The North Carolina Standard

FROM THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
GREAT RIOT. &c.

We have been favored by the Governor with the following letter, which was 'put into his hands on Thursday last:

Extract of a letter to Mr. Sherrard of the Legislature, dated Romney, Jan'y 6, 1838.

"Our whole community is in a state of excitement and consternation at the news which has just reached us, by express, giving information, that the Irish laborers along the line of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which borders upon this and the county of Morgan, have quit their work, and in a body of nearly a thousand men, have taken up their march from Hancock and the intermediate points, towards Old Town, committing in their progress, the most outrageous acts of violence upon the individuals and property of the native citizens, living on either side of the river, near the canal—many of whom are seeking safety in flight from their homes.

"The citizens are now voluntarily assembling themselves, to march for the purpose of quelling this lawless mob. We feel, under the emergency, utterly powerless and unprotected for want of the necessary arms, wherewith to protect ourselves.

"We shall be liable to similar irruptions upon our borders, for the next three years. We trust our condition will impress the Legislature with the propriety of placing 200 stand of arms at the disposal of the proper authorities here, and that you, with our own delegates, will co-operate in bringing the matter before the Legislature, and urging their early action upon the subject.

"Yours respectfully
"A. W. M'Donald, David Gibson, Jno. Kerr, Jr., Jno. B. White, George Gilbert, W. A. Howard, Vause Fox, John Welch, James Sheets, John M'Dowell, Wm. Armstrong, Wm. A. Vance, Sam'I Kercheval, Jr., J. Mytinger, Dan'l Mytinger, T. M. Cormick, Carlton T. Jack, Ph. B. Street, Wm. Harper, John M'Ilwell, David Armstrong, Sr., A. C. Kercheval, Chs. L. Wrenn, Thos. Mullidy, Thos. P. White, John Vance

"Since this was written, we have heard again from the line of the Canal. They have apprehended some of the rioters and taken them to the Cumberland jail; which, perhaps, may quiet them for the present. But still we feel that our request to have the arms here ready, ought to be granted for any future occasion—we think muskets would be the best."

In pursuance of the above request, we understand that Gov. Campbell has directed 300 stands of arms to be forwarded immediately to the proper authorities in the immediate vicinity of the disturbances.

The Cumberland Civilian contains the following account of the outbreak:

"RIOT on THE CANAL LINE:—Cumberland, (Md) Friday, Jan. 5—Information reached here on Monday evening last, That a number of the Canal hands on the tunnel; had come on to Oldtown, 15 miles below Cumberland, and committed sundry outrages upon the property of citizens there—and on Tuesday, that they had destroyed the windows and all the furniture of the house of Mr. Nicholas P. Ryan, innkeeper, and literally torn to the ground a small building attached, occupied as the bar room; that they were threatening to put to death some certain citizens, and the further destruction of property.

In consequence, the sheriff of the county, Capt. Thomas Dowden, on Wednesday morning, summoned the "Cumberland Guards," (a uniformed company under his command, but who had previously turned out for the purpose,) and as many more of the citizens who could raise arms, to repair to Oldtown to suppress the riot and apprehend the rioters. On their arrival there, however, we learn the rioters had departed for the tunnel, whence the Company, on Thursday morning proceeded in pursuit. Up to the time of putting our paper to press, Friday evening, no further intelligence had reached us.

"Postcript, Friday, two o'clock p. m.—Several gentlemen who have come in on horseback, from the scene of riot at Oldtown, report that the "Cumberland Guards" are within a few miles from town on their return, having under escort ten of the rioters."