Public Leger, Volume 1, Number 21, Richmond, Wayne County, 31 July 1824 — Page 1

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-"FRIENDLY TO THE BEST PURSUITS OF MA v.

FRIENDLY TO THOUGHT, TO FREEDOM, AND TO PEACE." CovptT.

AMI

XUMBER 21.

vitD AND PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY BY

EDMUND S. BUAiUxN,

Vo.u.' opposite the Richmond Hotel. ' THE PRICE OF THIS PATER Tra Dollars for fiftv-two numbers, tu be paiu in lr n.-f.ir and Fiftv Cents if raid

it-ia the year, or Three Dollars, if not paid befir.Ttse expiration of the jenr - avment m ad,nccteinto the mutual interest of both parties,

thit mode is sohciteii.

Wi"a;crijiiJ liiikvii i"i cpVr continued until all arrearages are rv 1 i tvlu'ra to notify a t!i?cor.timnnc at the expirtt otoi tr.e tune subscribed for, trill be considered

a Lew :ti icMii-nt.

u' . , i? j.'.' j atlcnJ,J to.

TrRK OF AOVF.RTlrlN'G.

r-'-rrn or l.S for three inrlion One Dol-

j ir , , J; C'ntinuai.v.f I v-m,-uc von., Lir- er a !vcrtist!atnt in the saiue proportion.

RICHMOND, WAYNE COUNTY, INDIANA, SATURDAY, JULY 31, J824.

MAM ;.M1MU. :?ulr. l 1. , The fiiowinc Adduces, frem the;;

CrfniczWf rr:h'h cf'.c Jknumissien Soci- II

i-ifToin-ss r, wt re reported by commit- j s which had boon previously -appointed'

f rtha! sp-'-ci:il purpose, and ordered, alter ij ;-V;vhg the approbation of the 1; .specting ij Committor, t e ; u iis.Kd in t c (nuu$ cf '

',::.,;; d Ei,i''n iplii'2. 1 i,e Lditors id vpapers, friendly to the cause, particularly in the western country, are also res Tcti'ulh solicited to give the first an infer-

Never,since the formation of our governor t. has a me re important question been

Stated, in cither of the States, than lliat ; : .-.v pending in Illinois, viz: Slill ihrpco- h 'I'cftJ.is rr.EF. conrJru bour to the fi- i;

ot slavery, cr An ??.' A f nrft a;tc:.irhi: c apathy j revaiis. Tiie I

prc'sin other states is. lur the most part. V ny.U't.tZis tiie crave! All are dceplv inL'titCu VI RY CITIZEN IN THE UNITED

i'AZZS WILL Ll ENTITLED TO A VOICE IN ! ::.z matter llicii why net peak (tut, c-; no.v? Bat, say some, let the iidatua- ;;: -reaturci, vho are 'j lost to a me et ' j:l'-iv a u a dvo rate the introduction . c-iivery in tnat section oi country, coon: cannot succeed, for the U. States" I' C :rt3 would decide acnii st it. Thi-rnay j h : .e cas-', if matters shall be carried thu !'

: ct the hi il t.i our Ju-;:acru it u alt-j-i-:-r a:VfrV!i fuv: U zroul ! i-f-atu-ite. And. :.:::e:r An ounce of prt vention is worth i p yy i ''i c:rf." L t the vice f f the r.ation h r.'-aid upon the subject. Let the lnei;b cj .-"'.'r-i in -that state be eiicourC'.d to h ij out i:i cppoinc the encroacliz.::,i wi lLu n.anv-!iead(-d inontter. Ai)Din:c;s. Frjr:: tlr C,r ri:wh rf the hnu-

':t C"i tizi :1 or Illinois.

b: c-r.t' :;,; rit:; c on the wonderful rhatr

e t:.at f.-:v- t;iken fiace in tlie political;

" fii, v. .ts.i:; a Jviv v-ar. i,1- relates to t!i: ni.- d m.n.u: itis of nations, socb-ti'-s.

