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+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #60349 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60349)
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-The Project Gutenberg EBook of An Account of the Late Intended
-Insurrection among a Portion of, by Unknown
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
-the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
-www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
-
-Title: An Account of the Late Intended Insurrection among a Portion of the Blacks of this City
-
-Author: Unknown
-
-Release Date: September 24, 2019 [EBook #60349]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: UTF-8
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ACCOUNT OF THE LATE INTENDED INSURRECTION ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by Richard Tonsing, hekula03, and the Online
-Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
-file was produced from images generously made available
-by The Internet Archive)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- AN ACCOUNT
- OF
- THE LATE
- Intended Insurrection
- AMONG
- A Portion of the Blacks
- OF THIS CITY.
-
-
- Published by the Authority
-
- OF
-
- THE CORPORATION OF CHARLESTON.
-
-
- (_THIRD EDITION._)
-
-
- CHARLESTON:
- PRINTED BY A. E. MILLER,
- 4 Broad-Street.
-
- 1822.
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
- CITY COUNCIL,
-
-
- AUGUST 13TH, 1822.
-
-“_RESOLVED, that the Intendant be requested to prepare for publication,
-an account of the late intended Insurrection in this City, with a
-Statement of the Trials and such other facts in connexion with the same
-as may be deemed of public interest._”
-
-
- TO THE PUBLIC.
-
- In complying with the objects of the above Resolution, I have not
- been insensible to the difficulties and embarrassments necessarily
- incident to the subject, as to what it might be politic either to
- publish or suppress. With the advice, however, of the Corporation, I
- have deemed a full publication of the prominent circumstances of the
- late commotion the most judicious course, as suppression might
- assume the appearance of timidity or injustice. Whilst such a
- Statement is due to the character of our community, and
- justification of our laws, there can be no harm in the salutary
- inculcation of one lesson, among a _certain_ portion of our
- population, that there is nothing they are bad enough to do, that we
- are not powerful enough to punish.
-
- J. HAMILTON, jun. _Intendant_,
-
- _Charleston, August_ 16th, 1822.
-
-
-
-
- AN ACCOUNT, &C.
-
-
-On Thursday, the 30th of May last, about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, the
-Intendant of Charleston was informed by a gentleman of great
-respectability, (who, that morning, had returned from the country) that
-a favourite and confidential slave of his had communicated to him, on
-his arrival in town, a conversation which had taken place at the market
-on the Saturday preceding, between himself and a black man; which
-afforded strong reasons for believing that a revolt and insurrection
-were in contemplation among a proportion at least of our black
-population. The Corporation was forthwith summoned to meet at 5 o’clock,
-for the purpose of hearing the narrative of the slave who had given this
-information to his master, to which meeting the attendance of His
-Excellency the Governor was solicited; with which invitation he promptly
-complied. Between, however, the hours of 3 and 5 o’clock, the gentleman
-who had conveyed the information to the Intendant, having again examined
-his slave, was induced to believe, that the negro fellow who had
-communicated the intelligence of the intended revolt to the slave in
-question, belonged to Messrs. J. &. D. Paul, Broad Street, and resided
-in their premises. Accordingly, with a promptitude worthy of all praise,
-without waiting for the interposition of the civil authority he applied
-to the Messrs. Paul and had the whole of their male servants committed
-to the Guard-House, until the individual who had accosted the slave of
-this gentleman, on the occasion previously mentioned, could be
-identified from among them.
-
-On the assembling of the Corporation at five, the slave of this
-gentleman was brought before them, having previously identified Mr.
-Paul’s William as the man who had accosted him in the market, he then
-related the following circumstances:
-
-‘On Saturday afternoon last (my master being out of town) I went to
-market; after finishing my business I strolled down the wharf below the
-fish market, from which I observed a small vessel in the stream with a
-singular flag; whilst looking at this object, a black man, (Mr. Paul’s
-William) came up to me and remarking the subject which engaged my
-attention said, I have often seen a flag with the number 76 on it, but
-never with 96, before. After some trifling conversation on this point,
-he remarked with considerable earnestness to me. Do you know that
-something serious is about to take place? To which I replied no. Well,
-said he, there is, and many of us are determined to right ourselves! I
-asked him to explain himself—when he remarked, why, we are determined to
-shake off our bondage, and for this purpose we stand on a good
-foundation, many have joined, and if you will go with me, I will show
-you the man, who has the list of names who will take yours down.—I was
-so much astonished and horror struck at this information, that it was a
-moment or two before I could collect myself sufficiently to tell him I
-would have nothing to do with this business, that I was satisfied with
-my condition, that I was grateful to my master for his kindness and
-wished no change.—I left him instantly, lest, if this fellow afterwards
-got into trouble, and I had been seen conversing with him, in so public
-a place, I might be suspected and thrown into difficulty.—I did not
-however remain easy under the burden of such a secret, and consequently
-determined to consult a free man of colour named —— and to ask his
-advice. On conferring with this friend, he urged me with great
-earnestness to communicate what had passed between Mr. Paul’s man and
-myself to my master, and not to lose a moment in so doing.[1] I took his
-advice, and not waiting, even for the return of my master to town, I
-mentioned it to my mistress and young master.—On the arrival of my
-master, he examined me as to what had passed, and I stated to him what I
-have mentioned to yourselves.’
-
-On this witness being dismissed from the presence of Council, the
-prisoner (William) was examined. The mode resorted to in his examination
-was to afford him no intimation of the subject of the information which
-had been lodged against him, as it was extremely desirable in the first
-place, to have the testimony of the other witness corroborated as to
-time and place, that, from the confessions of the prisoner himself, it
-might appear that he was at the fish-market at the period stated, and
-that a singular flag, flying on board of a schooner, had formed the
-subject of his observation. After a vast deal of equivocation, he
-admitted all these facts, but when the rest of his conversation was put
-home to him, he flatly denied it, but with so many obvious indications
-of guilt, that it was deemed unwise to discharge him. He was remanded,
-for the night, to the Guard-House, it having been decided to subject him
-to solitary confinement in the black-hole of the Work-House, where, on
-the succeeding morning, he was to be conveyed.
-
-On the morning of the 31st he was again examined by the attending Warden
-at the Guard-House (having, during the night, made some disclosures to
-Capt. Dove) on which occasion he admitted all the conversation which he
-had held at the fish-market, with the witness before mentioned, and
-stated that he had received his information from Mingo Harth, who was in
-possession of the muster-roll of the insurgents.
-
-With the hope of still further disclosures William was conveyed to the
-Work-House and placed in solitary confinement. The individuals (Mingo
-Harth and Peter Poyas) against whom he gave information, as those who
-had communicated to him the intelligence of the plot for raising an
-insurrection, were forthwith taken up by the Wardens and their trunks
-examined. These fellows behaved with so much composure and coolness, and
-treated the charge, alleged against them, with so much levity—(no
-writings being found in their chests, containing the smallest suspicion,
-excepting an enigmatical letter,[2] which was then too obscure for
-explanation, and to which subsequent events only afforded a clue)—that
-the Wardens (Messrs. Wesner & Condy) were completely deceived, and had
-these men discharged. One of these (Peter Poyas) proved afterwards, as
-will appear in the sequel, to be one of the principal ringleaders in the
-conspiracy, on whose courage and sagacity great reliance was placed.
-
-Council being still under the conviction that William Paul was in
-possession of more information than he had thought proper to disclose, a
-Committee was appointed to examine him from time to time, with the hope
-of obtaining further intelligence. Although Peter and Mingo had been
-discharged, yet it was deemed advisable to have them watched, and
-consequently spies were employed of their own colour for this purpose,
-in such a manner as to give advices of all their movements.
-
-Things remained in this state for six or seven days, until about the 8th
-of June, when William, who had been a week in solitary confinement,
-beginning to fear that he would soon be led forth to the scaffold, for
-summary execution, in an interview with Mr. Napier, (one of the
-Committee appointed to examine him) confessed, that he had for some time
-known of the plot, that it was very extensive, embracing an
-indiscriminate massacre of the whites, and that the blacks were to be
-headed by an individual, who carried about him a charm which rendered
-him invulnerable. He stated, that the period fixed for the rising, was
-on the second Sunday in June. This information was without delay
-conveyed to his Excellency the Governor, and Council forthwith convened.
-Whatever faith we might have been disposed to place in the unsupported
-and equivocal testimony of William, it was not conceived to be a case in
-which our doubts should influence our efforts for preparation and
-defence. Measures were consequently promptly taken, to place the City
-Guard in a state of the utmost efficiency. Sixteen hundred rounds of
-ball cartridges were provided, and the centinels and patrols ordered on
-duty with loaded arms. Such had been our fancied security, that the
-guard had previously gone on duty without muskets, with sheathed
-bayonets and bludgeons.
-
-Three or four days now elapsed, and notwithstanding all our efforts, we
-could obtain no confirmation of the disclosures of William, on the
-contrary, they seemed to have sustained some invalidation, from the
-circumstance, of one of the individuals (Ned Bennett) whom he named as a
-person who had information in relation to the insurrection, coming
-voluntarily to the Intendant, and soliciting an examination, if he was
-an object of suspicion. In this stage of the business, it was not deemed
-advisable prematurely to press these examinations, as it might have a
-tendency to arrest any further developments.
-
-On the night, however, of Friday the 14th, the information of William
-was amply confirmed, and details infinitely more abundant and
-interesting afforded. At 8 o’clock on this evening, the Intendant
-received a visit from a gentleman, who is advantageously known in this
-community for his worth and respectability.
-
-This gentleman, with an anxiety, which the occasion was well calculated
-to beget, stated to the Intendant, that, having the most unbounded
-confidence in a faithful slave belonging to his family, who was
-distinguished alike for his uncommon intelligence and integrity, he was
-induced to inform him, that rumors were abroad of an intended
-insurrection of the blacks, and that it was said, that this movement had
-been traced to some of the coloured members of Dr. Palmer’s church, in
-which he was known to be a class leader.—On being strongly enjoined to
-conceal nothing, he, the next day, Friday the 14th, came to his master,
-and informed him, that the fact was really so, that a public disturbance
-was contemplated by the blacks, and not a moment should be lost in
-informing the constituted authorities, as the succeeding Sunday, the
-16th, at 12 o’clock, at night, was the period fixed for the rising,
-which, if not prevented, would inevitably occur at that hour. This
-slave, it appears, was in no degree connected with the plot, but he had
-an intimate friend, A—— (one of his class) who had been trusted by the
-conspirators with the secret, and had been solicited by them to join
-their association; to this A—— first appeared to consent, but, on no
-period absolutely sent in his adhesion. According to the statement which
-he afterwards made himself to the Court, it would seem that it was a
-subject of great regret and contrition with him, that he had ever
-appeared to lend his approbation to a scheme so wicked and atrocious,
-and that he sought occasion to make atonement, by divulging the plot,
-which on the 14th he did, to the slave of the gentleman in question, his
-class leader.[3]
-
-This gentleman, therefore, mentioned, that his servant had informed him,
-that A——[4] had stated, that about three months ago, Rolla, belonging to
-Governor Bennett, had communicated to him the intelligence of the
-intended insurrection, and had asked him to join—‘That he remarked, in
-the event of their rising, they would not be without help, as the people
-from San Domingo and Africa would assist them in obtaining their
-liberty, if they only made the motion first themselves. That if A——
-wished to know more, he had better attend their meetings, where all
-would be disclosed.’ After this, at another interview, Rolla informed
-A——, that ‘the plan was matured, and that on Sunday night, the 16th
-June, a force would cross from James’ Island and land on South Bay,
-march up and seize the Arsenal and Guard-House, that another body at the
-same time would seize the Arsenal on the Neck, and a third would
-rendezvous in the vicinity of his master’s mills. They would then sweep
-the town with fire and sword, not permitting a single white soul to
-escape.’
-
-
-As this account was remarkably coincident with the one given by William
-(Mr. Paul’s slave) as the witnesses could have had no possible
-communication, or the story have been the result of preconcert and
-combination, the sum of this intelligence was laid before the Governor
-by 9 o’clock, and by 10 o’clock the commanding officers of the regiments
-of the City militia, convened by his Excellency’s order, at the
-residence of the Intendant. On this and the succeeding afternoon, at
-another meeting of the same individuals, such measures were determined
-on by his Excellency, as were deemed best adapted to the approaching
-exigency of Sunday night.
-
-On Sunday the 16th, at 10 o’clock at night, the following corps were
-ordered to rendezvous for guard—
-
-Capt. Cattel’s Corps of _Hussars_, Capt. Miller’s _Light Infantry_,
-Capt. Martindale’s _Neck Rangers_, _Charleston Riflemen_, and _City
-Guard_.[5]
-
-The whole were organized as a detachment, and placed under the command
-of Col. R. Y. Hayne. Although there was necessarily great excitement,
-and among the female part of our community much alarm, yet, the night
-passed off without any thing like commotion or disturbance, and it is
-peculiarly honorable to the corps on service, that in a populous town,
-the streets filled until a late hour with persons, uncertain whether it
-was safe to go to _rest_ or _not_, not a single case of false alarm was
-excited. A steadiness altogether praiseworthy, in troops unaccustomed to
-guard duty, at least on an occasion involving such deep interest and
-distressing anxiety.
-
-The conspirators finding the whole town encompassed at 10 o’clock, by
-the most vigilant patrols, did not dare to show themselves, whatever
-might have been their plans. In the progress of the subsequent
-investigation, it was distinctly in proof, that but for these military
-demonstrations, the effort would unquestionably have been made; that a
-meeting took place on Sunday afternoon, the 16th, at 4 o’clock, of
-several of the ringleaders, at Denmark Vesey’s, for the purpose of
-making their preliminary arrangements, and that early in the morning of
-Sunday, Denmark despatched a courier, to order down some country negroes
-from Goose Creek, which courier had endeavored in vain to get out of
-town.
-
-No developement of the plot having been made on Sunday night, and the
-period having passed, which was fixed on for its explosion, it now
-became the duty of the civil authority to take immediate steps for the
-apprehension, commitment, and trial of those against whom they were in
-possession of information. Council was accordingly convened, and as a
-preliminary measure, it was deemed expedient, that a Court of the
-highest respectability, for the talents and integrity of its members,
-should be assembled, and that, whilst the requisitions of the Act of
-Assembly, of 1740, should be strictly complied with, in devolving the
-warrant of summons on the Magistrates; the Corporation saw no
-impropriety in affording these officers a list of such names of
-Freeholders, as they knew would meet in a preeminent degree the public
-approbation; and to these persons private letters were written by the
-authority of Council, strongly soliciting their acceptance of a trust,
-involving indeed the most irksome labour, as well as the deepest
-responsibility. In conformity with these arrangements, the following
-Court was organized on the evening of the 17th:—
-
- _Magistrates_,
- LIONEL H. KENNEDY, }
- and } Esqrs.
- THOMAS PARKER, }
-
- _Freeholders_,
- Colonel WILLIAM DRAYTON,
- NATH’L. HEYWARD, }
- J. R. PRINGLE, } Esqrs.
- JAMES LEGARE, }
- R. J. TURNBULL. }
-
-Cotemporaneously with the organization of this Court, a Committee of
-Vigilance and Safety was appointed from among the Members of Council, to
-aid the Intendant in the execution of the laws; to co-operate with him
-during the recess of Council, in all those measures necessary for
-exploring the causes and character of the existing disturbance, and
-bringing to light and punishment the suspected and guilty. How ably
-these functions were discharged by this Committee, it is not befitting
-the occasion or the circumstances under which this publication appears
-to dwell. Their generous devotion and unremitting assiduity to the
-public interests and safety, are left to the more appropriate
-appreciation of a community that witnessed their labours. This Committee
-consisted of Messrs. Wesner, Napier, Condy, Burger, and Simons, and were
-zealously aided by the rest of the Wardens; and for its service, four of
-the most active, intelligent, and confidential non-commissioned officers
-of the City Guard, were detached as Police Officers, to search suspected
-places, and to apprehend those for whom warrants might be issued. This
-Committee commenced its labours on the night of the 17th, and during the
-ensuing twenty-four hours, the following slaves were committed:—_Rolla_,
-_Batteau_, _Matthias_ and _Ned_, the property of the Governor Bennett;
-_Mungo_ and _Peter_, the property of James Poyas; _Amhurst_, the
-property of Mrs. Lining; _Stephen_, the property of T. R. Smith;
-_Richard_ and _John_, the property of Jonathan Lucas.
-
-On the morning of the 19th of June, the Court of Magistrates and
-Freeholders assembled at the Court-House, were sworn in, and proceeded
-to the arraignment of the above prisoners for trial. Who were charged
-“_with attempting to raise an insurrection among the Blacks against the
-Whites_.” In order that the public may understand the offence as defined
-in the Act of 1740, the clause, at length, will be found in the
-Appendix, marked (A.)
-
-Before we proceed to a brief (and it necessarily must be very brief)
-abstract of the testimony offered in the cases brought before the Court,
-it may not be unimportant to observe, that, previous to their proceeding
-to the painful investigation with which they were charged, they laid
-down a variety of rules for their government, all of them subservient to
-justice as well as humanity. In the first place, it was decided, that
-the testimony should be regulated by those established rules of
-evidence, which are elsewhere found so important in the exposition of
-truth; that no slave should be tried but in the presence of his Master
-or his Attorney; that the testimony of one witness, unsupported by
-circumstances, should lead to no conviction involving capital
-punishment; and that the statement of the party himself, should be heard
-in explanation of such particulars, as seemed most inculpatory.
-
-
- THE COURT,
-
-Being thus organized, they proceeded to the trial of ROLLA, the slave of
-Governor Bennett:—
-
- JACOB AXSON, Esq. attending as Attorney of his master.
-
-It was proved, that _Rolla_ had confessed to two persons, both of whom
-were examined by the Court, that he belonged to the conspiracy, and with
-one of these witnesses (his friend) he used every effort to induce him
-to join in the insurrection, which Rolla stated was to take place on the
-night of the 16th of June.—Finding that this friend (the witness in
-question) would not join the association, he urged him to go out of town
-on Sunday night, lest some harm should come to him. Rolla represented
-himself as the commander of the Force which was to rendezvous in the
-vicinity of his master’s mills, and explained to the witness fully the
-order of attack; the division of the forces; and said, “that his troops,
-in their way into town, would fix his Old Buck (his master) and the
-Intendant.” On being asked whether it was intended to kill the women and
-children, he remarked when we have done with the men we know what to do
-with the women.—On this testimony Rolla was found _guilty_, and
-sentenced to be executed on the 2d of July.[6]
-
-
-BATTEAU was next tried—
-
-It was proved that _Batteau_ confessed to two persons (both of whom were
-introduced as witnesses) that he belonged to the conspiracy, and made
-efforts to induce them to join in the rising, by representing the extent
-of their preparations, and the probability of their success. He stated
-he was to head a party near Canon’s bridge, and that he expected aid
-from the country.—More than one interview took place between Batteau and
-the witnesses on the subject; the last, on the Sunday fixed for the
-insurrection, on which he renewed his solicitations that the witnesses
-should join him.—Batteau was found _guilty_, and sentenced to be
-executed on the 2d of July.
-
-
-STEPHEN, belonging to Thos. R. Smith, Esq.
-
-Was next brought before the Court, but the testimony being deemed
-insufficient, and indeed, the Court being satisfied of his innocence,
-directed his _discharge_.
-
-
-PETER, the slave of Mr. James Poyas, was next tried.
-
-It was distinctly in proof, against _Peter_, that he had made great
-efforts to induce others to join in the insurrection; and the testimony
-represented him quite in the character of a chieftain or leader, for
-which his boldness and sagacity unquestionably qualified him.—He
-appeared, from the testimony, to have employed uncommon pains to remove
-all the objections arising in the minds of those whom he attempted to
-enlist, as to the probability of the success of the effort. And spoke
-with great confidence of the succors which were expected from San
-Domingo. It was strongly to be inferred, from all the witnesses stated,
-that the difficult and dangerous sally of endeavouring to carry the Main
-Guard-House was to have been confided to him, for he particularly
-acquainted one of the witnesses with the combination of stratagem and
-force with which he proposed to accomplish this object.
-
-Peter was found _guilty_ on this testimony, and sentenced for execution
-on the 2d of July.[7]
-
-
-AMHERST, belonging to Mrs. Lining, was next examined, found _not
-guilty_, and _discharged_.
-
-
-The Court then proceeded to the trial of NED, the property of Governor
-Bennett.
-
-_Ned’s_ guilt was proved fully by the same witnesses that appeared
-against Peter Poyas, with whom it was established he was in the habit of
-frequent consultation on the efforts that were to be made. Subsequent
-disclosures have justified very strongly the finding of the Court
-against him, and placed it beyond a doubt, that he was a ringleader, and
-was to have headed a force in the vicinity of the Lines.
-
-He was found _guilty_, and sentenced for execution on the 2d of July.
-
-
-On the 24th of June, the Court discharged as _not guilty_, _Samuel
-Guifford_ and _Robert Hadden_, two free persons of colour, as also
-_Matthias_, the slave of Governor Bennett; _Mungo_, the slave of Mr.
-Poyas; _Robert_, the slave of Mr. Harth, and _Richard_ and _John_, the
-slaves of Mr. Lucas.
-
-On the 25th of June, the Court examined the cases of _Jim_, belonging to
-Mr. Ancrum; _Sandy_, belonging to Mr. Holmes, and _Friday_, the property
-of Mr. Rout, all of whom were found _not guilty_, and _discharged_.
-
-
- On Wednesday, the 26th of June, the Court proceeded to the trial of
- ABRAHAM, the slave of Dr. Poyas.
-
-The only proof adduced against _Abraham_, was the following letter,
-found in the trunk of Peter Poyas, and acknowledged by Abraham to have
-been written by himself,—
-
- “DEAR SIR,—With pleasure I give you an answer. I will endeavour to
- do it. Hoping that God will be in the midst to help his own. Be
- particular and make a sure remark. Fear not, the Lord God that
- delivered Daniel is able to deliver us. All that I inform agreed. I
- am gone up to Beach-Hill.”
-
- (Signed)
-
- ABRAHAM POYAS.”
-
-Although this letter was extremely suspicious, yet, there being no other
-testimony against Abraham, he was found _not guilty_ of the charge ‘of
-attempting to raise an insurrection among the blacks against the
-whites.’
-
-
- On Thursday the 27th, DENMARK VESEY, a free black man, was brought
- before the Court for trial,
-
- Assisted by his Counsel, G. W. CROSS, Esq.
-
-It is perhaps somewhat remarkable, that at this stage of the
-investigation, although several witnesses had been examined, the
-_atrocious_ guilt of _Denmark Vesey_ had not been as yet fully unfolded.
-From the testimony of most of the witnesses, however, the Court found
-enough, and amply enough, to warrant the sentence of death, which, on
-the 28th, they passed on him. But every subsequent step in the progress
-of the trials of others, lent new confirmation to his overwhelming
-guilt, and placed him beyond a doubt, on the criminal eminence of having
-been the individual, in whose bosom the nefarious scheme was first
-engendered. There is ample reason for believing, that this project was
-not, with him, of recent origin, for it was said, he had spoken of it
-for upwards of four years.
-
-These facts of his guilt the journals of the Court will disclose—that no
-man can be proved to have spoken of or urged the insurrection prior to
-himself. All the channels of communication and intelligence are traced
-back to him. His house was the place appointed for the secret meetings
-of the conspirators, at which he was invariably a leading and
-influential member; animating and encouraging the timid, by the hopes of
-prospects of success; removing the scruples of the religious, by the
-grossest prostitution and perversion of the sacred oracles, and
-inflaming and confirming the resolute, by all the savage fascinations of
-blood and booty.
-
-The peculiar circumstances of guilt, which confer a distinction on his
-case, will be found narrated in the confessions of Rolla, Monday Gell,
-Frank and Jesse, in the Appendix. He was sentenced for execution on the
-2d July.[8]
-
-
-The Court tried JESSE, the slave of Mr. Thomas Blackwood.
-
-The testimony against _Jesse_ was very ample. His activity and zeal, in
-promoting the views of Denmark Vesey, in relation to the plot, were
-fully proved. He had engaged with Vesey to go out of town on Sunday the
-16th, to bring down some negroes from the country, to aid in the rising
-on that night; and remarked, to the witnesses, on his way to Hibbens’
-ferry, “if my father does not assist I will cut off his head.” All the
-particulars in proof against him, he confirmed after receiving his
-sentence, by his own full and satisfactory Confession, which will be
-found in the Appendix, marked (H.)
-
-This man excited no small sympathy, not only from the apparent sincerity
-of his contrition, but from the mild and unostentatious composure with
-which he met his fate.
-
-Sentence of death was passed on these six men, on the 28th of June, and
-they were executed on the 2d of July. With the exception of Jesse and
-Rolla, they made no disclosures; all of them, with those exceptions,
-either explicitly or implicitly affirming their innocence. It is much to
-be lamented that the situation of the Work-House, at this period,
-precluded, after their sentence, their being separately confined; at
-least, that Vesey could not have been subjected to the gloom and silence
-of a solitary cell. He might have been softened, and afforded the most
-precious confessions, as his knowledge and agency in the nefarious
-scheme very far exceeded the information of others, who, however guilty,
-seemed but the agents of his will. But these men mutually supported each
-other, and died obedient to the stern and emphatic injunction of their
-Comrade (Peter Poyas) “_Do not open your lips! Die silent, as you shall
-see me do!_” It was, perhaps, _alone_, in Denmark Vesey’s power, to have
-given us the true character, extent and importance of the
-correspondence, it was afterwards proved, was carried on with certain
-persons in San Domingo.
-
-
-On the 1st of July the Court proceeded to the trial of MONDAY GELL, who,
-together with CHARLES DRAYTON, had been apprehended; the first, on the
-27th of June, and the latter, on the 2d of July.
-
-By referring to the Appendix (D.) & (E.) the nature of the testimony
-against these individuals will be seen. In reference to the case of
-_Monday Gell_ it was established that he had been a very important
-ringleader, and that his shop, in Meeting-Street, was a place at which
-many meetings were held; at all of which he was present, lending the
-most zealous aid, and affording the strongest countenance; and if any
-confirmation of his guilt should be sought for, it may be found in his
-own confession in the Appendix (K.) After Monday Gell and Charles
-Drayton were convicted there appeared to be a pause in our further
-discoveries, and some prospect of the investigation closing with their
-execution and that of John Horry, Harry Haig and Gullah Jack, (for the
-guilt of the latter, see Appendix (D.) (E.) & (F.))
-
-
-On the 9th of July, however, these five men, were called before the
-Court to receive sentence, and after it had been pronounced, with the
-most impressive solemnity, they were withdrawn to a common ward in the
-Work-House, for half an hour, until separate cells could be provided for
-them. It was at this moment that _Charles Drayton_, overwhelmed with
-terror and guilt, went up to _Monday_ and reproached him with having
-induced him to join in a scheme which had placed him in such a miserable
-and perilous situation. To this appeal Monday, not only confessed his
-guilt, but observed to Charles—that their present fate was justly and
-precisely what they had a right to expect, after their detected and
-defeated project. On which there immediately ensued between them a
-conversation on the extent of the guilt of others, in which Monday gave
-Charles the names of many accomplices whom he had not previously known
-in the plot;—the arrival of the blacksmith to iron the convicts, and the
-turnkey to convey them to separate cells, interrupted the conversation.
