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From the Charleston Mercury Messrs. Editors:?C ?]. Richardson has never when properly approached refused to define his position as to political questions past or present?and having experienced his frankness I take the liberty of speaking for him?and assuring your readers that I speak what I know. Before replying tb the questions propounded through the Courier, I beg leave to enter my protest against their spirit and motive. I protest against the spirit of mischief, which to gain an advantage in an election of such comparatively small importance ? itipt of Governor would revive the bit terness of our old partyfeud. . It is neither just, delicate nor gcnerirtts to rake up from Lethe all the misdeeds and exasperations of that bitter contest and hold one man responsible for all; and as I believe the purpose of these writers is to excite prejudice and not to elicit truth?(for I presume they did not expect that Col. R. would suffer himself to be drawn into a newspaper canvass.) 1 write not to satisfy but to disappoint them. Col. Richardson did warmly advocate and support44 the leading feature" of Gen. Jackson's Administration, viz: his oppo$i-\ tion to a National Bank-and disapproved of the political principles of Clay anil Webster and the other accredited exponents of the principles of the National? Federal?Whig party. With the principles attributed by "Pathfinder" to Gen Jackson's Proclamation Col. Richardson does not and never did accord. He denies all constitutional right or power in the Federal Government to punish as treason, an act*of obedience in the citizen to the mandate of a sovereign slate. This will I think satisfactorily answer all the questions of that writer respec ting the Proclamation. Of "the Military Organization" of any parly to resist the constituted authorities of our state, much was written and said at the time of the Nullification struggle?but as Col. Richardson, I know, had no part or lot in any such organization, he cannot * gire any information on the subject. If any such organization did exist, the knowledge of it was withheld from him?perhaps because he was deemed unworthy to he let into the mystery?perhaps because it was presumed, and rightly that he would not join in it. Col. R. cannot therefore be expected to give the details of a plan with which he had no more connection? and it seems less information than " Path "Pathfinder" is very inconsislenfsurcly in holding Col. R. responsible for all the hostile movements when he in the same piece concedes him the small merit ol having been a pacificator. " Pathfinder" also treats that,clever and staunch Union man, the Editor of the Courier with very odd courtesy when in his very columns and presence he intimates and pursuesJiis purpose of invoking a spiritof proscription and revenge?to exclude from state office erery man. who has been a member of the old Union party. I would be ashamed of the name of which T am proud?that of " Carolina Nullifier" if I thought that after all that has past in the way of reconcilement, and compromise, and pledge and co-operation, many Nullifies could be yet actuated by such a spirit. That Col. Richardson and his constilu? i- 1 1 _ii cms birenuiHisij ami wiui an uuiibtuukiuuai means opposed the *' lest oath" or.oath of Allegiance is well known?but his objections were fonjided exclusively on the presumed intention. When by the Committee of Federal Relations the motive was explained and our party jrave the assurance that the oath was not inconsistent with any man's constitutional obligations, and wate not framed for proscription, Col. Richardson, and , the other leading men who acted with him?withdrew their opposition?and were not ashamed to entertain again and cherish feelings of confidence and kindness towards those from wbom a temporary misconception had estranged them. For the Clarendon resolutions alluded to, by one of Col. R's assailants, the poo pie of Clarendon are responsible, and neither they nor he will shrink from their respective shares of their responsibility I do not remember the resolutions. I cou}d say more to prove how ungenPTAIIC OYtrl lininct it I r> Anrlnoirfinp fa r?v_ v? w '4IIU UllJUOb lb 19 iu U (IU VO V VUI H? V A" tile the Nullifiers against this gentleman? by stirring up every disagreeable topic of pf*.rty lore; but enough of the past. It has nothing to do with the practical duties required of a Governor or t\ny other public servant. What is Col. R's. present position?and what course of policy may wc expect from him