Part 2

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.