-
-Charles, during the night of the 9th, sent for Mr. Gordon, who has
-charge of the Work-House, and informed him that he was extremely anxious
-to see the Intendant, as he had some important disclosures to make. By
-day-light, on the morning of the 10th, this message was conveyed to the
-person for whom it was intended, and Charles was visited at sun-rise. He
-was found, in a state of the most lamentable depression and panic, and
-he seemed prepared to make the most ample declarations from the fear of
-death, and the consequences of an _hereafter_, if he went out of the
-world without revealing all that he knew, in relation to the Conspiracy,
-in which he had been so active an agent. Before his narrative was
-received, he was most specially put on his guard, that no promises could
-be made to him of a reversal of his fate, but that he might rest
-satisfied, his condition could not be worse by his coming out with a
-full disclosure of all that he knew. He then stated many particulars,
-that had come to his own knowledge, proving a much wider diffusion of
-the plot than, at that period, was imagined; and, after giving up the
-names of several of his comrades, he mentioned the conversation which
-had been commenced and broken off, in the common ward of the Work-House,
-between Monday Gell and himself. As Monday, at this period, did not seem
-disposed to make any confessions to others, whatever he might be
-inclined to do to his friend Charles, it was considered important, that
-the conversation between them should be renewed, and they were brought
-together in the same cell, and left for twenty-four hours alone; but
-some little stratagem was employed, to divert the suspicions of Monday,
-that Charles was confined with him, merely for the purpose of getting
-information out of him.
-
-On the morning of the 10th, the Court were convened, and apprized,
-generally, of these new disclosures, which Charles had made, but as he
-was still _closeted_ with Monday, he could not be examined on that day,
-the Court adjourned to meet on the 13th; on which day Monday Gell’s own
-confession was heard by them. Between the 10th and 13th, _Charles_ and
-_Monday_ were separated (having been respited by His Excellency, the
-Governor, at the request of the Court) and Charles, on his
-re-examination afforded much important information, which he had derived
-from Monday. On Monday’s having all this brought to his view, he
-confessed his own guilt, as well as the truth of the statements which he
-had made to Charles.[9]
-
-
-Cotemporaneously with these communications, PERAULT, belonging to Mr.
-Strohecker, was taken up, on the 10th, and on his being closely and
-judiciously examined by his master, he gave a large mass of intelligence
-confirming what had been related by Monday and Charles, and supplying
-several deficiencies in their testimony, more especially that part of it
-which related to the transmission of _certain_ letters to San Domingo.
-These disclosures, with some further details which were obtained from
-Harry Haig, (whose confession and subsequent testimony went to implicate
-a corps of Gullah or Angola negroes, that had been organized under the
-command of their Chief, Gullah Jack,) gave ample employment for three or
-four days to the Committee of Vigilance, during which upwards of sixty
-slaves were apprehended.
-
-It would very much transcend the limits necessarily prescribed to this
-brief memoir, to go over all the trials that subsequently ensued, on
-these fresh discoveries. As the most important part of the testimony,
-adduced on these trials, is to be found in the Appendix, it is deemed
-altogether, superfluous, to make a special application of it to each of
-the cases, as this would result in a repetition fatiguing and
-uninteresting to the reader. It will be sufficient to single out a few
-of the cases most pregnant in interest, and to remark, that the Court on
-its reorganization on the 13th, justly estimating the extent of the
-labour before them, laid down certain rules of discrimination in the
-guilt of the parties to which they give the most definite precision and
-perspicuity, by adopting two classes of offence; the first involving a
-primary and the second a minor degree of guilt. Under the first class,
-they brought all those who were ringleaders, who had made a declaration
-of their belonging to the association, and who had been present, aiding
-and abetting in the contribution of money, arms or ammunition, at
-Denmark Vesey’s, or who were in the constant habit of visiting Monday
-Gell’s shop and Bulkley’s farm, for the purpose of obtaining and
-communicating intelligence of the progress of the conspiracy. Those
-found guilty in this class, were to be punished with death. Under the
-second class were arranged those who had merely sent in their adhesion
-to the ringleaders without ever having attended a meeting at Vesey’s, or
-having been recognized by him as confidential men, or contributed to the
-purchase of arms or ammunition, or endeavoured to enlist others. The
-punishment which awaited those found guilty in this class, was
-transportation beyond the limits of the United States.[10]
-
-By reference to the Calendar marked (S) in the Appendix, the names of
-the prisoners committed will be found, and under a proper column, the
-mode in which they were disposed of, whether by death, transportation,
-or discharge, from the insufficiency of testimony. The extent of the
-evidence adduced, therefore, against each individual, may be inferred
-with accuracy, by observing the punishment awarded him; as the Court
-adhered with great and rigid fidelity to these rules, which were in
-unison both with justice and humanity.
-
-Among the vast number of cases disposed of by the first Court; in a
-session of nearly six weeks, involving the most intense and unremitting
-labour, it would be impossible to overlook the case of Jack Pritchard,
-otherwise called GULLAH JACK. The testimony in the Appendix, of more
-than one of the witnesses, will establish fully his guilt, and prove the
-justice of the sentence, by which he was ushered into another world; but
-no description can accurately convey to others the impression which his
-trial, defence and appearance made on those who witnessed the workings
-of his cunning and rude address. Born a conjurer and a physician, in his
-own country (for in Angola they are matters of inheritance) he practised
-_these arts_ in this country for fifteen years, without its being
-generally known among the whites. Vesey, who left no engines of power
-unessayed, seems, in an early stage of his design, to have turned his
-eye on this Necromancer, aware of his influence with his own countrymen,
-who are distinguished both for their credulous superstition and clannish
-sympathies. It does not appear that Jack required much persuasion to
-induce him to join in a project, which afforded him the most ample
-opportunities of displaying his peculiar art, whilst it is very obvious
-that his willingness, to do all that Vesey might require, was in no
-little degree stimulated, by his bitterness and his gall against the
-whites. Altho’ he had been fifteen or twenty years in this country, yet
-he appeared to be untouched by the influences of civilized life.—If the
-part which he was to play in this drama, bespoke that the treacherous
-and vindictive artifices of war in his own country, existed in
-unimpaired vigour in his memory, his wildness and vehemence of gesture
-and the malignant glance with which he eyed the witnesses who appeared
-against him, all indicated the savage, who indeed had been _caught_, but
-not _tamed_. It would be both tedious and disgusting to relate the many
-artifices employed by this miscreant to deceive and cajole his deluded
-countrymen. Such was their belief in his invulnerability, that his
-charms and amulets were in request, and he was regarded as a man, who
-could _only_ be harmed but by the _treachery_ of his fellows. Even those
-negroes who were born in this country seem to have spoken of his charmed
-invincibility with a confidence which looked much like belief. When Jack
-was dragged forth to the scaffold he seemed conscious that his arts
-would stand him in little stead, and gave up his spirit without firmness
-or composure.
-
-
-The case of TOM RUSSEL, another of the Gullah Band, deserves a brief
-notice. He was tried some days after Jack, and was executed among the
-twenty-two Criminals hung on the Lines, on the 26th July. Tom was Jack’s
-_armourer_, and kept his blacksmith’s shop on East-Bay. His part in the
-conspiracy was confined to the making of pikes and spears, which it
-appears he did on a very approved model. After these weapons were
-finished, they were held subject to the order of Jack, and by him sent
-up to Mr. Bulkley’s farm,[11] near the Cross Roads, where handles were
-provided for them by Polydore Faber, a Gullah, who met his fate on the
-same scaffold with Tom Russel. This farm was one of the principal
-rendezvous of the Gullah Band, of which Jack was the Captain.
-
-
-The trial of LOT FORRESTER, was not without interest, as he was the
-_courier_ of the conspiracy, and was proved to have gone out of town,
-for the purpose of inducing the country negroes to join in the
-insurrection; his journeys were both south and north of Charleston. His
-zeal and perseverance in the cause were strongly proved, and there is
-every reason for believing that the conflagration of the city was
-confided, by Vesey, to him. Match-rope was found in a situation where he
-had probably secreted it.—He was hung on the Lines on the 26th of July.
-
-
-BACCHUS HAMMETT, who was hung, also, on the 26th, did render, and was to
-have rendered, on the night of the 16th, the most essential aid. Before
-the latter period he had stolen from his master’s store a keg of powder,
-which was conveyed, first to Vesey’s afterwards to Monday Gell’s, and
-lastly to Gullah Jack, to be prepared into cartridges. On the night of
-the 16th he was to have slept where the arms of the _Neck-Rangers_ were
-deposited, and facilitated their seizure and distribution among Gullah
-Jack’s corps, who were to have carried this post, as well as Mr.
-_Duquercron’s_ store, in which there were 500 stands of arms, deposited
-for sale.
-
-
-The cases of JACK GLEN, BILLY PALMER, and JACK PURCELL, are
-distinguished, not by any peculiar atrocity, but for the hypocrisy they
-blended with their crime. Their assent to the plot was distinctly shown,
-and it was in proof, that Vesey had recognized them all as his men. Jack
-Glen was a Preacher. Billy Palmer, exceedingly pious, and a communicant
-at the church of his master; and Jack Purcell no less devout. The case
-of the latter was not without its pathos, from the deep contrition he
-expressed before his execution; the distressing interest which his
-mistress is said to have taken in his fate, and the lamentable delusion
-under which he laboured, which is more particularly unfolded in his
-confession, in the Appendix marked (L.)[12] Jack Glen and Purcell were
-hung on the Lines. Billy Palmer has been respited by His Excellency, the
-Governor, until October next, for a commutation of his punishment to
-banishment beyond the limits of the United States.
-
-
-The Court having used the testimony of _Monday Gell_, _Charles Drayton_
-and _Harry Haig_, very efficaciously, to the ends of public justice,
-reconsidered the sentences, which had been passed on them, and instead
-of death, sentenced them to transportation beyond the limits of the
-United States.
-
-
-As a matter of form, _Perault_, _John Enslow_ and _Billy Bulkley_, (who
-had become witnesses for the state,) were then tried on their own
-confessions, and sentenced to be transported beyond the limits of the
-United States. These individuals were important witnesses in all the
-apprehensions and trials subsequent to the 13th of July.
-
-
-Perault gave his testimony with great fearlessness and candour, and
-Enslow with much composure and connexion; the evidence of both, as well
-indeed as that of most of the witnesses, was much appreciated by the
-Court, after a severe scrutiny.[13]
-
-
-This Court, having disposed of all the cases before them, adjourned on
-the 26th of July.
-
-
-At this stage of our investigation we were satisfied that of all the
-ringleaders in the conspiracy, _William Garner_, (who had effected his
-escape from the city about the 1st of July) only, remained to be
-punished. As information had been received of his having travelled
-towards Columbia, a proclamation was issued by His Excellency, the
-Governor, for his apprehension, in promotion of the success of which
-some subsidiary steps were taken by private means. On the 2d of August
-our wishes, relating to Garner, were gratified, by his arrival in town.
-He had previously been arrested at Columbia, thro’ the public spirited
-efforts of the Intendant of that place and Lieut. Maxcy, who overtook
-and apprehended him at Granby.
-
-On Garner’s arrival, a new Court was organized for his trial, and such
-other cases as might be brought before them, by precisely the same means
-as those which had been employed on the appointment of the first; and
-the services of the following gentlemen secured, who were known to
-possess, deservedly, a large share of the public confidence.
-
- _Magistrates_,
- JACOB AXON, }
- and } Esqrs.
- G. M. FURMAN, }
-
- _Freeholders._
- Hon. JOEL R. POINSETT,
- THOS. R. SMITH, }
- R. Y. HAYNE, } Esqrs.
- Col. THOMAS ROPER,
- Col. JOHN GORDON.
-
-This Court adopted the same rules for their government which had been so
-humanely and dispassionately adopted by the preceding Court, but, as
-enough had been done for public example, they determined to visit
-capital punishment on none but ringleaders. The first case they tried
-was that of WILLIAM GARNER.
-
-Garner’s guilt had all the characteristics, which the Court had assigned
-to the first class of turpitude; it was not only proved that he was
-actively engaged in recruiting others, but that he was to have led a
-troop of horse, at the rising, composed of all such of the conspirators
-as might have appeared in the streets on horseback. And further, that he
-had made an offer of a command to others in his corps. Four witnesses
-having sworn positively to his guilt, detailing a variety of
-particulars, mutually corroborating and supporting each other, he was
-found guilty and sentenced for execution on the 9th of August, at which
-period the sentence was carried into effect. This Court having, after a
-short adjournment, of three or four, days recommenced their session,
-disposed of twelve cases more, involving a minor degree of guilt, and
-adjourned finally on the 8th of August.
-
-These trials, together with some private arrangements, made with their
-owners, in reference to the banishment of several slaves, in cases where
-their guilt was clear, but not of the first degree, have at length
-closed the anxious and irksome labours of the corporation, after an
-examination of little less than two months.
-
-It will be seen, by referring to the Calendar marked (S) that one
-hundred and thirty-one were committed; thirty-five have suffered death,
-and thirty-seven have been sentenced to banishment. The most important
-object to be obtained in uprooting a conspiracy, we have fully
-accomplished, by bringing to punishment the whole of the ringleaders.
-Monday Gell, whose knowledge of the plot was, probably, exceeded only by
-Vesey’s, has emphatically stated, that the ringleaders were the first
-six, who were executed on the 2d of July, to wit: Denmark Vesey, Peter
-Poyas, Ned Bennett, Rolla, Batteau and Jesse; to which he has since
-added himself and William Garner, who was executed on the 9th of August.
-
-We, moreover, believe, that all who were active agents (though not
-ringleaders) in the conspiracy, have expiated their crimes, or are about
-to do so, by an eternal exile from our shores. It may be mentioned, in
-confirmation of this belief, that Monday Gell, from memory, made out a
-list of forty-two names, of those who were in the habit of visiting his
-shop, for the purpose of combining and confederating in the intended
-insurrection, whom he called his company; every one of whom have been
-apprehended, and disposed of. We cannot venture to say, to how many the
-knowledge of the intended effort, was communicated, who, without
-signifying their assent, or attending any of the meetings, were yet
-prepared to profit by events. That there are many who would not have
-permitted the enterprize to have failed at a _critical moment_, for the
-want of their co-operation, we have the best reasons for believing.
-
-Before we conclude, some notice of the probable causes of this
-conspiracy may be expected. As this is a matter of speculation, we shall
-not speak without reserve. Of the motives of Vesey, we cannot sit in
-judgment; they have been scanned by a power who can do higher justice
-than ourselves. But as they are explained by his character and conduct,
-during the combinations of the plot, they are only to be referred to a
-malignant hatred of the whites, and inordinate lust of power and booty.
-Indeed, the belief is altogether justifiable, that his end would have
-been answered, if, after laying our city in ashes, and moistening its
-cinders with blood, he could have embarked with a part of the pillage of
-our banks for San Domingo; leaving a large proportion of his deluded
-followers to the exterminating desolation of that justice, which would
-have awaited, in the end, a transient success. His followers were
-slaves, and for them it would not be so difficult to assign a motive, if
-it had not been distinctly proved, that without, scarcely an exception,
-they had no individual hardship to complain of, and were among the most
-humanely treated negroes in our city. The facilities for combining and
-confederating in such a scheme, were amply afforded, by the extreme
-indulgence and kindness, which characterises the domestic treatment of
-our slaves. Many slave owners among us, not satisfied with ministering
-to the wants of their domestics, by all the comforts of abundant food,
-and excellent clothing, with a misguided benevolence, have not only
-permitted their instruction, but lent to such efforts their approbation
-and applause.
-
-Religious fanaticism has not been without its effect on this project,
-and as auxiliary to these sentiments, the secession of a large body of
-blacks from the white Methodist Church, with feelings of irritation and
-disappointment, formed a hot-bed, in which the germ might well be
-expected to spring into life and vigour. Among the conspirators _a
-majority_ of them belonged to the _African Church_,[14] and among those
-executed were several who had been Class Leaders. It is, however, due to
-the late head of their church (for since the late events the association
-has been voluntarily dissolved) and their deacons, to say, that after
-the most diligent search and scrutiny, no evidence entitled to belief,
-has been discovered against them. A hearsay rumour, in relation to
-_Morris Brown_, was traced far enough to end in its complete
-falsification.
-
-That the course which certain discussions assumed in Congress were
-likewise efficacious in producing both discontent and delusion, is
-sufficiently apparent. Jack Purcell’s confession in the Appendix, will
-show to what a purpose Vesey applied those beautiful propositions of
-civil and natural freedom, which were sported with a wanton recklessness
-of their consequences, as applied to the condition of a certain portion
-of our common country.
-
-It is consoling to every individual, who is proud of the character of
-his country, in the late unhappy events, to be able to say, that, within
-the limits of the City of Charleston, in a period of great and
-unprecedented excitement, the laws, without even one violation, have
-ruled with uninterrupted sway—that no cruel vindictive or barbarous
-modes of punishment have been resorted to—that justice has been blended
-with an enlightened humanity, in according to those who had meted out
-for us murder, rapine and conflagration, in their most savage
-forms—trials, which, for the wisdom, impartiality and moderation that
-governed them, are even superior to those which the ordinary modes of
-judicature would have afforded ourselves.
-
-With little to fear, and nothing to reproach ourselves we may, without
-shrinking, submit our conduct to the award of posterity, and ourselves
-to the protection of the Supreme Ruler of Events.
-
-
-
-
- APPENDIX.
-
-
- (A.)
-
-Every Slave who shall raise, or attempt to raise an Insurrection, in
-this Province, or shall endeavour to delude or entice any Slave to
-runaway and leave the Province, every such Slave and Slaves, and his and
-their accomplices, aiders and abetters, shall, on conviction thereof, as
-aforesaid, suffer death. _Provided always_, that it shall and may be
-lawful, to and for the Justices who shall pronounce sentence against
-such Slaves, by and with the advice and consent of the Freeholders as
-aforesaid, if several Slaves shall receive sentence at one time, to
-mitigate and alter the sentence of any Slave, other than such as shall
-be convicted of homicide of a white person, who they shall think may
-deserve mercy, and may inflict such corporal punishment (other than
-death) on any such Slave, as they in discretion shall think fit, any
-thing herein contained to the contrary thereof, in any wise
-notwithstanding. _Provided_, that one or more of the said Slaves who
-shall be convicted of the crimes or offence aforesaid, where several are
-concerned, shall be executed for example, to deter others from offending
-in the like kind. A. A. 1740. P. L. 167.
-
-
- (B.)
-
-A negro man testified as follows:[15]—I know Peter, he belongs to Mr.
-James Poyas; in May last, Peter and myself met in Legare street, at the
-corner of Lambol street, where the following conversation took place—He
-asked me the news—I replied, none that I know of—He said, by George! we
-can’t live so. I replied, how will we do? He said, we can do very well,
-if you can find any one to assist us—will you join? I asked him, how do
-you mean? He said, why! to break the yoke; I replied, I don’t know. He
-asked me, suppose you were to hear, that the whites were going to kill
-you, would you defend yourself? I replied, I’d try to escape. He asked,
-have you lately seen _Denmark Vesey_, and has he spoken to you
-particularly. I said no. Well then, said he, that’s all now: but call at
-the shop to-morrow after knocking off work, and I will tell you more! We
-then parted.—I met him the next day, according to appointment, when he
-said to me, we intend to see, if we can’t do something for ourselves, we
-can’t live so. I asked him, where he would get men? He said, we’ll find
-them fast enough, we have got enough, we expect men from country and
-town. But how, said I, will you manage it. Why, we will give them
-notice, said he, and they will march down and camp round the city. But
-what, said I, will they do for arms. He answered, they will find arms
-enough, they all bring down their hoes, axes, &c. I said, that won’t do
-to fight with here. He said, stop! let us get candidates from town with
-arms, and we will then take the Guard-House and Arsenal in town, the
-Arsenal on the Neck and the Upper Guard-House, and supply the country
-people with arms. How, said I, will you approach those Arsenals, &c. for
-they are guarded? Yes, said he, I know that, but what are these guards,
-one man here, and one man there, we let a man pass before us. Well, said
-I, but how will the black people from the country, and those from the
-islands, know when you are to begin, or how will you get the town people
-together. Why, said he, we will have prayer meetings at night, and there
-notify them when to start, and when the clock strikes twelve, _all must
-move_. But, said I, the whites in the back country, Virginia, &c.; when
-they hear the news, will turn to, and kill you all, and besides, you may
-be betrayed. Well said he, what of that, if one gets hanged, we will
-rise at that minute. We then left his shop, and walked towards Broad
-street, when he said, I want you to take notice of all the shops and
-stores in town with arms in them, take _down their numbers, and give
-them to me_. I said, I will see to it, and then we parted.
-
-About the 1st of June, I saw in the public papers a statement that the
-white people were going to build missionary houses for the blacks, which
-I carried and showed to Peter, and said, see the good they are going to
-do for us; when, he said,—What of that?—Have you not heard, that on the
-4th of July, the whites are going to create a false alarm of fire, and
-every _black_ that comes out will be _killed_, in order _to thin them_?
-Do you think they would be so barbarous? (said I) Yes! (said he) I do!—I
-fear _they have a knowledge of an army from San Domingo_, and they would
-be _right to do it; to prevent us joining that army, if it should march
-towards this land_! I was then very much alarmed. We then parted, and I
-saw no more of him till the guards were very strict, (about a fortnight
-ago.) At that time I saw Peter and Ned Bennett standing and talking
-together, at the corner of Lambol and Legare-streets. They crossed over
-and met me by Mrs. Myles’, and Ned Bennett said to me—did you hear what
-those boys were taken up for the other day? I replied, No! but some say
-it was for stealing. Ned asked me if I was sure I had never said any
-thing to the whites about what Peter Poyas had spoken to me about? I
-replied, No! Says Peter—You never did? No! I answered. Says Ned, to
-me—How do you stand? At which I struck the tree box with my knuckles and
-said, as firm as this box—I’ll never say one word against you. Ned then
-smiled and nodded his head, and said—That will do!—when we all
-separated. Last Tuesday or Wednesday week, Peter said to me—You see, my
-lad, how the white people have got to windward of us? You won’t, said I,
-be able to do any thing. O, yes! (he said) we will! By George we are
-oblige to! He said, all down this way ought to meet and have a
-collection to purchase powder. What, said I, is the use of powder—the
-whites can fire three times to our once. He said, but _’twill be such a
-dead time of the night, they won’t know what is the matter, and our
-horse companies will go about the streets and prevent the whites from
-assembling_. I asked him—where will you get horses? Why, said he, there
-are many butcher boys with horses; and there are the livery stables,
-where we have several candidates; and the waiting men, belonging to the
-white people of the horse companies, will be told to take away their
-master’s horses. He asked me if my master was not a horseman? I said,
-Yes! Has he not got arms in his house? I answered, Yes! Can’t they be
-got at? I said, Yes! Then (said he) it is good to have them. I asked
-what was the plan? Why, said he, after we have taken the Arsenals and
-Guard Houses, then we will set the town on fire, in different places,
-and as the whites come out we will slay them. If we were to set fire to
-the town first the man in the steeple would give the alarm too soon.—I
-am the Captain, said he, to take the lower Guard-House and Arsenal. But,
-I replied, when you are coming up, the Centinel will give the alarm. He
-said, he would advance a little distance ahead, and if he could only get
-a _grip at his throat, he was a gone man_, for his sword was very sharp;
-he had sharpened it, and had made it so sharp, it had cut his finger,
-which he showed me. As to the Arsenal on the Neck, he said, that it was
-gone as sure as fate, _Ned Bennett, would manage that with the people
-from the country, and the people between Hibbens’ Ferry and Santee would
-land and take the Upper Guard-House_. I then said, then this thing seems
-true. My man, said he, God has a hand in it, _we have been meeting for
-four years, and are not yet betrayed_. I told him, I was afraid, after
-all, of the white people from the back country and Virginia, &c. He said
-that the blacks would collect so numerous from the country, we need not
-fear the whites from the other parts, for when we have once got the city
-we can keep them all out. He asked, if I had told my boys. I said no.
-Then said he, you should do it, for Ned Bennett has his people pretty
-well ranged. But, said he, take care and don’t mention it to those
-waiting men who receive _presents of old coats, &c. from their masters,
-or they’ll betray us_. I will speak to them. We then parted, and I have
-not since conversed with him. He said the rising was to take place last
-Sunday night, (16th June)—That _any of the coloured people who said a
-word about this matter would be killed by the others. The little man,
-who can’t be killed, shot or taken_ is named Jack, a Gullah Negro. Peter
-said there was a French Company in town of three hundred men fully
-armed—that he was to see Monday Gell, about expediting the rising. I
-know that Mingo went often to Mr. Paul’s to see Edwin, but don’t know if
-he spoke with William. Peter said he had a sword, and I ought to get
-one. He said he had got a letter from the country; I think from St.
-Thomas’, from a negro man who belonged to the captain of a militia
-company, who said he could easily get the key of the house where the
-company’s arms were put after muster, and take them all out, and help in
-that way. This business originates altogether with the _African
-Congregation_, in which Peter is a leader. When Bennett’s Ned asked
-about those taken up, he alluded particularly to Mr. Paul’s William, and
-asked me if I said any thing to him about it.
-
-
-_The voluntary confession of ROLLA, to the Court, made after his trial,
- but before sentence was passed on him._
-
-I know Denmark Vesey, on one occasion, he asked me what news? I told
-him, none. He replied, we are free, but the white people here won’t let
-us be so; and the only way is, to raise up and fight the whites. I went
-to his house one night, to learn where the meetings were held. I never
-conversed on this subject with Batteau or Ned.—Vesey told me, he was the
-leader in this plot. I never conversed either with Peter or Mingo. Vesey
-induced me to join. When I went to Vesey’s house, there was a meeting
-there, the room was full of people, but none of them white. That night,
-at Vesey’s, we determined to have arms made, and each man to put in
-twelve and a half cents towards that purpose. Though Vesey’s room was
-full, I did not know one individual there. At this meeting, Vesey said,
-we were to take the Guard-House and Magazines, to get arms; that we
-ought to rise up against the whites to get our liberties. He was the
-first to rise up and speak, and he read to us from the Bible, how the
-_children of Israel were delivered out of Egypt from bondage_; he said,
-that the rising would take place last Sunday night week, (the 16th June)
-and that Peter Poyas was one.
-
-
- (C.)
-
-
-_Examination of SALLY, a negro woman belonging to Mr. Alexander Howard._
-
-I know Jesse, and heard him speak several times about it; one day in
-particular, he was anxious to see his brother, who has my mother for his
-wife, and waited until he came, when they conversed together. Jesse
-said, he had got a horse to go into the country, to bring down men to
-fight the white people; that he was allowed to pass by two parties of
-the patrol on the road, but that a third party had brought him back, and
-that, if there were but five men like him, they would destroy the city.
-This was on last Sunday week, (the 16th June,) he said, that before 3
-o’clock, that night, all the white people would be killed. That, if any
-person informed, or would not join in the fight, such person would be
-killed or poisoned. He frequently came into the yard to see his brother,
-and I threatened to inform, if he came there, and spoke in that way, to
-get us all into trouble. We never had any quarrel.
-
-
- _Examination of LOT, a negro man belonging to Mr. Forrester_.
-
-I know Jesse; he met me last Sunday week (16th June) at the corner of
-Boundary street, as I was coming into town; he said, he was going to get
-a horse to go into the country. From what my master had told me the
-Thursday before, I distrusted his errand, and gave him a caution. When,
-as I was going down into town towards Mr. Hibbens’ ferry slip, and
-conversing with him, he said, you shall see to night, when I come down,
-what I am going up for, and, _if my own father does not assist, I will
-cut off his head_. He said, he was going as far as Goose Creek bridge,
-and would get a horse if it cost him nine dollars. The church bells were
-then ringing, and at half past eleven o’clock, same day, I saw him at
-Mr. Howard’s, and afterwards understood from Sally, that he had set off
-for the country, and had been brought back by the Patrol.
-
-
- (D.)
-
-
- _Examination of FRANK, a negro man belonging to Mrs. Ferguson_.