when he is elected. , He is decidedly opposed to all discriminating tariff duties for protection. He holds tnc doctrine of instruction as part of his political creed. I!e has full faith in the wisdom of the Independent Treasury system, and its successful operation?and believes thai if aided by judicious State Legislation, it will place thy credit and prosperity of the coun-1 try beyond the reach of revulsion or vicis-! sitodc. He is favorable to the re-election of Mr. Van Buren?because he believes that his measures comport with the interests of the South, and because the parly opposing him combines all the elements of Abolitionism n :<1 Ppilonltam. In ihc pending election Col. R. Ins no personal objects or ambitious or selbsh purposes to gratify: and has done nothing to provoke the bitter assaults and disparaging language of the writers opposed to him; and I do not expect them to be satisfied with this explanation?for it trill I '* - '' ,/ ? V- * rrtrust defeat'their design, and destroy their | only chance of defeating him?viz: the i stirring-ftp old parly fends. A NULLIFIER. From the South Carolinian. AN ABOLITION MISSIONARY. Mr. Editor:?Believing, as I do, that the whole South should be apprized of every foreign movement among us, on the subject of Abolition, whether to ex cite the objects ot its tanaticai sympamy, or to plant and foster amongst ourselves fanatical views and unwholesome feelings relative to slavery, I cheerfully comply with the request of many of my neighbors, to communicate to you, for publica lion, the following circumstances: It had been vaguely rumored about the neighborhood, last week, that a man who professed to be a religious Missionary, was travelling through the State, preaching publicly, and enforcing privately, doctrines of an incendiary character; that he had passed through York and Chester, and that letters had been received j from residents of those Districts, warning us that he was making for Fairfield, regretting that he had not been arrested there, and advising us to repair the error. Accordingly, cn Saturday, a few of the neighbors were informed that he had actually arrived in the neighborhood, and was to preach ot the Sterling Meeting House on the following day. The next morning a concerted gathering took place at said Mcetintr House, when it was oscer Q tained that the object of our search had taken the alarm, departed from the District, and was to preach at Smurney's Meeting House, Chester District,- about sixteen ot twenty miles distant. A large and respectable company was immediately formed to go in pursuit of him, which arrived on the spot just before the conclusion j of the sermon, but too late to hear the remarks upon slavery which, we were informed, had interlarded the whole service. Previous to dismissing the congregation, however', (which was chiefly composed of Seceders, many of whom are disaffected on the subject of slavery,) he invited them to remain, while he read a letter from the Associated Synod of his Church, explanatory of the object of his mission. This he was speedily dissuaded from doing, upon being informed that certain persons L - -i 1- i ,:i? naa arnvca on me ground, airuauj uuamc to him, and that the reading of the letter would but increase their excitement. Upon the retiring of the assemblage from the interior of the Church, a committee, appointed for the purpose, approached the Missionary and propounded to him certain questions relative to his present capacity before the people, his doctrines, objects, residence. The substance of his replies was, that he was from Ohio, originally,, but had resided five years in East Tennessee; that he was a preacher of the Gospel, after the Seceders' persuasion; that ho had bern specially sent; by the Associate Synod, which met in Baltrmote, to bring back under the authority of the Synod, all those who had abjured it, on account of a difference of opinion on the subject of slavery, by con? vincing them of the sinfulness of that institution. Upon this authority, the man (whose name is Tuomas Kendall) was arrested, and carried back to the vicinity of Ster- j ling Meeting House, and the inhabitants of an extensive neighborhood were summoned to investigate his case on the following day. Accordingly, the meeting took place, and the culprit was examined by several gentlemen, among whom was I an intelligent lawyer; and his letter of authority and directions was read and dis- ' cussed.4 The determination of the meeting was,that Kendall is a thorough Abolitionist, 1 and that he has been sent among us to ' operate upon the fanaticism of the whites, '< for the promotion of his doctrines, and probably to tamper privately with their < slaves. His grounds are, that slavery is I sinful, and consequently incompatible with ' religion, and membership in a genuine ' Christian Church; and, as a necessary de- * duction, that no one, chargeable with so ' heinous a crime, can attain happiness in 1 the life to come. j The conditions which he holds out, to t those who would be received within the < pale of the Church, in this world and I hereafter into the joys of Heaven, are, to t remove with their slaves to a free State, ' and there set them at liberty; it that isjl impracticable, to provide them wun me ? means of reaching a free State, and insure ' them against interruption to their progress, ' and if circumstances forbid that course, 1 to give them moral emancipation, by call- 1 ing them up, declaring to them that it is < sinful to hold fellow beings as slaves, and f that they are as free as air; but that, as I the laws of the State prohibit emancipa- ? lion they must remain ostensibly us slaves, 1 but really as equals, receiving a fair hire I for their services, provided they choose ' to labor. i Thus'making hirelings of those who cannot be discharged from service, and who are therefore without restraint as free- I men; and compelling the whites to employ, whether they will or not, those whom they ' cannot discard as hirelings, nor control as slaves?the worst species of,servitude.? Kkniiat.l confessed that he was aware his doctrines, if preached before slaves, would not comport with our safety: yet he was caught in the act of volunteering to read his letter, and comment upon the object of his mission, in the presence of slaves. He acknowledged that his doctrines were contrary Ho the genius of. our laws, and his last condition, in direct op> "v; position to their very letter;.yet he justified his conduct tipon the ground that he was obeying the duty iipposed upon him by the Church, and upou the acknowledgcd liberties of the press and speech; As it was the opinion of a member of the bar that the paper was artfully drawn up as perhaps to evade the existing laws, while left it the object of Kendall as obvious as though all caution had been disregarded, it was determined, by a fair trial hnfnro Turln-n T Trn^ti tn make UDOn this ?7? , > pioneer of a fanatical religion, a practical application, illustrative of the views and feelings of Carolinians towards those who, in any guise, by any authority, or by however ariful evasion, attempt to tamper with their rights and safety. ' If there is no law to meet such a case as I have described, I call upon my fellow citizens generally, and the members of the South Carolina Association particularly, to force upon the. Legislature proper attention to this defect. In the mean time, I wonld warn all fa? natical incendiaries abroad, not to regard printed laws as necessary to the punishment of their interference, when taken antongst us; but rather to believe that wc are as sagacious in detecting their subter fuges, and evasions, as they may be ingenious in concocting and practicing them; and that while it may be proper to have further enactments of our Legislature upon the subject, we can never need authority while we feel that self defence is a natural law, paramount to all artificial statutes, Yours, &c. t Fairfield District, 8 miles below ) Winnsboro', Aug. 12, 1840. $ From the Charleston Mercury. FROM FLORIDA. By the schr. Empire, Capt. South wick we have received St. Augustine papers of the 21st insl. from which we copy the following account of .the Butchery at Indian Key, which varies in some particulars from that already published. The steamer Santee, Capt Poinsett, arrived on Wednesday morning from the South, bringing as passengers thefaraily of ^ ? ? - -r r... cu. ur. rerrine laie 01 inuian rvcy. one brought in tow, from New Smyrna, the steamer Win. Gaston, which boat had sustained injury some time since. It becomes again our mournful duly to record the successful effusion of blood in this ill-fated Territory, and the Triumphant accomplishment on the port of the Indians, of an adventure bordering on romance. Indian Key, a small spot of not orer seven acres in extent, and situated a short distance in advance, midway between old and new Matacomba Key, about thirty miles from the main land, and on our Southern Atlantic coast, was invested by seventeen boats containing Indians; seven of its inhabitants .murdered, the island nlttnilorerl. nnH its t-nilcliups burned. I