, about fifteen, was at the still house, when hearing a gun, and conjecturing, it is supposed, that his brother had come from Jerusalem, approached the house, and was shot as he got over the fence.-It is difficult for the imagination to conceive a situation so truly and horribly awful, as that in which these unfortunate ladies were placed.-Alone, unprotected, and unconscious of danger, to find themselves without a moment’s notice for escape or defence, in the power of a band of ruffians, from whom instant death was the least they could expect!-In a most lively and picturesque manner, did the old negress describe the horrors of the scene; the blacks riding up with imprecations, the looks of her mistress, white as a sheet, her prayers for her life, and the action of the scoundrels environing the house and pointing their guns at the doors and windows ready to fire as occasion offered.- When the work was done, they called for drink, and food, and becoming nice, damned the brandy as vile stuff. -The scene at Vaughan’s may suffice to give an idea of what was done at the other houses.-A bloodier and more accursed tragedy was never acted, even by the agency of the tomahawk and scalping-knife.- Interesting details will no doubt be evolved in the progress of the trials, and made known to the public. -It is with pain we speak of another feature of the Southampton rebellion; for we have been most unwilling to have our sympathies for the sufferers diminished or affected by their misconduct.-We allude to the slaughter of many blacks without trial, and under circumstances of great barbarity.-How many have thus been put to death, (generally by decapitation or shooting,) reports vary; probably, however, some five and twenty, and from that to forty; possibly a yet larger number.-To the great honour of Gen. Eppes, he used every precaution in his power, and we hope and believe with success, to put a stop to the disgraceful procedure.-We met with an individual, of intelligence, who stated that he himself had killed between 10 and 15.- He justified himself on the ground of the barbarities committed on the whites; and that he thought himself right is certain, from the fact of his having narrowly escaped losing his own life in an attempt to save a negro woman whom he thought innocent, but who was slain by the multitude in despite of his exertions. We, [the Richmond troop,] witnessed with surprize the sanguinary temper of the population, who evinced a strong disposition to indict immediate death upon every prisoner. Not having witnessed the horrors committed by the blacks, or seen the unburied and disfigured remains of their wives and children we were unprepared to understand their feelings, and could not at first admit of that attenuation which a closer observation of the atrocities of the insurgents suggested.-Now however, we individually feel compelled to offer an apology for the people of Southampton, while we deeply deplore that human nature urged them to such extremities.-Let the fact not be doubted by those whom it so concerns, that another such insurrection will be the signal for the extirpation of the whole black population in the quarter of the state where it occurs. -The numbers engaged in the insurrection are variously reported.-They probably do not exceed 40 or 60, and were flucuating from desertions and new recrults.-About 50 are in Southampton jail, some of them upon suspicion only.-We trust and believe that the intelligent magistracy of that county will have the firmness to oppose the popular passion, should it be disposed to involve the innocent with the guilty, and to take suspicions for proof. -The presence of the troops from Norfolk and Richmond alone prevented retaliation from being carried much farther. -At the date of Capt. Harrison's departure from Jerusalem, Gen. Nat had not been taken. On that morning, however, Dred, another insurgent chief, was brought prisoner to Jerusalem, having surrendered himself to his master, in the apprehension, no doubt, of starving in the swamps, or being shot by the numerous parties of local militia who were in pursuit.-Nat had not been certainly heard of since the skirmish in Parker's cornfield, which was, in fact, the termination of the insurrection, the negroes, after that, dispersing themselves, and making no farther attempts. He is represented as a shrewd fellow, and writes, and preaches; and by various artifice had acquired great influence over the rest of the wretched beings whom he has led to destruction.- It is supposed that he induced them to believe there were only 80,000 whites in the country, who being exterminated, the blacks might take possession.- Various of his tricks to acquire and preserve influence have been mentioned, but they are not worth repeating.-If there was any ulterior purpose he probably alone knows it.-For our own part, we still believe there was none; and if he be the intelligent man represented, we are incapable of conceiving the arguments by which he persuaded his own mind of the feasibility of his attempt, or how it possbly end but in certain destruction.