Letter from John Booton
- Containers:
- Box 1, Folder 20
- Scope and content:
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"We had a great excitement here last Monday on account of the arrest of some runaway negroes from Virginia. There were warrants issued for the arrest of five fugitives. Two of them were taken at Robstown on the Loughegheny River, but the free blacks and abolitionists raised a mob, rescued the slaves and cut some of the officers. Two others were arrested in Brownsville and after creating a good deal of excitement were brought to Uniontown for trial. After they had been lodged in jail news came that there was a considerable body of armed negroes headed by one or two abolitionists coming from Brownsville to attempt a rescue. In hearing this the sheriff orfered out the military to maintain the laws. A part of the darkies reported to be coming, come in town one at a time. Finding the soldiers ready and anxious for a fight they left town without ceremony. Money was raised to indemnify the owners and the slaves set at liberty."
Access and use
- Location of collection:
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Special Collections Research CenterEarl Gregg Swem LibraryCollege of William and Mary400 Landrum DrivePO 8795Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
- Contact for questions and access:
- Email: spcoll@wm.eduPhone: (757) 221-3090Fax: (757) 221-5440Web: swem.wm.edu/scrc
- Parent restrictions:
- Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
- Parent terms of access:
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