Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
affairs in Wythe county.
Wytheville, Va., May 25th, 1861.
The following is the result of the election held in this county on Thursday last.
The vote is larger than on any previous occasion, when we take into consideration the number of our citizens who have left for the seat of war: For ratification, 1,409; for amendment Constitution 1,393; against it, 1.
W H. Cook, Legislature, 982; James Graham, Legislature, 358--Cook's majority 624.
The solitary vote east against secession was polled at Poplar Camp, by an individual who had a load of bald-face Ohio whiskey on, which sent an unusual amount of Unionism to his head, as he is known here as employed making lead pills for Yankees at the mines there.
Since my last, large numbers of troops have passed over our road; scarce a day passes that five hundred or better are not regaled by our citizens on the best our county affords, and the cry is ‘"still they come."’ Well, let them come; we have plenty of work and bread left yet. A few, however, could be judiciously stationed along our railroad, if the company can't do it, to protect the lives and property of our people who pass over, or live along the line, as I learn from a gentleman, a few nights ago, a acoundrel, named Price, from Yankeedom, was canght tampering with the slaves on Dr. Otey's plantation, at Christiansburg.
He offered to divide the proceeds with the darkeys, if they would put a nail in the Doctor's coffin, which they agreed to in this way — by informing the Dr. of the plot; and if he would repair that night to the place of meeting, he would find this ‘"pink of perfection"’ waiting to carry out his plans.
The Dr. done so, taking with him a friend, and found him sure enough in council.
He was immediately taken into custody, and, if I mistake not, has been treated to a cravat of Virginia hemp before this.
A gentleman informs me, who has just returned from Lynchburg, that a rail was taken from the track near Buford's depot, and an embankment of some sixty feet, on Tuesday night. But, thanks to an overruling Providence, the engine did not get off. These are significant hints.
That the country is infested by a gang of hired cut-throats, none can deny, and ought to arouse the authorities to the sense of danger that surrounds us. Every effort should be made to ferret out these villains, who are let loose upon an unsuspecting people.
Keeping a constant guard during these exciting times seems to me most judicious. 