-We therefore, incline to the belief that he acted upon no higher principle than the impulse of revenge against the whites, as the enslavers of himself and his race; that, being a [illeg.] he possibly persuaded himself that [illeg.] would interfere; and that he may have convinced himself, as he certainly did his deluded followers to some extent, that the appearance of the sun, some weeks ago, prognosticated something farourable to their cause.-We are inclined to think that the solar phenomennon exercised considerable influence in promoting the insurrection, calculated as it was to impress the imaginations of the ignorant. "A more important inquiry remains:-Whether the conspiracy was circumscribed to the neighhourbood in which it broke out, or had its ramifications through other counties.-We at first adopted the first opinion; but there are several circumstances which favor the latter. We understand that the confession of all the prisoners go to show that the insurrection broke out too soon, as it is supposed, in consequence of the last day of July being a Sunday, and not, as the negroes in Southampton believed, the Saturday before.-The report is that the rising was fixed for the fourth Sunday in August, and that, supposing Sunday the 31st July, to be the first Sunday in August, they were betrayed into the error of considering the 3d Sunday as the 4th. Thus the popular impression founded upon confusions, upon the indications of an intention of the negroes in Nansemond and other places to unite, and upon the allegation that Gen. Nat extended his preaching excursions to Petersburg and this city; allegations which we, however, disbelieve.-It is more than probable nevertheless, that the mischief was conceived and concocted under the cloak of religion. The trials which are now proceeding or depending in Southampton, Nansemond, Sussex and elsewhere, will develope all the truth. We suspect this truth will turn out to be, that the conspiracy was confined to Southampton and that the idea of its extensiveness originated in the panic which seized upon the southeast of Virginia." RICHMOND, September [illeg.] Despatches were received by the [illeg.] The Genius of Liberty, Volume 15, Number 37, 17 September 1831 p. 2, col. 4 The Insurrection. RICHMOND, Sept. 6. There are still reports in circulation.- There is one, which comes to us so directly, that we are afraid there is some truth in it.---We noticed some days since, that a negro was taken up in Charles City, who was said to be the bearer of "despatches" to the slaves in that neighbourhood; which despatches, he said, had passed through the hands of a shrewd Baptist preacher in the county of Prince George. The report now is, that on Thursday last an armed body of white men went to the eslatn to which this preacher belongs, to take into custody any slaves that might probably be connected with the recent insurrection- that on interrogating the overseer, he designated five of the slaves, whose fidelity he may have suspected- whereupon three of them were taken into custody- and the other two, running off were shot, and it was feared killed.----The three apprehended slaves were thrown into the jail of the county. From the way in which this report has reached us, we fear there is too much truth in the statement- though still we hope, coloured and exaggerated. We have not yet ascertained whether the preacher is one of the suspected, one of the wounded, or one of the three committed to prison. There are other rumours, of much less pretension to credibility- such as the reports of slaves being taken up in Nansemond, with something like uniform in their possession, of a deposite of fire-arms, knives, &c. being found by tbe militia of the county.---The same letter, however, which speaks of this reported discovery, states that all alarm had subsided. No doubt suspicion is still awake in two or three of the lower counties- such a state of things might have been expected, and the consequence would be, that here and there a slave would be taken up, for examination. But, though we do not believe there is much, if any cause for excitement, yet the citizens of these counties ought still to keep up a strict police, and to follow up every clue, which seems to present itself.---We understand that arrangements are still going on, by way of precaution; that arms have just been sent to equip a company in Surry, &c. From the Fredericksburg Arena. It is gratifying to state that the language held by our editorial brethren of tbe north, in relation to the late disastrous occurrences, is entirely unobjectionable.---We have seen no taunts, no cant, no complacent dwelling upon the superior advantages of the non-slave- holding states; on the contrary there has been a burst of generous sympathy, an unequivocal expression of horror at the scenes enacted by the deluded wretches.-We have no doubt, that should it ever be necessary, the citizens of the northern states would promptly fly to the assistance of their southern brethren- we speak of the vast majority- fanatics there are, doubtless, who so far from thus acting would not very much scruple to foment disaffection, and excite servile insurrection. p. 3, col. 2 Of the Southampton insurrection there has not much transpired in addition to what has been already published.