-
-I know Denmark Vesey, and have been to his house; I have heard him say,
-that the negroe’s situation was so bad, he did not know how they could
-endure it; and was astonished they did not rise and fight for
-themselves, and he advised me to join, and rise. He said, he was going
-about to see different people, and mentioned the names of Ned, Bennett
-and Peter Poyas, as concerned with him; that he had spoken to Ned and
-Peter on this subject, and that they were to go about and tell the
-blacks, that they were free, and must rise and fight for themselves:
-that they would take the Magazines and Guard Houses, and the City, and
-be free; that he was going to send into the country to inform the people
-there, too; he said, he wanted me to join them. I said, I could not
-answer. He said, if I would not go into the country for him, he could
-get others; he said, himself, Ned Bennett, Peter Poyas and Monday Gell,
-were the principal men, and himself the head man.—He said, they were the
-principal men to go about and inform the people, and fix them, &c.; that
-one party would land on _South Bay_, one about Wappoo and about the
-Farms; that the party which was to land on South Bay, was to take the
-_Guard-House, and get arms, and then they would be able to go on_; that
-the attack was to commence about 12 o’clock at night; that great numbers
-would come from all about, and it must succeed, as so many were engaged
-in it; that they would kill all the whites; that they would leave their
-masters’ houses, and assemble near the Lines, march down and meet the
-party which would land on South Bay; that he was going to send a man
-into the country on a horse, to bring down the country people, and that
-he would pay for the horse. He gave two dollars to Jesse, to get the
-horse on Saturday week last, (15th June) about 1 o’clock in the day, and
-myself and witness (No. 8,) also put in 25 cents a piece, and he told
-Jesse, if he could not go, he must send some one else. I have seen Ned
-Bennett at Vesey’s. I one night met at Vesey’s a great number of men,
-and as they came in, they each handed him some money.—Vesey said, there
-was a _little man, named Jack_, who could not be killed, and who would
-furnish them with arms; he had a charm, and would lead them; that
-Charles Drayton had promised to be engaged with them. Vesey said, the
-negroes were living such an abominable life, they ought to rise. I said,
-I was living well. He said, though I was, others was not, and that it
-was such fools as I, that were in their way, and would not help them,
-and that, after all things were well, he would mark me. He said, he did
-not go with _Creighton to Africa, because he had not a will, he wanted
-to stay and see what he could do for his fellow creatures_. I met Ned,
-Monday, and others, at Denmark Vesey’s, where they were talking about
-this business.
-
-The first time I spoke with Monday Gell, it was one night at Denmark
-Vesey’s house, where I heard Vesey tell Monday, that he must send some
-one into the country to bring the people down. Monday said, he had sent
-up Jack, and told him to tell the people to come down and join in the
-fight against the whites; and also to ascertain and inform him how many
-people he could get. A few days after, I met Vesey, Monday and Jack in
-the streets, under Mr. Duncan’s trees, at night, where Jack stated, he
-had been into the country, round by Goose Creek and Dorchester; that he
-had spoken to 6,600 persons, who had agreed to join. Monday said to
-Vesey, that it Jack had so many men, they had better wait no longer, but
-begin the business at once, and others would join. The first time I saw
-Monday at Vesey’s, he was going away early, when Vesey asked him to
-stay, to which Monday replied, he expected that night a meeting at his
-house, to fix upon and mature the plan, &c. and that he could stay no
-longer. I afterwards conversed with Monday in his shop, when he asked
-me, if I had heard that Bennett’s and Poyas’ people were taken up, that
-it was a great pity. He said, he had joined in the business. I told him
-to take care he was not taken up. Whenever I talked with Vesey, he
-always spoke of Monday Gell as being his principal and active man in
-this business.
-
-
- (E.)
-
-
- _Examination of Witness No. 10, a Negro Man._
-
-Peter Poyas was the first man who spoke to me, and asked me to join. I
-asked him what, the church? He said no, have you not heard, that the
-blacks were joining, to try and take the country. I asked him, if he
-thought he had men enough to do it? He said yes, a plenty of men, and
-the Society will contribute money, with which a white man would purchase
-guns and powder for them. He said he would call back, and I must
-consider if I would join them. He called back, and asked me, if I was
-willing now? Why Peter, said I, you have not got force enough. He said,
-if I did not join, he would turn all my country people against me. Said
-I, if so, I’ll join you, but you must not put my name down, when you
-come out, if I find you strong enough, I’ll join you. Well, said he, if
-you don’t join you’ll be killed. Peter and Harry Haig called on me
-afterwards, I was not at home; but the next morning I met Harry, who
-asked me for my name. I refused it. He said, I would be killed if I did
-not join. I said, I would join when they came out, if they were stronger
-than the whites. Harry called on me again, and asked me, if I was
-willing that the thing would break out soon. I asked him, where they
-would begin? He said, in Boundary street. At what hour? He said, at 12
-o’clock at night, or early in the morning, as soon as the guard is
-discharged. Jack Pritchard called on me, he is sometimes called Gullah
-Jack, sometimes Couter Jack, he gave me some dry food, consisting of
-parched corn and ground nuts, and said, eat that, and nothing else, on
-the morning when it breaks out, and when you join us as we pass, put
-into your mouth this crab claw, and you can’t be wounded, and, said he,
-I give the same to the rest of my troops—if you drop the large crab claw
-out of your mouth, then put in the small one. Said I, when do you break
-out, and have you arms. He said, plenty, but they are over Boundary
-street, we can’t get at them now, but as soon as the patrol was slack,
-they could get them; this was previous to the 16th June, on which day,
-he said, they were to break out. On that day he came to me, and said,
-they could not break out that night, as the patrol was too strong; he
-said, he would let me know when they were ready. That Sunday fortnight,
-the 30th June, he came to me and said, I must lay by still, they would
-not break out then, that he had been round to all his company and found
-them cowards. I said, thank God, then! He said, give me back my corn and
-cullah, (that is crab claw). I said, I would not, and upbraided him for
-having deluded so many. He said, all his country born promised him to
-join, because he was a Doctor, (that is a Conjurer). He said, the white
-people was looking for him, and he was afraid of being taken, that two
-men came to his master’s wharf, and asked him, if he knew Gullah Jack,
-and that he told them, no. He said, his charms would not protect him
-from the treachery of his own colour. He went away, and I have not seen
-him since. Harry Haig has since seen me several times, and told me to
-hold myself ready. I said, I’m ready when called on. He said, all the
-draymen came to his master’s cooper yard, and said they were ready, but
-he told them, he was only waiting for Gullah Jack. He said, he would
-tell me when they were ready, that they were only waiting for the head
-man, who was a white man; but he, although asked, would neither tell me
-the white man’s name, nor where the powder and arms were; this was last
-Tuesday, the very day the six negroes were hanged, about six o’clock, A.
-M. this was the last time we spoke, though I have seen him since. I saw
-Charles Drayton before the 16th, at Monday Gell’s, I was going to
-market, and Charles called to me as I crossed the street; Joe, who has a
-wife at Mr. Remoussin’s, asked me, if I did know that Monday was at the
-head of the Ebo Company, who are going to fight the white people; Monday
-is an Ebo. I asked Joe, if he was one of that company. He said yes, he
-was. I asked him, what he could do, as he was an invalid.—He said, he
-would take Remoussin’s sword and gun, and tell him to lay down in his
-bed and be quiet. We parted. Previous to the 16th of June, Monday Gell
-called me into his shop; I went in, and said to him, I heard he was
-captain of his countrymen’s company, the Ebo’s. He said, he was a sort
-of a one. I bid him good morning, when he said, when you want to hear
-the news, come here. I never saw him afterwards.
-
-I met Charles Drayton on the 1st of July in the streets, when he said,
-now get ready, we must break out at once, for we will not let six lives
-be taken. I asked him, where they would begin? He said, in Boundary
-street, directly as the patrol and light horse turned in. I said, had
-you not better wait till after the 4th of July. He said, no, because in
-the mean time the people would be hanged. Charles said, they had force
-enough, and we parted. I met him in Market, betwixt 8 and 9 o’clock, on
-the 2d of July, and said to him, now the people are hanged, I suppose
-you are sorry you joined in the business. He said yes, and we parted.
-Peter Poyas told me also, that they had force enough, that some would
-come from James’ and John’s islands, and some from Christ’s Church
-Parish, where he generally went over to a meeting to have a talk, and
-that he had some about and in town, the number of which he would show me
-from the Society books, if I would only come to the Society. He said,
-they were to fight the whites, and keep on fighting, till the English
-came to help them. Harry told me the same thing. Jack being the head
-man, I asked him about the plan, he told me the same thing; that the
-English were to come here to help them, that the Americans could do
-nothing against the English, and that the English would carry them off
-to St. Domingo. Monday and Charles were very great together. John, Mr.
-Horry’s coachman, came to me one day, and asked me what I thought? Every
-one is ready, said John, to fight the whites, are you ready? He said, I
-am ready. This took place sometime before the 16th June, and every day
-he asked me the same questions.—About this time George Vanderhorst came
-to me and said, they were going to take the country, and he had joined;
-that he was ready whenever the blacks broke out. He requested me to let
-him sleep at my wife’s house near Boundary street; I saw him almost
-every day after the 16th June, and he always said, he was ready whenever
-the troops were ready. On the 16th June, Jack requested me to let twelve
-men sleep at my wife’s, as they were to break out that night, and he
-wanted them to be near Boundary street. On being refused, he departed in
-anger, and reproached me. George called on me yesterday morning, and
-asked, if I knew that Charles Drayton was taken up, and said, he was
-afraid Charles would name him, not because he was on his list, for he
-had joined Jack’s company, but because Charles had met him at Gullah
-Jack’s, when they were consulting on the subject; that, if he could near
-that Charles had named him, he would run off. On Monday, 1st July,
-Charles Drayton told me, that there would be an insurrection on the
-morning of the 6th July, as soon as the Guard turned in; he said, he
-commanded the country born company. Jack told me on the 1st July the
-same thing, and in addition, that they were to rush in with their dirks,
-guns and swords, &c. they had got, kill the City Guard, and take all the
-arms in the arsenals; he also said, there were some arms in King street,
-beyond Boundary street, in possession of a white man, which they
-intended to take, (alluding to the arms of the Charleston Neck Company,
-deposited at Wharton’s, in King street). Charles Drayton said, he had
-prepared for himself a gun and a sword. John Horry came to me very
-often, and once said, he had a sword, and that, as soon as it broke out,
-he would go up stairs and kill his master and family. On the 17th of
-June, on his carriage box, he expressed himself to me in the same manner
-he had done previous to the 16th. The blacks would have risen on the
-night of the 16th, had the Guards not been so strong; this I know from
-Gullah Jack and Harry Haig, who said, that if the Guards were not too
-strong, they would get the arms near the Lines, but if the Guards were
-out, they could not get them to break out with.
-
-
- (F.)
-
-
- _Confession of_ HARRY HAIG.
-
-Julius Forrest, and myself, always worked together. Gullah Jack calls
-himself a negro doctor, he induced Julius and myself to join at last,
-but at first we refused; before the 16th June, Jack appointed to meet us
-at Bulkley’s Farm; when we got there, Jack was not there, but Peter
-Poyas came; we broke up at day-light. Not quite a month before the 16th
-June, Jack met me, and talked about war. I asked Jack, how he would do
-for arms? Bye and bye, said Jack, we will have arms; he said, he would
-have some arms made at the blacksmiths. Jack was going to give * * * * *
-* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Until Jack was taken up
-and condemned to death, I was just like I was bound up, and had not the
-power to speak one word about it. Jack charmed Julius and myself at
-last, and we then consented to join. Tom Russell, the blacksmith and
-Jack are partners, (in conjuring) Jack learnt him to be a doctor. Tom
-talked to Jack about the fighting, and agreed to join, and those two
-brought Julius and myself to agree to it. Jack said, Tom was his second,
-and “when you don’t see me, and see Tom, you see one.” Jack said, Tom
-was making arms for the black people; Jack said, he would not be killed,
-nor could a white man take him.
-
-
- (H.)
-
-
-_Confession of JESSE, the slave of Thomas Blackwood, Esqr.; furnished to
- the Court by the Rev. Dr. D. HALL._
-
-I was invited to Denmark Vesey’s house, and when I went, I found several
-men met together, among whom was Ned Bennett, Peter Poyas, and others,
-whom I did not know. Denmark opened the meeting by saying, he had an
-important secret to communicate to us, which we must not disclose to any
-one, and if we did, we should be put to instant death. He said, we were
-deprived of our rights and privileges by the white people, and that our
-church was shut up, so that we could not use it, and that it was high
-time for us to seek for our rights, and that we were fully able to
-conquer the whites, if we were only unanimous and courageous, as the St.
-Domingo people were. He then proceeded to explain his plan, by saying,
-that they intended to make the attack by setting the governor’s mills on
-fire, and also some houses near the water, and as soon as the bells
-began to ring for fire, that they should kill every man, as he came out
-of his door, and that the servants in the yards should do it, and that
-it should be done with axes and clubs, and afterwards they should murder
-the women and children, for he said, God had so commanded it in the
-Scriptures. At another meeting at Denmark’s, Ned Bennett and Peter
-Poyas, and several others were present in conversation, some said, they
-thought it was cruel to kill the ministers, and the women and children,
-but Denmark Vesey said, he thought it was for our safety, not to spare
-one white skin alive, for this was the plan they pursued in St. Domingo.
-He then said to me, Jesse, I want you to go into the country, to enlist
-as many of the country negroes as possible, to be in readiness to come
-down to assist us. I told him, I had no horse, and no money to hire one;
-he then took out two dollars, and gave them to me to hire a horse, and
-told me to enlist as many as possible. I got the horse the next Sabbath,
-and started, but the guard was so strict, I could not pass them without
-being taken up; so I returned, and told Denmark, at which he expressed
-his sorrow, and said, the business was urgent, for they wanted the
-country people to be armed, that they might attack the Forts at the same
-time, and also to take every ship and vessel in the harbor, and to put
-every man to death, except the captains. For, said he, it will not be
-safe to stay in Charleston, for as soon as they had got all the money
-out of the banks, and the goods out of the stores on board, they
-intended to sail for St. Domingo; for he had a promise, that they would
-receive and protect them. This Jesse asserted to me, was the truth,
-whilst the tears were running down his cheeks, and he appeared truly
-penitent; and I have reason to hope, that he obtained pardon from God,
-through the merits of Christ, and was prepared to meet his fate with
-confidence, and that he was accepted of God. At 4 o’clock on the morning
-of the execution, I visited all the prisoners condemned, and found Jesse
-at prayers. He told me, his mind was placid and calm; he then assured
-me, that what he had told me was the truth, and _that he was prepared to
-meet his God_.
-
-
- (K.)
-
-
- _Confession of MONDAY GELL._
-
-I come out as a man who knows he is about to die—some time after
-Christmas Vesey passed my door, he called in and said to me, that he was
-trying to gather the blacks to try and see if any thing could be done to
-overcome the whites; he asked me to join; I asked him his plan and his
-numbers; he said he had Peter Poyas, Ned Bennett, and Jack Purcell; he
-asked me to join; I said no; he left me and I saw him not for some time.
-About four or five weeks ago as I went up Wentworth street, Frank
-Ferguson met me, and said he had four plantation’s of people who he was
-to go for on Saturday, 15th June. How, said I, will you bring them down;
-he said through the woods; he asked me if I was going towards Vesey’s to
-ask Vesey to be at home that evening, and he would be there to tell him
-his success. I asked Jack Purcell to carry this message, he said he
-would; that same evening at my house I met Vesey’s mulatto boy, he told
-me Vesey wished to see me, I went with him; when I went into Vesey’s I
-met Ned Bennett, Peter Poyas, and Frank Ferguson, and Adam, and Gullah
-Jack; they were consulting about the plan; Frank told Vesey on Saturday,
-15th, he would go and bring down the people and lodge them near town in
-the woods; the plan was to arm themselves by breaking open the stores
-with arms. I then told Vesey I would join them, after sometime I told
-them I had some business of my own and asked them to excuse me, I went
-away, and only then was I ever there. One evening, Perault Strohecker,
-and Bacchus Hammett brought to my shop a keg, and asked me to let it
-stay there till they sent for it; I said yes, but did not know the
-contents; the next evening Gullah Jack came and took away the keg, this
-was before the 16th June; since I have been in prison I learnt that the
-keg contained powder.
-
-Pharo Thompson is concerned, and he told me, a day or two after Ned and
-Peter were taken up, if he could get a fifty dollar bill, he would run
-away; about two Sundays before I was brought here, he asked me, in
-Archdale-Street, when shall we be like those white people in the church;
-I said when it pleased God; Sunday before I was taken up, he met me as I
-came out of Archdale Church, and took me into a stable in said street,
-and told me he told his master, who had asked him, that he had nothing
-to do in this affair; which was a lie. William Colcock came to my shop
-once and said a brother told him that five hundred men were making up
-for the same purpose. Frank said he was to send to HellHole Swamp to get
-men.
-
-Perault Strohecker is engaged; he used to go of a Sunday on horse back
-up the road to a man he knows on the same errand. One Sunday he asked me
-to go with him; I went and Smart Anderson; we went to a small house a
-little way from the road after you turn into the ship yard road, on its
-left hand; they too went into the stable with an old man that lived
-there, I remained in the yard; they remained in the stable about half an
-hour; as soon as they came out, I and Perault started to town to go to
-church, and left Smart there; I was told by Denbow Martin, who has a
-wife in Mr. Smith’s house, that Stephen Smith belonged to some of the
-gangs.
-
-Saby Gaillard is concerned; he met me on the Bay, before the 16th of
-June and gave me a piece of paper from his pocket; this paper was about
-the battle that Boyer had in St. Domingo; in a day or two he called on
-me and asked if I had read it, and said if he had as many men he would
-do the same too, as he could whip ten white men himself; he frequently
-came to me to speak about this matter, and at last I had to insult him
-out of the shop; he and Paris Ball was often together. A week before I
-was taken up, Paris told me that my name was called.
-
-Billy Palmer and Vesey were constantly together; there was once in my
-shop a long talk between them about this same matter; I begged them to
-stop it; Vesey told him to try to get as many as he could; he said he
-would.
-
-John Vincent told me that Edward Johnson, a free man, had said, as he
-was a free man he would have nothing to do with slaves, but the night
-they began he would join them.
-
-I told Charles Drayton what uproar there was about this business, and
-since we have been here we have talked together.
-
-Albert Inglis came to me and asked if I knew any thing about it; I said
-yes. He asked me if I had joined; I said yes; he said he was one also;
-he said Adam, a free man wanted to see me, I went with him one night;
-Adam asked me how many men had joined; I told him what Frank Ferguson
-had said; he asked me if I believed it; I said yes; he said if he could
-only find men behind him he would go before. Previous to the 16th,
-Albert said to me quit the business; I told him I was too far into it,
-so I must stick to it.
-
-I never wrote to St. Domingo[16] or any where else on this subject, nor
-kept a list or books, nor saw any such things, but heard that Paul’s
-William had a list, nor did I hear any thing about arms being in
-possession of the blacks. I don’t know that Tom Russel made pikes, nor
-that Gullah Jack had any of them.
-
-Lewis Remoussin called at my shop and asked me to call at his house, he
-had something to tell me, but I did not go; Jack Glen told me he was
-engaged.
-
-I met Scipio Sims one Sunday, coming from the country, who said he had
-been near the Savannah’s to Mr. Middleton’s place; I heard afterwards
-that his errand was on this business.
-
-I know John the cooper, who said he was engaged too in this business.
-
-William Garner said he was engaged in it and had got twelve or thirteen
-draymen to join.
-
-Sandy Vesey told me he belonged to it too.
-
-At Vesey’s house, Frank told Gullah Jack, to put one ball and three buck
-shot in each cartridge.
-
-Mingo Harth acknowledged to me that he had joined, and Peter Poyas told
-me so too; he, Mingo, told me so several times; Mingo said he was to
-have his master’s horse on the night of the 16th.
-
-Lot Forrester told me frequently that he was one of the company, and I
-know that he had joined in the business myself. Isaac Harth told me once
-that he had joined, he knew I was in the business.
-
-Morris Brown knew nothing of it, and we agreed not to let him, Harry
-Drayton, or Charles Corr, know anything about it. —— —— told me in my
-store that he was to get some powder from his master and give it to
-Peter Poyas; he seemed to have been a long time engaged in it, and to
-know a great deal. Joe Jore acknowledged to me once or twice that he had
-joined, he said he knew some of the Frenchmen concerned; he knew I was
-in it.
-
-
- (L.)
-
-
- _The Confession of JACK PURCELL._
-
-If it had not been for the cunning of that old villain Vesey, I should
-not now be in my present situation. He employed every stratagem to
-induce me to join him. He was in the habit of reading to me all the
-passages in the newspapers that related to St. Domingo, and apparently
-every pamphlet he could lay his hands on, that had any connection with
-slavery. He one day brought me a speech which he told me had been
-delivered in Congress by a _Mr. King_ on the subject of slavery; he told
-me this Mr. King was the black man’s friend, that he Mr. King had
-declared he would continue to speak, write and publish pamphlets against
-slavery the longest day he lived, until the Southern States consented to
-emancipate their slaves, for that slavery was a great disgrace to the
-country.
-
-
- (M.)
-
-
- CONFESSION OF JOHN ENSLOW.
-
-Monday Gell led me in it and took me to Vesey’s; there was a large
-meeting; Vesey told the meeting the people was to rise up and fight the
-white people for their liberty; we always went to Monday’s house
-afterwards; Monday did all the writing; I heard they were trying all
-round the country to Georgetown, Santee, and round to Combahee, &c.
-about to get people; Peter was also there, he was one; Peter named
-Poyas’ plantation, where he went to meet; Bellisle Yates I have seen at
-the meetings, and Adam Yates, Naphur Yates, Dean Mitchell, Cæsar Smith
-and George (a Stevedore.) At Vesey’s they wanted to make a collection to
-make pikes for the country people, but the men had no money! Monday Gell
-said Purcell was one to get horses to send men into the country; I heard
-a blacksmith was to make pikes. Jack M’Neil is engaged; I have seen them
-all at Monday’s; Jack said he was one and would try to get men; the plan
-was to take the Arsenals and Guard Houses for arms, and not to fire the
-town unless they failed; Monday was writing a letter to St. Domingo, to
-go by a vessel lying at Gibb’s and Harper’s wharf; the letter was about
-the sufferings of the blacks, and to know if the people of St. Domingo
-would help them if they made an effort to free themselves; he was
-writing this letter in March, I am not certain of the time; Perault was
-present when Monday wrote the letter, and also a painter, named Prince
-Righton; I have seen Pompey Haig at Monday’s, but he neither assented or
-dissented; Jerry Cohen was at Vesey’s, and said to me he was one; I
-heard from Vesey and Monday that they had engaged men from the country;
-Peter Poyas said he had sent into the country to his brother to engage
-men, who would send him an answer; a party was to attack the Guard-House
-and Arsenal; another the Arsenal on the Neck; another the Naval Stores
-on Mey’s wharf; another to attack the Magazine; another to meet at
-Lightwood’s Alley and then try to cut off the companies from meeting at
-their places of rendezvous; I belong to the African Congregation; on
-Saturday the 15th June, a man was to be sent into the country to bring
-down the people, and Rolla was to command the country people from Ashley
-River at the Bridge; Ned Bennett and John Horry to meet at Mr. Horry’s
-corner, and Batteau to come down with Vesey’s party.
-
-
- (S)
-
-
- CLASS No. 1.
-
- _Comprises those prisoners who were found guilty and executed._
-
- ─────────────┬──────────────────┬────────┬─────────────────────────────
- _Prisoners │ _Owners’ Names._ │_Time of│ _How Disposed of._
- Names._ │ │Commit._│
- ─────────────┼──────────────────┼────────┼─────────────────────────────
- Peter │James Poyas │ June 18│Hanged on Tuesday the 2d
- │ │ │ July, 1822, on Blake’s
- │ │ │ lands, near Charleston.
- Ned │Gov. T. Bennett, │ do. │ 〃
- Rolla │ do. │ do. │ 〃
- Batteau │ do. │ do. │ 〃
- Denmark Vesey│A free black man │ 22│ 〃
- Jessy │Thos. Blackwood │ 23│ 〃
- ─────────────┼──────────────────┼────────┼─────────────────────────────
- John │Elias Horry │ July 5│Do. on the Lines near Ch.;
- │ │ │ Friday July 12.
- Gullah Jack │Paul Pritchard │ do. │ 〃
- ─────────────┼──────────────────┼────────┼─────────────────────────────
- Mingo │Wm. Harth │ June 21│Hanged on the Lines near
- │ │ │ Charleston, on Friday, 26th
- │ │ │ July.
- Lot │Forrester │ 27│ 〃
- Joe │P. L. Jore │ July 6│ 〃
- Julius │Thos. Forrest │ 8│ 〃
- Tom │Mrs. Russell │ 10│ 〃
- Smart │Robt. Anderson │ do. │ 〃
- John │John Robertson │ 11│ 〃
- Robert │ do. │ do. │ 〃
- Adam │ do. │ do. │ 〃
- Polydore │Mrs. Faber │ do. │ 〃
- Bacchus │Benj. Hammet │ do. │ 〃
- Dick │Wm. Sims │ 13│ 〃
- Pharaoh │— Thompson │ do. │ 〃
- Jemmy │Mrs. Clement │ 18│ 〃
- Mauidore │Mordecai Cohen │ 19│ 〃
- Dean │— Mitchell │ do. │ 〃
- Jack │Mrs. Purcell │ 12│ 〃
- Bellisle │Est. of Jos. Yates│ 18│ 〃
- Naphur │ do. │ do. │ 〃
- Adam │ do. │ do. │ 〃
- Jacob │John S. Glen │ 16│ 〃
- Charles │John Billings │ 18│ 〃
- ─────────────┼──────────────────┼────────┼─────────────────────────────
- Jack │N. McNeill │ 22│Do. Tues. July 30.
- Cæsar │Miss Smith │ do. │ 〃
- Jacob Stagg │Jacob Lankester │ 23│ 〃
- Tom │Wm. M. Scott │ 24│ 〃
- William │Mrs. Garner │ Aug. 2│Do. Friday, Aug. 9.
- ═════════════╧══════════════════╧════════╧═════════════════════════════
-
-
- CLASS No. 2.
-
- _Comprises those prisoners who were found guilty and sentenced to
- death, but recommended to the mercy of the Executive, by the Court
- of Magistrates and Freeholders._
-
-☞ They have been respited to the 25 day of October, 1822, with a view to
-the commutation of their punishment to banishment beyond the limits of
-the United States.
-
- ─────────────┬──────────────────┬────────┬─────────────────────────────
- _Prisoners │ _Owners’ Names._ │_Time of│ _How Disposed of._
- Names._ │ │Commit._│
- ─────────────┼──────────────────┼────────┼─────────────────────────────
- Louis │Cromwell │ July 12│Respited until the 25th of
- │ │ │ October; and now confined
- │ │ │ in the Work-House of
- │ │ │ Charleston.
- Seymour │Kunhardt │ do. │ 〃
- Saby Gaillard│A free black man │ 13│ 〃
- Isaac │Wm. Harth │ do. │ 〃
- Paris │Mrs. Ball │ 15│ 〃
- Peter │Mrs. Cooper │ do. │ 〃
- Dublin │C. G. Morris │ 18│ 〃
- George │— Bampfield │ do. │ 〃
- Sandy │Jacob Schnell │ 19│ 〃
- ═════════════╧══════════════════╧════════╧═════════════════════════════
-
-
- CLASS No. 3.
-
- _Comprises those prisoners who were found guilty and sentenced to
- death, but since respited by the Executive, until the 25th of Oct.
- with a view to the commutation of their punishment, to banishment
- beyond the limits of the United States._
-
- ─────────────┬──────────────────┬────────┬─────────────────────────────
- _Prisoners │ _Owners’ Names._ │_Time of│ _How Disposed of._
- Names._ │ │Commit._│
- ─────────────┼──────────────────┼────────┼─────────────────────────────
- William │Job Palmer │ July 18│Respited till Oct. 25, and
- │ │ │ now in the Work-House.
- John Vincent │D. Cruckshanks │ 23│ 〃
- Billy │P. Robinson │ do. │ 〃
- Robinson │ │ │
- ═════════════╧══════════════════╧════════╧═════════════════════════════
-
-
- CLASS No. 4.
