Herald Of The Times

A thrilling incident at Petersburg

Correspondence of the Baltimore Patriot,

PETERSBURG, Va. July 26, 1840.

Virginia never was so wide awake to the alarming and disastrous measures of the General Government, as she is at present. No stone will be left by the Whigs unturned: Tippecanoe Clubs are being formed throughout the State, and the gatherings of the people are immense. Petersburg, Richmond and Fredericksburg have been alive with political speeches and discussions for the last week. Petersburg on Wednesday evening, had under the especial charge of the Loco Focos at the Court House, Mr. Calhoun of South Carolina, Messrs. Colquitt and Black of Georgia, and Mr. Connor of North Carolina. They all severally addressed a court room full of Whigs and Locos. On the following (Thursday) evening, we Tippecanoe boys presented to our fellow citizens, at the theatre, (our club room was not large enough) the Hon. Mr. Dillett, of Alabama; Messrs. Dawson and Warren, of Georgia; Mr. Carter, of Tennessee, and Mr. Nesbitt, of Georgia. I hardly ever saw such an enthusiastic meeting. Messrs. Dillett, Dawson and Nesbitt gave us splendid speeches; and Mr. Nesbitt happily recurred to the circumstance (speaking of General Harrison) of the General's return from the war, flushed with victory, at the head of his conquering army and meeting by the roadside a poor sick boy, who had followed the army under him, alighted from his charger and placed the invalid on the horse. "That poor helpless boy (said Mr. Nesbitt) is now a member of Congress from one of the Southern States. He is now within the sound of my voice, and there he sits!" (pointing to Mr. Chinn, of Louisiana, who was on the stage near him.) I do not think I ever heard such deafening and prolonged applause. Every person, Whig or Loco, joined in the shout to pay honor to the man who, by his own exertions, had elevated himself to his present exalted state, as well as to the "old General," who perhaps saved his life by a noble and characteristic act. Mr. Chinn did not reply. I do not think the man could open his mouth, so much was he overcome by the warm feelings of a people all strangers to him.