w"? "7 D # About two o'clock bn the morning of tlie 7ih inst. a Mr. Glass, in the employ of Mr. Houseman, happening to be up, saw boats approaching, and informed a person in the same 'employ, when they passed into Mr. Houseman's garden, and' were satisfied that they were boats containing Indians. The Indians commenced their firing upon the house of Mr. Houseman and Dr. Parrine; the former of whom, with his family, .and that of Mr. Charles Howe and family, succeeded in escaping to boats, and crossed over to Teafabl^ Key. The family of Dr. Ferrino, passed through a trap door into their bathing room, from whence they got into the turtle kmwI snil.hv rrrpit effort removed the logs and escaped to the front of Houseman's store, they then went to a boat at the wharf which '6 Indians (all who remained) had partly tilled and were in the store after a further supply?they then pushed off and pulled with an oar, a paddle, and poles towards the Medium, they were met by a boat when they had rowed a mile and taken to the schooner. Mr. Motte and wife, and Mrs. Johnson, a lady of 70 years of. age, fled into an out house, from whence Mhs. M. was dragged by an Indian, and while in the act of calling on her husband, "John save me," she was killed, Mr. Motte shared the same fate, and was scalped; and the old lady, as she was dragged forlb, suddenly erking from the Indian, broke his hold ?nd escaped under a house. Ilcr grand :hild, a daughter of Mrs. Motte, aged bur years was then killed with a club, and ;he infant strangled and thrown in the water. This was seen by Mrs. Johnson >om her hiding place; but the Indians ired this building, and She was again breed to flee, and escaped to Malony's wharf, and secreted herself, and was finaly rescued. James Sturdy, a boy about 11 years of age, hid himself in the cistern inder Mr. Houseman's house, and was scalded to death by the burning building seating the water. The remains of an idult skeleton Were found among the ruins if Dr. Perrine's house, supposed to be Lite Doctor, as well as that of a child thought to have been a slave of Mr. House* man. The Indians were what arc known as Spanish Indians, and were headed by Chekekia, the same chief who headed the party massacreing the men at Caloosahatchie. They obtained a great amount of plunder from the houses and stores; and whilst engaged in obtaining these articles, Mrs. Pcrrine, with her two daughters and little son, reached a boat partially loaded, and put off to the schooner .Medium, laying at some distanQc. . They were promptly rescued by a boat coming to their assis luiiiut aiiu wt*r? itikcii iu int: scnooner. On Mi-: Houseman reaching Testable Key, Midshiprhan Murray, U. S. N. started with his only available tbrcc, of 15 ? V < '* < - S-'Z' ' 7* H Jk.Va "tjr "V . * *'v>men ami two swtrels, 10 of whom were in j Hospital so sielt a silo Be certainly unfit [ for duty; but Ursrini? their'daim were her- i mitted, hoping to ctH off the boats and thns prevent the escnpe of the Indians". On the second fire of his gnus, iliey recoiled overboard, and the Indians then commenced n fire upon his boat from a six pounder, belonging to Mr. Houseman, charged with musket balls, and drove back this active officer. Communication was immediately despatched to Lieut. M'Laughlin, who wa= at Key Biscayne with the U. S. schrs Flirt and Otsngo, and they proceeded down. The Indians however, had escaped, after maintaining possession, of the Island twelve hours, carrying off large quantities of powder and other articles, and laying the little settlement in ashes. All escaped save the unfortunates named above. Among the bold and lawless feats of faring which have characterised the enemy during the war, there is nothing that trt?ll Uahb a ikAMMAMtOAn IVI fVl fills U/a ?wiii uuur a uuiiijiui im/n huh imo* ?? *? have seen the murdered remains of the citizen and soldier almost within sight of the garrison, when the white flag of overlure was waving to these iuhumen rascals in acts of kindness. We have seen the armed rider stricken by the bullet from the covert of the hammock, and the carriage of the traveller made to receive the last life drop of its occupant. We have seen the faithlessness of the tribe, even when the humanity of the while man was devising every means for its comfort, planning their accursed schemes of inurder, and Caloosahatchic, the ground of confidence and good will, red with the blood of our troo;ps and citizens. .But an Island ?we hnd ihnnrrJif anfp no Utile would wc have looked for an avalanche amid ihe sands of Arabia, or ihe