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Newspaper
Richmond Mail
Location
Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
Date
May 31, 1854
Page
2
The Richmond Mail shows growing circulation with extensive daily city and country reach and a large semi weekly country edition that benefits advertisers.
The late John Mitchel denounces anti slavery zeal as infatuation and calls Northern reformers traitors for resisting law. He condemns Beecher and Greeley, warns against destroying the republic, and urges undeceiving Northern allies while punishing agitators who incite rebellion.
The New York Herald analyzes the Know Nothing secret organization forming across the United States with the aim of excluding foreigners and naturalized citizens from office. It notes secrecy, unknown numbers, and potential political impact as parties weigh future gains against this new force.
A NY delegation including James Maurice John Wheeler Jared V Peck Rufus W Peckham and Andrew Oliver issue an address defending their opposition to the Nebraska bill They argue the House action was tyrannous and oppose territorial government citing few white residents and continued Indian titles They urge adherence to 1852 platform and condemn Missouri compromise repeal as a step toward a Southern party agenda and slavery expansion with new territorial acquisitions and Cuba talks cited.
The New York Herald reports Washington’s plan to measure Van Buren free soil office holders by the Nebraska bill. Too long items will be shortened and cast overboard, promising a harsh purge of office holders aligned with free soil interests.
A correspondent using the signature X notes accidental errors in recent Mail communications and acknowledges reader-facing slips such as nave for naval and profess for possess. Washington rumors say Spanish despatches received by the government carry warlike implications.
Captain Smith of the steamer Routh recounts a collision with a native pungo and the killing of a native pilot near Greytown. He blames native provocation and says Minister Borland helped prevent arrest, sparking government action questions. The incident follows a prior collision and escalates with crowd threats and gunfire from concealment.
A Washington letter notes a Saturday interview between the French Minister and Mr. Marcy exchanging notes on the recent San Francisco arrest of Dillon the French Consul. It recalls Dillon’s expected testimony in the Mexican Consul case and cites treaty protections, while warning of possible consequences against Dillon and broader South American revolutionary unrest including Nicaragua and El Salvador damages.
The New York Herald argues Boston scenes last week reveal a factional clash over the Nebraska bill. It accuses Massachusetts men of selective obedience to law, praising Union benefits while resisting fugitive slave enforcement and actions against abolitionist mobs and court disruptions.
The Propment announces the accession of Mr. Ross L Brookine to editorial chair of the Hardy Whig. Brookine, late of Winchester, becomes editor and proprietor in a neat salutatory. Wishing him salutary dealings with the devil and prosperity in office and home, with prospects of success and adversity balanced.
A mosaic of brief items: advice to moderate eating as life prolongation, a debtor’s ruin story, mosquito sightings in Brooklyn, rich silver ore in Blount County Tennessee, a quip about advertising and greases, political guesses from Ohio, a Baltic intrigue line, Melbourne laws on Sunday liquor, Mrs. Fanny Kemble Butler’s Rome reading, and Hon. W. C. Preston’s frail health tour to Abingdon Virginia with crutch use.
Mrs Cecilia Young thanks Richmond citizens for kind reception and defers her southern departure. She will perform Wednesday evening May 1 at Metropolitan Hall with Signor U X Da Costa and others, featuring piano solos and flute obbligato.
In the Senate the Indian appropriation bill passed while the Deficiency bill was debated with conference committee requests. A resolution to print 7 500 more copies of the Patent Office agricultural report was amended to 40 000 and sent to the Senate printer. A gold coin bill was read and postponed after an executive session. The House saw Faulkner fail to push a resolution regarding James Batchelder’s death and debated the Pacific railroad bill with McDougal speaking in its defense.
A petition to Congress for repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law was placed in the Exchange Reading Room in Boston on May 29 and has drawn many signatures from prominent merchants who once supported the law. The community’s opposition to Burns’ rendition grows, tempered only by respect for the laws.
In Boston on May 29 the Burns fugitive case opened amid heavy security with U S Marshal passes required for spectators. Crowd noise, Worcester Freedom Club protests, and military presence marked the day as U S troops guarded the court. Proceedings continued after a recess with defense arguments and ownership records presented.
The Boston vigilance committee announces the mock trial of a fugitive slave is moved to Monday at 11 AM. Citizens are urged to attend with moral support and legal counsel to witness the event and respond as patriots protesting slavery.
At the General Assembly in Pyrrapotomia on May 29 Rev. Albert Barnes urged cooperation with Congregationalists while criticizing Albany Convention actions and Old School moves to bar him from ministry. He praised the assembly’s stance on slavery and warned the Old School would soon face the issue.
The jury found Henrietta Robinson guilty after a nearly three hour deliberation. She received the verdict boldly and cried shame on you, judge, alleging prejudice and bribery. Sentence was deferred for a bill of exceptions. Her conduct after verdict was unusual and language incoherent.
The Old School Presbyterian General Assembly received a report urging churches to increase Christian benevolence among members. Dr. A S McGill was elected Professor of Princeton Seminary and John W Waddell of Danville Seminary named to a professorship.
A garbled text fragment mentions a gathering at a hall with people named Young and others. It references a farewell or passing and a broad sense of emotional reflection. Details are unclear due to OCR errors.
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