-In a preceding column certain reports and rumours are mentioned, which may or may not be true.-All accounts concur in stating that Gen. Nat has thus far eluded the vigilance of his pursuers. There is, however, an article in the Baltimore Chronicle relative to the commitment of a negro to the jail of Baltimore county, as a runaway, whose description is supposed to correspond with that of the Southampton insurgent.- He arrived from the South, end had stolen a horse in Washington City. The latest intelligence from Southampton is contained in the following article, which we copy from the Richmond Enquirer of Tuesday last:- FROM SOUTHAMPTON. We understand that despatches were received by the governor on Friday last, stating that nine additional convictions bad been made by the court of Southampton- four of the convicted had been recommended for reprieve, three of them being boys of 14 or 15 years of age, and it appeared from the evidence, that they bad been forced to join the banditti.-The other five are to be hung to-day. No accounts have been received by the governor since Friday night. From the Norfolk Beacon. A friend has politely furnished us with the following extract of a letter, received yesterday from Suffolk, dated 9th inst. "I have just returned from Jerusalem.-Seventeen of the insurgents had been tried up to Monday evening, and sixteen out of the number condemned to be hanged.-Two were hung at 12 o’clock on Monday.-Friday, [this day,] it appointed as the time for the execution of several others.-The only one going at large is the ringleader, Nat.-All are at a loss to know where he has escaped to." Gen. Jackson, it is said, has, in conformity with the advice of Mr. Pleasants, of the Richmond Whig,* ordered a warrant in the navy to be made out for the son of Dr. Blunt who so gallantly aided his father in resisting the Southampton insurgents.-We wish the President would follow the advice of the Whig in some other particulars. * We hope we shall not incur the censure of our friends for stating this fact, especially of any in Leesburg whose zeal may induce them to correct the statement in foreign journals. The nullifiers have succeeded is electing their whole ticket at the recent city election in Charleston.-This is a sore defeat to the union party.- (Phenix Gaz. The mayor of Washington, by proclamation, has ordered the rigid enforcement of an act of the corporation of that city, relative to free negroes, mulattoes, and slaves.-The provisions of this act are designed for the strict observance of order and regularity among that part of our population.-[Alex. Gazette. The Genius of Liberty, Volume 15, Number 38, 24 September 1831 p. 1, col. 4 The Insurrection. RICHMOND, September 14. We understand that a paper, signed by six or eight of the citizens of Southarnpton, and requesting the presence of some of the United States’ troops in that county, until tranquility could be restored, has been addressed to the secretary of war.---The secretary informed the governor of the application; and referred the matter to his consideration. It is said that the governor, believing, as we think truly, that the presence of the troops might be dispensed with, and that arms could be furnished, and men provided, from the resources of the state, returned thanks to the secretary for his information, and declined calling for the United States’ troops. We understand that the governor has received no further intelligence from the lower couniry. A letter has been received from the county of Prince William, asking for arms.---A black preacher has been roaming about the country- and some suspicion having been aroused in that county, he effected his escape, it is supposed, into the District of Columbia. A letter has also been received on Monday from the county of Orange. It states that a lady of unimpeachable character and high standing, had overheard some conversation between two of her negro women, in the course of which a declaration was made calculated to excite some suspicion.----A committee was, in consequence, appointed, to apply to the governor for arms.-They will of course be despatched. The governor has showed an energy and alertness in sending arms, &c. in every case where the occasion seemed to call for them, which command the fullest confidence of the people.-[Compiler. NORFOLK, September 13. Military. -Company I, 1st regiment of United States' artillery, from Fortress Monroe, under the command of Captain Whiting and Lts. Naurman and Palmer, arrived here on Saturday about 2, P. M. in the steamboat Hampton, and embarked in one of the canal boats, which sailed immediately for Newbern, (N. C.) via the Dismal Swamp Canal.