Historical Documents - 1840s

   THE GREAT SLAVE STAMPEDE IN MISSOURI.––The Canton, Lewis Co., Mo. Reporter, gives the following account of the recent great slave stampede there:

   A great excitement prevails in Lewis county, in regard to the recent attempt of the negroes to run away and rise in insurrection; and as many reports are in circulation in relation thereto, we deem it our duty to publish a true statement of the matter as it occurred. 

   The Slaveholders along the eastern coast of Maryland are greatly excited on account of the frequent stampedes among the negroes. Almost every night, says an exchange, slaves flee from bondage to a land of freedom, where they re-recognized as men and women, not as chattels. 

   SLAVERY IN MARYLAND. Speaking the Legislature of Maryland, a correspondent of the Tribune says, that a majority of Reformers have been elected, and a great effort will be made to enact a bill providing for the call of a Convention to remodel the Constitution of the State. The slaveholders in the Eastern and Southern counties have already taken the alarm at the prospect of an effort to provide for emancipation. A movement once made will lead to beneficial results in a few years. There are those in Maryland who will never cease until this curse is eradicated from the soil; and although the final attainment of the object is distant in appearance, there are hearts that never despair, and yet hope to live to witness its accomplishment. 

   SLAVE STAMPEDE.––The Martinsburg Gazette says that on Saturday night last six slaves made their escape from that county––two belonged to C.J. Faulkner, Esq., one to D.H. Conrad, Esq., one to John Jamison, Esq., one to J.L. Cunningham, Esq, and one to the estate of Collin Peters, deceased. Eight left Jefferson county on Friday night previous. 

   SLAVE STAMPEDE IN VIRGINIA.––Eight slaves ran away from Jefferson county, Va., on Friday night last, and six more fled from bondage in the vicinity of Martinsburg on Saturday night. 

"HAPPY AND CONTENTED."––SLAVE STAMPEDE. 

A Telegraphic despatch from Quincy, Ill, Nov. 5th, says: "Last night about fifty negroes of all ages and both sexes escaped together from the Missouri side of the river. The slaves were owned by Miss Miller, Mr. McKim and Mr. McCutcheon, of Sugar Creek, and Mr. Ellis, of Monticello, Lewis county. The slaves were overhauled on Saturday morning, and after a desperate resistance and the loss of their leader, they were captured.––The slave who was killed belonged to Miss Miller.

THE GREAT SLAVE STAMPEDE IN MISSOURI.––

The Canton, Lewis Co., Mo. Reporter, gives the following account of the recent great slave stampede there:

A great excitement prevails in Lewis county, in regard to the recent attempt of the negroes to run away and rise in insurrection; and as many reports are in circulation in relation thereto, we deem it our duty to publish a true statement of the matter as it occurred.

A little before day on Friday morning last, a negro man, belonging to James Miller, came into the house, ostensibly to make a fire. Before going out, Mr. Miller heard him step towards the gun rack, take something, and leave with caution. The circumstance exciting some suspicion in relation thereto, we deem it our duty to publish a true statement of the matter as it occurred.

    "Col. Benton, in one of his letters to the Inquirer, speaking of Lewis county, says that the "county is with him," (Benton) Such are his own words, and he italicises them, in order to make the declaration more emphatic. We need only say that the assertion is about as far from the truth as if he had declared that an angelic host had appeared in the heavens, and shouted approbation in his sacrilegious ear. The "Reporter," published in that county, avers that there are but four democrats in the county who sustain Benton, and one of them is Jimmy Ellision, the recreant legislator, who repudiated his own vote. If Benton should ever visit that region again, he will be in great danger of indictment for a libel upon the people, and also as an incendiary in producing insurrection among their negroes.

      Correspondence of the N.Y. Journal of Commerce.

                 WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 1849.

   Among the causes of irritation to the Southern men, is the growingly frequent escape of slaves, who are believed to be enticed away. Thus, last Saturday night, some half dozen disappeared from near Martinsburg, Va., and the same night about as many from Talbot county, Maryland. From Jefferson county, also, there was a stampede. Agents are at work to get them off. It is a pity they could not take 100,000 at a haul. They would soon cry enough, and beg they might be taken back. 

   Among the pre-congressional improvements, the Presidential House has not been neglected. New paint and furniture has given it quite an improved aspect. We hope no one will find fault with it.              H.H.H. 

ANOTHER SLAVE STAMPEDE.––The Easton Star states that five slaves made their escape from Talbot county, Md., a few days since. Four belonged to the estate of Edward Martin, Esq., deceased, and one to M.A. Goldsborough, Esq.

           Virginia––Governor's Message.

   We take the following extract from Governor Floyd's message recently transmitted to the legislature of Virginia. The Governor takes high Southern ground, and is very decided, though more temperate than some others, and consequently more efficient in his views. There is none of that gaseous chivalry which made the message of the Governor of South Carolina supremely ridiculous––none of that Bombastes Furioso Quattlebum nonsense which some mothers take to be true bravery, and which probably is, measured by their standard. This is an excellent feature, and one deserving of imitation. Governor Floyd says: