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)