The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-07-30
S1O1t1F8tr.
SOUTH CAROLINA.

COnteDl plated IlSurTectSOn Of he TIrcEs-
There has been some difficulty in Charleston be-
tween Judge johnson and others, relative TO
some particulars touching the trial and convic.
ton ofthe six blacks who were executed on the
2d inst. for an attempt to raise an insurreotion.
About the time of the conviction of these
men. an article appeared in the Charleston Cou-
rier, headed Lamentabe effect of popular ex-
element and told the following story that
some years ago the Gov. of s. G. received a
letter stating that conspiracy was formed by
the blacks from Georgia to n. Carolina to rise
and massacre the whites--all the, plans were
detailed in the letter-the Gov. instantly des-
patched messengers to the Governors of the
nei-hbouring states, called ont the militia and
prepared for manful and desperate defence
1t soon, however, began To be suspected that the
letter was hoax, nothing presented itself to
confirm its contents. But the Governor still
sent parties from one place to another to watch
the movements of the foe. 1t SO happened that
a troop of horse some leagues from Charleston,
heard early one morning the blast on a horn or
truTnpet-that ofcourse was the signal for rising
they sailed forth, but found nothing but an
old grey-headed black man, who protested he
had no trumpet, and did not know how to blow
il if he had-but they at length obtained from
bun the information that he knew a negro fellow
who had one-it was enough-off rode the squad
ron-surrounded the house-some of the most
daring entered and found Jack asleep by the
side of his wife, his children reposing around
him. All was quiet in his hut, but the horn
the fatal horn hung up in his cabin, and although
full of cobwebs and evidently not used for a
great length of time, the proof against Jack was
deemed conclusive
"For to the jealous, trifes light as air
"Are combinations, strong as proofs from
holy writ"
The conclusion is soon told--on this evidence
Jack was hung at his door. Now this story
told in different words, but in substance the same
the original have not seen, but it is related
to me By frend-this story produced great ex-
citement in Charlcston-little less, indeed
than the reported rising of the blacks. II was,
deemed reflection upon the Justices and Free.
holders Court. which had condemned Vesey and
the others. Tie Court addressed the public,
and we believe, resigned their Offices, and re-
fused further to act In reply, Judge Johnson.
of the u. S Court, acknowledges himself the
author of the story, and begs the public to sus-
pend their opinion-so the matter stands now.
Charleston is warm place-dog days are APP
preaching, and our advice to all parties is TO
keep CODY. Y. Spectator.
Respits-Three Of the negroes, implicated
in the late conspiracy at Charleston, and who
were 10 have been hanged on the 18th instant,
were respited until the 18th. Two others suf-
fered the punishment of the law.
KENTUCKY.
While party of sailors. on board steam
boat living at Sand Island, were firing ma
tiunal salute on the 4lh of July. man OF
the name Of Smith, conoeiviDg that the keg
Of powder was not convenient enough TO ibe
cannon. proceeded, with lighted segarin bis
mouth, 10 carry it 10 the bow OF the boat,
where. Just as he had placed the key upon
deck. spark off fire from The segar fell ino il,
and both arms Of the unfortunate man were
severed from his body, and he was blown