The Southampton Examiner II & III: Blood in the Swamp/The Assembley Considers Abolition

Blood in the Swamp Blood in the swamp, today’s front page news! Lone survivor tells a tale of death! “We sought to apprehend Nat Turner,” said the man. “Maroons had set an ambush for us, we did not see them until they struck They fired from concealed locations. I never saw the ambushers, only their shapes. They cut us down easily. We stood no chance It’s a miracle I was not killed. I fled before the fury of the ambush, there was nothing else I could do. These maroons fought like men possessed!” Some have claimed Turner is dead but there is no body Some militia members claim they saw Turner shot, others claim to see him flee the battle of Jerusalem. Turner’s whereabouts remain unknown and unconfirmed His rebel band remains at large in the swamp His principle lieutenant, Will, has been spotted in the swamp A local man living near the swamp is accuse of the murder of the sheriff in Southampton county Charles Wilbur is alleged to have attacked the sheriff’s posse in the aftermath of the slave riots Wilbur was subdued after he killed the sheriff but then a band of marauding slaves attacked the posse and Wilbur slipped away in the fight Wilbur has long been suspected of trading with maroons in the swamp Authorities stress that this is a crime in the state of Virginia Any tips regarding Wilbur’s current whereabouts will be rewarded Assembly Considers Abolition A great debate will occur among the men in the State Assembly They will take up the question of the future of slavery in Virginia 12 eggs Mayonnaise Butter Sugar Dijon mustard Salt and pepper Hard boil the eggs, crack and peel them Slice eggs in half lengthwise Remove the yolks to a bowl Add mayonnaise, mustard, butter, sugar, hot sauce, salt, and pepper Mash well with a fork Spoon filling into each egg white Sprinkle with paprika and serve Petitions poured in from citizens all across the state All manner of ideas from liberation to removal to colonies “A system that’s repugnant to the laws of God,” reads the petition that the Quakers wrote The Tidewater elites had a different view: “the torch of freedom need the fertile soils of slavery” Lost on sunday last on Main street between thirteenth and eighteenth streets, my free papers in a pocket book I will give a liberal reward for them if left at this office Polly Grimes, free woman Lost on sunday morning at or near the Episcopal church, a small pocket book containing my free papers A suitable reward will be given the finder on leaving it at this office Bettsey Anderson Although we’ve made known our views on tariffs some gentlemen request us to reprint Mr Calhoun’s letter You’ll find it printed below. He calls to heed the founders, respect the constitution’s spirit We are the serfs of the system of whose labor is raised rewards for manufactures interests An oppressive system this is, bringing ruin to our nation and corruption to our leaders This outlaw still is at large and dangerous Authorities have doubled the bounty Still wanted dead or alive Nat Turner There will be fire at the assembly house! (There will be fire, assembly house) Preventing black liberation ensures new flames (Preventing freedom ensures new flames) Emancipation must be our goal, done without delay! (Emancipation must be our goal) Anything less than freedom is but reform of chains (Anything less than just reforms chains) Things here have not changed, the masters got their way But there is beauty still in the struggle for freedom