---This movement, we understand, is in compliance with a request from the authorities at Newbern, which has been promptly acceded to by Col. House, commanding at Fortress Monroe. The Genius of Liberty, Volume 15, Number 40, 8 October 1831 p. 2, col. 3-4 RICHMOND, Sept. 30. From Southampton. -We understand by letters from Jerusalem, that a negro girl of about 16 or 17 years of age, has been produced as a witness before the court of Southampton, who states, that she has heard the subject of an insurrection mentioned among her master’s [Solomon Parker’s] slaves, and some of the neighbouring ones, for the last eighteen months; and that, at a meeting held at Raccoon Meeting-house, in May or August last, some eight or ten of them expressed their determination to unite in the scheme. Her testimony was, at first, disregarded, and all who were arraigned upon it, were acquitted- whilst in Sussex, five or six were convicted upon the same testimony.- At a subsequent trial however, in Southampton, three convictions had taken place upon the evidence of the negro girl. These, in addition to the 23 previously condemned, amounted to 26. Thirteen had been executed on the 21st instant; eight had been recommended to a commutation of punishment; and two, a woman and a man, remained to be executed on Monday last. It was believed that Nat Turner had been for some time meditating this plan of mis- chief; that, with a view of acquiring an ascendancy over the minds of his more ignorant comrades, he had affected a character for supernatural influence; that more than four years ago he baptized himself; but his movements had not been accurately ascertained. NORFOLK, Sept. 30. Reported capture of Nat, the insurgent.- We last evening conversed with a young gentleman from Smithfield, who gave us the following particulars: "A respectable farmer from the neighbourhood of Jerusalem, came to Smithfield on Tuesday, and reported that Nat, the instigator and leader of the late insurrection in Southampton, was apprehended on Friday last by a party of mounted men, who came upon him on the edge of a reed swamp, on Nottoway river, about two miles below Jerusalem. On seeing the horsemen approaching, he ran into the reeds, which, being too close to admit the entrance of horses, some of the men dismounted, and pursued him for nearly a mile, when, in attempting to leap over a bog, his footing fell short of the opposite bank, and he sunk up to the middle of what may be literally be termed perhaps the 'Slough of Despond;' for before he had time to extricate himself his pursuers were at his back, and he was taken and borne triumphantly off to Jerusalem prison. He was well armed, having a musket, two pistols, a sword and a dirk; but did not fire a shot or make the least resistance. The person from whom report is received stated that be saw Nat when he was brought into Jerusalem.-[illeg.] GEN. NAT.-ANOTHER REPORT. From the Fincastle Patriot. A negro man, now very generally supposed to be no other than the notorious "Nat Turner," lately passed [illeg.] this place and by the Sweet Spring [illeg.] He was stopped on the high road, [illeg.] Prices, in this county, on Saturday [illeg.] by two young men who were work [illeg.] on the road. These young men believing him to be only a runaway, stopped and were in the act of searching him when he unfortunately made his escape. They had already deprived him of a large knife, which he carried in his bosom, and desired him to take off a knapsack which he had on his back in order that they might proceed to more rigorous search, when the fellow throwing off both it and his coat, took to his heels, and has since eluded all pursuers. Both the young men, having guns, discharged them after him, but without effect. Their object being not to kill but to wound him in the legs, they missed him altogether. On searching the knapsack, some ammunition was found, which induces the belief that he was armed. It also contained a Hymn & Prayer Book, in which is written the name "Zephenira Turner, Richmond." p. 3, col. 1 Gen. Nat, it appears, has not yet been apprehended- reports to the contrary notwithstanding. The Genius of Liberty, Volume 15, Number 45, 12 November 1831 p. 4, col. 2 General Nat. General Nat. The Norfolk papers state that Nat Turner, the leader of the late slave insurrection in Virginia, has positively been taken.---A letter published in the Herald says- "Monroe, (Southampton,) Oct. 31. -A party of our men caught Captain Nat yesterday.-You may have it published if you think proper.-It is positively so, for I have seen him this morning." The Beacon states that he was taken in the following manner:- A Mr. Francis, of Southampton county, came upon Nat suddenly, started him from a fodder stack last Thursday morning, in the vicinity of his late butcheries, and fired at him with a horseman’s pistol, but he made his escape into the woods. Notice being given of this occurrence, a party immediately went in pursuit, and on Sunday a Mr. Phipps surprized him in a thicket in the neighbourhood where be had been seen on Thursday.