Summary

The editor of the Staunton Spectator considered the sale of slaves to the Lower South as a dangerous demographic trend that might weaken slavery.

EXCERPT:

"The consequence will be a steady and constant drain of slaves and for every one that goes out a white man from the North will in all probability come into Virginia and the neighboring states. It requires no prophetic vision to foresee the result of this kind of operation in the course of time. Is not the true interest of Virginia and the South generally to oppose the acquisition of territory, that her slaves may remain in her own limits, instead of being exported by thousands to supply the wants of new slave territory."

Full-text web version of newspaper

"White people in Augusta rarely discussed slavery openly and for the most part only did so under provocation when they hoped to defend their institution."