Commonwealth of Virginia versus Abolition Society of New York, 1835

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Summary

Creator:
Frederick County (Va.) Circuit Court.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Commonwealth of Virginia versus Abolition Society of New York, 1835, consists of a criminal presentment issued by a grand jury in Frederick County against the Abolition Society of New York. In a lengthy and strongly worded indictment, the grand jury referred to the antislavery organization as an "evil of great magnitude" and accused it of disturbing the peace of the Commonwealth and threatening the lives of its citizens by inciting slaves to rebel. It encourages local law enforcement agencies throughout Virginia to adopt "increasing vigilance ... in the detection of all fanatical emissaries, and in the suppresion of their nefarious schemes and publications." Furthermore, the grand jury called on the General Assembly to enforce present laws and enact stricter legislation against written or printed material that encouraged slave insurrection. The presentment also names Arthur Tappan, whom the grand jury considered to be the "prime mover" in the society.

Biographical / historical:

Arthur Tappan was a leading figure in the abolitionist movement during the mid-19th century. He helped found the Abolition Society of New York in 1831 which two years later evolved into the American Anti-Slavery Society.

Frederick County was named in honor of Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales and eldest son of King George II. It was formed from Orange County by a statute of 1738 that stipulated that when the population was large enough the new county government would begin to function. The county court first met on 11 November 1743. Part of Augusta County was added in 1754. The county seat is the city of Winchester.

Acquisition information:
This item came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court records from Frederick County.
Physical location:
Library of Virginia
Physical description:
2 p.