Alexandria Advertiser And Commercial Intelligencer

NORFOLK, June 15.

NEGROES again troublesome!!!

The following accounts of risings among the Negroes in the state of North-Carolina were handed us yesterday:

Gum Bridge, 2 o'clock in the morning, 10th June, 1802.

Captain GRICE,

I have to inform you that I have just received from John Shaw an account that the Negroes are embodied in Hertford county, and are under arms; the express came to Mr. Shaw's at 12 o'clock at night. I am in a hurry.

Benjamin Overman.

Captain Grice lives at Elizabeth City, N. C.

Another Express.

Mr. Browning, at Nixonton, received an express last night, at 1 o'clock giving him information, that the negroes in Bertie county had risen in and about the town of Windsor, and had committed great havoc; from thence they marched to Chowan River, where they are embodied and armed at the ferry about seven miles from the river's.

I do certify that the above is a true copy.

D. Jones.

The above is a true copy from the original—in addition to the above I have just received information, that they have embodied in large companies, armed, in the Great Swamp, near the Virginia line.

Mr. I. gave the information as I give it—I fear there is too much truth in it.

Wilson Bust.

Great Bridge, June 13th, 1802.

Reviewing these above documents as correct information, we have thought proper to give them a place in the Herald. We wish not our paper to be considered as the Herald of a false alarm, and freely, therefore, from reflection, give into the idea, that too much supineness, at present, pervades the inhabitants of this borough.—The Great Bridge is at no great distance from this, yet are we to sleep in our beds unguarded, (nay, without an alarm post) until the enemy makes the attack at our very doors. The coolness with which the Magistratial exertion and Judicial decision of this place has been treated by the Executive, is, of itself, enough to deaden exertion, although, upon an alarm near Richmond some little time since, (not now so formidable) the greatest Executive energy was called forth; even an Act passed to establish a Standing Army at the Capitol. 'Tis true that "Self-preservation is the first law of nature." Let us then resort to it---If the laws are not sufficient to authorize military interference, let each Citizen stand sentinel at his own door, and have a rallying-place, to which, on alarm, he may repair. We see no other remedy---an executive cloud darkens our safety.