' o i: '.. idu;d. we hae ob-n ed.with d - J i :!.t. U e r;.; '. j adax.rcs f that heat,-j : "' r-' I : ii proclaims to men the I ''!-'Zi fl freed'-m arid peace, and Is :i t:.; t ;. f r;i::cv .f all those!.' '"H'r:! '-' t;-i--':'irs (f sujierstition and tvrar,- j t'.c! n e h e.'i reared for the uniiolv s

:(b-r;nc the greater part of ; rr,;wjr-ibie, that a few rnav riot in :

v, e j r -

in lux'irx arid e?.tra-

w;r-ri we call tf mind the ' imxicty that was inanifeited : the -r- i.ar-j ships endured ; the tnanv

:;f:T f:t;:"U!itered. and th- profu-ionof iZ '- ' treasure which was expended.

liiV-.' -r. that they micht bequeath!' l'-f- cbnous and invaluable heritage ' fcTv. urtinrtirnired u ith aujiht tiiat ) i:- ar;v v. w terjd tomolest r disturb t t'iL- eutet pc-esion atid trarifjuil en h Ji r-t I v rf f f. v. e are led to view with s'-ii( :'.-j'.i: whatever ir.av be :-u:- ! : - ne a tieannj; upon ti.e perpetu- J :'our b-e miitu'i' ns. " I-

" - ae !:ut too n,ujh evidence of the ! f t. that. noUvithhtanfim- theif j ;; I 1 prutetatir;;;- aa:n?.t the j' 1 ': of that unhallowed spint of ir- 'f ' h ii v. i,.' "n M-ef;s i0 roh ot:r U !bw j 't,jr-tj their itiahenablp Drivilees. h

'- many arnoie! us who, "feeii!iCi

;' 1 -Ji'-'tti!.- ii!it,M jjir.ee they ' ) ' 1 th n,-.dw.fc fjom t.ht hafhtl of r ' yJ tnmatioi;, are teadv and willing Uit" f 'ter of uticon'ditbnal bervi7 G"J In'-:: ;r d w-om.-i;, c-hci' eren to bind

'l'1- 'J '"': it! L"w!cc an thrir

shame, of sorrow, and of eloomv anorehen

sion for the future glory and permanence of our republic, and the weal of future generations, that we reflect on these things. We, therefore, trust that you will not deem it impertinent in us, as fellow-members of the great political family of republican freemen, which has declared to the world that this nation shall be the "home of the free," and "an asylum for the oppressed," to offer a few remarks on the peculiarity of the situation in which you are at present placed. It is with deep concern that wc perceive a party has risen up among you, possessed of a considerable degree of wealth andinflu ence, which has for its object the re-establishment of the cruel and anti-republican sstem oi personal sarcry,inyour State. V e will not insult you by insinuating a belie! that many of you have so far lost sight oi justice, and your true interest, after having very recently decided positively against it, as to become reconciled to a measure so fraught with moral and political evil, and so dangerous to the peace &. happiness of your children. But that there are a few, who have intruded themselves among you, and are disposed to act upon this principle, is self-evident. These are

fully aware, that to carrv their design into execution, they mut resort to the meanest artifices, and the most dishonest inventions, to ensure the success of their favourite. Like the basest of tyrants, in every age of the world, since oppression was first reduced to the practice, they look upon all manner of dissembling as a virtue, if it brings them nearer to their object. Whatever may he 'their intended victim, they pursue it w ith an eye that never tires, and a persevr ranee that never shakes, through every walk, watching its every movement, and are ready prepared to fasten upon it, trie moment a favorable opportunity mav iier. Jt is to warn o'l to beware ef the insidious arts, the sly machinations and the deep laid schemes of those unprincipled intriguers, that we, have presumed to addre. yc u. In your public acts, you have given sufficient proof of your uod v: itig attachment to our republican form of government; ar.d you hae al-o shown your abhorrence of trie monstrous principle whicn dooms to unmerited, perpetual slavery any portion of the human specbs. Arise! then, we beseech you, and, in a oice of thunder, proclaim to the enemies of human richts, that, the rich soil of your state does not require the crimson tear of oppressed humanity to fertilize il ; neither shall it be polluted by tlie daring tread of an vru homed trant! Let oppressors know that bouadf- are set to their unchustened ambition. 1st yjvr decision at the aj'proaihinu t ?f 'ior, be rath as fvrezcr to Hint the, hvpt oj thwt v ho are nu-j. aiming t j duute wju wiir ,profsing to hae the good of the community in view,cc even the cause of humanity at heart! are striving to inundate your plains with a degraded, and almost brutalized population, in order that tlisy may lieinease and ailluenre, regardb-&s oi the solid advantages of a ell regulated policy ,! he future growth arid prosperity of the country, or the happiness of the people, a few ears, hence. Who can for a mo-ine-nt listen to the sy i en-song of "humanity'' from the lips of an advocate of slavery! It ss used precisely as a 'Spanish Inquisitor uses the cloak of religion. Never was a more wicked plan devised to blind the eyes of an unsuspected mortal, than this. The fust regular slay e trader, who sailed under

