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From the Pittsburgh Dispatch.
SLAVERY VS. THE POST OFFICE.
The Slaveholders of Worcester county, Md., at a recent meeting, recommended, among other expedients to check the stampede of slaves to Free States, that authority be given to postmasters to open all letters directed to free negroes or slaves, and whenever any thing suspicious is found in them, to place them in the hands of the proper authorities.
Another Slave Stampede.––On Saturday week, six slaves, valued at $7,500, ran away from the vicinity of Parkersburg, and at last accounts had not been captured. The News says they were probably enabled to escape by "free negroes, who are fast getting to be an intolerable nuisance."
A STAMPEDE.––Seven slaves, valued at $7,500, escaped from Wood county, Va., last week.
Stampede of Slaves and a Battle
STAMPEDE OF SLAVES AND A BATTLE.--Ten slaves, three women, two children, and five men, ran away from Pruyntown, Va., a few nights ago, taking with them seven other chattles in the shape of horses. They left the horses after the night's ride, and steered for the North Star on foot. They were followed and overtaken in Fayette county, Pa., where a desperate fight for freedom on the part of the negroes, and slavery on the part of the whites, took place. The slave catchers were badly beaten, and the fugitives from slavery made their escape. Col. Armstrong, one of the owners, in attempting to capture one of the slaves, was resisted with a corn cleaver, and would have been killed but for the interference of one of his own servants, who stepped in to protect his master. Another of the pursuing party was fiercely resisted, and badly injured in the melee.
STAMPEDE––Ten negroes, three women, two children and five men, ran away from Morgantown, Va., on the night of the 31st, taking with them seven horses. Their owners pursued them and overtook them in Fayette county Pa., but were driven back, one of the pursuers being badly injured.
PERSONAL.––Dr. C.E. Miner, of this city, who has been East for several weeks, returned last Saturday evening. The Doctor has been as far east as Massachusetts––visiting, en route, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Trenton, New York, Albany, &c. He went mainly on business connected with the University of this city, and was, happily, entirely successful in his mission. The Doctor reports money to be plenty in the cities, but about as scarce in the country, generally, as in Kansas. He thinks there will be a very heavy emigration in the spring.
The Doctor observes to us that there is a perfect stampede of slaves from Western Missouri, their masters selling them off South, or removing with them to that section. The ingress of free laborers from the North is driving out the aristocrats, with their human chattels. Let the good work go on.
ANOTHER VIRGINIA STAMPEDE.––A few days since, six slaves ran away from the vicinity of Parkersburg, Virginia. Their anxious masters who value their lost chattels at $7,500, though making diligent search, have heard nothing of them. They charge their loss upon the interference of free negroes, who are represented as an intolerable nuisance. The slaves, on the other hand, seem to think Virginia white men an intolerable nuisance, and have therefore put the greatest possible distance between themselves and this nuisance. They are wise, if they are black.
NEGRO STAMPEDE.––On Saturday night last, five negroes ran away from Fairmont, and made for Pennsylvania. One belonged to Jas. O. Watson, Esq. one to Mr. Burns or Barnes, and we have not learned to whom the other three belonged. The owners were in town on Sunday, in hot pursuit. The negroes took a fine horse of Mr. Watson's. ––Star.
Our "Mountain county" exchanges bring us frequent reports of stampedes among the negro population, and sometimes affect desperate wrath; we recollect when such occurrences were frequent hereabouts, and whenever they happened, there would be considerable fuming, fretting, and some swearing among the victims of misplaced confidence in negro flesh; but gradually it would wear off, and they become reconciled to their losses. So it will have to be in the border counties. Although the Panhandle is almost stripped of its slave property, we cannot say that the general wealth is any less than it ever was, or that the people live less contentedly, or get rich any slower than they did when every family, almost sported its darkey or darkies. The fact is, we have become reconciled to our privation, and are rather disposed to congratulate ourselves, as upon a happy riddance.
