The Constitutional [Alexandria, LA], August 13, 1860
Diabolical Abolition Plot in Texas.—The Origin of the Late Fires.—D. Pryor, editor of the Dallas Herald, publisher in the Houston Telegraph of Thursday, a letter giving the details of one of the most diabolical plots ever concocted by fanaticism.
Before quoting from the letter we must give expression to the hope that each one of these sleuth hounds of abolitionism may meet with the fate of John Brown and his bandits.
The particulars briefly are, that the fires occurring in various parts of the country on the 8th, aroused the attention of the people. On the 12th inst. Mr. Crill Millers house was burned. Suspicion fastened on his negroes. They were arrested, and in the course of the examination the particulars of the plot were elicited.
It was determined by certain abolition preachers who were expelled from the country last year to devastate, with fire and assassination, the whole of Northern Texas, and when it was reduced to a helpless condition, a general revolt of the slaves, aided by the white men of the North, in our midst, was to come off on the day of election in August. The object in fireing the town of Dallas was to destroy the arms, ammunition and provisions known to be collected here. The stores through the country containing powder and lead, were to be burned, with the grain, and thus reduce this portion of the country to helplessness. When this was accomplished, assistance was expected from the Indians and Abolitionists. Each country has a special superintendent, a white man, and each laid og into districts, under the supervision of a white man, who controls the action of the negroes in that district. The negroes are not permitted to know what is doing outside of their immediate sphere of action. Many of our most prominent citizens are to be assassinated when making their escape from the flames of their burning homes. Arms have been discovered in possession of the negroes, and the whole plot of insurrection revealed for a civil war at the August election.
I write in haste; we sleep upon our arms, and the country is deeply excited. Many whites are implicated whose names are yet unknown to the public. Blount and McKimmey, the abolition preachers, are expected with a large force to be here at that time. We are expecting the worst, and know not what an hour may bring forth. We may have to call on the lower counties for assistance; no one can tell—excitement, and distrust.