the British plug, averred that it would be i

an act oi " humanity to remove the natives of Africa to a country where they would become acquainted yvith the Christian Kcligion,Lc. The trade was permitted, and an hundred . millions of human U lire-, perhaps have been murdered, or rendered miserable by it!!! Again; It is

verted by some, that it would be an act humanity, in us. to scatter the slave

population over a ct eater extent of country, that th?y might receive better treatment than they otherwise may be expected to; whereas th.-y know that it would du away the anxiety now manifested, in many places, to abolish the sy stem of slavery and to send the blacks away that.it ouid be the means of keeping open a market in the country, for the human plunder of slave plrato, both at home and abroad that the number of blacks would increase in less than a century, perhaps tO rii'TI LN OR TWENTY MILLION'S ! when il

would, in the nature of things., be imposi-

VOLUME I. .

oi

' i v.iL.i mi;. sled emotions of 11 bit to prevent them hum obtaining their

liberty by force, and becoming the most

wuuoiesomc, ierocious, and deadly enemies! These are not the idle dreams of a fertile fancy. They are sober inferences, drawn from matters of fact, with which those gentry cannot be unacquainted. It is, then, plainly apparent that they have not the good of their couutry in view; but that they nre swayed by mercenary, selfish motives, disregarding the welfare either of the present or future generations. liven yverc they to agree that the system of slavery should be tolerated only for a limited period, this rould be their dernier resort ; and they would be as ready, at any future time, to break such an engagement as they now are to violate their most solemn promises; to destroy the moral obligation of treaties; and to trample on the ordinance of Congress, the conditions of which they formally accepted, when the state of Illinois yvas received into the U-nion-By nil that is dear to you, as freemen, we conjure you to watch well the movements of those who have shewn a disposition to act thus. We, in common with your feilow-citizens of the other states, feel deeply interested in the contest in which ycu arc engaged. This is a most important and critical juncture in our national alTairs. Tlie advancement of reformation and the improvement in our republican system, met with a check in the acceptation of the Missouri Constitution; audit remains w ith you to say whether the reaction shall destroy the hopes of the philanthropist, and ensure to the enemies of burn in liberty a signal triumph; or whether

the advocates of universal emancipation i yvill again take a firm stand on the margin

of Ohio's gentle wave, and the brink of

j Mississippi's impetuous tide, and, with the j voice of power and authority, prohibit the ! monster, slavery from imprinting his foot- ' step on your shore. All eyes are turned to y ou. at this moment. Your fellow-citi-zens, in other sections of the country, are j uaiti-ic. with breathless anxiety, to hear ; ttie re-uh ,.f vrv-ir determination. Had not the fatal example of miny cth- ! er countries been held up, as a minor, to ; our view, we should have less cause to won- ; ler at the delusion that prevails, in some 1 par's of this Union, respecting the subject before us, and which has involved some of ! our greatest statesmen in the labviinthian ! m iz of error arid inconsistency. But vnile the scenes of St. Domingo" arc i yet perceptible to the views; while the j horrid rec ital of the Ilkhmond and CharlesJ tonpt'jts is still echoed and reverberated in I notes of admonition, loud; while the most ! dreadful accounts of insurrection, murder and massacre by the degraded colored

population, in other parts of the American continent and islands, are Mowing in upon us, at every arrival, what folly! what mad-

i nesd what inconceivable infatuation must

j sway the breast of him who would introi duce into the bosom of his - own country, now happily exempt from the ured en

tail, such a horrible state of things!!! But no moral force whatever can operatt upon those who after hay ing entered into a sob run compact, and made a formal engagement, never to suffer the foul pollution of personal slavery to arpproach the threshold of their dominions, are so soon found essaying to nullify their act?, and endeavouring to open this Pandora's box, from whence innumerable evils of every name and hue yvould emanate. Though the ruin of their country must folloyv, as an inevitable consequence, they heed it not. The public good, when such men are at the helm of affairs, will always be made to yield to their views of self aggrandizement; and the liberties of all are thus placed in jeopardy.

