The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1822-09-03
Copy ofa letter from The Gonernor ocf1
State Of South Cdroiiaa.
EXECUTIVE DEpAsrNr4r
Charleston, .4ug. 10, I8a2.

Charleston, .3ug. 10, I822.
SIR: After prolonged and almost nm
interrupted session of six weeks, ihe first
court organized for the trial of slaves char
ged with an attempt to raise an insurrec
ton IN this city, was dissolved on the Goth
ult. Another court was subsequently, con.
vened, and after session of three day.
closed the unpleasant investigation with
which it was charged, and adjourned ON the
9th instant, sine die.
During the Interesting period occunioa
by the court first organized, the public
mind was agitated by variety of rnmors
calculated to produce great excitement and
| alarm. These had their origin in the ma
ture OF the transaction, and t secrecy and
! seclusion observed in the incipient stages
oil inquiry as but few of the circumstances
were known to the community, and the
number apprehended and sentenced TO tho
seyerest punishment, beyond any f,rer
example. Certainty gave place 10 cxag-
geratlon, and the general impression sus.
tanned the runner OF very extensive con.
spiracy.
The effects resulting from these reports,
il uncontrolled by an exhibition Of the facts,
are too obvious TO require comment. The
reputation of the state must suffer abroad.
and rapid deterioration Of property oc-
eur within; while suspicion and anxiety
VIII Continue long 10 mar the public tran.
guilty. II becomes therefore, duty i'm.
perlously obligatory on me, to represent the.
occurrences as they have transpired, and
thus evidence to you that the attempt has
not only been greatly magnifed, but az
soon as discovered it ceased to be DANCE
rous.
A servant, prompted by attachment to
hls master, communicated to him that he
had been requested to give his assent and
subscribe his name to a list of persons al.
ready engaged in the conspiracy. The
intendam Immediately received the nfor-
nation, and caused the arrest of three
slaves of Mr.. Paul-one of whom was sub
scquently identified by the servant making
the communication. The City Uoundl
was convened, and after very c'ose and
attentive examination, a general impress
sion was produced that but little credence
could attach to the statement A Tudent
caution was nevertheless exercised, and the
fellow charged committed to solitary i'm
prisonment. A few Days after his coniine-
ncnt, he made many disclosures to a mem
Der of { ouncil, but SO am flied the cir nm.
stances that the utmost crcUaaN wa re-.
qusite 10 the belief of his tai.
Some CONSERVATION was obviously pro-
dnced amongst few of the ciaspirato y
the arrest of these slaves, and / Garnet
doubt led TO detail more plausible and
deserving of attention. Another servant,
whose name is also concealed, from pru-
dcntia' motives, stated generally that such
a combination actually existed, and mem
toned the names ofseyeral who were most
conspicuous, in their exertions, adding, with
great confidence that the explosion fthtir
schemes would occur on the ensuing Sun
day night. This confession was given on
Thursday, the 18th June, and contained
the recital of several occurrences which
would precede the attempt and evidence
the intention. This suggested the proprie-
ty, while 1t sanctioned the effort, TO con-
ceal from the community the intelligence
thus received, for the intervening time
during which, extensive and efficient prcpa-
ratlons were made for the safety and pro-
lection OF the city. Saturday night and
Sunday morning passed without the pre-
dlcted demonstrations doubts were again
excited, and counter orders issued for di-
minishing the guard. The facts commlni-
Gated were generally known to our fellow
citizens, on Sunday produ ing night Of
sleeplrss anxiety. Bat no ore Of the pre-
dlcted, Tor any other occurrences presented
itself TO disturb the general tranqu llity.
On the 18th June, ten slaves were arress
ted, and on the 18th the court was organic
zed for their trial. Investigation was re"
tarded by the difficulty of procuring all"
thcntlc evidence, and it WAS rot until the
28th that the sentence of death was pro-
nounced against six oftle persons charged
with the offence. Denmark Vescy, free
negro, was arrested on the 21st, and on the
22d put on his trial. Although be was un-
questlohabiy The instigator and chief ofthlss
pot, no positive proof of his guilt appeared
until the 25th. This grew out of the con-
Yicts, and on the 9th his guilt was fur
Their established by servant of Mr.. Fer
guson.
The progress made, and the expectations
OF immunity from punishment by eonfes-
SION, gradually developed the plot, andpro-
duced the arrest of several others, fortu'
nstely two who were ENTHUSIASTICALLY
Gel and Gullah Jack. These, with three
Others, John Horny, Charles Drayton, and
marry Halg, were convicted, and sentenced
.. u. Gle on Friday, the l eth July last bMat
inc suggestion of the court, that important
communications CO were expected from them,
T,IIolday Cell, Charles Drayton, and Harry
nag, were respited. z
G. me arrest of Perauit, servant of MI
o:trohecker, which took place the day pre-,
'ious TO the respite, and the general ana
very important discoveries made by blln,
enabled the Committee of Vigilance, noI
oniy to elicit the confirmation ofhis STATE
ment from the three conyicts, but TO aI