-
- _Comprises those prisoners who were found guilty and sentenced to be,
- transported, beyond the limits of the United States, by their
- masters, under the direction of the City Council._
-
- ─────────────┬──────────────────┬────────┬─────────────────────────────
- _Prisoners │ _Owners’ Names._ │_Time of│ _How Disposed of._
- Names._ │ │Commit._│
- ─────────────┼──────────────────┼────────┼─────────────────────────────
- William │John Paul │ May 31│Confined in the W. House.
- Edwin │ do. │ June 24│ 〃
- ─────────────┼──────────────────┼────────┼─────────────────────────────
- Monday │John Gell │ 27│Do. and Sentenced to death,
- │ │ │ commuted to banishment out
- │ │ │ U. S.
- Charles │Hon. J. Drayton │ July 2│ 〃
- Harry │David Haig │ 5│ 〃
- ─────────────┼──────────────────┼────────┼─────────────────────────────
- Frank │Mrs. Ferguson │ June 27│Confined in the W. House.
- George │— Theus │ July 6│ 〃
- Perault │— Strohecker │ 10│ 〃
- Billy │S. Bulkley │ do. │ 〃
- John │— Enslow │ 13│ 〃
- Scipio │Wm. Sims │ do. │ 〃
- Agrippa │Mrs. Perry │ 19│ 〃
- Nero │David Haig │ 23│ 〃
- Sam. Bainsill│— Bainstill │ do. │ 〃
- Dembo │J. N. Martin │ 25│ 〃
- Adam Bellamy │J. H. Merritt │ Aug. 3│ 〃
- Jack │Wm. Cattell │ 5│ 〃
- George │— Evans │ 6│ 〃
- Harry │— Butler │ do. │ 〃
- George │Sam. Parker │ do. │ 〃
- Pompey │Richd. Lord │ 5│ 〃
- ═════════════╧══════════════════╧════════╧═════════════════════════════
-
-
- CLASS No. 5.
-
- _Comprises those who were found guilty and sentenced to be
- transported, beyond the limits of the State of South-Carolina._
-
- ─────────────┬──────────────────┬────────┬─────────────────────────────
- _Prisoners │ _Owners’ Names._ │_Time of│ _How Disposed of._
- Names._ │ │Commit._│
- ─────────────┼──────────────────┼────────┼─────────────────────────────
- Prince Graham│A free black man │ July 21│Sentenced to be imprisoned
- │ │ │ one month in the W. House,
- │ │ │ and then transported beyond
- │ │ │ the limits of the State.
- ═════════════╧══════════════════╧════════╧═════════════════════════════
-
-☞ This man will go out of the U. States at his own request, under the
-direction of the City Council.
-
-
- CLASS No. 6.
-
- _Comprises those prisoners who were acquitted by the Court, their
- guilt not being fully proved. The Court, however, have suggested to
- their owners, the propriety of transporting them beyond the limits
- of the United States._
-
- ─────────────┬──────────────────┬────────┬─────────────────────────────
- _Prisoners │ _Owners’ Names._ │_Time of│ _How Disposed of._
- Names._ │ │Commit._│
- ─────────────┼──────────────────┼────────┼─────────────────────────────
- Buonaparte │Francis Mulligan │ July 11│Acquitted by Court, master
- │ │ │ desired to transport, and
- │ │ │ now in the work-house
- │ │ │ Charleston.
- Abraham │Dr. Poyas │ June 22│ 〃
- Butcher │Jas. L. Gibbes │ July 11│ 〃
- John │Mrs. Taylor │ 13│ 〃
- Prince │Miss Righton │ 19│ 〃
- ─────────────┼──────────────────┼────────┼─────────────────────────────
- Quash │A free black man │ 29│—By arrangement with Council,
- Harleston │ │ │ gone out of the U. S.
- ─────────────┼──────────────────┼────────┼─────────────────────────────
- Harry Purse │Wm. Purse │ not│Arranged with owner to be
- │ │arrested│ transported.
- Panza │— Mitchell │ 〃 │ 〃
- Liverpool │Mrs. Hunt │ 〃 │ 〃
- ═════════════╧══════════════════╧════════╧═════════════════════════════
-
-
- CLASS No. 7.
-
- _Comprises those prisoners who were acquitted by the Court of
- Magistrates and Freeholders—and discharged._
-
- ─────────────┬──────────────────┬────────┬─────────────────────────────
- _Prisoners │ _Owners’ Names._ │_Time of│ _How Disposed of._
- Names._ │ │Commit._│
- ─────────────┼──────────────────┼────────┼─────────────────────────────
- Amherst │Mrs. Lining │ June 18│Acquitted and Discharged.
- Mungo │Jas. Poyas │ do. │ 〃
- Stephen │Tho. R. Smith │ do. │ 〃
- Matthias │Gov. T. Bennett │ do. │ 〃
- Jeffrey Grant│A free black man │ 20│ 〃
- Brand │Jon. Lucas │ do. │ 〃
- Richard │ do. │ 17│ 〃
- John │ do. │ do. │ 〃
- Rob. Hadden │A free col’d. man │ 22│ 〃
- Sam. Guifford│ do. │ do. │ 〃
- Pompey │John Bryan │ 28│ 〃
- Adam │Mrs. Ferguson │ 27│ 〃
- Harry │— Harleston │ │ 〃
- Peter │Mrs. Ward │ July 10│ 〃
- Sandy │Francis Curtis │ 11│ 〃
- Isaac │Paul Trapier │ do. │ 〃
- Charles │Mrs. Shrubrick │ do. │ 〃
- Cuffy │Charles Graves │ do. │ 〃
- Pierre Louis │Mons. Chapeau │ 18│ 〃
- Cæsar │Mrs. Parker │ 19│ 〃
- William │Mrs. Colcock │ 12│ 〃
- Pompey │David Haig │ June 23│ 〃
- Friday │Mrs. Rout │ │ 〃
- Philander │A free col’d. man │ Aug. 3│ 〃
- Michau │ │ │
- Edward │A free black man │ do. │ 〃
- Johnson │ │ │
- Stephen │— Walker │ 5│ 〃
- Walker │ │ │
- James │ do. │ do. │ 〃
- Harry │J. Nell │ 6│ 〃
- ═════════════╧══════════════════╧════════╧═════════════════════════════
-
-
- CLASS No. 8.
-
- _Comprises those prisoners who were discharged after their arrest by
- the Committee of Vigilance, the testimony against them not being
- sufficient to bring them to trial._
-
- ─────────────┬──────────────────┬────────┬─────────────────────────────
- _Prisoners │ _Owners’ Names._ │_Time of│ _How Disposed of._
- Names._ │ │Commit._│
- ─────────────┼──────────────────┼────────┼─────────────────────────────
- Hercules │— Clark │ June 20│ Discharged, June 28
- Jim │J. H. Ancrum │ 22│ do. 25
- Sandy │H. P. Holmes │ 25│ do. 26
- Lemon │— Houston │ 23│ do. 25
- Rob. Nesbitt │A free man │ July 3│ do. July 5
- Patrick │Mrs. Datea │ 4│ do. 6
- Thomas │S. Magwood │ 5│ do. 8
- Charles │F. G. Deliesseline│ 8│ do. 10
- William │— Adger │ 10│ do. 20
- Smart │Mrs. Ward │ do. │ do. 27
- Mungo │Wm. Lowndes │ 11│ do. 20
- Thomas │A. Lord │ do. │ do. 13
- Bob │— Hibben │ 13│ do. 27
- Albert │Thos. Ingles │ 15│ do. 17
- Jim │— Happoldt │ do. │ do. 29
- John │— Gates │ do. │ do. 〃
- Charles │— Hasell │ do. │ do. 〃
- James │— Dowling │ 17│ do. 〃
- Prince │ do. │ do. │ do. 〃
- Billy │— Fordham │ 20│ do. 25
- Ben │— Cammer │ 22│ do. 27
- William │— Cromwell │ do. │ do. 〃
- Stephen │— Harper │ 26│ do. 〃
- Louis │John Gell │ July 18│ do. July 20
- Pompey │John Bryan │ Aug. 5│ do. August 5
- ═════════════╧══════════════════╧════════╧═════════════════════════════
-
-
- RECAPITULATION.
-
- Number of Prisoners executed 35
- Number of Prisoners respited until the 25th October, 1822, with a
- view to the commutation of their punishment 12
- Number of Prisoners sentenced to be transported by their owners
- under direction of the City Council 21
- Number of Prisoners sentenced to be transported beyond the limits
- of the State 1
- Number of Prisoners acquitted, propriety of transportation
- suggested to their owners, and those whose masters have agreed to
- transport without trial 9
- Number of Prisoners acquitted and discharged by the Court 27
- Number of Prisoners acquitted and discharged by Committee of
- Vigilance 25
- ———
- Whole number arrested 131
-
- _Respectfully submitted by_
- FRED. WESNER, THO. D. CONDY, THO. NAPIER, SAMUEL _Com. of
- BURGER, EDWARD P. SIMONS, Vigilance_
-
-
-
-
- SENTENCE.
-
-
- _9th July, 1822._—_JACK, a slave, belonging to Paul Pritchard,
- commonly called GULLAH JACK, and sometimes COUTER JACK, was brought
- up, and, sentence pronounced by_ L. H. KENNEDY, _Presiding
- Magistrate_.
-
-JACK PRITCHARD—The Court, after deliberately considering all the
-circumstances of your case, are perfectly satisfied of your guilt. In
-the prosecution of your wicked designs, you were not satisfied with
-resorting to natural and ordinary means, but endeavored to enlist on
-your behalf, all the powers of darkness, and employed for that purpose,
-the most disgusting mummery and superstition. You represented yourself
-as invulnerable; that you could neither be taken nor destroyed, and that
-all who fought under your banners would be invincible. While such
-wretched expedients are calculated to _inspire_ the confidence, or to
-alarm the fears of the ignorant and credulous, they excite no other
-emotion in the mind of the intelligent and enlightened, but contempt and
-disgust. Your boasted Charms have not preserved yourself, and of course
-could not protect others. “Your Altars and your Gods have sunk together
-in the dust.” The airy spectres, conjured by you, have been chased away
-by the superior light of Truth, and you stand exposed, the miserable and
-deluded victim of offended Justice. Your days are literally numbered.
-You will shortly be consigned to the cold and silent grave, and all the
-Powers of Darkness cannot rescue you from your approaching Fate! Let me
-then, conjure you to devote the remnant of your miserable existence in
-fleeing from the “_wrath to come_.” This can only be done by a full
-disclosure of the truth. The Court are willing to afford you all the aid
-in their power, and to permit any Minister of the Gospel, whom you may
-select to have free access to you. To him you may unburthen your guilty
-conscience. Neglect not the opportunity, for there is “no device nor art
-beyond the tomb,” to which you must shortly be consigned.
-
-
- SENTENCE _pronounced on DICK, BACCHUS, WILLIAM, NAPHUR, ADAM,
- BELLISLE, CHARLES, JEREMY and DEAN, by L. H. KENNEDY, Esq. PRESIDING
- MAGISTRATE._
-
-The Court, on mature deliberation, have pronounced you guilty; the
-punishment of that guilt is DEATH. Your conduct, on the present
-occasion, exhibits a degree of depravity and extravagance, rarely
-paralleled. Your professed objects were to trample, not only on the laws
-of this state, but on those of humanity; to commit murder, outrage and
-plunder, and to substitute for the blessings we enjoy, anarchy and
-confusion in their most odious forms.—The beauties of nature and of art,
-would have fallen victims to your relentless fury; and even the
-decrepitude of age and the innocence of childhood would have found no
-other refuge than the grave!
-
-Surely, nothing but infatuation could have prompted you to enter into a
-plot so wild and diabolical. A moment’s reflection would have convinced
-you, that disgrace and ruin must have been its consequence, and that it
-would have probably resulted in the destruction and extermination of
-_your race_. But if, even complete success had crowned your efforts,
-what were the golden visions which you anticipated? Such men as you,
-are, in general, as ignorant as you are vicious, without any settled
-principles, and possessing but few of the virtues of civilized life;—you
-would soon, therefore, have degenerated into a horde of barbarians,
-incapable of any government. But, admitting that a different result
-might have taken place, it is natural to inquire, what are the miseries
-of which you complain? That we should all earn our bread by the sweat of
-our brow, is the decree which God pronounced at the fall of man. It
-extended alike to the master and the slave; to the cottage and the
-throne. Every one is more or less subject to control; and the most
-exalted, as well as the humblest individual, must bow with deference to
-the laws of that community, in which he is placed by Providence. Your
-situation, therefore, was neither extraordinary nor unnatural. Servitude
-has existed under various forms, from the Deluge to the present time,
-and in no age or country has the condition of slaves been milder or more
-humane, than your own. You are, with few exceptions, treated with
-kindness, and enjoy every comfort compatible with your situation. You
-are exempt from many of the miseries, to which _the poor_ are subject
-throughout the world. In many countries the life of the slave is at the
-disposal of his master; here you have always been under the protection
-of the law.
-
-The tribunal which now imposes this sentence, through its humble organ,
-affords a strong exemplification of the truth of these remarks. In the
-discharge of the painful duties which have devolved on them, the members
-of this Court have been as anxious to acquit the innocent as determined
-to condemn the guilty.
-
-In addition to the crime of treason, you have on the present occasion,
-displayed the vilest ingratitude. It is a melancholy truth that those
-servants in whom was reposed the most unlimited confidence, have been
-the principal actors in this wicked scheme. Reared by the hand of
-kindness, and fostered by a master who assumed many of the duties of a
-parent, you have realized the fable of the Frozen Serpent, and attempted
-to destroy the bosom that sheltered and protected you.
-
-You have, moreover, committed the grossest impiety: you have perverted
-the sacred words of God, and attempted to torture them into a sanction
-for crimes, at the bare imagination of which, humanity shudders. Are you
-incapable of the Heavenly influence of that Gospel, all whose “paths are
-Peace?” It was to reconcile us to our destiny on earth, and to enable us
-to discharge with fidelity all our duties, whether as master or servant,
-that those inspired precepts were imparted by Heaven to fallen man.
-There is no condition of life which is not embraced by them: and if you
-had searched them, _in the spirit of truth_, you would have discovered
-instructions peculiarly applicable to yourselves—“_Servants_ (says St.
-Paul) _be obedient to them that are your masters, according to the
-flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto
-Christ: not with eye-service as men pleasers, but as the servants of
-Christ, doing the will of God from the heart._” Had you listened with
-sincerity to such doctrines, you would not have been arrested by an
-ignominious death.
-
-Your days on earth are near their close and you now stand upon the
-confines of eternity. While you linger on this side of the grave, permit
-me to exhort you, in the name of the ever-living God, whose holy
-ordinances you have violated, to devote most earnestly the remnant of
-your days, in penitence and preparation for that Tribunal, whose
-sentence, whether pronounced in anger or in mercy, is eternal.
-
-
-_The above Sentences is selected out of the many passed on this
-occasion, with a view, to give the reader a general idea of them._
-
-
-
-
- POSTSCRIPT.
-
-
-Since these sheets have been put to press, it affords him, who has been
-engaged in their preparation, much gratification to be able to correct
-one mistake, as it places the fidelity of the slave who first gave the
-intelligence of the intended insurrection, on much higher ground. On
-conferring with his master and the free man of colour, whose advice he
-sought, it appears that the slave in question communicated the
-conversation at the Market to his young master, before he consulted his
-friend, (the free man of colour,) and that the advice of the latter was
-that as “his young master was a youth, that it would be best for him
-_immediately, without delay_, to tell his mistress, that his master
-might receive the information the instant he came to town.” _Vide_ page
-5.
-
- * * * * *
-
- PRINTED AND SOLD BY A. E. MILLER, NO. 4, BROAD-STREET.
-
- _Price 25cts. each; discount by the hundred._
-
------
-
-Footnote 1:
-
- It would be a libel on the liberality and gratitude of this community
- to suppose that this man can be _overlooked_ among those who are to be
- rewarded for their fidelity and principle.
-
-Footnote 2:
-
- The purport of this letter will be seen by reference to the trial of
- Abraham Poyas.
-
-Footnote 3:
-
- Most of the black religious communities in this place, are divided
- into classes, over which a Leader is placed, having the confidence of
- the Pastor of the Church.
-
-Footnote 4:
-
- This witness gave the information under a pledge, that his name should
- not be divulged.
-
-Footnote 5:
-
- The Republican Artillery under Capt. Patterson, was on duty on the
- night of the 16th, and were armed with muskets, and stationed in the
- Arsenal Yard.
-
-Footnote 6:
-
- The following Note appears on the Journals of the Court, in relation
- to the trial of Rolla—“Five witnesses were introduced and examined in
- behalf of Rolla, but so far from impeaching the credibility of the
- witnesses against him they rather supported it.”
-
-Footnote 7:
-
- After the execution of Peter, his guilt, in the most flagrant degree
- became most abundantly established; affording, in every particular,
- the strongest corroboration of the testimony by which he had been
- convicted. It was apparent that he was the most efficient of all the
- ringleaders, and one who possessed the largest share of the confidence
- of Denmark Vesey, who was, in every sense of the term, the father of
- the plot. Peter was a slave of great value, and for his colour, a
- first rate ship-carpenter. He had the confidence of his master in a
- remarkable degree, and had been treated with indulgence, liberality
- and kindness.
-
-Footnote 8:
-
- As Denmark Vesey has occupied so large a place in the conspiracy, a
- brief notice of him will, perhaps, be not devoid of interest. The
- following anecdote will show how near he was to the chance of being
- distinguished in the bloody events of San Domingo. During the
- revolutionary war, Captain Vesey, now an old resident of this city,
- commanded a ship that traded between St. Thomas’ and Cape Francais
- (San Domingo.) He was engaged in supplying the French of that Island
- with Slaves. In the year 1781, he took on board at St. Thomas’ 390
- slaves and sailed for the Cape; on the passage, he and his officers
- were struck with the beauty, alertness and intelligence of a boy about
- 14 years of age, whom they made a pet of, by taking him into the
- cabin, changing his apparel, and calling him by way of distinction
- _Telemaque_, (which appellation has since, by gradual corruption,
- among the negroes, been changed to _Denmark_, or sometimes _Telmak_.)
- On the arrival, however, of the ship at the Cape, Captain Vesey,
- having no use for the boy, sold him among his other slaves, and
- returned to St. Thomas’. On his next voyage to the Cape, he was
- surprised to learn from his consignee that Telemaque would be returned
- on his hands, as the planter, who had purchased him, represented him
- unsound, and subject to epileptic fits. According to the custom of
- trade in that place, the boy was placed in the hands of the king’s
- physician, who decided that he was unsound, and Captain Vesey was
- compelled to take him back, of which he had no occasion to repent, as
- Denmark proved, for 20 years, a most faithful slave. In 1800, Denmark
- drew a prize of $1500 in the East-Bay-Street Lottery, with which he
- purchased his freedom from his master, at six hundred dollars, much
- less than his real value. From that period to the day of his
- apprehension he has been working as a carpenter in this city,
- distinguished for great strength and activity. Among his colour he was
- always looked up to with awe and respect. His temper was impetuous and
- domineering in the extreme, qualifying him for the despotic rule, of
- which he was ambitious. All his passions were ungovernable and savage;
- and, to his numerous wives and children, he displayed the haughty and
- capricious cruelty of an Eastern Bashaw. He had nearly effected his
- escape, after information had been lodged against him. For three days
- the town was searched for him without success. As early as Monday, the
- 17th, he had concealed himself. It was not until the night of the 22d
- of June, during a perfect tempest, that he was found secreted in the
- house of one of his wives. It is to the uncommon efforts and vigilance
- of Mr. Wesner, and Capt. Dove, of the City Guard, (the latter of whom
- seized him) that public justice received its necessary tribute, in the
- execution of this man. If the party had been one moment later, he
- would, in all probability, have effected his escape the next day in
- some outward bound vessel.
-
-Footnote 9:
-
- _Monday Gell_ is very well known in this city. He is a most excellent
- harness-maker, and kept his shop in Meeting-Street. It would be
- difficult to name any individual more actively engaged in the plot
- than himself, or more able to aid Denmark Vesey, from his uncommon
- sagacity and knowledge. He reads and writes with great and equal
- facility, and obviously seems to have been the individual who held the
- pen, at all the meetings. At which he wrote more than _one_ letter to
- San Domingo, for succors. His own situation afforded no excuse for the
- effort in which he was engaged, as he enjoyed all the substantial
- comforts of a free man; much indulged and trusted by his master, his
- time and a large proportion of the profits of his labour were at his
- own disposal. He even kept his master’s _arms_ and sometimes his
- money. Monday is an _Ebo_, and is now in the prime of life, having
- been in the country 15 or 20 years.
-
-Footnote 10:
-
- At the meeting of the Court on the morning of the 13th, Mr. James
- Legare, from feeble health and great exhaustion during its previous
- sittings, asked, and obtained leave, to withdraw, whereupon Mr. Henry
- Deas, was summoned by the Magistrates, who took his seat and served
- until the adjournment of the Court.
-
-Footnote 11:
-
- This farm was under the charge of a slave named _Billy_, who became a
- witness for the state and gave some important details of the meetings
- of the _Gullahs_. Several of whom were executed on the 26th.
-
-Footnote 12:
-
- This Confession of Purcell’s will show, that the evil foretold, from
- the discussion of the _Missouri Question_, has been, in some degree,
- realized.
-
-Footnote 13:
-
- See Enslow’s Confession, Appendix (M.)
-
-Footnote 14:
-
- An appellation, the seceders assumed after their leaving the white
- Methodist Church.
-
-Footnote 15:
-
- Against this witness, the Court had not a tittle of testimony; he
- consented without hesitation to become a witness, and to give all the
- information he possessed; a pledge having been previously given him by
- the Court, that he should not be prosecuted, nor his name revealed.
-
-Footnote 16:
-
- _Perault unhesitatingly stated to Monday’s face, that he had written
- two letters, to St. Domingo, and that he (Perault) had gone to
- Vanderhorsts wharf with him, in April or May last, to give them in
- charge of a black cook on board of a schooner bound to that island.
- After Monday was so charged, he confessed that the fact was so, and
- that he had been induced to conceal it under an apprehension that if
- it were known he had been guilty of such an act all chance of mercy
- would be denied him._
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
-
-
- TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
-
-
- 1. Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling.
- 2. Retained anachronistic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings as
- printed.
- 3. Footnotes have been re-indexed using numbers and collected together
- at the end of the last chapter.
- 4. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_.
-
-
-
-
-
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-<pre>
-
-The Project Gutenberg EBook of An Account of the Late Intended
-Insurrection among a Portion of, by Unknown
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
-the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
-www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
-
-Title: An Account of the Late Intended Insurrection among a Portion of the Blacks of this City
-
-Author: Unknown
-
-Release Date: September 24, 2019 [EBook #60349]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: UTF-8
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ACCOUNT OF THE LATE INTENDED INSURRECTION ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by Richard Tonsing, hekula03, and the Online
-Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
-file was produced from images generously made available
-by The Internet Archive)
-
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-
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-</pre>
-
-
-<div class='tnotes covernote'>
-
-<p class='c000'><b>Transcriber’s Note:</b></p>
-
-<p class='c000'>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p>
-
-</div>
-
-<div class='titlepage'>
-
-<div>
- <h1 class='c001'><span class='xlarge'>AN ACCOUNT</span><br /> <span class='xsmall'>OF</span><br /> <span class='large'>THE LATE</span><br /> Intended Insurrection<br /> <span class='small'>AMONG</span><br /> <span class='large'>A Portion of the Blacks</span><br /> <span class='small'>OF THIS CITY.</span></h1>
-</div>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
-<div class='nf-center c002'>
- <div>Published by the Authority</div>
- <div class='c003'><span class='xsmall'>OF</span></div>
- <div class='c003'>THE CORPORATION OF CHARLESTON.</div>
- <div class='c002'><span class='small'>(<i>THIRD EDITION.</i>)</span></div>
- <div class='c002'><span class='small'>CHARLESTON:</span></div>
- <div><span class='xsmall'>PRINTED BY A. E. MILLER,</span></div>
- <div><span class='xsmall'>4 Broad-Street.</span></div>
- <div class='c003'>1822.</div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-</div>
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c003' />
-</div>
-<div class='chapter'>
- <h2 class='c004'>CITY COUNCIL,</h2>
-</div>
-
-<div class='lg-container-r c002'>
- <div class='linegroup'>
- <div class='group'>
- <div class='line'><span class='sc'>August 13th, 1822</span>.</div>
- </div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c005'>“<i><span class='sc'>Resolved</span>, that the Intendant be requested to prepare
-for publication, an account of the late intended
-Insurrection in this City, with a Statement of the
-Trials and such other facts in connexion with the
-same as may be deemed of public interest.</i>”</p>
-
-<h3 class='c006'>TO THE PUBLIC.</h3>
-
-<div class='c003'></div>
-<blockquote>
-<p class='c005'>In complying with the objects of the above Resolution, I have not
-been insensible to the difficulties and embarrassments necessarily incident
-to the subject, as to what it might be politic either to publish
-or suppress. With the advice, however, of the Corporation, I have
-deemed a full publication of the prominent circumstances of the late
-commotion the most judicious course, as suppression might assume
-the appearance of timidity or injustice. Whilst such a Statement is
-due to the character of our community, and justification of our laws,
-there can be no harm in the salutary inculcation of one lesson,
-among a <i>certain</i> portion of our population, that there is nothing
-they are bad enough to do, that we are not powerful enough to
-punish.</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-r'>
- <div class='linegroup'>
- <div class='group'>
- <div class='line'>J. HAMILTON, jun. <i>Intendant</i>,</div>
- </div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='lg-container-l'>
- <div class='linegroup'>
- <div class='group'>
- <div class='line'><i>Charleston, August</i> 16th, 1822.</div>
- </div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-</blockquote>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
- <span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span>
- <h2 class='c004'>AN ACCOUNT, &amp;C.</h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='drop-capa0_0_6 c007'>On Thursday, the 30th of May last, about 3 o’clock
-in the afternoon, the Intendant of Charleston was informed
-by a gentleman of great respectability, (who,
-that morning, had returned from the country) that a
-favourite and confidential slave of his had communicated
-to him, on his arrival in town, a conversation
-which had taken place at the market on the Saturday
-preceding, between himself and a black man; which
-afforded strong reasons for believing that a revolt and
-insurrection were in contemplation among a proportion
-at least of our black population. The Corporation
-was forthwith summoned to meet at 5 o’clock, for the
-purpose of hearing the narrative of the slave who had
-given this information to his master, to which meeting
-the attendance of His Excellency the Governor was solicited;
-with which invitation he promptly complied.
