[Marshall] Texas Republican, August 18, 1860
Carthage, Texas, Aug. 7th, 1860.
At a public meeting called for the purpose of considering of the best means of protecting the town of Carthage, against the torch of the incendiary and the interests of the county of Panola generally, against the secret foes who seem bent upon the ruin of this portion of the Southern country, Judge Drury Field was called to the chair, and having brought the assembly to order, explained the object of the meeting, briefly, pertinently and forcibly.
A. M. Samford was appointed Secretary.
It was then resolved upon motion, that the chairman appoint five persons to draft resolutions which should suggest a plan for the protection of the town of Carthage, and for the accomplishment of the general object of the meeting.
Moved and adopted that the said committee be requested to report instanter, or as soon as possible.
The committee as appointed, consisted of H. P. C. Dulany, A. W. DeBerry, W. Watson, W. M. Thomas and James Long.
Upon motion, W. R. Poag, and J. K. Knight were also added to the committee.
It was moved and seconded that a vigilance committee be appointed to examine all strangers with reference to the purpose of their visit to our town and county.
Moved that the last motion be so amended as to make the officers of the corporation members of this committee. The motion and its amendment were withdrawn, to await the action of the committee appointed to report a plan for the protection of the town and county.
Mr. H. McKay, Rev. Mr. Roguemore, Rev. Mr. Pelham, Mr. Morris and Mr. Clements, being called upon, spoke upon the subject appropriate to the occasion, in brief but stirring addresses.
Moved and carried that the meeting now adjourn till 1 o’clock to give the committee on ways and means time to prepare their report.
Tuesday Afternoon, Aug. 7th.
The citizens assembled at the hour appointed. The meeting being called to order, the following report of the committee appointed this morning, was read by its chairman.
Whereas, we have reason to believe that there are incendiaries in our midst, and that our lives and property may be in danger. Therefore in order for our protection,
Resolved, That the Chief Justice be requested immediately to convene the County Court, for the purpose of appointing patrol detachments for the county, as authorized by Law.
Resolved, That we recommend, that each and every negro quarter be searched, and everything in the nature of weapons be taken away from them.
Resolved, That we earnestly recommend and urge upon our citizens the importance of guarding well and strictly, the conduct of slaves everywhere, and especially do we urge the importance of watching closely their associations with white men.
Resolved, That we recommend and request, that the Mayor and Aldermen of this Town do immediately convene for the purpose of passing such ordinances as may be in their wisdom necessary for the preservation of our Town.
Resolved, That we recommend the establishment of a police or guard. That the town marshal be appointed chief of such police, and that every free white male citizen be required by such ordinance to do and perform such duty when called upon by the said town Marshal.
Resolved, That such police or guard be stationed every night and remain on guard during the night unless relieved.
Resolved, That we recommend and urge upon all those who own unimproved lots, on or near the public square to cut down immediately all the bushes and remove other timbers that may obstruct the view to the Town or any of the buildings.
Resolved, That we advise all owners of slaves in the county to keep them at home for their own safety, and not to allow them to visit this or any other public place in the county unless on special business.
Resolved, That we recommend that when any patrol detachment shall find three or more slaves together, away from home, whether they have permits on paper or not, that they be requested to punish them in the manner authorized by Law.
The report was then adopted with the following amendment to the second resolution, to-wit:–That it be recommended that whatever weapons may be found unlawfully in the possession of slaves be appropriated to the use of the county, until redeemed by their proper owner.
On motion of H. McKay, the following additional resolution was adopted: Resolved further, That this meeting recommend, that the citizens of the different Beats in the county, assemble immediately and take such steps as will in their wisdom, meet the present emergencies—and that the acting Justices of the Peace, be requested to call together the citizens of their Beats for such purpose; and further, that there be a patrol appointed by the chair to patrol this Beat, and search all negro cabins, and other places where arms may be likely concealed, pursuant to a former resolution, and that said patrol be requested to appoint of their own number, an individual to act as commander of such detachment, and that said Patrol be requested to proceed immediately to patrol this Beat.
On motion of H. P. C. Dulany, the following resolutions were also adopted.
Resolved, That we recommend the immediate organization of a military company here to be held in readiness until our country and military district shall be organized as authorized by the acts of the last Legislature.
Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to sustain every citizen who shall endeavor to carry out these resolutions.
Resolved, That these resolutions be published in the Marshall and Shelbyville papers.
On motion the meeting then adjourned.
Drury Field, Ch’n.
A. M. Samford, Sec’y.