- Mr. P. levelled his gun at him and demanded his surrender; Nat finding death inevitable, if he resisted or fled, surrendered, and was conducted to the jail of Jerusalem. The Genius of Liberty, Volume 15, Number 46, 19 November 1831 p. 2, col. 2-3 From the Richmond Enquirer. Some of the evils of slave labour, and decline of lands in many of the early settled parts of Virginia. Messrs. Editors:-It has been my desire, for a length of time, that some person would call the attention of the people of Virginia to the consideration of the decline of that part of the state where the cultivation of the earth has been chiefly performed by slaves. It will appear from observation, that the people, in settling the state, have made choice of the best lands for their slaves to cultivate, one effect of which has been to destroy large forests of delightful wood land containing timber of incalculable value. This has been done by belting, burning; and other expeditious means of destroying timber and fuel. The best lands in Virginia, except creek and river low-grounds, (so far as my observation extends,) are generally rolling; and what has been the effect on them of slave cultivation, and the want of proper management and due attention by the owners? Behold a country, once fertile---now washed in numberless places into gulleys large enough to bury a ship!---without soil except in the bottoms, and without timber to enclose them: the homes of our fathers are forsaken by their children; and when life lasts longer than the land and the timber, want at length overcomes love of country; and all, both young and old, are found forsaking the land of their birth, and seeking a home in the unworn regions of the west. In the short period of thirty years, which is within my remembrance, many of the above changes have taken place of my own knowledge, in certain neighbourhoods of land, originally fertile, soft, and easy to cultivate. I therefore think it requires no prophet to tell that if the present and former state of husbandry is not altered, a large portion of the once valuable lands of Virginia must become a deserted wilderness: for, instead of making our lands belter from the time of their being cleared, they are daily growing poorer from constant and bad tillage, close grazing, and the washing of heavy rains! How unlike some of our sister states, having no slaves, where many generations of the tame family prosper on the same spot of land? From these considerations, (even if we lay aside the matter of insurrections, &c.) I should like to suggest a few inquiries for public deliberation:---1st. Is not slavery the principal cause of the decline of the lands in certain parts of Virginia? 2d. Does it not induce a great many of the white people to dislike labour? And does it not, likewise, have a great influence over the morals of many of the white people of Virginia, by encouraging idleness, gluttony, and drunkenness, the companions of every vice and dissipation, and the forerunners of poverty, misery, and disease, as dyspepsia, melancholy) gout---in short, all the worst forms which are named in the doctor's vocabulary, and which bring human life to a premature end? 3d. Is not slavery the principal cause, (directly and indirectly,) of emigration from Virginia, and of our not having a more dense white population? 4th. Is it not high time for the people of Virginia to urge their representatives, in the state legislature, to adopt some plan gradually to lessen the slave population, either with or without a final view to abolition? 5th. Would it not be expedient to tax slaves so heavily as to lessen their value to a considerable degree; to apply said tax---First, to the removal and colonization of all such as may be given up by their owners.---Secondly, to the removal of all free negroes disposed to go.---And, thirdly, (if a fund can be raised large enough,) to the purchase and colonization of slaves; taking care, in the mean time, to provide for the whole expenses of the government of the state, by a tax on other property? 6th. Would not such a tax on slaves, by reducing their price, increase the southern trade to an extent greatly beneficial to Virginia? Suppose the state to raise $ 1,000,000 annually, and the price of negroes to average $200, including the expense of colonizing. This would clear us of five thousand a year; and if the southern trade is not stopped, it would, likely, clear us of a much greater number than we could colonize. A. B. C. October 24th, 1831. p. 2, col. 4 Nat Turner, the leader of the Southampton insurrection, was tried and convicted, on the 5th inst.-He was sentenced to be hung on the Friday following, which sentence, it is presumed, has been carried into execution.- Two other slaves were convicted upon Nat's testimony, and ordered for execution with himself. Mr. Gray, of Southampton, is about publishing Nat’s Confession.-It will probably make sixteen octavo pages.- He intends having 50,000 copies printed. The Genius of Liberty, Volume 15, Number 47, 26 November 1831 p. 2, col. 4-5 From the Richmond Whig. The great questions forced upon public attention by the late events in Southampton, are exciting much solicitude and investigation, in different parts of the state.