NEGRO STAMPEDES.--What is called the Panhandle of Virginia, consisting of Hancock, Brooke, Ohio and Marshall Counties, twenty years ago, had one thousand slaves. There are now in Hancock County none, 18 in Brooke, about 100 in Ohio County, nominally, and 20 in Marshall, being less than 140 in the four counties. The balance have run away or been set free, and those that remain, being mostly burthens on their masters. The Wellsburgh, Va., Herald, in noticing these stampedes, and the prevailing disposition among the slaves to leave their masters, without permission, says:--
FOR THE JEFFERSONIAN.
Eastern Virginia.
Centreville, Fairfax County, Va.,
January 24th, 1859.
MR. EDITOR:––It is some fifteen years since I pulled up stakes in the Empire State, and passed through your pretty village, on my way to Virginia. And on this occasion, having parted with many kind friends and connections, many of whom, I suppose, still live in Stroudsburg and vicinity, and who no doubt would be pleased to hear of this Country, I will give them a birds eye view; and perhaps at some future period, may still further enlighten them.
NEGRO STEALING ON THE BORDER.--The Abolitionists of Kansas have got their Underground Railroad completed, equipped, and in running order, and they are now tasking it to the work of transporting negroes from the Hemp and Tobacco fields of Missouri to regions where they wallow in the luxuries of an unintelligible and unappreciated liberty. Under its brisk operation, the rich slave holding counties of Platte, Jackson and Lafayette are likely soon to be considerably thinned of negroes, some of whom will be stolen by the Underground conductors, while others will be sent to Texas and other Southern States to avoid that contingency.
Missouri and Slavery.
[From the St. Louis Cent. Christian Advocate, Feb. 2d.]
One of the most striking and significant facts connected with Missouri is the change that is constantly going on as it regards the relative portion of the white and colored population in reference to numbers and social position. Scarcely a week passes without witnessing the emigration of hundreds of slaves to the South. Various and numerous are the causes for this unprecedented movement. We can only enumerate a few of the principal elements involved.
Lawrence K.T. Feb 14 59
My dear friend,
Yours of Jan 27th & that of Feb 2 enclosing $10 are recd. & with much thankfulness-
From the Weston (Missouri), Argus, Jan. 26th.
THIRTEEN NEGROES CAPTURED IN KANSAS.
Men, Women and Children, belonging to citizens in Platte, Clay, St. Clair and Jackson Counties, Mo., in the charge of two Underground Railroad Agents, from Lawrence to Iowa!––Dr. Doy and Son!
The most gallant achievement and effective vindication of our rights ever since the war upon slave property has been inaugurated, it is our pleasing duty to chronicle, which we do through an Extra, in order that the country may have all the facts just as they are, before the howling misrepresentations of the abolitionists may poison the Northern atmosphere.
The St. Louis News speaking of the escape of slaves from Missouri into Kansas, says: We know from information received from private sources, that the slaveholders on the border are beginning to suffer severely from the constantly occurring stampede of slaves. They are enticed in gangs of dozens and scores, by sympathizers, into Kansas, kept concealed in that territory for a time, and then sent toward Canada, through Iowa. The News intimates that this is done by the free State men of Kansas, to wipe out old scores.
DECREASE OF SLAVES IN MISSOURI.––A late number of the St. Louis Christian Advocate, in referring to the change that is constantly going on in Missouri as regards the relative proportion between the white and colored population, says that scarcely a week passes away without witnessing the emigration of hundreds of slaves to the South.
One of the causes set down for this emigration, or driving, rather, of slaves to the South, is a general conviction that white labor is more profitable in Missouri than slave labor.
Another cause mentioned by the Advocate, for the decrease of slaves, is the insecurity of that species of property. The stampedes of slaves are of frequently occurrence. The St. Louis papers are filled with advertisements of runaway slaves, with accompanying rewards for their recovery.
STAMPEDE OF SLAVES.––It is said that some 23 slaves passed through Waynesburg, a few days since, en route for Canada, and were hotly pursued, but contrived to make good their escape. A number more were piloted over the underground railroad some days before, in the same county.–– Wash. Tribune.