glowing warmth of the equator, amid the "Greenland's icy mountains," as an attack from Indians upon an Island. A force too of seventeen canoes, averaging five men each, make, a voyage of at least thirty miles from the main laud, and "ransack, pillage and destroy,"- and return in safely !!! When will these horrors end? INDIANS. On the 12th instant, two men were fired upon at Hope,s,. seven miles from Micanopy, and Smart killed, and Lcrien badly wounded in both his legs. Shortly afrer, Indians made their appearance at Fort Crane, carrying off corn from the fields, and firing at two of the citizens, wounded both of their horses. The men escaped. On the 13lh inst. they fired npon a body of soldiers at M'Intosh's field; two of the soldiers killed, and one wounded* The Indians numbered from 90 to 100. They were pursued closely by upwards of a hundred men from Micanopy, and the adjoining posts, under Ca-pt. Bonneville; the trail leading to the Ocklawaha. Portions of five or six families have been murdered near the Georgia line. On the night of the 8th inst. at 11 o'clock, Lieut. B. H. Arthur, commanding at Fort Barker, Cook's Hammock, Middle Florida," with a detachment of his Company (E. 1st Infantry,) surprised a party of three Indians, about seven miles from the Fort on the road to Tallahassee, and killed two instantly, the other ran into tne hammock, and it being very jJark he could not be found. The next morning there was a shower of rain, which washed away all' traces of;his trail. Ho improbably dead as he appeared to be badly wounded; he fell several times while running away. . A murder of four persons, named Cnsry, took place, by Indians, at New River, on Tuesday the 11th inst. near Thigpen's Station. The tr^il crossed the Black Creek and FortHaflee road. The family had but lately rcmov/d from Georgia.? Lieut. May, 2d Dragoons, and Lieut. Hanson, ?th Infantry, started in pursuit. On the 26th ult., as privates JVl'Dotrall aDd Hartignn of Company K. 3d Ar'illery, were proceeding from Fort Lauderdale to the river, they were fired upon by Indians, and both severely wounded.? The white flag was flying from the staff of the garrison at the time, and the men were within gun shot of its folds. They will both recover. A negro of Jack Hope's, hunting "for birds near Mr. Hope's plantation, on the Alchuta Pcaric, came unexpectedly upon five Indians. He discharged his double barrelled gun at them, killed one arid wounded another. The Indians took to their heels and the negro also. The bo.dy was found, and the wounded trailed along distance. ' ; IN EQUITY. LANCASTER DISTRICT: Thomas J. Wright, vs. John Massey and Joh'n Myers and his wife Frances. Petition for relief. jYT appearing to the satisfaction of the " A Commissioner, that John Myers and wife Frances, defendants in the above case, are absent from and reside without the the limits of this State: On motion of J. Williams, Solicitor, for Petitioner, It is Ordered, That the said defendants do an swer, plead or demur to the petition in the ibove stated case within three months from me publication hereof, or that the same b taken pro confesso against them. J. H. "WITHERSPOON, Jr., C. E. L D. Comm'r's Office, June 4, 1840. (Printer's fee ?6) rrpWe are authorized to an>-* ?' nounce Col. SAMUEL S. TAYLOR as a Candidate for^ a seat in (lie House of Representatives at the ensuing election. J ' 4 v A ^ r ' ' ' V' v " . * ** ? i .. OAJOEN, S. CAROLINA. SATURDAY MORNING, AUGUST'i?, 1840. *l3*The Postmaster at Charleston would oblige the citizens of Camden, by forwarding the mails for this place, which leave the pity, oh Monday and Thursday mornings, via- Columbia, instead of the direct route. We should then get posse&iQh of our letters and papers on fuesdajya ajid. Fridays, from ijight to ten hours earlier, than by the present arrangement. Wo particularly invite the attention of oar reader* to the article which we have extracted from the Mercury, over the signature of "A Nullified* end which wo republish with the more pleasure, because it substantially oxpreses the opinion* which we have good reasons to believe that CoL Richarmos . ha* always entertained on the subjects to which italfodet. JN'o man can read it who does not hold to the techittcalilies and cabalistic terms of hi* party with greattr' tenacity than to \ubprinciples, but mu*t be ntiafied with the "Stales Right" character and complexion'of those opinions. Let "States Right men," therefore, of ?