Letter from Benjamin Bowman about the Troubles

[letter in original form—no grammar corrected]

“Joseph, there is a great excitement in this country on the account of Negro rebellion[.] abolition Emissarys ar going through this country instigating Negros to Burne the towns and kill there Masters[.] There has all ready been some 12 or fourteen towns burnt[.] Dallasville is burnt intirely up and many others towns that I could name[.] the people of DAllasvill have sustained over a half Million of losses[.] They caught one of the abolitionist last Weake and hung him up to a limb without a jug or jury tho they had proof sufficient to justify there course[.] it is Dangros for a Stranger to travel through this Country at this time in Dallis County they are Whipping about thirty Negros pr Day[.] the Negros ar Confessing all about the plot they say that the Abolusionists have promised them there freedom if they would burne all the towns Down in the State[.] also they was to breake out on the Sixth Day of August when the men was all gon to the Election than kill all the Wimmin and Children that they could[.] all the likely young ladies they Was to save for Wives for themselves[.] those Secret Emmisaries promised them that they would be her with an army from Kanses abou the tiem the Negros was to breake out[.] this they have proof of from hundreds of Negroes, What will be the reulst of the strife God only knows[.]¹