We yvill not enter into a detailed state- j

moot of the rapid progress which the principle of individual liberty is making inotherpa.t of this continent. You have, undoubtedly, been apprized of the circumstance that Mexico and several of the late Spanish provinces in South America, have abolished the system of personal slavery; and that the British government has also commenced the great and important work in her colonies. " While these things are performing, how degrading would it be to the character of this republic, if the system of slavery should hereafter be extended to one of those states in which it has been hitherto prohibited! Where should ;.h- hide cur.slinme, if monarchists vcre suffered to outstrip m in the holy zrork of extending and r.pphrins the principles of L niversal EuiGnopalwn ? Wc speak from experience oi

slavery. Our own particular section of country is cursed with it. The light cf reason and republican philanthropy, however, is spreading among us; and by tho exertion of our fellow-citizens, under tho direction of an all-wise Providence, xvq hope to eradicate this noxious pant,though it has taken deep root in our soil. Some of our sister states to the northward, in which slavery is tolerated, it is hoped are, also, nearly ripe for a change of policy in this respect. Suffer not, uc entreat you, thz ani of attention and exertion, on your part, to damp the ardar of the, frietuL of humanity in other sections of our country. Should slavery be admitted in the State of Illinois it would probably retard the glorious work of emancipation in this Union a half a century, at least; and we leave toothers the dreadful task of depicting its inevitable consequences. We shall not yet,however, despair of the final triumph of Virtue and Freedom over the united efforts of Avarice and Tyranny, in your state. In conclusion, we tender to you the assurance of our unfeigned respect, and fraternal regard. Signed by order Benjamin Lundy, President Jlttcst, Wm. W. Woods, Secretary. BLESSINGS OF SLAVERY. A short time since a Mr. Moore, of Lincoln county, Ky. returning from hunting squirrels through his field, w here one of his negro men was plowing corn, reproved the slave, fordoing his work negligently and remarked, that he had a great mind to fehoot him. The negro man knowing the temper of his master, and seeing that he was someyvhat intoxicated, endeavoured to flee out of his reach, when Moore levelled his rifle and shot him dead upon the spot. Moore has made his escape as we are informed. Homicide. On the 2d inst. a sudden affray took place between two negro men, slaves of Mr. Marshall, of this neighborhood, when one of them (Moses received a Mow from an iron skillet which proved fatal, a leg of the skillet penetrating the forehead into the brain. Danville Ky.) pa.

Kromthe Cincinnati IVational Cmis. The Hon Mr. Barton member of the Senate of the United States from Missouri, in the course of his official duty, laid be

fore the "Committee on Public lands," during the late session of Congress, certain documents to prove a misapplicationof the public moneys,by the late surveyor of Missouri and Illinois. It seems, that Mr. Conway the delegate from Arkansaw, acted as deputy to Gen. Hector, and was necessarily connected yvith him in the investigation, which has terminated in the General s dismissal from office. In consequence of Mr. Ihirtuiis interference, Mr. Conway dilected a note to him on the 27th ult. demanding satisfaction for certain supposed insult. This, it appears, was delivered to Mr. Barton, after he had taken bis seat in the stage for the west. Wc cannot sufficiently admire the answer of Mr. Barton to the challenge of his adversary. WTe give it in his own yvords: 4,I therefore decline the honor proposed by you, never intending to recognize the principle, that the investigation of official conduct, whether of principal or deputy, in the manner in which I have conducted the one in question, can impose any obligation to giv the kind of satisfaction which you seem to desire, even to an innocent party." Such conduct is worthy of all prais; and we hope the fearless independence it discovers, will not be overlooked by future legislators.

Extract nf a letter, dated Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, June lOlh, 1824.

The principal supporters of Gen. Jackson in this vicinity, are Federalists, many of whom a few years ago, would have doomed him to an ignominious death. But now, as the General appears to be desirous ofputting down that monster party spirit," I suppose they have some hopes of rising to power. The City Inspector of New York reports the death of 72 persons during the week ending on Saturday 29th of June, consumption 15, drinking cold water 1, small pox 9. The King and Queen of the Sandwich Islands have arrived in London. It is ;,id his Majesty refuses to become a incuiber of the lioiy Alliance."