/? parties come forward and show, by their generon* and united support of Col. RicHAansoN, that the prejodi-; ces and misconceptions of the past ore forgotten and obliterated, in the harmony and confidence of theprcsent. Let the illiboral cavillings cease against this gontleman, wlio has done nothing to provoke the . numerous misrepresentations which have been attempted to bo made, of his political principles-? save in his being a member of tbo old Union Forty of this State, and attractiner. hv hi* h;??i. and exemplary deportment, ,so large a share <}f the confidence and esteem of his feHow-oitizens. We are convinced that, ho wfll be elected, by an overwhelming majority, and we trust that we may be permitted to hope, unanimously. CP " A Subscriber1' has sent us a long communication, in dcfcnco of Gen. Hakrison, and peomises, if we will publish to furnish "as often as we tftay feel disposed to give them an, insertion,""his (Gen. H.) sentiments &c. " A few brief extracts"^wbtch appeared in this paper last week, illustrative of the character of (Jen. Harrison, has given rise to the voluminous - document which " a subscriber" has sent us. We certainly feel obliged to-him for his < kindness, in enlightening us, as to the superior merits o f Gen. HARhiso.v, and if his artiste was not quite so long, ar.d a little less sneering at our efforts to enlighten the public, we should certainly let our readers have all tbo benefit which wo bavo from its' perusal. But wo wilt not allow oar own language to be sorved-up in the Jourml, in the man. I ncr in which our correspondent choose* to do it, and " a subscriber" must therefore pardon us for suppressing his communication. If he is really desirous of defending his Hero (quere?) we will cheer- . fully allow him as much space as we occupy ourselves on the same subject, provided the articlo is ' respectfully written, and this we think is as much as any subscriber ought to ask. Dut the article he has sent us, would occupy nearly, if not quite, three columns, and all inrefonco to a singlo one of the_ tracts, eight in number, which wo published, and all of whicb, including the editorial remarks, did not fill a single column. MILITARY IELEBRATION. The Richland Volunteer Rifle Company celebrated thoir 25th Anniversary, an Saturday the 8th 'instant. Medals were awarded to Corporal J A. IT-.,..? J : a A n T>._ 9 WW WW n&nnauit o- u privuieu W. ti. DAT1B &Ha tl. 11. ? Smith, for their superior dull as marksmen. A fine' barbacue was prepared for the occasion, by one of the members, which, if we may judge from the complimentaiy toast given on thq^occosion, was" " not bad to take." The following ore a portion of the regular toasts drank on the occasion: . ^ . 1. The United States of America: Thir home of the tree, and the asylum of the oppressed. 2. The Constitution of the L. States of America: The most stupenduous fabric. ever erected by the political wisdom oT' 1 man; let us resist to the last, every, encroachment upon this sacred charter of otir liberties. 4. General Morgan: The Patriarch of Riflemen; may his children revere his memory. % 13. The Fair of Carolina: Remarkable now, as ever, for their beauty, taste, and , accomplishments. From the volunteer toasts we copy the following: By Ensign DeSaussure. The Camden DeKalb Rifle Guards: Success and prosperity to the Corps. , . And most heartily do we respond to the sentiment. We have, the satisfaction of believing too, that ?6ucccss and prosperity" will attend it. The fine spirit which prevailed at its organization still pervades its members, and the untiring exertions of every man to qualify himself for discharing bis duty promptly and correctly affords a sure guarantee that the " iJeKalb Rifle Guards will, ere long,, be the pride and ornament of our District. The great Tippecanoe gathering at Macon, Geo. on tho 13th inst. roust, from all accounts, have been an imposing affair. South Carolina was represented by the Hon. Senator Preston. Tho Macon Telegraph estimates the number pres. cntat 11,700, and classes thorn as follows: Harrison men, 5",500 ? Van Buren men, 1,900 Fence men, 600 Boys and youths, 2,000 Negroes, 1,200 Females ono sort and another, 1.200 Total, 11,700 The Hon. J. C. Alford, the Hon. J. M. Berrien and the Hon. Wt C. Preston were the orators of tho uay; una uuiebB groat injustice baa Deen once tiiem, in reporting tho substance of their speeches on thw grand occasion. 'they must bate sent their hearers home but little wiaefthan they came. Several "Log Cabins" adorned the procession, and on tbe stand erected for tbo speakers, a cider barrel was placed in a conspicuous position, Notwithstanding all tfca ? W ' . t ^ Mf