Our "Mountain county" exchanges bring us frequent reports of stampedes among the negro population, and sometimes affect desperate wrath; we recollect when such occurrences were frequent hereabouts, and whenever they happened, there would be considerable fuming, fretting, and some swearing among the victims of misplaced confidence in negro flesh; but gradually it would wear off, and they become reconciled to their losses. So it will have to be in the border counties. Although the Panhandle is almost stripped of its slave property, we cannot say that the general wealth is any less than it ever was, or that the people live less contentedly, or get rich any slower than they did when every family, almost sported its darkey or darkies. The fact is, we have become reconciled to our privation, and are rather disposed to congratulate ourselves, as upon a happy riddance.
Lawrence K.T. March 22 59 F. B. Sanborn Esq
Dear Sir
Yours of the 11 enclosing draft for $50 is recd. It comes very opportunely & that it comes from our highly esteemed friend Mrs Green makes it peculiarly gratifying. Day before yesterday we (ie about half a dozen who have had the management of the Doy expedition) were almost in despair for the want of funds to meet the pressing emergency for his defence. His trial is to come off at St Joseph tomorrow & it was necessary to send 6 witnesses over by which an alibi can be found & some other facts bearing on the case. We had contracted debts in the preparation for the trial that was appointed for some 4 weeks since at Platte City & $160 & over was needed immediately. Three of us took each a subscription paper & worked-
A CHAPTER ON SLANG.
AN English writer has given some instances in a recent work of that remarkable proclivity to slang which distinguishes the Anglo-Saxon race. He declares that it flourishes most in America and Australia, and gives some curious instances of the former in this passage:
EXCITEMENT IN HARRISBURG
STAMPEDE OF ALLEGED FUGITIVE SLAVES
Harrisburg, April 5, 1859.
The excitement among the colored population here in regard to the result of the case of Daniel Webster, now pending in Philadelphia, is intense, and the papers containing the proceedings are in great demand.
A rumor prevails this morning, and has been extensively circulated, that eight alleged fugitive slaves took their departure last night for Canada. This report only tends to increase the excitement.
Great Stampede of Slaves.
[From the Detroit Advertiser, 7th.]
We learn from reliable authority that seventy five slaves arrived in Canada by one train, from the interior of Tennessee. This is probably the largest that ever escaped in one company. But a week before a company of twelve arrived and are now at the depot near Malden. Nearly the same time one of seven, and another of five, safely landed on the free soil of Canada, making ninety-four in all, worth at the present market price the handsome sum of $94,000! The Underground Railroad was never before doing so flourishing a business. At the rate these ungrateful fellows are stealing themselves, the market must be seriously affected, unless kept supplied direct from Africa.
GREAT STAMPEDE OF SLAVES.––We learn from reliable authority that seventy five slaves arrived in Canada by one train from the interior of Tennessee. This is probably the largest that ever escaped in one company. Nearly at the same time one of seven and another of five safely landed on the free soil of Canada, making ninety-four in all, worth at the present market price the handsome sum of $94,000! The Underground Railroad was never before doing so flourishing a business. At the rate these ungrateful fellows are stealing themselves, the market must be seriously affected, unless kept supplied direct from Africa. ––Detroit Advertiser, 7th.
Great Stampede of Slaves.
We learn from reliable authority that seventy five slaves arrived in Canada by one train, from the interior of Tennessee. This is probably the largest that ever escaped in one company. But a week before a company of twelve arrived and are now at the depot near Malden. Nearly the same time one of seven, and another of five, safely landed on the free soil of Canada, making ninety-four in all, worth at the present market price the handsome sum of $94,000! The Underground Railroad was never before doing so flourishing a business. At the rate these ungrateful fellows are stealing themselves, the market must be seriously affected, unless kept supplied direct from Africa. ––Detroit Advertiser.
STAMPEDE OF SLAVES.--On Saturday night last, four negro men, respectively the property of Maj. Henry Nichols, Wesley Barrett, I.N. Lair and Wm. Brannock, all residing in this vicinity, "made a break" for Ohio. The boys belonging to Messrs. Barrett and Brannock, succeeded just before daybreak Sunday morning, in crossing the Ohio at Augusta. The other two were not so lucky. Day dawned upon them some four miles this side of Augusta, causing their discovery and arrest. They state that this movement has been contemplated for some length of time; that they had arranged to meet at the house of Bill Leander, (f.m.c., living several miles below town,) at a certain hour on Sunday night, when all four were to have started together. Barrett's and Brannock's boys waited at Leander's until the appointed hour, and then started.