---There seems to be a general expectation, a general wish, that the approaching legislature shall take the subject into serious and solemn consideration. Upon the event of its deliberations, hundreds of the most valuable of the citizens of Virginia are awaiting, to determine if they shall continue her citizens, or abandon her soil. That which was esteemed too delicate to mention, before the occurrences in Southampton, is now freely and unreservedly canvassed. It is desirable that the members of the general assembly, should turn their reflections upon the subject while yet at home, and ascertain as explicitly as possible, what their constituents approve, that when the time for action arrives, they may not as is too often the case, do nothing, for fear of doing wrong.---Every man feels the force of Mr. Jefferson’s metaphor, that we have the wolf by the ears, and its increasing truth. There is a general acknowledgment that something ought to be, and must be done.-It is not the non-slave-holder, or the visionary philanthropist, or the frantic, who now says this, but the mass of slave- holders themselves.- It is their question, nobody else has any, or but little concern with it; and we are glad that it has both originated with them, and receives their intent consideration. If nothing else can be done, something may at least be effected in the improvement of the police, by which the powers now exercised by the patrol, may be rendered a means of safety to the community, instead of being the instrument of tyranny and exasperation. From the Lynchburg Virginian. More Rumours! -We were really in hopes that the capture of Nat Turner would put an end to the rumours of insurrections which have so long filled the public ear, and which, in almost every instance, have turned out to have no better foundation than the cowardice of their propagators.---But not all have been mistaken.---The Orange C. H. Press, of the 11th inst. informs us that three negroes have been apprehended in Madison county, and are in jail, upon the charge of conspiring an insurrection; and adds, as a rumour, that "a quantity of ball, some powder and a few fire-arms, had been discovered by the patrol, which caused the apprehension. When being examined before committed, the negroes stated that a general rising was intended in Culpeper, Madison, and at Gordonsville, (in Orange)- and that the parties were finally to centre at Orange court house. They also confess that they were only waiting for a further supply of ammunition, which they had sent for by a negro wagoner to Fredericksburg, to commence their operations. Like the thousand and one rumors which have gone before, we doubt not that this is exceedingly exagerated and shall not be at all surprized, indeed, if it turn out to be entirely fabulous. NORFOLK, (Va.) Nov. [illeg.] NAT TURNER.-This wretched culprit expiated his crimes, (crimes [illeg.] bare mention of which the blood runs cold,) on Friday last.---He betrayed no emotion, but appeared to be [illeg.] reckless of the awful fate that awaited him, and even hurried the executioner in the performance of his duty!---Pre- cisely at 12 o’clock he was launched into eternity.---There were but few people to see him hanged.---[Apr[illeg.] the Albany biographer of negro [illeg.] throats will please to remember, [illeg.] Nat was not torn limbless by [illeg.] but simply "hanged by the neck [illeg.] he was dead."---He may say, however, that General Nat sold his body for dissection, and spent the money in gi[illeg.] cakes.] A gentleman of Jerusalem has taken down his confession, which he intends to publish, with an accurate likeness of the brigand, taken by Mr. John [illeg.]ley, portrait painter of this town, to be lithographed by Endicott & [illeg.] Baltimore. Library of Virginia (LVA), Richmond, VA Virginia Memory [digital collections], Virginia Chronicle [newpaper collections], "The Genius of Liberty" (Leesburg, VA) Available online: 11 January 1817 - 5 October 1839 (1178 issues) Additional information: The insurrection was also covered in "The Richmond Whig," a Whig-party daily, also part of the LVA Virginia Chronicle project. Coverage at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/news/18310825rw.txt Court proceedings on the Southampton Insurrection, Aug-Nov 1831, are posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/court/ol_nat.txt "AWFUL WORK OF TURNER," reminiscences on the Southampton Insurrection, by Alexandria (VA) police chief Col. James Webster, published in "The Times-Dispatch" (Richmond, VA), Aug. 28, 1904, p. 12, col. 1-2, is posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/news/19040828td.txt A version of the article, entitled "The Nat Turner Insurrection," also appeared in "Alexandria (VA) Gazette," Aug. 29, 1904, p. 1, col. 1-2 See also an article that appeared in several papers in 1892 - "A RAZOR STRAP FROM THE SKIN OF NAT TURNER" - posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/news/09151892ag.txt Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by File Manager Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com) [brackets & line breaks mine]. file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/news/18310903gl.txt