-Between, however, the hours of 3 and 5 o’clock, the
-gentleman who had conveyed the information to the
-Intendant, having again examined his slave, was induced
-to believe, that the negro fellow who had communicated
-the intelligence of the intended revolt to the
-slave in question, belonged to Messrs. J. &amp;. D. Paul,
-Broad Street, and resided in their premises. Accordingly,
-with a promptitude worthy of all praise, without
-waiting for the interposition of the civil authority
-he applied to the Messrs. Paul and had the whole of
-their male servants committed to the Guard-House,
-until the individual who had accosted the slave of
-this gentleman, on the occasion previously mentioned,
-could be identified from among them.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>On the assembling of the Corporation at five, the
-slave of this gentleman was brought before them,
-having previously identified Mr. Paul’s William as the
-man who had accosted him in the market, he then
-related the following circumstances:</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>‘On Saturday afternoon last (my master being out
-of town) I went to market; after finishing my business
-I strolled down the wharf below the fish market,
-from which I observed a small vessel in the stream
-with a singular flag; whilst looking at this object,
-a black man, (Mr. Paul’s William) came up to me
-and remarking the subject which engaged my attention
-said, I have often seen a flag with the number 76
-on it, but never with 96, before. After some trifling
-conversation on this point, he remarked with considerable
-earnestness to me. Do you know that something
-serious is about to take place? To which I
-replied no. Well, said he, there is, and many of us
-are determined to right ourselves! I asked him to
-explain himself—when he remarked, why, we are
-determined to shake off our bondage, and for this
-purpose we stand on a good foundation, many have
-joined, and if you will go with me, I will show you
-the man, who has the list of names who will take
-yours down.—I was so much astonished and horror
-struck at this information, that it was a moment or
-two before I could collect myself sufficiently to tell
-him I would have nothing to do with this business,
-that I was satisfied with my condition, that I was
-grateful to my master for his kindness and wished
-no change.—I left him instantly, lest, if this fellow
-afterwards got into trouble, and I had been seen
-conversing with him, in so public a place, I might be
-suspected and thrown into difficulty.—I did not however
-remain easy under the burden of such a secret,
-and consequently determined to consult a free man of
-colour named —— and to ask his advice. On conferring
-with this friend, he urged me with great earnestness
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span>to communicate what had passed between
-Mr. Paul’s man and myself to my master, and not to
-lose a moment in so doing.<a id='r1' /><a href='#f1' class='c008'><sup>[1]</sup></a> I took his advice, and
-not waiting, even for the return of my master to town,
-I mentioned it to my mistress and young master.—On
-the arrival of my master, he examined me as to
-what had passed, and I stated to him what I have
-mentioned to yourselves.’</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>On this witness being dismissed from the presence of
-Council, the prisoner (William) was examined. The
-mode resorted to in his examination was to afford him
-no intimation of the subject of the information which
-had been lodged against him, as it was extremely desirable
-in the first place, to have the testimony of the
-other witness corroborated as to time and place, that,
-from the confessions of the prisoner himself, it might
-appear that he was at the fish-market at the period
-stated, and that a singular flag, flying on board of a
-schooner, had formed the subject of his observation.
-After a vast deal of equivocation, he admitted all
-these facts, but when the rest of his conversation
-was put home to him, he flatly denied it, but with
-so many obvious indications of guilt, that it was deemed
-unwise to discharge him. He was remanded, for
-the night, to the Guard-House, it having been decided
-to subject him to solitary confinement in the black-hole
-of the Work-House, where, on the succeeding morning,
-he was to be conveyed.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>On the morning of the 31st he was again examined
-by the attending Warden at the Guard-House (having,
-during the night, made some disclosures to Capt. Dove)
-on which occasion he admitted all the conversation
-which he had held at the fish-market, with the witness
-before mentioned, and stated that he had received
-his information from Mingo Harth, who was in
-possession of the muster-roll of the insurgents.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>With the hope of still further disclosures William
-was conveyed to the Work-House and placed in solitary
-confinement. The individuals (Mingo Harth and
-Peter Poyas) against whom he gave information, as
-those who had communicated to him the intelligence
-of the plot for raising an insurrection, were forthwith
-taken up by the Wardens and their trunks examined.
-These fellows behaved with so much composure and
-coolness, and treated the charge, alleged against them,
-with so much levity—(no writings being found in their
-chests, containing the smallest suspicion, excepting an
-enigmatical letter,<a id='r2' /><a href='#f2' class='c008'><sup>[2]</sup></a> which was then too obscure for explanation,
-and to which subsequent events only afforded
-a clue)—that the Wardens (Messrs. Wesner &amp; Condy)
-were completely deceived, and had these men discharged.
-One of these (Peter Poyas) proved afterwards, as
-will appear in the sequel, to be one of the principal
-ringleaders in the conspiracy, on whose courage and
-sagacity great reliance was placed.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Council being still under the conviction that William
-Paul was in possession of more information than he
-had thought proper to disclose, a Committee was appointed
-to examine him from time to time, with the
-hope of obtaining further intelligence. Although Peter
-and Mingo had been discharged, yet it was deemed
-advisable to have them watched, and consequently
-spies were employed of their own colour for this purpose,
-in such a manner as to give advices of all their
-movements.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Things remained in this state for six or seven days,
-until about the 8th of June, when William, who had
-been a week in solitary confinement, beginning to
-fear that he would soon be led forth to the scaffold, for
-summary execution, in an interview with Mr. Napier,
-(one of the Committee appointed to examine him) confessed,
-that he had for some time known of the plot,
-that it was very extensive, embracing an indiscriminate
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>massacre of the whites, and that the blacks were to be
-headed by an individual, who carried about him a charm
-which rendered him invulnerable. He stated, that the
-period fixed for the rising, was on the second Sunday in
-June. This information was without delay conveyed
-to his Excellency the Governor, and Council forthwith
-convened. Whatever faith we might have been disposed
-to place in the unsupported and equivocal testimony
-of William, it was not conceived to be a case in
-which our doubts should influence our efforts for preparation
-and defence. Measures were consequently
-promptly taken, to place the City Guard in a state of
-the utmost efficiency. Sixteen hundred rounds of ball
-cartridges were provided, and the centinels and patrols
-ordered on duty with loaded arms. Such had been our
-fancied security, that the guard had previously gone on
-duty without muskets, with sheathed bayonets and
-bludgeons.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Three or four days now elapsed, and notwithstanding
-all our efforts, we could obtain no confirmation of
-the disclosures of William, on the contrary, they seemed
-to have sustained some invalidation, from the circumstance,
-of one of the individuals (Ned Bennett)
-whom he named as a person who had information in
-relation to the insurrection, coming voluntarily to the
-Intendant, and soliciting an examination, if he was an
-object of suspicion. In this stage of the business, it
-was not deemed advisable prematurely to press these
-examinations, as it might have a tendency to arrest
-any further developments.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>On the night, however, of Friday the 14th, the information
-of William was amply confirmed, and details
-infinitely more abundant and interesting afforded. At
-8 o’clock on this evening, the Intendant received a visit
-from a gentleman, who is advantageously known in this
-community for his worth and respectability.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>This gentleman, with an anxiety, which the occasion
-was well calculated to beget, stated to the Intendant,
-that, having the most unbounded confidence in
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>a faithful slave belonging to his family, who was distinguished
-alike for his uncommon intelligence and integrity,
-he was induced to inform him, that rumors
-were abroad of an intended insurrection of the blacks,
-and that it was said, that this movement had been
-traced to some of the coloured members of Dr. Palmer’s
-church, in which he was known to be a class leader.—On
-being strongly enjoined to conceal nothing, he, the
-next day, Friday the 14th, came to his master, and informed
-him, that the fact was really so, that a public
-disturbance was contemplated by the blacks, and not a
-moment should be lost in informing the constituted authorities,
-as the succeeding Sunday, the 16th, at 12
-o’clock, at night, was the period fixed for the rising,
-which, if not prevented, would inevitably occur at that
-hour. This slave, it appears, was in no degree connected
-with the plot, but he had an intimate friend, A——
-(one of his class) who had been trusted by the conspirators
-with the secret, and had been solicited by them to
-join their association; to this A—— first appeared to consent,
-but, on no period absolutely sent in his adhesion.
-According to the statement which he afterwards made
-himself to the Court, it would seem that it was a subject
-of great regret and contrition with him, that he
-had ever appeared to lend his approbation to a scheme
-so wicked and atrocious, and that he sought occasion to
-make atonement, by divulging the plot, which on the
-14th he did, to the slave of the gentleman in question,
-his class leader.<a id='r3' /><a href='#f3' class='c008'><sup>[3]</sup></a></p>
-
-<p class='c005'>This gentleman, therefore, mentioned, that his servant
-had informed him, that A——<a id='r4' /><a href='#f4' class='c008'><sup>[4]</sup></a> had stated, that
-about three months ago, Rolla, belonging to Governor
-Bennett, had communicated to him the intelligence of
-the intended insurrection, and had asked him to join—‘That
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>he remarked, in the event of their rising, they
-would not be without help, as the people from San
-Domingo and Africa would assist them in obtaining
-their liberty, if they only made the motion first themselves.
-That if A—— wished to know more, he had
-better attend their meetings, where all would be disclosed.’
-After this, at another interview, Rolla informed
-A——, that ‘the plan was matured, and that
-on Sunday night, the 16th June, a force would cross
-from James’ Island and land on South Bay, march up
-and seize the Arsenal and Guard-House, that another
-body at the same time would seize the Arsenal on the
-Neck, and a third would rendezvous in the vicinity of
-his master’s mills. They would then sweep the town
-with fire and sword, not permitting a single white soul
-to escape.’</p>
-
-<p class='c009'>As this account was remarkably coincident with the
-one given by William (Mr. Paul’s slave) as the witnesses
-could have had no possible communication, or the story
-have been the result of preconcert and combination,
-the sum of this intelligence was laid before the Governor
-by 9 o’clock, and by 10 o’clock the commanding
-officers of the regiments of the City militia, convened by
-his Excellency’s order, at the residence of the Intendant.
-On this and the succeeding afternoon, at another
-meeting of the same individuals, such measures were
-determined on by his Excellency, as were deemed best
-adapted to the approaching exigency of Sunday night.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>On Sunday the 16th, at 10 o’clock at night, the following
-corps were ordered to rendezvous for guard—</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Capt. Cattel’s Corps of <i>Hussars</i>, Capt. Miller’s <i>Light
-Infantry</i>, Capt. Martindale’s <i>Neck Rangers</i>, <i>Charleston
-Riflemen</i>, and <i>City Guard</i>.<a id='r5' /><a href='#f5' class='c008'><sup>[5]</sup></a></p>
-
-<p class='c005'>The whole were organized as a detachment, and
-placed under the command of Col. R. Y. Hayne. Although
-there was necessarily great excitement, and
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>among the female part of our community much alarm,
-yet, the night passed off without any thing like commotion
-or disturbance, and it is peculiarly honorable to
-the corps on service, that in a populous town, the streets
-filled until a late hour with persons, uncertain whether
-it was safe to go to <i>rest</i> or <i>not</i>, not a single case of false
-alarm was excited. A steadiness altogether praiseworthy,
-in troops unaccustomed to guard duty, at least on
-an occasion involving such deep interest and distressing
-anxiety.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>The conspirators finding the whole town encompassed
-at 10 o’clock, by the most vigilant patrols, did not
-dare to show themselves, whatever might have been
-their plans. In the progress of the subsequent investigation,
-it was distinctly in proof, that but for these military
-demonstrations, the effort would unquestionably
-have been made; that a meeting took place on Sunday
-afternoon, the 16th, at 4 o’clock, of several of the ringleaders,
-at Denmark Vesey’s, for the purpose of making
-their preliminary arrangements, and that early in the
-morning of Sunday, Denmark despatched a courier, to
-order down some country negroes from Goose Creek,
-which courier had endeavored in vain to get out of
-town.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>No developement of the plot having been made on
-Sunday night, and the period having passed, which
-was fixed on for its explosion, it now became the duty
-of the civil authority to take immediate steps for the
-apprehension, commitment, and trial of those against
-whom they were in possession of information. Council
-was accordingly convened, and as a preliminary
-measure, it was deemed expedient, that a Court of the
-highest respectability, for the talents and integrity of
-its members, should be assembled, and that, whilst the
-requisitions of the Act of Assembly, of 1740, should be
-strictly complied with, in devolving the warrant of summons
-on the Magistrates; the Corporation saw no impropriety
-in affording these officers a list of such names
-of Freeholders, as they knew would meet in a preeminent
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>degree the public approbation; and to these
-persons private letters were written by the authority of
-Council, strongly soliciting their acceptance of a trust,
-involving indeed the most irksome labour, as well as the
-deepest responsibility. In conformity with these arrangements,
-the following Court was organized on the
-evening of the 17th:—</p>
-
-<table class='table0' summary=''>
- <tr><td class='c010' colspan='2'><i>Magistrates</i>,</td></tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c011'><span class='sc'>Lionel H. Kennedy</span>,</td>
- <td class='c012'>}</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c013'>and</td>
- <td class='c012'>} Esqrs.</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c011'><span class='sc'>Thomas Parker</span>,</td>
- <td class='c012'>}</td>
- </tr>
- <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
- <tr><td class='c010' colspan='2'><i>Freeholders</i>,</td></tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c011'>Colonel <span class='sc'>William Drayton</span>,</td>
- <td class='c012'>&nbsp;</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c011'><span class='sc'>Nath’l. Heyward</span>,</td>
- <td class='c012'>}</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c011'><span class='sc'>J. R. Pringle</span>,</td>
- <td class='c012'>} Esqrs.</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c011'><span class='sc'>James Legare</span>,</td>
- <td class='c012'>}</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c011'><span class='sc'>R. J. Turnbull</span>.</td>
- <td class='c012'>}</td>
- </tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class='c005'>Cotemporaneously with the organization of this
-Court, a Committee of Vigilance and Safety was appointed
-from among the Members of Council, to aid the
-Intendant in the execution of the laws; to co-operate
-with him during the recess of Council, in all those
-measures necessary for exploring the causes and character
-of the existing disturbance, and bringing to light
-and punishment the suspected and guilty. How ably
-these functions were discharged by this Committee, it
-is not befitting the occasion or the circumstances under
-which this publication appears to dwell. Their generous
-devotion and unremitting assiduity to the public
-interests and safety, are left to the more appropriate
-appreciation of a community that witnessed their labours.
-This Committee consisted of Messrs. Wesner,
-Napier, Condy, Burger, and Simons, and were zealously
-aided by the rest of the Wardens; and for
-its service, four of the most active, intelligent, and confidential
-non-commissioned officers of the City Guard,
-were detached as Police Officers, to search suspected
-places, and to apprehend those for whom warrants
-might be issued. This Committee commenced its labours
-on the night of the 17th, and during the ensuing
-twenty-four hours, the following slaves were committed:—<i>Rolla</i>,
-<i>Batteau</i>, <i>Matthias</i> and <i>Ned</i>, the property
-of the Governor Bennett; <i>Mungo</i> and <i>Peter</i>, the property
-of James Poyas; <i>Amhurst</i>, the property of Mrs.
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>Lining; <i>Stephen</i>, the property of T. R. Smith; <i>Richard</i>
-and <i>John</i>, the property of Jonathan Lucas.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>On the morning of the 19th of June, the Court of
-Magistrates and Freeholders assembled at the Court-House,
-were sworn in, and proceeded to the arraignment
-of the above prisoners for trial. Who were
-charged “<i>with attempting to raise an insurrection
-among the Blacks against the Whites</i>.” In order
-that the public may understand the offence as defined
-in the Act of 1740, the clause, at length, will be found
-in the Appendix, marked (A.)</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Before we proceed to a brief (and it necessarily must
-be very brief) abstract of the testimony offered in the
-cases brought before the Court, it may not be unimportant
-to observe, that, previous to their proceeding to
-the painful investigation with which they were charged,
-they laid down a variety of rules for their government,
-all of them subservient to justice as well as humanity.
-In the first place, it was decided, that the testimony
-should be regulated by those established rules of evidence,
-which are elsewhere found so important in the
-exposition of truth; that no slave should be tried but in
-the presence of his Master or his Attorney; that the
-testimony of one witness, unsupported by circumstances,
-should lead to no conviction involving capital
-punishment; and that the statement of the party himself,
-should be heard in explanation of such particulars,
-as seemed most inculpatory.</p>
-
-<h3 class='c006'>THE COURT,</h3>
-
-<p class='c014'>Being thus organized, they proceeded to the trial of
-ROLLA, the slave of Governor Bennett:—</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-b c015'>
- <div class='linegroup'>
- <div class='group'>
- <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Jacob Axson</span>, Esq. attending as Attorney of his master.</div>
- </div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c005'>It was proved, that <i>Rolla</i> had confessed to two persons,
-both of whom were examined by the Court, that
-he belonged to the conspiracy, and with one of these
-witnesses (his friend) he used every effort to induce
-him to join in the insurrection, which Rolla stated
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>was to take place on the night of the 16th of June.—Finding
-that this friend (the witness in question) would
-not join the association, he urged him to go out of
-town on Sunday night, lest some harm should come to
-him. Rolla represented himself as the commander of
-the Force which was to rendezvous in the vicinity of his
-master’s mills, and explained to the witness fully the
-order of attack; the division of the forces; and said,
-“that his troops, in their way into town, would fix
-his Old Buck (his master) and the Intendant.” On
-being asked whether it was intended to kill the women
-and children, he remarked when we have done
-with the men we know what to do with the women.—On
-this testimony Rolla was found <i>guilty</i>, and sentenced
-to be executed on the 2d of July.<a id='r6' /><a href='#f6' class='c008'><sup>[6]</sup></a></p>
-
-<p class='c009'>BATTEAU was next tried—</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>It was proved that <i>Batteau</i> confessed to two persons
-(both of whom were introduced as witnesses) that he
-belonged to the conspiracy, and made efforts to induce
-them to join in the rising, by representing the extent
-of their preparations, and the probability of their success.
-He stated he was to head a party near Canon’s
-bridge, and that he expected aid from the country.—More
-than one interview took place between Batteau
-and the witnesses on the subject; the last, on the Sunday
-fixed for the insurrection, on which he renewed
-his solicitations that the witnesses should join him.—Batteau
-was found <i>guilty</i>, and sentenced to be executed
-on the 2d of July.</p>
-
-<p class='c009'>STEPHEN, belonging to Thos. R. Smith, Esq.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Was next brought before the Court, but the testimony
-being deemed insufficient, and indeed, the Court
-being satisfied of his innocence, directed his <i>discharge</i>.</p>
-
-<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>PETER, the slave of Mr. James Poyas, was next tried.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>It was distinctly in proof, against <i>Peter</i>, that he had
-made great efforts to induce others to join in the insurrection;
-and the testimony represented him quite in
-the character of a chieftain or leader, for which his
-boldness and sagacity unquestionably qualified him.—He
-appeared, from the testimony, to have employed
-uncommon pains to remove all the objections arising
-in the minds of those whom he attempted to enlist, as
-to the probability of the success of the effort. And
-spoke with great confidence of the succors which were
-expected from San Domingo. It was strongly to be
-inferred, from all the witnesses stated, that the difficult
-and dangerous sally of endeavouring to carry the
-Main Guard-House was to have been confided to him,
-for he particularly acquainted one of the witnesses with
-the combination of stratagem and force with which he
-proposed to accomplish this object.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Peter was found <i>guilty</i> on this testimony, and sentenced
-for execution on the 2d of July.<a id='r7' /><a href='#f7' class='c008'><sup>[7]</sup></a></p>
-
-<p class='c009'>AMHERST, belonging to Mrs. Lining, was next examined,
-found <i>not guilty</i>, and <i>discharged</i>.</p>
-
-<p class='c009'>The Court then proceeded to the trial of NED, the
-property of Governor Bennett.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'><i>Ned’s</i> guilt was proved fully by the same witnesses
-that appeared against Peter Poyas, with whom it was
-established he was in the habit of frequent consultation
-on the efforts that were to be made. Subsequent disclosures
-have justified very strongly the finding of the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>Court against him, and placed it beyond a doubt, that
-he was a ringleader, and was to have headed a force in
-the vicinity of the Lines.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>He was found <i>guilty</i>, and sentenced for execution on
-the 2d of July.</p>
-
-<p class='c009'>On the 24th of June, the Court discharged as <i>not
-guilty</i>, <i>Samuel Guifford</i> and <i>Robert Hadden</i>, two free
-persons of colour, as also <i>Matthias</i>, the slave of Governor
-Bennett; <i>Mungo</i>, the slave of Mr. Poyas; <i>Robert</i>,
-the slave of Mr. Harth, and <i>Richard</i> and <i>John</i>, the slaves
-of Mr. Lucas.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>On the 25th of June, the Court examined the cases
-of <i>Jim</i>, belonging to Mr. Ancrum; <i>Sandy</i>, belonging to
-Mr. Holmes, and <i>Friday</i>, the property of Mr. Rout, all
-of whom were found <i>not guilty</i>, and <i>discharged</i>.</p>
-
-<p class='c016'>On Wednesday, the 26th of June, the Court proceeded
-to the trial of ABRAHAM, the slave of Dr.
-Poyas.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>The only proof adduced against <i>Abraham</i>, was the
-following letter, found in the trunk of Peter Poyas,
-and acknowledged by Abraham to have been written
-by himself,—</p>
-
-<blockquote>
-<p class='c005'>“<span class='sc'>Dear Sir</span>,—With pleasure I give you an answer. I will endeavour
-to do it. Hoping that God will be in the midst to help his
-own. Be particular and make a sure remark. Fear not, the Lord
-God that delivered Daniel is able to deliver us. All that I inform
-agreed. I am gone up to Beach-Hill.”</p>
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
- <div class='nf-center'>
- <div>(Signed)</div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-<div class='lg-container-r'>
- <div class='linegroup'>
- <div class='group'>
- <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Abraham Poyas</span>.”</div>
- </div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-</blockquote>
-
-<p class='c005'>Although this letter was extremely suspicious, yet,
-there being no other testimony against Abraham, he
-was found <i>not guilty</i> of the charge ‘of attempting to
-raise an insurrection among the blacks against the
-whites.’</p>
-
-<p class='c016'>On Thursday the 27th, DENMARK VESEY, a free
-black man, was brought before the Court for trial,</p>
-
-<div class='lg-container-b c015'>
- <div class='linegroup'>
- <div class='group'>
- <div class='line'>Assisted by his Counsel, <span class='sc'>G. W. Cross</span>, Esq.</div>
- </div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c005'>It is perhaps somewhat remarkable, that at this stage
-of the investigation, although several witnesses had
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>been examined, the <i>atrocious</i> guilt of <i>Denmark Vesey</i>
-had not been as yet fully unfolded. From the testimony
-of most of the witnesses, however, the Court
-found enough, and amply enough, to warrant the sentence
-of death, which, on the 28th, they passed on
-him. But every subsequent step in the progress of the
-trials of others, lent new confirmation to his overwhelming
-guilt, and placed him beyond a doubt, on the
-criminal eminence of having been the individual, in
-whose bosom the nefarious scheme was first engendered.
-There is ample reason for believing, that this project
-was not, with him, of recent origin, for it was said,
-he had spoken of it for upwards of four years.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>These facts of his guilt the journals of the Court
-will disclose—that no man can be proved to have spoken
-of or urged the insurrection prior to himself. All
-the channels of communication and intelligence are
-traced back to him. His house was the place appointed
-for the secret meetings of the conspirators, at which
-he was invariably a leading and influential member;
-animating and encouraging the timid, by the hopes of
-prospects of success; removing the scruples of the religious,
-by the grossest prostitution and perversion of the
-sacred oracles, and inflaming and confirming the resolute,
-by all the savage fascinations of blood and booty.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>The peculiar circumstances of guilt, which confer a
-distinction on his case, will be found narrated in the
-confessions of Rolla, Monday Gell, Frank and
-Jesse, in the Appendix. He was sentenced for execution
-on the 2d July.<a id='r8' /><a href='#f8' class='c008'><sup>[8]</sup></a></p>
-
-<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>The Court tried JESSE, the slave of Mr. Thomas
-Blackwood.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>The testimony against <i>Jesse</i> was very ample. His
-activity and zeal, in promoting the views of Denmark
-Vesey, in relation to the plot, were fully proved. He
-had engaged with Vesey to go out of town on Sunday
-the 16th, to bring down some negroes from the country,
-to aid in the rising on that night; and remarked, to the
-witnesses, on his way to Hibbens’ ferry, “if my father
-does not assist I will cut off his head.” All the
-particulars in proof against him, he confirmed after receiving
-his sentence, by his own full and satisfactory
-Confession, which will be found in the Appendix,
-marked (H.)</p>
-
-<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>This man excited no small sympathy, not only from
-the apparent sincerity of his contrition, but from the
-mild and unostentatious composure with which he
-met his fate.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Sentence of death was passed on these six men, on
-the 28th of June, and they were executed on the 2d
-of July. With the exception of Jesse and Rolla, they
-made no disclosures; all of them, with those exceptions,
-either explicitly or implicitly affirming their innocence.
-It is much to be lamented that the situation
-of the Work-House, at this period, precluded,
-after their sentence, their being separately confined;
-at least, that Vesey could not have been subjected to the
-gloom and silence of a solitary cell. He might have
-been softened, and afforded the most precious confessions,
-as his knowledge and agency in the nefarious
-scheme very far exceeded the information of others,
-who, however guilty, seemed but the agents of his will.
-But these men mutually supported each other, and died
-obedient to the stern and emphatic injunction of their
-Comrade (Peter Poyas) “<i>Do not open your lips! Die
-silent, as you shall see me do!</i>” It was, perhaps, <i>alone</i>,
-in Denmark Vesey’s power, to have given us the true
-character, extent and importance of the correspondence,
-it was afterwards proved, was carried on with certain
-persons in San Domingo.</p>
-
-<p class='c009'>On the 1st of July the Court proceeded to the trial
-of MONDAY GELL, who, together with CHARLES
-DRAYTON, had been apprehended; the first, on the
-27th of June, and the latter, on the 2d of July.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>By referring to the Appendix (D.) &amp; (E.) the nature
-of the testimony against these individuals will be seen.
-In reference to the case of <i>Monday Gell</i> it was established
-that he had been a very important ringleader,
-and that his shop, in Meeting-Street, was a place at
-which many meetings were held; at all of which he
-was present, lending the most zealous aid, and affording
-the strongest countenance; and if any confirmation
-of his guilt should be sought for, it may be found in his
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>own confession in the Appendix (K.) After Monday
-Gell and Charles Drayton were convicted there appeared
-to be a pause in our further discoveries, and
-some prospect of the investigation closing with their
-execution and that of John Horry, Harry Haig and
-Gullah Jack, (for the guilt of the latter, see Appendix
-(D.) (E.) &amp; (F.))</p>
-
-<p class='c009'>On the 9th of July, however, these five men, were
-called before the Court to receive sentence, and after
-it had been pronounced, with the most impressive solemnity,
-they were withdrawn to a common ward in
-the Work-House, for half an hour, until separate cells
-could be provided for them. It was at this moment
-that <i>Charles Drayton</i>, overwhelmed with terror and
-guilt, went up to <i>Monday</i> and reproached him with
-having induced him to join in a scheme which had
-placed him in such a miserable and perilous situation.
-To this appeal Monday, not only confessed his guilt,
-but observed to Charles—that their present fate was
-justly and precisely what they had a right to expect,
-after their detected and defeated project. On which
-there immediately ensued between them a conversation
-on the extent of the guilt of others, in which Monday
-gave Charles the names of many accomplices
-whom he had not previously known in the plot;—the
-arrival of the blacksmith to iron the convicts, and the
-turnkey to convey them to separate cells, interrupted
-the conversation.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Charles, during the night of the 9th, sent for Mr.
-Gordon, who has charge of the Work-House, and informed
-him that he was extremely anxious to see the Intendant,
-as he had some important disclosures to make.
-By day-light, on the morning of the 10th, this message
-was conveyed to the person for whom it was intended,
-and Charles was visited at sun-rise. He was found,
-in a state of the most lamentable depression and panic,
-and he seemed prepared to make the most ample declarations
-from the fear of death, and the consequences
-of an <i>hereafter</i>, if he went out of the world without
-revealing all that he knew, in relation to the Conspiracy,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>in which he had been so active an agent. Before
-his narrative was received, he was most specially put on
-his guard, that no promises could be made to him of a
-reversal of his fate, but that he might rest satisfied,
-his condition could not be worse by his coming out
-with a full disclosure of all that he knew. He then
-stated many particulars, that had come to his own
-knowledge, proving a much wider diffusion of the
-plot than, at that period, was imagined; and, after
-giving up the names of several of his comrades, he
-mentioned the conversation which had been commenced
-and broken off, in the common ward of the Work-House,
-between Monday Gell and himself. As Monday,
-at this period, did not seem disposed to make any
-confessions to others, whatever he might be inclined
-to do to his friend Charles, it was considered important,
-that the conversation between them should
-be renewed, and they were brought together in
-the same cell, and left for twenty-four hours
-alone; but some little stratagem was employed, to divert
-the suspicions of Monday, that Charles was confined
-with him, merely for the purpose of getting information
-out of him.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>On the morning of the 10th, the Court were convened,
-and apprized, generally, of these new disclosures,
-which Charles had made, but as he was still <i>closeted</i>
-with Monday, he could not be examined on that day,
-the Court adjourned to meet on the 13th; on which
-day Monday Gell’s own confession was heard by them.