LEANDER COMMITTED. -- Bill Leander, the f. m. c., implicated in the slave stampede, was arrested on Thursday last and examined that evening and the next day before Judge Curry, who required him to give bail for his appearance on the first day of the next term of the Harrison Circuit Court, to answer the charge of aiding and abetting slaves in escaping from their owners. The bail required was $800, in default of which he was committed to jail. --Cynthiana Age.
For the Mississippian.
The African Slave Trade.
Editor Mississippian:
Senator Brown has spoken; and we can now to a certain extent, understand his position upon the great question of Slavery, in connection with the revival of the trade, indirectly, by means of a repel of the prohibitory laws now in force. Disguise it as we will, the crisis has now arrived when men, attached to the time-honored institutions of the South, must speak out; must declare, in unambiguous terms, their well-considered opinions upon this subject; and let the great mass of the people know what to expect of them. It will not do to palliate, or to compromise; the issue is looming up for good or evil, and we must be prepared to meet it like good men and true.
WE understand that a stampede of slaves took place from this city Saturday night. From the number that is missing, it is thought that they were taken away in some northern vessel.
The Late Recovery of Slaves in Chicago––Statement of their Owner.
ST. LOUIS, August 3, 1859.
Editor of the Chicago Times:
DEAR SIR: I observe from the Chicago papers that considerable excitement has existed in your city, in consequence of my having secretly brought thence my three negro men––fugitives from service and labor....
THE AMERICAN CONVENTION.
The Principle which Governed the Selection of a Ticket --The Canal Question --The Ticket not an American Ticket.
To the Editor of the New York Times:
OUR DETROIT LETTER
Detroit, Mich., Sept. 28, 1859:
A Batch of Runaway Negroes--Excitement in Randolph County, Ill.
THE MISSOURI STAMPEDE. --There are upwards of four hundred slaves leaving Missouri every week, nearly all of whom go south. This movement in the slave market is occasioned partly by the high prices obtained, and partly by causes having no reference to prices. The money market in Missouri, has already received sensible relief from this source.
Slave Insurrection in Virginia
Baltimore, Oct. 17.
A despatch [dispatch] just received here from Frederick, dated this morning, states that an insurrection has broken out at Harper's Ferry, where an armed band of abolitionists had full possession of government arsenal.
The express train going east was twice fired into and one or two hands and a negro killed while they were endeavoring to get the train through the town.
The insurrectionists stopped and arrested two men who had come to town with a load of wheat, and seizing their wagon, and loaded it with rifles and sent them into Maryland. The insurrectionists number about 250 whites and are aided by a band of negroes. At last accounts fighting was going on.
By Telegraph Last Night.
[We give the following despatches as they have been received during the day. The affair referred to yet lacks a plausible explanation.]
TROUBLE AT HARPER'S FERRY.
Supposed Slave Insurrection.
BALTIMORE, October 18. --A despatch just received here from Frederick, dated this morning, states that an insurrection has broken out at Harper's Ferry, where an armed band of abolitionists have full possession of the government arsenal. The express train going East was twice fired into, and one of the railroad hands and a negro killed while they were endeavoring to get the train through the town.
Reported Expressly for the Wilmington Herald
IMPORTANT NEWS.
NEGRO OUTBREAK IN VIRGINIA --ABOLITIONISTS TAMPERING WITH THEM.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18.
Yesterday, at noon, the whole community was astounded at a report, that a band of Abolitionists and Negroes had taken entire possession of the town at Harper's Ferry, including the Armory, Arsenal, Pay Office, and all the other Government property. They cut the telegraph wires, stopped the train with the mails, and imprisoning and pressing into their service all citizen negroes found in the workshops and streets, and killing many.
FEARFUL AND EXCITING INTELLIGENCE.
NEGRO INSURRECTION AT HARPER'S FERRY.
