deed is our constitution but a shadow, and the whole machinery of our government a mere farce. Those who thus deceive us, however they may vary their positions, and however plausible their pretences, have but one end in view at last; they would subvert our constitution, and accustom us to bear the yoke of tyranny under a false name. The present is a time which demands the utmost watchfulness of the friends of our country. The designs upon its liberties are of the most formidable and alarming charac But the people are asleep. A gentle voice seems to call to them, Awake, watch ; you are surrounded by enemies in disguise ; but yet they seem not to heed it. Shortly they may be saluted with this same friendly voice, saying, “Sleep on now and take your rest,” your liberties are betrayed into the hands of your enemies. DEFENSOR. New-York, December 25, 1835. ter. CONTENTS. Introduction-Inquiry into the origin of popular violence-Execution of a number of American citizens, without trial-Seizure of the U. S. mail at Charleston, S. C., and the burning of its contents by the 'populace—The Postmaster at Charleston refuses to deliver certain papers to the persons entitled to them, and asks for instructions from the Postmaster General—The Postmaster General does not condemn the act—Extract from the Evening Post in relation to Mr. Kendall's conduct-Mr. Gouverneur, Postmaster at New-York, refuses to forward certain papers according to the requirement of the law, and asks for instructions from Postmaster General The latter approves the course Mr. Gouverneur has adopted-Remarks upon the character and tendency of Mr. Kendall's conduct and sentiments-Extract from the Hartford Times in relation thereto-Mr. Kendall's new doctrines become popular with certain classes-Violence and insubordination ensues—The mob in Baltimore discharge their higher obligations- Amos Dresser's narrative -Origin of the excitement against the abolitionists, Page 9 II, Practice of the court of his honour, Judge Lynch-Law-breaking reduced to a system-How to detect the chief movers of riots, 48 III. History of the Anti-Slavery Convention-Preliminary suggestions-Expressions of public sen iments against the abolitionists in various parts of the United States. The abolitionists are so "foolhardy” as to think for themselves—It is determined by certain political aspirants, for the success of their cause, to put the abolitionists down at all hazards, "forcibly if necessary”-A State Convention is appointed to be held at Utica—The citizens hold a meeting at the City Hall, to show their aversion to the assemblage of said Convention in Utica-Discovery of the "prudential restrictions”-Speech of the Hon. Samuel Beardsley—The enforcement of the “prudential restrictions” becomes a party measure—The Common Council grant to the Anti-Slavery Convention the privilege of holding their meeting in the court-room-A great effort is made to inflame the public mind against this act of the council-An indignation meeting is assembled at the court-room-Great display of patriotism among the drunkards—The Mayor and City Attorney attend the meeting -"Satan cometh also”—The act of the Common Council is nullified—The agitators determine to " go revolution"-Language and conduct of A. G. Dauby and Hon. Samuel Beardsley—The friends of order are clamoured down-The agitators determine upon forci. ble resistance, and adjourn to meet at the same place on the 21st Oct. at 9 o'clock—These subjects become the topic of general conversation--A conservative meeting is assembled at the court-room, on Tuesday evening, Oct. 20th, for the purpose of discountenancing violence—The agitators, with their forces, gathered together from various parts of the country, appeared at the meeting—The meeting is organized and resolutions are reported— The agitators raise a tumult, and interrupt the proceedings-Meeting of the agitators on the 21st-Assemblage, organization, and proceedings of the Convention—The agitators determine to accomplish their design by means of a pack of twenty-five-Their appointment, duties, and description—They run about the streets hunting for the Convention-Arrive at the National Hotel – Timor appears at the door and cries Stuboy, but declines leading the pack from “ feelings of delicacy”— The pack find their way to the place where the Convention are assembled, and are joined by several hundreds more ravenous than themselves—The whole canine squadron enters with great fierceness into the church—The old sportsman cries Get out, until we secure the game-Speech of Hon. Samuel Beardsley before the mob in the church-Reply to his speech by Thomas Jefferson-Extract from the Oneida Standard and Democrat-Proceedings of the agitators during the day and following night; assaulting strangers at the hotels, and peaceable citizens in the street-Destruction of the type in the office of the Standard and Democrat-An assault is meditated upon the houses of Messrs. Kellogg and Stewart-It is prevented -The members of the Convention are assaulted while going to Peterboro'-A view of the conduct of the committee of twenty-fiveThe peopie desire to know "what apology can be made” for their conduct—The tendency of these proceedings-Character of the Convention, 54
IV. Sentiments of Thomas Jefferson on the subject of slavery, and its abolition-Effects of slavery upon the liberties of the nation-Ex- tract from a foreign paper-Tendency of the measures of the agita- tors-Their effect upon the union-Remarks upon the new doctrines and policy-The last advice of Washington-Remarks upon the liberty of speech and the press—How we are to avoid the dangerous crisis which the country is approaching, and maintain the authority Establishment of a censorship of the press-Copy of the letter of the Postmaster General to the Postmaster at Charleston-Notes Creation of ten thousand censors of the press—Copy of the letter of the Postmaster General to Samuel L. Gouverneur, Postmaster Official report of the meeting of the agitators, held at the court- house, on the 21st Oct., for the purpose of organizing, in opposition to the public authorities, and breaking up the Anti-Slavery Conven- A collection of extracts from various public documents, showing the Sone of the south-Extracts from the federal and state constitu- The real sentiments of the abolitionists-Official statement of the Speech of Gerrit Smith, Esq.min the meeting of the New York Anti-Slavery Society, held at Peterboro', Oct. 22, 1835, 157 |