-Between the 10th and 13th, <i>Charles</i> and <i>Monday</i> were
-separated (having been respited by His Excellency, the
-Governor, at the request of the Court) and Charles, on
-his re-examination afforded much important information,
-which he had derived from Monday. On Monday’s
-having all this brought to his view, he confessed
-his own guilt, as well as the truth of the statements
-which he had made to Charles.<a id='r9' /><a href='#f9' class='c008'><sup>[9]</sup></a></p>
-
-<p class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>Cotemporaneously with these communications, PERAULT,
-belonging to Mr. Strohecker, was taken up,
-on the 10th, and on his being closely and judiciously
-examined by his master, he gave a large mass of intelligence
-confirming what had been related by Monday
-and Charles, and supplying several deficiencies in their
-testimony, more especially that part of it which related
-to the transmission of <i>certain</i> letters to San Domingo.
-These disclosures, with some further details which were
-obtained from Harry Haig, (whose confession and subsequent
-testimony went to implicate a corps of Gullah
-or Angola negroes, that had been organized under the
-command of their Chief, Gullah Jack,) gave ample
-employment for three or four days to the Committee of
-Vigilance, during which upwards of sixty slaves were
-apprehended.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>It would very much transcend the limits necessarily
-prescribed to this brief memoir, to go over all the
-trials that subsequently ensued, on these fresh discoveries.
-As the most important part of the testimony,
-adduced on these trials, is to be found in the Appendix,
-it is deemed altogether, superfluous, to make a special
-application of it to each of the cases, as this would
-result in a repetition fatiguing and uninteresting to the
-reader. It will be sufficient to single out a few of the
-cases most pregnant in interest, and to remark, that the
-Court on its reorganization on the 13th, justly estimating
-the extent of the labour before them, laid down
-certain rules of discrimination in the guilt of the parties
-to which they give the most definite precision and
-perspicuity, by adopting two classes of offence; the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>first involving a primary and the second a minor degree
-of guilt. Under the first class, they brought all those
-who were ringleaders, who had made a declaration of
-their belonging to the association, and who had been
-present, aiding and abetting in the contribution of
-money, arms or ammunition, at Denmark Vesey’s, or
-who were in the constant habit of visiting Monday
-Gell’s shop and Bulkley’s farm, for the purpose of
-obtaining and communicating intelligence of the progress
-of the conspiracy. Those found guilty in this class,
-were to be punished with death. Under the second
-class were arranged those who had merely sent in their
-adhesion to the ringleaders without ever having attended
-a meeting at Vesey’s, or having been recognized by
-him as confidential men, or contributed to the
-purchase of arms or ammunition, or endeavoured to
-enlist others. The punishment which awaited those
-found guilty in this class, was transportation beyond
-the limits of the United States.<a id='r10' /><a href='#f10' class='c008'><sup>[10]</sup></a></p>
-
-<p class='c005'>By reference to the Calendar marked (S) in the
-Appendix, the names of the prisoners committed will
-be found, and under a proper column, the mode in
-which they were disposed of, whether by death, transportation,
-or discharge, from the insufficiency of testimony.
-The extent of the evidence adduced, therefore,
-against each individual, may be inferred with accuracy,
-by observing the punishment awarded him; as the
-Court adhered with great and rigid fidelity to these
-rules, which were in unison both with justice and
-humanity.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Among the vast number of cases disposed of by the
-first Court; in a session of nearly six weeks, involving
-the most intense and unremitting labour, it would be
-impossible to overlook the case of Jack Pritchard,
-otherwise called GULLAH JACK. The testimony
-in the Appendix, of more than one of the witnesses, will
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>establish fully his guilt, and prove the justice of the
-sentence, by which he was ushered into another world;
-but no description can accurately convey to others the
-impression which his trial, defence and appearance
-made on those who witnessed the workings of his
-cunning and rude address. Born a conjurer and a physician,
-in his own country (for in Angola they are matters
-of inheritance) he practised <i>these arts</i> in this country
-for fifteen years, without its being generally known
-among the whites. Vesey, who left no engines of
-power unessayed, seems, in an early stage of his design,
-to have turned his eye on this Necromancer, aware of
-his influence with his own countrymen, who are distinguished
-both for their credulous superstition and
-clannish sympathies. It does not appear that Jack
-required much persuasion to induce him to join in a
-project, which afforded him the most ample opportunities
-of displaying his peculiar art, whilst it is very obvious
-that his willingness, to do all that Vesey might
-require, was in no little degree stimulated, by his bitterness
-and his gall against the whites. Altho’ he had been
-fifteen or twenty years in this country, yet he appeared
-to be untouched by the influences of civilized life.—If
-the part which he was to play in this drama, bespoke
-that the treacherous and vindictive artifices of
-war in his own country, existed in unimpaired vigour in
-his memory, his wildness and vehemence of gesture and
-the malignant glance with which he eyed the witnesses
-who appeared against him, all indicated the savage,
-who indeed had been <i>caught</i>, but not <i>tamed</i>. It would
-be both tedious and disgusting to relate the many artifices
-employed by this miscreant to deceive and cajole
-his deluded countrymen. Such was their belief in his
-invulnerability, that his charms and amulets were in
-request, and he was regarded as a man, who could <i>only</i>
-be harmed but by the <i>treachery</i> of his fellows. Even
-those negroes who were born in this country seem to
-have spoken of his charmed invincibility with a confidence
-which looked much like belief. When Jack
-was dragged forth to the scaffold he seemed conscious
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>that his arts would stand him in little stead, and gave
-up his spirit without firmness or composure.</p>
-
-<p class='c009'>The case of TOM RUSSEL, another of the Gullah
-Band, deserves a brief notice. He was tried some
-days after Jack, and was executed among the twenty-two
-Criminals hung on the Lines, on the 26th July.
-Tom was Jack’s <i>armourer</i>, and kept his blacksmith’s
-shop on East-Bay. His part in the conspiracy was
-confined to the making of pikes and spears, which it
-appears he did on a very approved model. After these
-weapons were finished, they were held subject to the order
-of Jack, and by him sent up to Mr. Bulkley’s farm,<a id='r11' /><a href='#f11' class='c008'><sup>[11]</sup></a>
-near the Cross Roads, where handles were provided for
-them by Polydore Faber, a Gullah, who met his fate
-on the same scaffold with Tom Russel. This farm
-was one of the principal rendezvous of the Gullah
-Band, of which Jack was the Captain.</p>
-
-<p class='c009'>The trial of LOT FORRESTER, was not without
-interest, as he was the <i>courier</i> of the conspiracy, and
-was proved to have gone out of town, for the purpose
-of inducing the country negroes to join in the insurrection;
-his journeys were both south and north of
-Charleston. His zeal and perseverance in the cause
-were strongly proved, and there is every reason for
-believing that the conflagration of the city was confided,
-by Vesey, to him. Match-rope was found in a situation
-where he had probably secreted it.—He was
-hung on the Lines on the 26th of July.</p>
-
-<p class='c009'>BACCHUS HAMMETT, who was hung, also, on
-the 26th, did render, and was to have rendered, on
-the night of the 16th, the most essential aid. Before
-the latter period he had stolen from his master’s store
-a keg of powder, which was conveyed, first to Vesey’s
-afterwards to Monday Gell’s, and lastly to Gullah
-Jack, to be prepared into cartridges. On the night
-of the 16th he was to have slept where the arms of the
-<i>Neck-Rangers</i> were deposited, and facilitated their
-seizure and distribution among Gullah Jack’s corps,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>who were to have carried this post, as well as Mr.
-<i>Duquercron’s</i> store, in which there were 500 stands of
-arms, deposited for sale.</p>
-
-<p class='c009'>The cases of JACK GLEN, BILLY PALMER,
-and JACK PURCELL, are distinguished, not by
-any peculiar atrocity, but for the hypocrisy they blended
-with their crime. Their assent to the plot was
-distinctly shown, and it was in proof, that Vesey had
-recognized them all as his men. Jack Glen was
-a Preacher. Billy Palmer, exceedingly pious, and a
-communicant at the church of his master; and Jack
-Purcell no less devout. The case of the latter was not
-without its pathos, from the deep contrition he expressed
-before his execution; the distressing interest
-which his mistress is said to have taken in his fate, and
-the lamentable delusion under which he laboured,
-which is more particularly unfolded in his confession,
-in the Appendix marked (L.)<a id='r12' /><a href='#f12' class='c008'><sup>[12]</sup></a> Jack Glen and Purcell
-were hung on the Lines. Billy Palmer has been
-respited by His Excellency, the Governor, until October
-next, for a commutation of his punishment to
-banishment beyond the limits of the United States.</p>
-
-<p class='c009'>The Court having used the testimony of <i>Monday
-Gell</i>, <i>Charles Drayton</i> and <i>Harry Haig</i>, very efficaciously,
-to the ends of public justice, reconsidered
-the sentences, which had been passed on them, and
-instead of death, sentenced them to transportation
-beyond the limits of the United States.</p>
-
-<p class='c009'>As a matter of form, <i>Perault</i>, <i>John Enslow</i> and
-<i>Billy Bulkley</i>, (who had become witnesses for the
-state,) were then tried on their own confessions, and
-sentenced to be transported beyond the limits of the
-United States. These individuals were important
-witnesses in all the apprehensions and trials subsequent
-to the 13th of July.</p>
-
-<p class='c009'>Perault gave his testimony with great fearlessness
-and candour, and Enslow with much composure and
-connexion; the evidence of both, as well indeed as
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>that of most of the witnesses, was much appreciated
-by the Court, after a severe scrutiny.<a id='r13' /><a href='#f13' class='c008'><sup>[13]</sup></a></p>
-
-<p class='c009'>This Court, having disposed of all the cases before
-them, adjourned on the 26th of July.</p>
-
-<p class='c009'>At this stage of our investigation we were satisfied
-that of all the ringleaders in the conspiracy,
-<i>William Garner</i>, (who had effected his escape from
-the city about the 1st of July) only, remained to be
-punished. As information had been received of his
-having travelled towards Columbia, a proclamation
-was issued by His Excellency, the Governor, for his
-apprehension, in promotion of the success of which some
-subsidiary steps were taken by private means. On the
-2d of August our wishes, relating to Garner, were gratified,
-by his arrival in town. He had previously been
-arrested at Columbia, thro’ the public spirited efforts
-of the Intendant of that place and Lieut. Maxcy,
-who overtook and apprehended him at Granby.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>On Garner’s arrival, a new Court was organized
-for his trial, and such other cases as might be brought
-before them, by precisely the same means as those
-which had been employed on the appointment of the
-first; and the services of the following gentlemen secured,
-who were known to possess, deservedly, a large
-share of the public confidence.</p>
-
-<table class='table0' summary=''>
- <tr><td class='c010' colspan='2'><i>Magistrates</i>,</td></tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c011'><span class='sc'>Jacob Axon</span>,</td>
- <td class='c012'>}</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c013'>and</td>
- <td class='c012'>} Esqrs.</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c011'><span class='sc'>G. M. Furman</span>,</td>
- <td class='c012'>}</td>
- </tr>
- <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
- <tr><td class='c010' colspan='2'><i>Freeholders.</i></td></tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c011'>Hon. <span class='sc'>Joel R. Poinsett</span>,</td>
- <td class='c012'>&nbsp;</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c011'><span class='sc'>Thos. R. Smith</span>,</td>
- <td class='c012'>}</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c011'><span class='sc'>R. Y. Hayne</span>,</td>
- <td class='c012'>} Esqrs.</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c011'>Col. <span class='sc'>Thomas Roper</span>,</td>
- <td class='c012'>&nbsp;</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c011'>Col. <span class='sc'>John Gordon</span>.</td>
- <td class='c012'>&nbsp;</td>
- </tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class='c005'>This Court adopted the same rules for their government
-which had been so humanely and dispassionately
-adopted by the preceding Court, but, as enough
-had been done for public example, they determined
-to visit capital punishment on none but ringleaders.
-The first case they tried was that of WILLIAM
-GARNER.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Garner’s guilt had all the characteristics, which the
-Court had assigned to the first class of turpitude; it
-was not only proved that he was actively engaged in
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>recruiting others, but that he was to have led a
-troop of horse, at the rising, composed of all such of
-the conspirators as might have appeared in the streets
-on horseback. And further, that he had made an
-offer of a command to others in his corps. Four
-witnesses having sworn positively to his guilt, detailing
-a variety of particulars, mutually corroborating
-and supporting each other, he was found guilty and
-sentenced for execution on the 9th of August, at which
-period the sentence was carried into effect. This Court
-having, after a short adjournment, of three or four,
-days recommenced their session, disposed of twelve
-cases more, involving a minor degree of guilt, and
-adjourned finally on the 8th of August.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>These trials, together with some private arrangements,
-made with their owners, in reference to the
-banishment of several slaves, in cases where their
-guilt was clear, but not of the first degree, have at
-length closed the anxious and irksome labours of the
-corporation, after an examination of little less than
-two months.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>It will be seen, by referring to the Calendar marked
-(S) that one hundred and thirty-one were committed;
-thirty-five have suffered death, and thirty-seven have
-been sentenced to banishment. The most important
-object to be obtained in uprooting a conspiracy, we
-have fully accomplished, by bringing to punishment
-the whole of the ringleaders. Monday Gell, whose
-knowledge of the plot was, probably, exceeded only
-by Vesey’s, has emphatically stated, that the ringleaders
-were the first six, who were executed on the 2d of
-July, to wit: Denmark Vesey, Peter Poyas, Ned Bennett,
-Rolla, Batteau and Jesse; to which he has since
-added himself and William Garner, who was executed
-on the 9th of August.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>We, moreover, believe, that all who were active
-agents (though not ringleaders) in the conspiracy,
-have expiated their crimes, or are about to do so, by
-an eternal exile from our shores. It may be mentioned,
-in confirmation of this belief, that Monday Gell, from
-memory, made out a list of forty-two names, of those
-who were in the habit of visiting his shop, for the purpose
-of combining and confederating in the intended
-insurrection, whom he called his company; every one of
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>whom have been apprehended, and disposed of. We
-cannot venture to say, to how many the knowledge of
-the intended effort, was communicated, who, without
-signifying their assent, or attending any of the meetings,
-were yet prepared to profit by events. That
-there are many who would not have permitted the
-enterprize to have failed at a <i>critical moment</i>, for the
-want of their co-operation, we have the best reasons
-for believing.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Before we conclude, some notice of the probable
-causes of this conspiracy may be expected. As this is
-a matter of speculation, we shall not speak without
-reserve. Of the motives of Vesey, we cannot sit in
-judgment; they have been scanned by a power who
-can do higher justice than ourselves. But as they are
-explained by his character and conduct, during the
-combinations of the plot, they are only to be referred
-to a malignant hatred of the whites, and inordinate lust
-of power and booty. Indeed, the belief is altogether
-justifiable, that his end would have been answered, if,
-after laying our city in ashes, and moistening its cinders
-with blood, he could have embarked with a part
-of the pillage of our banks for San Domingo; leaving
-a large proportion of his deluded followers to the exterminating
-desolation of that justice, which would have
-awaited, in the end, a transient success. His followers
-were slaves, and for them it would not be so difficult
-to assign a motive, if it had not been distinctly
-proved, that without, scarcely an exception, they had
-no individual hardship to complain of, and were
-among the most humanely treated negroes in our city.
-The facilities for combining and confederating in such
-a scheme, were amply afforded, by the extreme indulgence
-and kindness, which characterises the domestic
-treatment of our slaves. Many slave owners among
-us, not satisfied with ministering to the wants of
-their domestics, by all the comforts of abundant food,
-and excellent clothing, with a misguided benevolence,
-have not only permitted their instruction, but lent to
-such efforts their approbation and applause.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Religious fanaticism has not been without its effect
-on this project, and as auxiliary to these sentiments, the
-secession of a large body of blacks from the white
-Methodist Church, with feelings of irritation and disappointment,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>formed a hot-bed, in which the germ
-might well be expected to spring into life and vigour.
-Among the conspirators <i>a majority</i> of them belonged
-to the <i>African Church</i>,<a id='r14' /><a href='#f14' class='c008'><sup>[14]</sup></a> and among those executed
-were several who had been Class Leaders. It is, however,
-due to the late head of their church (for since
-the late events the association has been voluntarily
-dissolved) and their deacons, to say, that after the
-most diligent search and scrutiny, no evidence entitled
-to belief, has been discovered against them. A hearsay
-rumour, in relation to <i>Morris Brown</i>, was traced
-far enough to end in its complete falsification.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>That the course which certain discussions assumed
-in Congress were likewise efficacious in producing
-both discontent and delusion, is sufficiently apparent.
-Jack Purcell’s confession in the Appendix, will show to
-what a purpose Vesey applied those beautiful propositions
-of civil and natural freedom, which were
-sported with a wanton recklessness of their consequences,
-as applied to the condition of a certain portion
-of our common country.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>It is consoling to every individual, who is proud of
-the character of his country, in the late unhappy
-events, to be able to say, that, within the limits of the
-City of Charleston, in a period of great and unprecedented
-excitement, the laws, without even one violation,
-have ruled with uninterrupted sway—that no cruel
-vindictive or barbarous modes of punishment have
-been resorted to—that justice has been blended with
-an enlightened humanity, in according to those who
-had meted out for us murder, rapine and conflagration,
-in their most savage forms—trials, which, for the wisdom,
-impartiality and moderation that governed them,
-are even superior to those which the ordinary modes
-of judicature would have afforded ourselves.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>With little to fear, and nothing to reproach ourselves
-we may, without shrinking, submit our conduct to the
-award of posterity, and ourselves to the protection of
-the Supreme Ruler of Events.</p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
- <span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>
- <h2 class='c004'>APPENDIX.</h2>
-</div>
-
-<h3 class='c006'>(A.)</h3>
-
-<p class='c014'>Every Slave who shall raise, or attempt to raise an Insurrection,
-in this Province, or shall endeavour to delude or entice any Slave to
-runaway and leave the Province, every such Slave and Slaves, and
-his and their accomplices, aiders and abetters, shall, on conviction
-thereof, as aforesaid, suffer death. <i>Provided always</i>, that it shall and
-may be lawful, to and for the Justices who shall pronounce sentence
-against such Slaves, by and with the advice and consent of the Freeholders
-as aforesaid, if several Slaves shall receive sentence at one
-time, to mitigate and alter the sentence of any Slave, other than such
-as shall be convicted of homicide of a white person, who they shall
-think may deserve mercy, and may inflict such corporal punishment
-(other than death) on any such Slave, as they in discretion shall
-think fit, any thing herein contained to the contrary thereof, in any
-wise notwithstanding. <i>Provided</i>, that one or more of the said Slaves
-who shall be convicted of the crimes or offence aforesaid, where several
-are concerned, shall be executed for example, to deter others
-from offending in the like kind. A. A. 1740. P. L. 167.</p>
-
-<h3 class='c006'>(B.)</h3>
-
-<p class='c014'>A negro man testified as follows:<a id='r15' /><a href='#f15' class='c008'><sup>[15]</sup></a>—I know Peter, he belongs to
-Mr. James Poyas; in May last, Peter and myself met in Legare street,
-at the corner of Lambol street, where the following conversation took
-place—He asked me the news—I replied, none that I know of—He
-said, by George! we can’t live so. I replied, how will we do? He
-said, we can do very well, if you can find any one to assist us—will
-you join? I asked him, how do you mean? He said, why! to break
-the yoke; I replied, I don’t know. He asked me, suppose you were
-to hear, that the whites were going to kill you, would you defend yourself?
-I replied, I’d try to escape. He asked, have you lately seen
-<i>Denmark Vesey</i>, and has he spoken to you particularly. I said no.
-Well then, said he, that’s all now: but call at the shop to-morrow after
-knocking off work, and I will tell you more! We then parted.—I
-met him the next day, according to appointment, when he said to
-me, we intend to see, if we can’t do something for ourselves, we can’t
-live so. I asked him, where he would get men? He said, we’ll find
-them fast enough, we have got enough, we expect men from country
-and town. But how, said I, will you manage it. Why, we will give
-them notice, said he, and they will march down and camp round the
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>city. But what, said I, will they do for arms. He answered, they
-will find arms enough, they all bring down their hoes, axes, &amp;c. I
-said, that won’t do to fight with here. He said, stop! let us get candidates
-from town with arms, and we will then take the Guard-House
-and Arsenal in town, the Arsenal on the Neck and the Upper Guard-House,
-and supply the country people with arms. How, said I, will
-you approach those Arsenals, &amp;c. for they are guarded? Yes, said he,
-I know that, but what are these guards, one man here, and one man
-there, we let a man pass before us. Well, said I, but how will the
-black people from the country, and those from the islands, know
-when you are to begin, or how will you get the town people together.
-Why, said he, we will have prayer meetings at night, and there notify
-them when to start, and when the clock strikes twelve, <i>all must move</i>.
-But, said I, the whites in the back country, Virginia, &amp;c.; when they
-hear the news, will turn to, and kill you all, and besides, you may be
-betrayed. Well said he, what of that, if one gets hanged, we will rise
-at that minute. We then left his shop, and walked towards Broad
-street, when he said, I want you to take notice of all the shops and
-stores in town with arms in them, take <i>down their numbers, and give
-them to me</i>. I said, I will see to it, and then we parted.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>About the 1st of June, I saw in the public papers a statement that
-the white people were going to build missionary houses for the blacks,
-which I carried and showed to Peter, and said, see the good they are
-going to do for us; when, he said,—What of that?—Have you not
-heard, that on the 4th of July, the whites are going to create a false
-alarm of fire, and every <i>black</i> that comes out will be <i>killed</i>, in order
-<i>to thin them</i>? Do you think they would be so barbarous? (said I)
-Yes! (said he) I do!—I fear <i>they have a knowledge of an army
-from San Domingo</i>, and they would be <i>right to do it; to prevent us
-joining that army, if it should march towards this land</i>! I was then
-very much alarmed. We then parted, and I saw no more of him till
-the guards were very strict, (about a fortnight ago.) At that time I
-saw Peter and Ned Bennett standing and talking together, at the corner
-of Lambol and Legare-streets. They crossed over and met me
-by Mrs. Myles’, and Ned Bennett said to me—did you hear what
-those boys were taken up for the other day? I replied, No! but
-some say it was for stealing. Ned asked me if I was sure I had never
-said any thing to the whites about what Peter Poyas had spoken to
-me about? I replied, No! Says Peter—You never did? No! I
-answered. Says Ned, to me—How do you stand? At which I
-struck the tree box with my knuckles and said, as firm as this box—I’ll
-never say one word against you. Ned then smiled and nodded
-his head, and said—That will do!—when we all separated. Last
-Tuesday or Wednesday week, Peter said to me—You see, my lad,
-how the white people have got to windward of us? You won’t, said
-I, be able to do any thing. O, yes! (he said) we will! By George
-we are oblige to! He said, all down this way ought to meet and
-have a collection to purchase powder. What, said I, is the use of
-powder—the whites can fire three times to our once. He said, but
-<i>’twill be such a dead time of the night, they won’t know what is the
-matter, and our horse companies will go about the streets and prevent
-the whites from assembling</i>. I asked him—where will you get
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>horses? Why, said he, there are many butcher boys with horses;
-and there are the livery stables, where we have several candidates;
-and the waiting men, belonging to the white people of the horse
-companies, will be told to take away their master’s horses. He
-asked me if my master was not a horseman? I said, Yes! Has
-he not got arms in his house? I answered, Yes! Can’t they be got
-at? I said, Yes! Then (said he) it is good to have them. I asked
-what was the plan? Why, said he, after we have taken the Arsenals
-and Guard Houses, then we will set the town on fire, in different
-places, and as the whites come out we will slay them. If we were to
-set fire to the town first the man in the steeple would give the alarm too
-soon.—I am the Captain, said he, to take the lower Guard-House and
-Arsenal. But, I replied, when you are coming up, the Centinel will
-give the alarm. He said, he would advance a little distance ahead,
-and if he could only get a <i>grip at his throat, he was a gone man</i>, for
-his sword was very sharp; he had sharpened it, and had made it so
-sharp, it had cut his finger, which he showed me. As to the Arsenal
-on the Neck, he said, that it was gone as sure as fate, <i>Ned Bennett,
-would manage that with the people from the country, and the people
-between Hibbens’ Ferry and Santee would land and take the Upper
-Guard-House</i>. I then said, then this thing seems true. My man,
-said he, God has a hand in it, <i>we have been meeting for four years,
-and are not yet betrayed</i>. I told him, I was afraid, after all, of the
-white people from the back country and Virginia, &amp;c. He said that
-the blacks would collect so numerous from the country, we need not
-fear the whites from the other parts, for when we have once got the
-city we can keep them all out. He asked, if I had told my boys.
-I said no. Then said he, you should do it, for Ned Bennett has his
-people pretty well ranged. But, said he, take care and don’t mention
-it to those waiting men who receive <i>presents of old coats, &amp;c. from
-their masters, or they’ll betray us</i>. I will speak to them. We
-then parted, and I have not since conversed with him. He said the
-rising was to take place last Sunday night, (16th June)—That <i>any of
-the coloured people who said a word about this matter would be killed
-by the others. The little man, who can’t be killed, shot or taken</i> is
-named Jack, a Gullah Negro. Peter said there was a French Company
-in town of three hundred men fully armed—that he was to see
-Monday Gell, about expediting the rising. I know that Mingo went
-often to Mr. Paul’s to see Edwin, but don’t know if he spoke with
-William. Peter said he had a sword, and I ought to get one. He
-said he had got a letter from the country; I think from St. Thomas’,
-from a negro man who belonged to the captain of a militia company,
-who said he could easily get the key of the house where the company’s
-arms were put after muster, and take them all out, and help in that
-way. This business originates altogether with the <i>African Congregation</i>,
-in which Peter is a leader. When Bennett’s Ned asked about
-those taken up, he alluded particularly to Mr. Paul’s William, and
-asked me if I said any thing to him about it.</p>
-
-<div>
- <span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>
- <h4 class='c017'><i>The voluntary confession of <span class='sc'>Rolla</span>, to the Court, made after his trial, but before sentence was passed on him.</i></h4>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c014'>I know Denmark Vesey, on one occasion, he asked me what news?
-I told him, none. He replied, we are free, but the white people here
-won’t let us be so; and the only way is, to raise up and fight the
-whites. I went to his house one night, to learn where the meetings
-were held. I never conversed on this subject with Batteau or Ned.—Vesey
-told me, he was the leader in this plot. I never conversed either
-with Peter or Mingo. Vesey induced me to join. When I went
-to Vesey’s house, there was a meeting there, the room was full of people,
-but none of them white. That night, at Vesey’s, we determined
-to have arms made, and each man to put in twelve and a half cents
-towards that purpose. Though Vesey’s room was full, I did not
-know one individual there. At this meeting, Vesey said, we were to
-take the Guard-House and Magazines, to get arms; that we ought to
-rise up against the whites to get our liberties. He was the first to rise
-up and speak, and he read to us from the Bible, how the <i>children of
-Israel were delivered out of Egypt from bondage</i>; he said, that
-the rising would take place last Sunday night week, (the 16th June)
-and that Peter Poyas was one.</p>
-
-<h3 class='c006'>(C.)</h3>
-<h4 class='c017'><i>Examination of <span class='sc'>Sally</span>, a negro woman belonging to Mr. Alexander Howard.</i></h4>
-
-<p class='c014'>I know Jesse, and heard him speak several times about it; one
-day in particular, he was anxious to see his brother, who has my mother
-for his wife, and waited until he came, when they conversed together.
