to me. But while the crowd were leaving the house, Mr. Hunt, editor of the Banner, and, as I am informed, an emigrant from New-England, where he was born, set himself busily to work to secure in his own hands my journal, sketch-book, business, and private letters, &c.

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By no one concerned in the whole proceeding was there so much exasperated feeling shown as by Mr. H. It was now displayed in the pale, deathlike countenance, the agitated frame, the hurried, furious air with which he seized the papers, and tied them up in his handkerchief, clinching them in his hands, and at the same time eyeing me with an intense yet vacant gaze, bespeaking not only rage, but a consciousness of doing wrong. Of my papers I have heard nothing since Mr. H. took them into his custody.

"I entered the ring that had been formed; the chairman (accompanied by the committee) again called for an expression of sentiment in relation to the sentence passed upon me; again the vote was unanimous in approbation of it, and again did he express his gratification at the good order by which the whole proceeding had been characterized. While some of the company were engaged in stripping me of my garments, a motion was made and seconded that I be exonerated altogether from the punishment. This brought many and furious imprecations on the mover's head, and created a commotion which was appeased only by the sound of the instrument of torture and disgrace upon my naked body.

"I knelt to receive the punishment, which was inflicted by Mr. Braughton, the city officer, with a heavy cowskin. When the infliction ceased, an involuntary feeling of thanksgiving to God for the fortitude with which I had been enabled to endure it arose in my soul, to which I began aloud to give utterance. The death-like silence that prevailed for a moment, was suddenly broken with loud exclamations, 'G-d d-n him, stop his praying.' I was raised to my feet by Mr. Braughton, and conducted by him to my lodging, where it was thought safe for me to remain but for a few moments.

"And though most of my friends were at the camp ground, I was introduced into a family of entire strangers, from whom I received a warm reception, and the most kind and tender treatment. They will ever be remembered with grateful emo

tions.

"On the ensuing morning, owing to the great excitement that was still prevailing, I found it necessary to leave the place in disguise, with only what clothing I had about my person. Leaving unsold property to the amount of nearly three hundred dollars, and sacrificing at least two hundred on my barouche, horse, &c., which I was obliged to sell. Of my effects at Nashville, I have heard nothing since my return, though I have frequently written to my friends concerning them.

"AMOS DRESSER."

"Cincinnati, Aug. 25, 1835."

This monstrous violation of the constitution of the United States, it must not be forgotten, was committed, not by a gang of drunkards, or by those who are ignorant of their duties and obligations; neither was it perpetrated in the heat of passion, but coolly and deliberately by a committee of sixty individuals, some men of note. If no men of character had been engaged in it, it would have been comparatively of little moment; but as the case is, the example for all men to violate the law, which had before been set has gained greater influence. At such an indignity, committed in almost any country in Europe, "ten times ten thousand swords would have leaped from their scabbards."

*

But this is not all; it is well known that the sentiment, that we are subject to higher obligations than those which we owe to the laws, has become so prevalent, that no man who is an abolitionist can travel in the southern states, on his lawful business, without endangering his personal safety. Nay, the safety of our own citizens, of the non-slaveholding states, is endangered by HIRED RUFFIANS who have been employed to transport them to a distant state, to be condemned and put to death for no crime but for exercising the inalienable rights of man. The following advertisement will speak for itself:

TO THE EDITORS OF THE CHARLESTON COURIER,

Beaufort, (S. C.) Aug. 13, 1835. "GENTLEMEN,-I am directed by the society of which I am the corresponding secretary, to request * See Appendix, No. VI.

you to publish, for a few times, the following re

solve:

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'At a meeting held this day, Saturday, the 15th August, Judge LYNCH presiding, it was resolved by a large majority, that the sum of two thousand dollars will be paid by this society to whomsoever will deliver to the respective chairmen of these societies, in Georgetown, Charleston, Beaufort, Savannah, Augusta, or Darien, the bodies of either of the four well-known incendiaries among the northern abolitionists, or that of their late visiter."*

"VERITAIN, Sec."

The four individuals referred to are the editors of anti-slavery publications; and the above advertisement is a fair specimen of the mode of argument which is employed to refute their doctrines. 0 Reason! whither art thou fled, when brutal force, malignant hate, and dire revenge, usurp thy sway?

In the southern states, it cannot be denied, the public mind is highly excited against the abolitionists; and while we cannot too much condemn the violent and unwise conduct of some of the southern people, we should take care, and trace this excitement to its true source.

It must not be supposed, that so much concern is manifested about the movements of the abolitionists, without some political end in view. It is among the friends of Mr. Van Buren that the most violent opposition to the abolitionists exists; and although the leading men of his party declaim against uniting

* This advertisement was published in the southern papers. Many others of a similar character have appeared in the public journals of the south with approbation.

the question with politics, yet opposition to the abolitionists (until after the election) is already an article in their creed. This will be seen by referring to the resolutions adopted by their conventions, as well as the uniform course of most of the leading partizans. Now it is plain to be seen, that the design of all these movements is to quiet the fears of the south, and gain their support; because the course which the party have recently pursued is utterly at variance with the fundamental principles of democracy. Some of these leading partizans are capable of any deception and fraud, which will subserve their views.

Will the southern people be so foolish as to suppose, that the same course of measures respecting the question of slavery, which are now adopted for the purpose of promoting Van Buren's success, are to be carried out after his election? If they are, they will be sadly disappointed. His speech at the Herkimer Convention, as well as his uniform declarations heretofore made, will undeceive them on this subject, if they are now deceived.

It is high time that the inhabitants of the north and the south understood the deception that is attempted to be practised upon them. If it should be said that these political movements are sustained by some whigs, the answer is, that every instrument which can be of any service will be used.*

* The author would not be understood as being opposed to Mr. Van Buren's election. He intends only to protest against the base deception which is practised toward the south, and against sacrificing the liberties of the whole nation to promote his success. Con