...It is apprehended that the affair at Harper's Ferry is more serious than our citizens seem willing to believe. The wires from Harper's Ferry are cut, and consequently we have no telegraphic communication beyond Monocacy Station. The Southern train which was here at an early hour this morning has not yet arrived. It is rumored that there is a stampede of negroes from this State...
[Editors Note: The majority of this article has been omitted from our transcription except for the portions directly mentioning the term "slave stampedes" or some variant.]
SERVILE INSURRECTION.
The Federal Arsenal at Harper's Ferry in Possession of the Insurgents.
GENERAL STAMPEDE OF SLAVES.
United States Troops on their March to the Scene.
Dispatches from our Special Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Monday, Oct. 17.
The report that negroes have taken possession of Harper's Ferry, and now hold the Government Armory, has created great excitement here. It is said that troops from Fort McHenry, Baltimore, will be dispatched forthwith to the scene of disorder.
BY THE UNION LINE.
TO THE DAILY INTELLIGENCER.
OFFICE, CORNER WATER AND MONROE STREETS.
RIOT AT HARPER'S FERRY!
...[THIRD DESPATCH]
It is apprehended that the affair at Harper's Ferry is more serious than the people here are willing to believe. The telegraph wires have been cut from Harper's Ferry, and there is no communication beyond Monocacy. It is reported that there has been a stampede of negroes from Maryland. The train due here early this morning, has not yet arrived. Many wild rumors are afloat, but no intelligence of authentic character has yet been received....
[Editor's Note: The majority of this article has been omitted from our transcription except for the portions directly the term "slave stampedes" or some variant.]
Reported Insurrection at Harper's Ferry.
Frederick City and Baltimore dispatches of the 17th give conflicting accounts of an insurrection at Harper's Ferry. One is that an armed band of abolitionists have full possession of the U.S. Arsenal; that an express train had been fired into; that a negro was killed in getting the train through; that a wagon load of rifles had been sent into Maryland; and that a mob led by about 250 whites with a gang of negroes were fighting. The Baltimore dispatch says the affair is greatly exaggerated. The difficulty occured at the armory, and the negroes have nothing to do with it. The train due at Baltimore early in the morning was detained, and many wild rumors were afloat, among others that there had been a stampede of negroes from Maryland.
[Correspondence of the Baltimore Sun.]
WASHINGTON, October 17.
The Harper's Ferry Troubles --Dispatch of Government Troops --The Catholic Church Dedication --Washington's Statue, &c.
BY MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH.
Serious Disturbance at Harper's Ferry.
BALTIMORE, Oct. 17. --The following dispatch has just been received from Frederick; but, as it seems very improbable, it should be received with great caution until confirmed:
FREDERICK, Oct. 17th, a. m. --There is an insurrection at Harper's Ferry. A band of armed Abolitionists have full possession of United States Arsenal. The express train was fired into twice, and one of the railroad hands --a negro --killed while trying to get the train through the town. The insurgents arrested two men who came into town with a load of wheat, took the wagon, loaded it with rifles, and sent them into Maryland. --The band is composed of a gang of about 250 whites, followed by a band of negroes, who are now fighting.
THE ABOLITION OUTBREAK IN VIRGINIA.
The Negro Insurrection at Harper's Ferry.
SEIZURE OF THE ARMORY.
Arrival of Troops from Virginia, Maryland and Washington.
FIGHTING IN THE STREETS.
BATTLE AT THE BRIDGE.
Nine Citizens and Fifteen Insurrectionists Killed and Wounded.
The Insurrectionists Taken in an Engine House.
Attack of the Troops on the Building.
One Marine Mortally and One Slightly Wounded.
Two Insurrectionists Killed and One Seriously Wounded.
Captain John Brown, the Leader, Reported Mortally Wounded.
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
Gov. Wise Actively Engaged in Suppressing the Revolt.
Between Thirty and Forty, in all, Killed and Wounded.
LATEST by TELEGRAPH.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER, 19, 1859.
Despatches received at the Mercury Office.
The Harper's Ferry Insurrection.
FIRST DESPATCH.