-Jesse said, he had got a horse to go into the country, to bring
-down men to fight the white people; that he was allowed to pass by
-two parties of the patrol on the road, but that a third party had
-brought him back, and that, if there were but five men like him, they
-would destroy the city. This was on last Sunday week, (the 16th
-June,) he said, that before 3 o’clock, that night, all the white people
-would be killed. That, if any person informed, or would not join in
-the fight, such person would be killed or poisoned. He frequently
-came into the yard to see his brother, and I threatened to inform, if he
-came there, and spoke in that way, to get us all into trouble. We
-never had any quarrel.</p>
-
-<h4 class='c017'><i>Examination of <span class='sc'>Lot</span>, a negro man belonging to Mr. Forrester</i>.</h4>
-
-<p class='c014'>I know Jesse; he met me last Sunday week (16th June) at the
-corner of Boundary street, as I was coming into town; he said, he
-was going to get a horse to go into the country. From what my master
-had told me the Thursday before, I distrusted his errand, and gave
-him a caution. When, as I was going down into town towards Mr.
-Hibbens’ ferry slip, and conversing with him, he said, you shall see to
-night, when I come down, what I am going up for, and, <i>if my own
-father does not assist, I will cut off his head</i>. He said, he was going
-as far as Goose Creek bridge, and would get a horse if it cost him nine
-dollars. The church bells were then ringing, and at half past eleven
-o’clock, same day, I saw him at Mr. Howard’s, and afterwards understood
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>from Sally, that he had set off for the country, and had been
-brought back by the Patrol.</p>
-
-<h3 class='c006'>(D.)</h3>
-
-<h4 class='c017'><i>Examination of <span class='sc'>Frank</span>, a negro man belonging to Mrs. Ferguson</i>.</h4>
-
-<p class='c014'>I know Denmark Vesey, and have been to his house; I have heard
-him say, that the negroe’s situation was so bad, he did not know how
-they could endure it; and was astonished they did not rise and fight
-for themselves, and he advised me to join, and rise. He said, he was
-going about to see different people, and mentioned the names of Ned,
-Bennett and Peter Poyas, as concerned with him; that he had spoken
-to Ned and Peter on this subject, and that they were to go about and tell
-the blacks, that they were free, and must rise and fight for themselves:
-that they would take the Magazines and Guard Houses, and the City,
-and be free; that he was going to send into the country to inform the
-people there, too; he said, he wanted me to join them. I said, I could
-not answer. He said, if I would not go into the country for him, he
-could get others; he said, himself, Ned Bennett, Peter Poyas and
-Monday Gell, were the principal men, and himself the head man.—He
-said, they were the principal men to go about and inform the people,
-and fix them, &amp;c.; that one party would land on <i>South Bay</i>, one
-about Wappoo and about the Farms; that the party which was to
-land on South Bay, was to take the <i>Guard-House, and get arms, and
-then they would be able to go on</i>; that the attack was to commence
-about 12 o’clock at night; that great numbers would come from all
-about, and it must succeed, as so many were engaged in it; that they
-would kill all the whites; that they would leave their masters’ houses,
-and assemble near the Lines, march down and meet the party which
-would land on South Bay; that he was going to send a man into the
-country on a horse, to bring down the country people, and that he
-would pay for the horse. He gave two dollars to Jesse, to get the
-horse on Saturday week last, (15th June) about 1 o’clock in the day,
-and myself and witness (No. 8,) also put in 25 cents a piece, and he
-told Jesse, if he could not go, he must send some one else. I have seen
-Ned Bennett at Vesey’s. I one night met at Vesey’s a great number
-of men, and as they came in, they each handed him some money.—Vesey
-said, there was a <i>little man, named Jack</i>, who could not be
-killed, and who would furnish them with arms; he had a charm, and
-would lead them; that Charles Drayton had promised to be engaged
-with them. Vesey said, the negroes were living such an abominable
-life, they ought to rise. I said, I was living well. He said, though I
-was, others was not, and that it was such fools as I, that were in their
-way, and would not help them, and that, after all things were well, he
-would mark me. He said, he did not go with <i>Creighton to Africa,
-because he had not a will, he wanted to stay and see what he could
-do for his fellow creatures</i>. I met Ned, Monday, and others, at Denmark
-Vesey’s, where they were talking about this business.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>The first time I spoke with Monday Gell, it was one night at Denmark
-Vesey’s house, where I heard Vesey tell Monday, that he must
-send some one into the country to bring the people down. Monday
-said, he had sent up Jack, and told him to tell the people to come
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>down and join in the fight against the whites; and also to ascertain
-and inform him how many people he could get. A few days after, I
-met Vesey, Monday and Jack in the streets, under Mr. Duncan’s
-trees, at night, where Jack stated, he had been into the country, round
-by Goose Creek and Dorchester; that he had spoken to 6,600 persons,
-who had agreed to join. Monday said to Vesey, that it Jack
-had so many men, they had better wait no longer, but begin the business
-at once, and others would join. The first time I saw Monday at
-Vesey’s, he was going away early, when Vesey asked him to stay, to
-which Monday replied, he expected that night a meeting at his house,
-to fix upon and mature the plan, &amp;c. and that he could stay no longer.
-I afterwards conversed with Monday in his shop, when he asked me,
-if I had heard that Bennett’s and Poyas’ people were taken up, that
-it was a great pity. He said, he had joined in the business. I told
-him to take care he was not taken up. Whenever I talked with Vesey,
-he always spoke of Monday Gell as being his principal and active
-man in this business.</p>
-
-<h3 class='c006'>(E.)</h3>
-
-<h4 class='c017'><i>Examination of Witness No. 10, a Negro Man.</i></h4>
-
-<p class='c014'>Peter Poyas was the first man who spoke to me, and asked me to
-join. I asked him what, the church? He said no, have you not heard,
-that the blacks were joining, to try and take the country. I asked
-him, if he thought he had men enough to do it? He said yes, a plenty
-of men, and the Society will contribute money, with which a white
-man would purchase guns and powder for them. He said he would
-call back, and I must consider if I would join them. He called back,
-and asked me, if I was willing now? Why Peter, said I, you have not
-got force enough. He said, if I did not join, he would turn all my
-country people against me. Said I, if so, I’ll join you, but you must
-not put my name down, when you come out, if I find you strong
-enough, I’ll join you. Well, said he, if you don’t join you’ll be killed.
-Peter and Harry Haig called on me afterwards, I was not at
-home; but the next morning I met Harry, who asked me for my
-name. I refused it. He said, I would be killed if I did not join. I
-said, I would join when they came out, if they were stronger than the
-whites. Harry called on me again, and asked me, if I was willing
-that the thing would break out soon. I asked him, where they would
-begin? He said, in Boundary street. At what hour? He said, at 12
-o’clock at night, or early in the morning, as soon as the guard is discharged.
-Jack Pritchard called on me, he is sometimes called Gullah
-Jack, sometimes Couter Jack, he gave me some dry food, consisting
-of parched corn and ground nuts, and said, eat that, and nothing else,
-on the morning when it breaks out, and when you join us as we pass,
-put into your mouth this crab claw, and you can’t be wounded, and,
-said he, I give the same to the rest of my troops—if you drop the large
-crab claw out of your mouth, then put in the small one. Said I, when
-do you break out, and have you arms. He said, plenty, but they are
-over Boundary street, we can’t get at them now, but as soon as the patrol
-was slack, they could get them; this was previous to the 16th
-June, on which day, he said, they were to break out. On that day he
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>came to me, and said, they could not break out that night, as the patrol
-was too strong; he said, he would let me know when they were
-ready. That Sunday fortnight, the 30th June, he came to me and
-said, I must lay by still, they would not break out then, that he had
-been round to all his company and found them cowards. I said, thank
-God, then! He said, give me back my corn and cullah, (that is crab
-claw). I said, I would not, and upbraided him for having deluded so
-many. He said, all his country born promised him to join, because
-he was a Doctor, (that is a Conjurer). He said, the white people was
-looking for him, and he was afraid of being taken, that two men came
-to his master’s wharf, and asked him, if he knew Gullah Jack, and
-that he told them, no. He said, his charms would not protect him from
-the treachery of his own colour. He went away, and I have not seen
-him since. Harry Haig has since seen me several times, and told me
-to hold myself ready. I said, I’m ready when called on. He said,
-all the draymen came to his master’s cooper yard, and said they were
-ready, but he told them, he was only waiting for Gullah Jack. He
-said, he would tell me when they were ready, that they were only
-waiting for the head man, who was a white man; but he, although
-asked, would neither tell me the white man’s name, nor where the
-powder and arms were; this was last Tuesday, the very day the six
-negroes were hanged, about six o’clock, A. M. this was the last time
-we spoke, though I have seen him since. I saw Charles Drayton before
-the 16th, at Monday Gell’s, I was going to market, and Charles
-called to me as I crossed the street; Joe, who has a wife at Mr. Remoussin’s,
-asked me, if I did know that Monday was at the head of
-the Ebo Company, who are going to fight the white people; Monday
-is an Ebo. I asked Joe, if he was one of that company. He said
-yes, he was. I asked him, what he could do, as he was an invalid.—He
-said, he would take Remoussin’s sword and gun, and tell him to
-lay down in his bed and be quiet. We parted. Previous to the 16th
-of June, Monday Gell called me into his shop; I went in, and said
-to him, I heard he was captain of his countrymen’s company, the
-Ebo’s. He said, he was a sort of a one. I bid him good morning,
-when he said, when you want to hear the news, come here. I never
-saw him afterwards.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>I met Charles Drayton on the 1st of July in the streets, when he
-said, now get ready, we must break out at once, for we will not let
-six lives be taken. I asked him, where they would begin? He said,
-in Boundary street, directly as the patrol and light horse turned in.
-I said, had you not better wait till after the 4th of July. He said, no,
-because in the mean time the people would be hanged. Charles said,
-they had force enough, and we parted. I met him in Market, betwixt
-8 and 9 o’clock, on the 2d of July, and said to him, now the
-people are hanged, I suppose you are sorry you joined in the business.
-He said yes, and we parted. Peter Poyas told me also, that
-they had force enough, that some would come from James’ and John’s
-islands, and some from Christ’s Church Parish, where he generally
-went over to a meeting to have a talk, and that he had some about and
-in town, the number of which he would show me from the Society
-books, if I would only come to the Society. He said, they were
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>to fight the whites, and keep on fighting, till the English came to help
-them. Harry told me the same thing. Jack being the head man, I
-asked him about the plan, he told me the same thing; that the English
-were to come here to help them, that the Americans could do
-nothing against the English, and that the English would carry them
-off to St. Domingo. Monday and Charles were very great together.
-John, Mr. Horry’s coachman, came to me one day, and asked me
-what I thought? Every one is ready, said John, to fight the whites,
-are you ready? He said, I am ready. This took place sometime before
-the 16th June, and every day he asked me the same questions.—About
-this time George Vanderhorst came to me and said, they were
-going to take the country, and he had joined; that he was ready
-whenever the blacks broke out. He requested me to let him sleep at
-my wife’s house near Boundary street; I saw him almost every day
-after the 16th June, and he always said, he was ready whenever the
-troops were ready. On the 16th June, Jack requested me to let
-twelve men sleep at my wife’s, as they were to break out that night,
-and he wanted them to be near Boundary street. On being refused,
-he departed in anger, and reproached me. George called on me yesterday
-morning, and asked, if I knew that Charles Drayton was taken
-up, and said, he was afraid Charles would name him, not because he
-was on his list, for he had joined Jack’s company, but because Charles
-had met him at Gullah Jack’s, when they were consulting on the subject;
-that, if he could near that Charles had named him, he would
-run off. On Monday, 1st July, Charles Drayton told me, that there
-would be an insurrection on the morning of the 6th July, as soon as
-the Guard turned in; he said, he commanded the country born company.
-Jack told me on the 1st July the same thing, and in addition,
-that they were to rush in with their dirks, guns and swords, &amp;c. they
-had got, kill the City Guard, and take all the arms in the arsenals;
-he also said, there were some arms in King street, beyond Boundary
-street, in possession of a white man, which they intended to
-take, (alluding to the arms of the Charleston Neck Company, deposited
-at Wharton’s, in King street). Charles Drayton said, he
-had prepared for himself a gun and a sword. John Horry came to me
-very often, and once said, he had a sword, and that, as soon as it
-broke out, he would go up stairs and kill his master and family. On
-the 17th of June, on his carriage box, he expressed himself to me in
-the same manner he had done previous to the 16th. The blacks
-would have risen on the night of the 16th, had the Guards not been so
-strong; this I know from Gullah Jack and Harry Haig, who said, that
-if the Guards were not too strong, they would get the arms near the
-Lines, but if the Guards were out, they could not get them to break
-out with.</p>
-
-<h3 class='c006'>(F.)</h3>
-
-<h4 class='c017'><i>Confession of</i> <span class='sc'>Harry Haig</span>.</h4>
-
-<p class='c014'>Julius Forrest, and myself, always worked together. Gullah Jack
-calls himself a negro doctor, he induced Julius and myself to join at
-last, but at first we refused; before the 16th June, Jack appointed to
-meet us at Bulkley’s Farm; when we got there, Jack was not there,
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>but Peter Poyas came; we broke up at day-light. Not quite a month
-before the 16th June, Jack met me, and talked about war. I asked
-Jack, how he would do for arms? Bye and bye, said Jack, we will
-have arms; he said, he would have some arms made at the blacksmiths.
-Jack was going to give * * * * *
-* * * * * * * * *
-* * * * * * * * * * * * * * Until Jack
-was taken up and condemned to death, I was just like I was bound
-up, and had not the power to speak one word about it. Jack charmed
-Julius and myself at last, and we then consented to join. Tom
-Russell, the blacksmith and Jack are partners, (in conjuring) Jack
-learnt him to be a doctor. Tom talked to Jack about the fighting,
-and agreed to join, and those two brought Julius and myself to agree
-to it. Jack said, Tom was his second, and “when you don’t see me,
-and see Tom, you see one.” Jack said, Tom was making arms for
-the black people; Jack said, he would not be killed, nor could a white
-man take him.</p>
-
-<h3 class='c006'>(H.)</h3>
-
-<h4 class='c017'><i>Confession of <span class='sc'>Jesse</span>, the slave of Thomas Blackwood, Esqr.; furnished to the Court by the Rev. Dr. <span class='sc'>D. Hall</span>.</i></h4>
-
-<p class='c014'>I was invited to Denmark Vesey’s house, and when I went, I found
-several men met together, among whom was Ned Bennett, Peter Poyas,
-and others, whom I did not know. Denmark opened the meeting
-by saying, he had an important secret to communicate to us, which
-we must not disclose to any one, and if we did, we should be put to
-instant death. He said, we were deprived of our rights and privileges
-by the white people, and that our church was shut up, so that we
-could not use it, and that it was high time for us to seek for our rights,
-and that we were fully able to conquer the whites, if we were only unanimous
-and courageous, as the St. Domingo people were. He then
-proceeded to explain his plan, by saying, that they intended to make
-the attack by setting the governor’s mills on fire, and also some houses
-near the water, and as soon as the bells began to ring for fire, that they
-should kill every man, as he came out of his door, and that the servants
-in the yards should do it, and that it should be done with axes
-and clubs, and afterwards they should murder the women and children,
-for he said, God had so commanded it in the Scriptures. At another
-meeting at Denmark’s, Ned Bennett and Peter Poyas, and several
-others were present in conversation, some said, they thought it was
-cruel to kill the ministers, and the women and children, but Denmark
-Vesey said, he thought it was for our safety, not to spare one white
-skin alive, for this was the plan they pursued in St. Domingo. He
-then said to me, Jesse, I want you to go into the country, to enlist as
-many of the country negroes as possible, to be in readiness to come
-down to assist us. I told him, I had no horse, and no money to hire
-one; he then took out two dollars, and gave them to me to hire a
-horse, and told me to enlist as many as possible. I got the horse the
-next Sabbath, and started, but the guard was so strict, I could not pass
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>them without being taken up; so I returned, and told Denmark, at
-which he expressed his sorrow, and said, the business was urgent, for
-they wanted the country people to be armed, that they might attack
-the Forts at the same time, and also to take every ship and vessel in
-the harbor, and to put every man to death, except the captains. For,
-said he, it will not be safe to stay in Charleston, for as soon as they had
-got all the money out of the banks, and the goods out of the stores on
-board, they intended to sail for St. Domingo; for he had a promise,
-that they would receive and protect them. This Jesse asserted to me,
-was the truth, whilst the tears were running down his cheeks,
-and he appeared truly penitent; and I have reason to hope,
-that he obtained pardon from God, through the merits of Christ, and
-was prepared to meet his fate with confidence, and that he was accepted
-of God. At 4 o’clock on the morning of the execution, I visited
-all the prisoners condemned, and found Jesse at prayers. He
-told me, his mind was placid and calm; he then assured me, that
-what he had told me was the truth, and <i>that he was prepared to meet
-his God</i>.</p>
-
-<h3 class='c006'>(K.)</h3>
-
-<h4 class='c017'><i>Confession of <span class='sc'>Monday Gell</span>.</i></h4>
-
-<p class='c014'>I come out as a man who knows he is about to die—some time after Christmas
-Vesey passed my door, he called in and said to me, that he was trying to gather
-the blacks to try and see if any thing could be done to overcome the whites;
-he asked me to join; I asked him his plan and his numbers; he said he had
-Peter Poyas, Ned Bennett, and Jack Purcell; he asked me to join; I said no;
-he left me and I saw him not for some time. About four or five weeks ago as
-I went up Wentworth street, Frank Ferguson met me, and said he had four
-plantation’s of people who he was to go for on Saturday, 15th June. How, said
-I, will you bring them down; he said through the woods; he asked me if I was
-going towards Vesey’s to ask Vesey to be at home that evening, and he would
-be there to tell him his success. I asked Jack Purcell to carry this message, he
-said he would; that same evening at my house I met Vesey’s mulatto boy, he
-told me Vesey wished to see me, I went with him; when I went into Vesey’s I
-met Ned Bennett, Peter Poyas, and Frank Ferguson, and Adam, and Gullah
-Jack; they were consulting about the plan; Frank told Vesey on Saturday,
-15th, he would go and bring down the people and lodge them near town in
-the woods; the plan was to arm themselves by breaking open the stores with
-arms. I then told Vesey I would join them, after sometime I told them I had
-some business of my own and asked them to excuse me, I went away, and only
-then was I ever there. One evening, Perault Strohecker, and Bacchus Hammett
-brought to my shop a keg, and asked me to let it stay there till they sent for it;
-I said yes, but did not know the contents; the next evening Gullah Jack came
-and took away the keg, this was before the 16th June; since I have been in
-prison I learnt that the keg contained powder.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Pharo Thompson is concerned, and he told me, a day or two after Ned and
-Peter were taken up, if he could get a fifty dollar bill, he would run away; about
-two Sundays before I was brought here, he asked me, in Archdale-Street, when
-shall we be like those white people in the church; I said when it pleased God;
-Sunday before I was taken up, he met me as I came out of Archdale Church,
-and took me into a stable in said street, and told me he told his master, who had
-asked him, that he had nothing to do in this affair; which was a lie. William
-Colcock came to my shop once and said a brother told him that five hundred
-men were making up for the same purpose. Frank said he was to send to HellHole
-Swamp to get men.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Perault Strohecker is engaged; he used to go of a Sunday on horse back up
-the road to a man he knows on the same errand. One Sunday he asked me to
-go with him; I went and Smart Anderson; we went to a small house a little
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>way from the road after you turn into the ship yard road, on its left hand; they
-too went into the stable with an old man that lived there, I remained in the
-yard; they remained in the stable about half an hour; as soon as they came out,
-I and Perault started to town to go to church, and left Smart there; I was
-told by Denbow Martin, who has a wife in Mr. Smith’s house, that Stephen
-Smith belonged to some of the gangs.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Saby Gaillard is concerned; he met me on the Bay, before the 16th of June and
-gave me a piece of paper from his pocket; this paper was about the battle that
-Boyer had in St. Domingo; in a day or two he called on me and asked if I had
-read it, and said if he had as many men he would do the same too, as he could
-whip ten white men himself; he frequently came to me to speak about this matter,
-and at last I had to insult him out of the shop; he and Paris Ball was often
-together. A week before I was taken up, Paris told me that my name was
-called.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Billy Palmer and Vesey were constantly together; there was once in my shop
-a long talk between them about this same matter; I begged them to stop it;
-Vesey told him to try to get as many as he could; he said he would.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>John Vincent told me that Edward Johnson, a free man, had said, as he was
-a free man he would have nothing to do with slaves, but the night they began
-he would join them.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>I told Charles Drayton what uproar there was about this business, and since
-we have been here we have talked together.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Albert Inglis came to me and asked if I knew any thing about it; I said yes.
-He asked me if I had joined; I said yes; he said he was one also; he said
-Adam, a free man wanted to see me, I went with him one night; Adam asked
-me how many men had joined; I told him what Frank Ferguson had said; he
-asked me if I believed it; I said yes; he said if he could only find men behind
-him he would go before. Previous to the 16th, Albert said to me quit the
-business; I told him I was too far into it, so I must stick to it.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>I never wrote to St. Domingo<a id='r16' /><a href='#f16' class='c008'><sup>[16]</sup></a> or any where else on this subject, nor kept a
-list or books, nor saw any such things, but heard that Paul’s William had a list,
-nor did I hear any thing about arms being in possession of the blacks. I don’t
-know that Tom Russel made pikes, nor that Gullah Jack had any of them.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Lewis Remoussin called at my shop and asked me to call at his house, he
-had something to tell me, but I did not go; Jack Glen told me he was
-engaged.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>I met Scipio Sims one Sunday, coming from the country, who said he
-had been near the Savannah’s to Mr. Middleton’s place; I heard afterwards
-that his errand was on this business.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>I know John the cooper, who said he was engaged too in this business.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>William Garner said he was engaged in it and had got twelve or thirteen
-draymen to join.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Sandy Vesey told me he belonged to it too.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>At Vesey’s house, Frank told Gullah Jack, to put one ball and three buck
-shot in each cartridge.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Mingo Harth acknowledged to me that he had joined, and Peter Poyas told
-me so too; he, Mingo, told me so several times; Mingo said he was to have his
-master’s horse on the night of the 16th.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Lot Forrester told me frequently that he was one of the company, and I
-know that he had joined in the business myself. Isaac Harth told me once
-that he had joined, he knew I was in the business.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Morris Brown knew nothing of it, and we agreed not to let him, Harry
-Drayton, or Charles Corr, know anything about it. —— —— told me in my
-store that he was to get some powder from his master and give it to Peter
-Poyas; he seemed to have been a long time engaged in it, and to know a
-great deal. Joe Jore acknowledged to me once or twice that he had joined,
-he said he knew some of the Frenchmen concerned; he knew I was in it.</p>
-
-<div>
- <span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>
- <h3 class='c006'>(L.)</h3>
-</div>
-
-<h4 class='c017'><i>The Confession of <span class='sc'>Jack Purcell</span>.</i></h4>
-
-<p class='c014'>If it had not been for the cunning of that old villain Vesey, I should not
-now be in my present situation. He employed every stratagem to induce me
-to join him. He was in the habit of reading to me all the passages in the
-newspapers that related to St. Domingo, and apparently every pamphlet he could
-lay his hands on, that had any connection with slavery. He one day brought
-me a speech which he told me had been delivered in Congress by a <i>Mr. King</i>
-on the subject of slavery; he told me this Mr. King was the black man’s friend,
-that he Mr. King had declared he would continue to speak, write and publish
-pamphlets against slavery the longest day he lived, until the Southern States
-consented to emancipate their slaves, for that slavery was a great disgrace
-to the country.</p>
-
-<h3 class='c006'>(M.)</h3>
-
-<h4 class='c017'>CONFESSION OF JOHN ENSLOW.</h4>
-
-<p class='c014'>Monday Gell led me in it and took me to Vesey’s; there was a large meeting;
-Vesey told the meeting the people was to rise up and fight the white people
-for their liberty; we always went to Monday’s house afterwards; Monday did
-all the writing; I heard they were trying all round the country to Georgetown,
-Santee, and round to Combahee, &amp;c. about to get people; Peter was
-also there, he was one; Peter named Poyas’ plantation, where he went to
-meet; Bellisle Yates I have seen at the meetings, and Adam Yates, Naphur Yates,
-Dean Mitchell, Cæsar Smith and George (a Stevedore.) At Vesey’s they wanted
-to make a collection to make pikes for the country people, but the men had
-no money! Monday Gell said Purcell was one to get horses to send men into
-the country; I heard a blacksmith was to make pikes. Jack M’Neil is engaged;
-I have seen them all at Monday’s; Jack said he was one and would try to get
-men; the plan was to take the Arsenals and Guard Houses for arms, and not
-to fire the town unless they failed; Monday was writing a letter to St. Domingo,
-to go by a vessel lying at Gibb’s and Harper’s wharf; the letter was about the
-sufferings of the blacks, and to know if the people of St. Domingo would help
-them if they made an effort to free themselves; he was writing this letter in
-March, I am not certain of the time; Perault was present when Monday wrote
-the letter, and also a painter, named Prince Righton; I have seen Pompey
-Haig at Monday’s, but he neither assented or dissented; Jerry Cohen was at
-Vesey’s, and said to me he was one; I heard from Vesey and Monday that they
-had engaged men from the country; Peter Poyas said he had sent into the
-country to his brother to engage men, who would send him an answer; a
-party was to attack the Guard-House and Arsenal; another the Arsenal on
-the Neck; another the Naval Stores on Mey’s wharf; another to attack the
-Magazine; another to meet at Lightwood’s Alley and then try to cut off the
-companies from meeting at their places of rendezvous; I belong to the African
-Congregation; on Saturday the 15th June, a man was to be sent into the
-country to bring down the people, and Rolla was to command the country
-people from Ashley River at the Bridge; Ned Bennett and John Horry to
-meet at Mr. Horry’s corner, and Batteau to come down with Vesey’s party.</p>
-
-<div>
- <span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>
- <h3 class='c006'>(S)</h3>
-</div>
-<h4 class='c017'>CLASS No. 1.</h4>
-<p class='c018'><i>Comprises those prisoners who were found guilty and executed.</i></p>
-
-<table class='table1' summary='CLASS No. 1.'>
- <tr>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Prisoners Names.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Owners’ Names.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Time of Commit.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt c020'><i>How Disposed of.</i></th>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Peter</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>James Poyas</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>June 18</td>
- <td class='c023 bbt' rowspan='6'>Hanged on Tuesday the 2d July, 1822, on Blake’s lands, near Charleston.</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Ned</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Gov. T. Bennett,</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Rolla</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Batteau</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Denmark Vesey</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>A free black man</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>22</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='bbt brt c021'>Jessy</td>
- <td class='bbt brt c021'>Thos. Blackwood</td>
- <td class='bbt brt c022'>23</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>John</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Elias Horry</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>July 5</td>
- <td class='c023 bbt' rowspan='2'>Do. on the Lines near Ch.; Friday July 12.</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='bbt brt c021'>Gullah Jack</td>
- <td class='bbt brt c021'>Paul Pritchard</td>
- <td class='bbt brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mingo</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Wm. Harth</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>June 21</td>
- <td class='c023 bbt' rowspan='22'>Hanged on the Lines near Charleston, on Friday, 26th July.</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Lot</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Forrester</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>27</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Joe</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>P. L. Jore</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>July 6</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Julius</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Thos. Forrest</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>8</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Tom</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mrs. Russell</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>10</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Smart</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Robt. Anderson</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>John</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>John Robertson</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>11</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Robert</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Adam</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Polydore</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mrs. Faber</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Bacchus</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Benj. Hammet</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Dick</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Wm. Sims</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>13</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Pharaoh</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Thompson</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Jemmy</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mrs. Clement</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>18</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mauidore</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mordecai Cohen</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>19</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Dean</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Mitchell</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Jack</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mrs. Purcell</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>12</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Bellisle</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Est. of Jos. Yates</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>18</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Naphur</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Adam</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Jacob</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>John S. Glen</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>16</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='bbt brt c021'>Charles</td>
- <td class='bbt brt c021'>John Billings</td>
- <td class='bbt brt c022'>18</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Jack</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>N. McNeill</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>22</td>
- <td class='c023 bbt' rowspan='4'>Do. Tues. July 30.</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Cæsar</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Miss Smith</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Jacob Stagg</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Jacob Lankester</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>23</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Tom</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Wm. M. Scott</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>24</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='bbtd brt c021'>William</td>
- <td class='bbtd brt c021'>Mrs. Garner</td>
- <td class='bbtd brt c022'>Aug. 2</td>
- <td class='bbtd c023 bbt'>Do. Friday, Aug. 9.</td>
- </tr>
-</table>
-
-<div>
- <span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>
- <h4 class='c017'>CLASS No. 2.</h4>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c018'><i>Comprises those prisoners who were found guilty and sentenced to
-death, but recommended to the mercy of the Executive, by the
-Court of Magistrates and Freeholders.</i></p>
-
-<p class='c005'>☞ They have been respited to the 25 day of October, 1822,
-with a view to the commutation of their punishment to banishment
-beyond the limits of the United States.</p>
-
-<table class='table1' summary='CLASS No. 2.'>
- <tr>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Prisoners Names.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Owners’ Names.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Time of Commit.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt c020'><i>How Disposed of.</i></th>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Louis</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Cromwell</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>July 12</td>
- <td class='c023 bbt' rowspan='2'>Respited until the 25th of October; and now confined in the Work-House of Charleston.</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Seymour</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Kunhardt</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Saby Gaillard</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>A free black man</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>13</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Isaac</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Wm. Harth</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Paris</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mrs. Ball</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>15</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Peter</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mrs. Cooper</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Dublin</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>C. G. Morris</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>18</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>George</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Bampfield</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='bbtd brt c021'>Sandy</td>
- <td class='bbtd brt c021'>Jacob Schnell</td>
- <td class='bbtd brt c022'>19</td>
-
- </tr>
-</table>
-
-<h4 class='c017'>CLASS No. 3.</h4>
-
-<p class='c018'><i>Comprises those prisoners who were found guilty and sentenced to
-death, but since respited by the Executive, until the 25th of Oct.
