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.