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Penacook Courier

2-5

January, 1842

 1-37

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VIRGINIA THREATS ANSWERED!

                Norfolk, Va.―Xxxx untath escapa George Latimer, a runaway slave what sneaked on a ship bound for Boston, the Norfolk Chambera Commerce [?] threatened Massachusetts with all sortsa reprisals unless George gets captured and sent back immediately if not sooner.
                Boston, Mass., Jan. 2.―Thes county conventions today all over Massachusetts to answer Virginia's threats on the Latimer case, and in every county theyre takin up collections to buy up the claims to the fugitive slave. In the Suffolk convention held here today theyve also brought in another resolution agin annexin the Republica Texas xx President Tyler recommended in his message to Congress, xxx-ath, an that's to extend slavery'a controlla Congress if it ever went through, not to mention trouble with Mexico.
                Ipswich, Mass., Jan., 2.―The Essex County convention to protest agin Virginia's threats adopted strong resolutions agin Norfolk an Virginia, outsidath regular schedula providen for a collection to buy off claims to the fugitive, George Latimer, [by the ?] delegates in the convention. John Greenleaf Whittier, took up lotsa convention time readin a poem specially composed for th'occasion, called "Massachusetts to Virginia," and he managed to work up plentya sentiment over that. After that, the convention voted―an sent to all the conventions―a resolution to form a "Liberty Party" for abolishin slavery.

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TWO GOVERNMENTS IN RHODE ISLAND

                Providence, R.I., Jan., 13.The People's Convention, that drew up a new constitution for Rhode island last fall an called for an election for Christmas week, just reassmbled an announced that its new constitution won by an overwhelming majority. This new constitution gave the vote irregardlessa property an twas mostly the ones that couldent vote under the present charter that voted for the new constitution, as they were asked on the ballots if they had the property qualifications now used for votin (possessiona 134 dollars). The election for governor an other state officials under the People's Constitution's called for next month.
                Newport, R.I.The State Legislature's met here, while the State House in Providence is captured by the people's Convention, which sent a delegate to Newport, Joseph Wilson D-xxx o Providence, tabring in a resolution to adopt the People's Convention cause the people voted for it. The Legislature declared it illegal, bein as thes no legal way there can be any ammendments to the charter given Rhode island by King Charles II. But spita that, theyre plannin a convenshna the property-qualified voters, called a Freeman's Convention or a Landholder's Convention, to draw up a new constitution that theyll support. Theyve got the State Supreme Court (which the charter give em the right to fire any time) an somath Congresses declarin that the People's Constitution is illegal, null and void, and a few mora those things. A bill's also bein put through declarin anybody guiltya treason if they vote at an election under the People's Constitution or accept an office under it. Looks like its gonnaby war.

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TEXAS AN NEW ENGLAND

                The main news here seems tabee from Texas an Rhode Island. The slave states wanna annex Texas ta th'United States, an plan tamake maybe six states outath republic that's got its independence, though Mexico still claims it. Thell be plentya room for slave states, and plenty power for slavery in the federal government if they get away with it. Sno wonder the "Liberty Party" conventions in Massachusetts could rally roun that as well as the George Latimer case  an the issue of slavery. An that case is another matter―lotsa slaves been runnin away north since the depression that's bveen goin on the last five years, an thes plentya chance for people up north to resist the recapture.
                In Rhode Island thes the startova revolution. Thes two governments now, one in Providence and one in Newport. In Providence theyre gettin ridda the property qualifications for votin―Massachusetts and Maine did that ong ago―an goin right ahead without it. In Newport the old government's hangin out an claimin nobody can ammend their old royal charter―like, the War for Independence never happened―but theyre goin ahead to change it anyhow, and gettin ready for war to the end. Good luck Providence!



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