-with a view to the commutation of their punishment, to banishment
-beyond the limits of the United States.</i></p>
-
-<table class='table1' summary='CLASS No. 3.'>
- <tr>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Prisoners Names.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Owners’ Names.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Time of Commit.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt c020'><i>How Disposed of.</i></th>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>William</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Job Palmer</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>July 18</td>
- <td class='c023 bbt' rowspan='3'>Respited till Oct. 25, and now in the Work-House.</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>John Vincent</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>D. Cruckshanks</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>23</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='bbtd brt c021'>Billy Robinson</td>
- <td class='bbtd brt c021'>P. Robinson</td>
- <td class='bbtd brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
-</table>
-
-<div>
- <span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>
- <h4 class='c017'>CLASS No. 4.</h4>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c018'><i>Comprises those prisoners who were found guilty and sentenced to be,
-transported, beyond the limits of the United States, by their masters,
-under the direction of the City Council.</i></p>
-
-<table class='table1' summary='CLASS No. 4.'>
- <tr>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Prisoners Names.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Owners’ Names.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Time of Commit.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt c020'><i>How Disposed of.</i></th>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>William</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>John Paul</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>May 31</td>
- <td class='c023 bbt' rowspan='2'>Confined in the W. House.</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='bbt brt c021'>Edwin</td>
- <td class='bbt brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='bbt brt c022'>June 24</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Monday</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>John Gell</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>27</td>
- <td class='c023 bbt' rowspan='3'>Do. and Sentenced to death, commuted to banishment out U. S.</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Charles</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Hon. J. Drayton</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>July 2</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='bbt brt c021'>Harry</td>
- <td class='bbt brt c021'>David Haig</td>
- <td class='bbt brt c022'>5</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Frank</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mrs. Ferguson</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>June 27</td>
- <td class='c023 bbt' rowspan='16'>Confined in the W. House.</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>George</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Theus</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>July 6</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Perault</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Strohecker</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>10</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Billy</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>S. Bulkley</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>John</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Enslow</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>13</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Scipio</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Wm. Sims</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Agrippa</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mrs. Perry</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>19</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Nero</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>David Haig</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>23</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Sam. Bainsill</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Bainstill</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Dembo</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>J. N. Martin</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>25</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Adam Bellamy</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>J. H. Merritt</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>Aug. 3</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Jack</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Wm. Cattell</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>5</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>George</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Evans</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>6</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Harry</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Butler</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>George</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Sam. Parker</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='bbtd brt c021'>Pompey</td>
- <td class='bbtd brt c021'>Richd. Lord</td>
- <td class='bbtd brt c022'>5</td>
-
- </tr>
-</table>
-
-<h4 class='c017'>CLASS No. 5.</h4>
-
-<p class='c018'><i>Comprises those who were found guilty and sentenced to be transported,
-beyond the limits of the State of South-Carolina.</i></p>
-
-<table class='table1' summary='CLASS No. 5.'>
- <tr>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Prisoners Names.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Owners’ Names.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Time of Commit.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt c020'><i>How Disposed of.</i></th>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='bbtd brt c021'>Prince Graham</td>
- <td class='bbtd brt c021'>A free black man</td>
- <td class='bbtd brt c022'>July 21</td>
- <td class='bbtd c023 bbt'>Sentenced to be imprisoned one month in the W. House, and then transported beyond the limits of the State.</td>
- </tr>
-</table>
-
-<p class='c005'>☞ This man will go out of the U. States at his own request,
-under the direction of the City Council.</p>
-
-<div>
- <span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>
- <h4 class='c017'>CLASS No. 6.</h4>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c018'><i>Comprises those prisoners who were acquitted by the Court, their
-guilt not being fully proved. The Court, however, have suggested
-to their owners, the propriety of transporting them beyond
-the limits of the United States.</i></p>
-
-<table class='table1' summary='CLASS No. 6.'>
- <tr>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Prisoners Names.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Owners’ Names.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Time of Commit.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt c020'><i>How Disposed of.</i></th>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Buonaparte</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Francis Mulligan</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>July 11</td>
- <td class='c023 bbt' rowspan='2'>Acquitted by Court, master desired to transport, and now in the work-house Charleston.</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Abraham</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Dr. Poyas</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>June 22</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Butcher</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Jas. L. Gibbes</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>July 11</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>John</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mrs. Taylor</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>13</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='bbt brt c021'>Prince</td>
- <td class='bbt brt c021'>Miss Righton</td>
- <td class='bbt brt c022'>19</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='bbt brt c021'>Quash Harleston</td>
- <td class='bbt brt c021'>A free black man</td>
- <td class='bbt brt c022'>29</td>
- <td class='bbt c023 bbt'>—By arrangement with Council, gone out of the U. S.</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Harry Purse</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Wm. Purse</td>
- <td class='brt c022' rowspan='3'>not arrested</td>
- <td class='c023 bbt' rowspan='3'>Arranged with owner to be transported.</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Panza</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Mitchell</td>
-
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='bbtd brt c021'>Liverpool</td>
- <td class='bbtd brt c021'>Mrs. Hunt</td>
-
-
- </tr>
-</table>
-
-<h4 class='c017'>CLASS No. 7.</h4>
-
-<p class='c018'><i>Comprises those prisoners who were acquitted by the Court of
-Magistrates and Freeholders—and discharged.</i></p>
-
-<table class='table1' summary='CLASS No. 7.'>
- <tr>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Prisoners Names.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Owners’ Names.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Time of Commit.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt c020'><i>How Disposed of.</i></th>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Amherst</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mrs. Lining</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>June 18</td>
- <td class='c023 bbt' rowspan='28'>Acquitted and Discharged.</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mungo</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Jas. Poyas</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Stephen</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Tho. R. Smith</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Matthias</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Gov. T. Bennett</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Jeffrey Grant</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>A free black man</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>20</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Brand</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Jon. Lucas</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Richard</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>17</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>John</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Rob. Hadden</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>A free col’d. man</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>22</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Sam. Guifford</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Pompey</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>John Bryan</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>28</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Adam</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mrs. Ferguson</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>27</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Harry</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Harleston</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>&nbsp;</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Peter</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mrs. Ward</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>July 10</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Sandy</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Francis Curtis</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>11</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Isaac</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Paul Trapier</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Charles</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mrs. Shrubrick</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Cuffy</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Charles Graves</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Pierre Louis</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mons. Chapeau</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>18</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Cæsar</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mrs. Parker</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>19</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>William</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mrs. Colcock</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>12</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Pompey</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>David Haig</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>June 23</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Friday</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mrs. Rout</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>&nbsp;</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Philander Michau</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>A free col’d. man</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>Aug. 3</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Edward Johnson</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>A free black man</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Stephen Walker</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Walker</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>5</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>James</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
-
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='bbtd brt c021'>Harry</td>
- <td class='bbtd brt c021'>J. Nell</td>
- <td class='bbtd brt c022'>6</td>
-
- </tr>
-</table>
-
-<div>
- <span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>
- <h4 class='c017'>CLASS No. 8.</h4>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c018'><i>Comprises those prisoners who were discharged after their arrest
-by the Committee of Vigilance, the testimony against them not
-being sufficient to bring them to trial.</i></p>
-
-<table class='table1' summary='CLASS No. 8.'>
- <tr>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Prisoners Names.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Owners’ Names.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt brt c019'><i>Time of Commit.</i></th>
- <th class='btt bbt c020' colspan='2'><i>How Disposed of.</i></th>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Hercules</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Clark</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>June 20</td>
- <td class='c024'>Discharged,</td>
- <td class='c024'>June 28</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Jim</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>J. H. Ancrum</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>22</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>25</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Sandy</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>H. P. Holmes</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>25</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>26</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Lemon</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Houston</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>23</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>25</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Rob. Nesbitt</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>A free man</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>July 3</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>July 5</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Patrick</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mrs. Datea</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>4</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>6</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Thomas</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>S. Magwood</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>5</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>8</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Charles</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>F. G. Deliesseline</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>8</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>10</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>William</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Adger</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>10</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>20</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Smart</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mrs. Ward</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>27</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Mungo</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Wm. Lowndes</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>11</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>20</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Thomas</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>A. Lord</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>13</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Bob</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Hibben</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>13</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>27</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Albert</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>Thos. Ingles</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>15</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>17</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Jim</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Happoldt</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>29</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>John</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Gates</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>〃</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Charles</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Hasell</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>〃</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>James</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Dowling</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>17</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>〃</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Prince</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>〃</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Billy</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Fordham</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>20</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>25</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Ben</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Cammer</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>22</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>27</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>William</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Cromwell</td>
- <td class='brt c019'>do.</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>〃</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Stephen</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>— Harper</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>26</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>〃</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='brt c021'>Louis</td>
- <td class='brt c021'>John Gell</td>
- <td class='brt c022'>July 18</td>
- <td class='c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='c024'>July 20</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='bbtd brt c021'>Pompey</td>
- <td class='bbtd brt c021'>John Bryan</td>
- <td class='bbtd brt c022'>Aug. 5</td>
- <td class='bbtd c020'>do.</td>
- <td class='bbtd c024'>August 5</td>
- </tr>
-</table>
-
-<h4 class='c017'>RECAPITULATION.</h4>
-
-<table class='table2' summary='RECAPITULATION.'>
- <tr>
- <td class='c025'>Number of Prisoners executed</td>
- <td class='c026'>35</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c025'>Number of Prisoners respited until the 25th October, 1822, with a view to the commutation of their punishment</td>
- <td class='c026'>12</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c025'>Number of Prisoners sentenced to be transported by their owners under direction of the City Council</td>
- <td class='c026'>21</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c025'>Number of Prisoners sentenced to be transported beyond the limits of the State</td>
- <td class='c026'>1</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c025'>Number of Prisoners acquitted, propriety of transportation suggested to their owners, and those whose masters have agreed to transport without trial</td>
- <td class='c026'>9</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c025'>Number of Prisoners acquitted and discharged by the Court</td>
- <td class='c026'>27</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c025'>Number of Prisoners acquitted and discharged by Committee of Vigilance</td>
- <td class='c026'>25</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c025'>&nbsp;</td>
- <td class='c026'><hr /></td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c013'>Whole number arrested</td>
- <td class='c026'>131</td>
- </tr>
-</table>
-
-<table class='table0' summary=''>
- <tr>
- <td class='c011' colspan='2'><i>Respectfully submitted by</i></td>
- <td class='c012'>&nbsp;</td>
- </tr>
- <tr>
- <td class='c011'>&nbsp;</td>
- <td class='c011'><span class='sc'>Fred. Wesner</span>, <span class='sc'>Tho. D. Condy</span>, <span class='sc'>Tho. Napier</span>, <span class='sc'>Samuel Burger</span>, <span class='sc'>Edward P. Simons</span>,</td>
- <td class='c012'><i>Com. of Vigilance</i></td>
- </tr>
-</table>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
- <span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>
- <h2 class='c004'>SENTENCE.</h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c016'><i>9th July, 1822.</i>—<i><span class='sc'>Jack</span>, a slave, belonging to Paul Pritchard, commonly called
-<span class='sc'>Gullah Jack</span>, and sometimes <span class='sc'>Couter Jack</span>, was brought up, and, sentence pronounced
-by</i> L. H. KENNEDY, <i>Presiding Magistrate</i>.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>JACK PRITCHARD—The Court, after deliberately considering all the circumstances
-of your case, are perfectly satisfied of your guilt. In the prosecution
-of your wicked designs, you were not satisfied with resorting to natural and ordinary
-means, but endeavored to enlist on your behalf, all the powers of darkness,
-and employed for that purpose, the most disgusting mummery and superstition.
-You represented yourself as invulnerable; that you could neither be
-taken nor destroyed, and that all who fought under your banners would be invincible.
-While such wretched expedients are calculated to <i>inspire</i> the confidence,
-or to alarm the fears of the ignorant and credulous, they excite no other
-emotion in the mind of the intelligent and enlightened, but contempt and disgust.
-Your boasted Charms have not preserved yourself, and of course could
-not protect others. “Your Altars and your Gods have sunk together in the dust.”
-The airy spectres, conjured by you, have been chased away by the superior light
-of Truth, and you stand exposed, the miserable and deluded victim of offended
-Justice. Your days are literally numbered. You will shortly be consigned
-to the cold and silent grave, and all the Powers of Darkness cannot rescue
-you from your approaching Fate! Let me then, conjure you to devote the
-remnant of your miserable existence in fleeing from the “<i>wrath to come</i>.” This
-can only be done by a full disclosure of the truth. The Court are willing to
-afford you all the aid in their power, and to permit any Minister of the Gospel,
-whom you may select to have free access to you. To him you may unburthen
-your guilty conscience. Neglect not the opportunity, for there is “no
-device nor art beyond the tomb,” to which you must shortly be consigned.</p>
-
-<p class='c016'>SENTENCE <i>pronounced on <span class='sc'>Dick</span>, <span class='sc'>Bacchus</span>, <span class='sc'>William</span>, <span class='sc'>Naphur</span>, <span class='sc'>Adam</span>,
-<span class='sc'>Bellisle</span>, <span class='sc'>Charles</span>, <span class='sc'>Jeremy</span> and <span class='sc'>Dean</span>, by L. H. <span class='sc'>Kennedy</span>, Esq. <span class='sc'>Presiding
-Magistrate</span>.</i></p>
-
-<p class='c005'>The Court, on mature deliberation, have pronounced you guilty; the punishment
-of that guilt is <span class='fss'>DEATH</span>. Your conduct, on the present occasion, exhibits
-a degree of depravity and extravagance, rarely paralleled. Your professed
-objects were to trample, not only on the laws of this state, but on those of
-humanity; to commit murder, outrage and plunder, and to substitute for the
-blessings we enjoy, anarchy and confusion in their most odious forms.—The
-beauties of nature and of art, would have fallen victims to your relentless fury;
-and even the decrepitude of age and the innocence of childhood would have
-found no other refuge than the grave!</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Surely, nothing but infatuation could have prompted you to enter into a plot
-so wild and diabolical. A moment’s reflection would have convinced you, that
-disgrace and ruin must have been its consequence, and that it would have probably
-resulted in the destruction and extermination of <i>your race</i>. But if, even
-complete success had crowned your efforts, what were the golden visions which
-you anticipated? Such men as you, are, in general, as ignorant as you are
-vicious, without any settled principles, and possessing but few of the virtues of
-civilized life;—you would soon, therefore, have degenerated into a horde of
-barbarians, incapable of any government. But, admitting that a different result
-might have taken place, it is natural to inquire, what are the miseries of which
-you complain? That we should all earn our bread by the sweat of our brow,
-is the decree which God pronounced at the fall of man. It extended alike to
-the master and the slave; to the cottage and the throne. Every one is more or
-less subject to control; and the most exalted, as well as the humblest individual,
-must bow with deference to the laws of that community, in which he is
-placed by Providence. Your situation, therefore, was neither extraordinary
-nor unnatural. Servitude has existed under various forms, from the Deluge to
-the present time, and in no age or country has the condition of slaves been
-milder or more humane, than your own. You are, with few exceptions, treated
-with kindness, and enjoy every comfort compatible with your situation. You
-<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>are exempt from many of the miseries, to which <i>the poor</i> are subject throughout
-the world. In many countries the life of the slave is at the disposal of his
-master; here you have always been under the protection of the law.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>The tribunal which now imposes this sentence, through its humble organ,
-affords a strong exemplification of the truth of these remarks. In the discharge
-of the painful duties which have devolved on them, the members of
-this Court have been as anxious to acquit the innocent as determined to condemn
-the guilty.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>In addition to the crime of treason, you have on the present occasion, displayed
-the vilest ingratitude. It is a melancholy truth that those servants in
-whom was reposed the most unlimited confidence, have been the principal
-actors in this wicked scheme. Reared by the hand of kindness, and fostered by
-a master who assumed many of the duties of a parent, you have realized the
-fable of the Frozen Serpent, and attempted to destroy the bosom that sheltered
-and protected you.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>You have, moreover, committed the grossest impiety: you have perverted
-the sacred words of God, and attempted to torture them into a sanction for
-crimes, at the bare imagination of which, humanity shudders. Are you incapable
-of the Heavenly influence of that Gospel, all whose “paths are Peace?”
-It was to reconcile us to our destiny on earth, and to enable us to discharge with
-fidelity all our duties, whether as master or servant, that those inspired precepts
-were imparted by Heaven to fallen man. There is no condition of life which is
-not embraced by them: and if you had searched them, <i>in the spirit of truth</i>, you
-would have discovered instructions peculiarly applicable to yourselves—“<i>Servants</i>
-(says St. Paul) <i>be obedient to them that are your masters, according to the
-flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ: not with
-eye-service as men pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God
-from the heart.</i>” Had you listened with sincerity to such doctrines, you would
-not have been arrested by an ignominious death.</p>
-
-<p class='c005'>Your days on earth are near their close and you now stand upon the confines
-of eternity. While you linger on this side of the grave, permit me to exhort
-you, in the name of the ever-living God, whose holy ordinances you have
-violated, to devote most earnestly the remnant of your days, in penitence and
-preparation for that Tribunal, whose sentence, whether pronounced in anger
-or in mercy, is eternal.</p>
-
-<p class='c009'><i>The above Sentences is selected out of the many passed on this occasion, with a
-view, to give the reader a general idea of them.</i></p>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
- <h2 class='c004'>POSTSCRIPT.</h2>
-</div>
-
-<p class='c009'>Since these sheets have been put to press, it affords him, who has
-been engaged in their preparation, much gratification to be able to correct
-one mistake, as it places the fidelity of the slave who first gave
-the intelligence of the intended insurrection, on much higher ground.
-On conferring with his master and the free man of colour, whose advice
-he sought, it appears that the slave in question communicated the conversation
-at the Market to his young master, before he consulted his
-friend, (the free man of colour,) and that the advice of the latter was
-that as “his young master was a youth, that it would be best for him
-<i>immediately, without delay</i>, to tell his mistress, that his master
-might receive the information the instant he came to town.” <i>Vide</i>
-page <a href='#Page_5'>5</a>.</p>
-
-<hr class='c027' />
-
-<div class='nf-center-c0'>
- <div class='nf-center'>
- <div>PRINTED AND SOLD BY A. E. MILLER, NO. 4, BROAD-STREET.</div>
- <div class='c003'><i>Price 25cts. each; discount by the hundred.</i></div>
- </div>
-</div>
-
-<hr class='c028' />
-<div class='footnote' id='f1'>
-<p class='c005'><a href='#r1'>1</a>. It would be a libel on the liberality and gratitude of this community
-to suppose that this man can be <i>overlooked</i> among those who
-are to be rewarded for their fidelity and principle.</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f2'>
-<p class='c005'><a href='#r2'>2</a>. The purport of this letter will be seen by reference to the trial of
-Abraham Poyas.</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f3'>
-<p class='c005'><a href='#r3'>3</a>. Most of the black religious communities in this place, are divided
-into classes, over which a Leader is placed, having the confidence
-of the Pastor of the Church.</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f4'>
-<p class='c005'><a href='#r4'>4</a>. This witness gave the information under a pledge, that his name
-should not be divulged.</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f5'>
-<p class='c005'><a href='#r5'>5</a>. The Republican Artillery under Capt. Patterson, was on duty on the night
-of the 16th, and were armed with muskets, and stationed in the Arsenal Yard.</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f6'>
-<p class='c005'><a href='#r6'>6</a>. The following Note appears on the Journals of the Court, in relation
-to the trial of Rolla—“Five witnesses were introduced and
-examined in behalf of Rolla, but so far from impeaching the credibility
-of the witnesses against him they rather supported it.”</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f7'>
-<p class='c005'><a href='#r7'>7</a>. After the execution of Peter, his guilt, in the most flagrant degree
-became most abundantly established; affording, in every particular,
-the strongest corroboration of the testimony by which he had
-been convicted. It was apparent that he was the most efficient of all
-the ringleaders, and one who possessed the largest share of the confidence
-of Denmark Vesey, who was, in every sense of the term, the
-father of the plot. Peter was a slave of great value, and for his colour,
-a first rate ship-carpenter. He had the confidence of his master in a
-remarkable degree, and had been treated with indulgence, liberality
-and kindness.</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f8'>
-<p class='c005'><a href='#r8'>8</a>. As Denmark Vesey has occupied so large a place in the conspiracy,
-a brief notice of him will, perhaps, be not devoid of interest.
-The following anecdote will show how near he was to the chance of
-being distinguished in the bloody events of San Domingo. During
-the revolutionary war, Captain Vesey, now an old resident of this
-city, commanded a ship that traded between St. Thomas’ and Cape
-Francais (San Domingo.) He was engaged in supplying the French
-of that Island with Slaves. In the year 1781, he took on board at
-St. Thomas’ 390 slaves and sailed for the Cape; on the passage, he
-and his officers were struck with the beauty, alertness and intelligence
-of a boy about 14 years of age, whom they made a pet of, by taking
-him into the cabin, changing his apparel, and calling him by way of
-distinction <i>Telemaque</i>, (which appellation has since, by gradual corruption,
-among the negroes, been changed to <i>Denmark</i>, or sometimes
-<i>Telmak</i>.) On the arrival, however, of the ship at the Cape, Captain
-Vesey, having no use for the boy, sold him among his other slaves,
-and returned to St. Thomas’. On his next voyage to the Cape, he
-was surprised to learn from his consignee that Telemaque would be
-returned on his hands, as the planter, who had purchased him, represented
-him unsound, and subject to epileptic fits. According to the
-custom of trade in that place, the boy was placed in the hands of the
-king’s physician, who decided that he was unsound, and Captain
-Vesey was compelled to take him back, of which he had no occasion
-to repent, as Denmark proved, for 20 years, a most faithful slave.
-In 1800, Denmark drew a prize of $1500 in the East-Bay-Street
-Lottery, with which he purchased his freedom from his master, at six
-hundred dollars, much less than his real value. From that period to
-the day of his apprehension he has been working as a carpenter in this
-city, distinguished for great strength and activity. Among his colour
-he was always looked up to with awe and respect. His temper was
-impetuous and domineering in the extreme, qualifying him for the
-despotic rule, of which he was ambitious. All his passions were
-ungovernable and savage; and, to his numerous wives and children, he
-displayed the haughty and capricious cruelty of an Eastern Bashaw.
-He had nearly effected his escape, after information had been lodged
-against him. For three days the town was searched for him without
-success. As early as Monday, the 17th, he had concealed himself. It
-was not until the night of the 22d of June, during a perfect tempest, that
-he was found secreted in the house of one of his wives. It is to the
-uncommon efforts and vigilance of Mr. Wesner, and Capt. Dove, of
-the City Guard, (the latter of whom seized him) that public justice
-received its necessary tribute, in the execution of this man. If the
-party had been one moment later, he would, in all probability, have
-effected his escape the next day in some outward bound vessel.</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f9'>
-<p class='c005'><a href='#r9'>9</a>. <i>Monday Gell</i> is very well known in this city. He is a most excellent
-harness-maker, and kept his shop in Meeting-Street. It
-would be difficult to name any individual more actively engaged in
-the plot than himself, or more able to aid Denmark Vesey, from his
-uncommon sagacity and knowledge. He reads and writes with great
-and equal facility, and obviously seems to have been the individual
-who held the pen, at all the meetings. At which he wrote more than
-<i>one</i> letter to San Domingo, for succors. His own situation afforded
-no excuse for the effort in which he was engaged, as he enjoyed all
-the substantial comforts of a free man; much indulged and trusted by
-his master, his time and a large proportion of the profits of his labour
-were at his own disposal. He even kept his master’s <i>arms</i> and sometimes
-his money. Monday is an <i>Ebo</i>, and is now in the prime of
-life, having been in the country 15 or 20 years.</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f10'>
-<p class='c005'><a href='#r10'>10</a>. At the meeting of the Court on the morning of the 13th, Mr.
-James Legare, from feeble health and great exhaustion during its
-previous sittings, asked, and obtained leave, to withdraw, whereupon
-Mr. Henry Deas, was summoned by the Magistrates, who took his
-seat and served until the adjournment of the Court.</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f11'>
-<p class='c005'><a href='#r11'>11</a>. This farm was under the charge of a slave named <i>Billy</i>, who
-became a witness for the state and gave some important details of the
-meetings of the <i>Gullahs</i>. Several of whom were executed on the 26th.</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f12'>
-<p class='c005'><a href='#r12'>12</a>. This Confession of Purcell’s will show, that the evil foretold,
-from the discussion of the <i>Missouri Question</i>, has been, in some
-degree, realized.</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f13'>
-<p class='c005'><a href='#r13'>13</a>. See Enslow’s Confession, Appendix (M.)</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f14'>
-<p class='c005'><a href='#r14'>14</a>. An appellation, the seceders assumed after their leaving the
-white Methodist Church.</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f15'>
-<p class='c005'><a href='#r15'>15</a>. Against this witness, the Court had not a tittle of testimony; he consented
-without hesitation to become a witness, and to give all the information he possessed;
-a pledge having been previously given him by the Court, that he should
-not be prosecuted, nor his name revealed.</p>
-</div>
-<div class='footnote' id='f16'>
-<p class='c005'><a href='#r16'>16</a>. <i>Perault unhesitatingly stated to Monday’s face, that he had written two letters,
-to St. Domingo, and that he (Perault) had gone to Vanderhorsts wharf with him, in
-April or May last, to give them in charge of a black cook on board of a schooner
-bound to that island. After Monday was so charged, he confessed that the fact was
-so, and that he had been induced to conceal it under an apprehension that if it
-were known he had been guilty of such an act all chance of mercy would be denied
-him.</i></p>
-</div>
-
-<div class='pbb'>
- <hr class='pb c003' />
-</div>
-<div class='tnotes'>
-
-<div class='chapter'>
- <h2 class='c004'>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</h2>
-</div>
- <ol class='ol_1 c002'>
- <li>Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling.
-
- </li>
- <li>Retained anachronistic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings as printed.
-
- </li>
- <li>Footnotes have been re-indexed using numbers and collected together at the end of the
- last chapter.
- </li>
- </ol>
-
-</div>
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-<pre>
-
-
-
-
-
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