The Virginia Gazette

SOME circumstances have lately taken place, in the lower parts of the country, of so extraordinary in their nature, that I cannot forbear communicating them to the publick. Our neighbours too of North Carolina, who ought ever, in times of distress, to befriend us, and have done so in many instances, should not be ignorant of them. Gratitude calls upon us to make every acknowledgment to those Gentlemen who have hospitably received us, when forced to fly to them for shelter; but the behaviour of some is truly alarming. It is well known that while the British troops were at Portsmouth, every thing in Norfolk and Princess Anne was at their command, and the people were ordered to go to market as before. After the ships had fallen down the river, and danger was at an end, a few Carolina militia appeared in Princess Anne county, and having intercepted several carts full of provision, intended for the Norfolk market, they stripped the owners thereof, Scourged them without even the form of a legal trial, and robbed one of his money. Indeed many who reside in the parts of Carolina contiguous to the lower counties of Virginia have openly avowed this inhuman practice, "inhabitants who escape ruin from the enemy, ought to be plundered by them." I cannot think that the major part will approve of such conduct, but the bare mention of rape and violence will naturally excite jealousies and animosities among us, which must be very prejudicial to all; and consequently the men who support such opinions are enemies to both countries. Civil commotions would not so frequently involve whole states in misery and woe, if magistrates would endeavour to nip them in the bud; and it is to be hoped that those in office will prevent similar practices in future. The abettors of such conduct must confess either that they are foes to civil liberty, or extremely ignorant of its principles; for a citizen of Virginia can only be fairly punished by the laws of his country.

A LOVER OF FREEDOM.

PRINCESS ANNE, NOV. 1780.