American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-09-03
SERVILE CONSPIRACY IN S. CAROLINA.
Copy Of letter from the Governor Of the State Of
South Carolina.


Goth ult. Another court was subsequently con-
yened, and after session oil three days closed the
unpleasant investigation with which IT was charged,
and adjourned on the 9Th instant, sine die.
During the interesting period occupied by the
court first organized, the public mind was agitaed
by variety of rumors. calculated to produce great
excitement and alarm. These had their origin in
The nature of the transaction, and the secrecy and
secluson observed in the Dcp-nt stages OF inquiry;
as but few Of the circumstances we've known to The
community, and The number applehended and SEN
fenced to the severest puI lshinen beyond any Tor
mer example. Certainty gave place to eSaggera-
ton, and the general impression sustained the ru-
NOR Of a very extensive conspiracy.
The effects resulting from these reports, If I'M
controlled by an exhibition Of the facts, are too oh.
vious to require comment. The reputation OF the
state must suffer abroad, and rapid deterioration
of property occur within while suspicion and
anxiety will continue long 10 MAJ the public tran
quilly. 1t becomes therefore duty mperousy
obligatory on me, to represent the occurrences as
they have TRANSFERRED and thus evidence to YOU that
he attempt has not only been gre atty magnihed,
but as soon US discovered it ceased be danger Gus.
A servant, prompted by attachmentto his master
communicated to him that he had been requested
TO give his assent and subscribe his name 10 list OF
persons already engaged III the conspiracy. The
Intendant Immediately received the information.
one OF whom was subsequently ic!eHtihed hy he
servant making the communication The City
Council was convened, ard after a very close and
attentive examination, general impression was
produced thst but little credeuCe could attach to the
statement. A prudent caution was nevertheless
exercised, and the fellow charged committed to
solitary Imprisonment, few days after his con
fnement. he made many disclosures to member
Of Council. but so ampGed the circumstances that
h. aI,I.f, ,,isi.o to fka kaI &c
his tale.
Some CONSERVATION was obviously produced a.
mongst few of the conspirators by the arrest of
these slaves, and cannot doubt led TO detail more
plausible and deserving of attention. Another SER
want, whose name is also concealed, from prudential
motives. stated generally that such combination
actually existed, and mentioned the names OF several
who we're most conspie uous, in their exertions, ad
ding, with great confidence that the explosion oil
their schemes would occur on the ensuing Sun
day night This confession given Thurs
day, the 18th June, and contained the recital of
several occurrences which would precede the at
tempt and evidence the intention. This suggested
the proprety, while it sanctioned the effort, to
conceal from the community thu intelligence thus
received for the intervening time--durng which.
extensive and efficient preparations wee made
the safety and protection OF the city Saturday nj eht
and Sunday morning passed wi bout the predicted
counter orders issued for diminishing the guard
The facts communicated were generally known to
our fellow citizens, on Sunday; producing a night
OF sleepless anxiety. But no one Of the predicted,
Cor any other occurrences presented itself to dis
turb the general tranquility.
On the 18Th June ten slaves were arrested, and
on the 10Th The court was organized for their trial.
Investigation was retarded by the difficult of pro.
curing authentic evidence, and it was no until the
hat he Of
against six of the persons charged with the offence
Denmark Vesey, free negro was arrested OIL The
9lst, and on the 22d put Oh HIS trial Al huugh he
was unquestionaby the nstigator and chief Of this
plot. no positive proof Of his guilt appeared until
the a5th. This grew ont Of the confession of one
Of the conycts, and on the 9th his guilt was further
established by servant Of Mr.. Ferguson.
The progress made. and the expectations of i'm
muni.y from the punishment by confession, gradu-
ally developed the plot, and produced the arrest of
several others fortunately two who were principals
- Monday Cell & Gullah Jack. These, with three
others John Horny. Charles DraStDn, & Harry Hag.
were convicted, and sentenced to die on Friday the
10th July last but at the suggestion Of the court
that important communications we're expected from
them, Monday Cell, Charles Drayton, and Harry
Haig, respited
The arrest Of Perault, servant OF Mr.. Stro.
becker, which took place the day previous to the
respite, and the general and very important disco.
vesies made by him, enabled the Committee of
Vigilance. rot only to elicit the confirmation Of his
statement from the three convcts. but to apprehend
great number Of persons engaged in the plot -
Among others, William Garner. r.Duted to be one
of the principals the only one no, then apprehen-
ded.
The number OF persons at this period under
arrest, evinced the necessity Of such arrangements
Of the testimony as would enable the court TO pro-
gress with more rapidly. This duty devolved on
the Committee Of Vigilance: and principally from
the general Information Of Perault, and OF the con-
ycts Monday Cell and Charles Drayton, facility was
given to the further proceedings OF the court In