The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-03

men whilst in consultation, little thinking !
should So soon become a participation, NOT
only in their guilt but in the misforiunes and
priValions which afterwards fell TO their LOT. y
Well do remember, twas in the month
Of August. when hurricane ragged through
out the country. tearing up trees, destroying
sugar canes, ravaging and devastating property
OF every description, and even unrooling and
leyelling outhonses, whom about midnight L
felt myself pulled by the arm, and was de-
sired 10 riso from my pallet immediately i
obeyed; handkerchief was passed over my
eyes, and was carried could not tellwhere.
but with much swiltness, in the arms OF
man. On the bandage being removed was
astonished 10 find myself in company of two
Of the most desperate OF the slaves, known by
the names Of Pierre and Martin The former
had been severely logged the week before,
and Martin had punishment to expect on the
following day, through neglect Of his hard and
cruel duties Ii is not Tor me 10 endeayor to
palliatc the heavy sin these deluded men had
determined to commit, hut surely revenge
must be sweet TO those Who like myself, have
been tortured and il-used from the time when
ought TO have experienced and indeed, need
cd a mothers cares. TO proceed-ihe man
who carried me and now took the bandage
from my eyes, broke silence thus Hark we,
young spawn OF misery, do as you are bid or
we will tie a stone round your neck, and throw
you into yonder lake. Look atths axe at
tempt to deceive us and you may guess the
consequences 1t is our intention to break
into the ovcrsecrs' room tonight and regale
ourselves; brandy aud rum are in plenty there,
which they do not want, being drunk already;
So come youngster, we shall mount you
through the upper window, and mind, as
you value your life, you undo the door bolt
without noise This was what | heard him
say, vet but indistinctly, as the wind howled
fearfully, and the rain poured with such yio-
lence as is only known in these tropical eli
mates.
q II appeared the slaves Pierre and Martin
had been at work before, as the easement OF
The upper window had been cut through, and
hole made large enough 10 admit boy OF
my size Martin brought ladder, and Pierre
mounted with me in his arms, when thrust
ing me through, feet foremost, he used the
most horrible threats, even to numbering me,
if failed in the task he had appointed me.
trod softly, and between the heavy squalls
of wind heard the breathing Of inebriated
sleep as | passed the chambe. doors Of the
overseers. So fearful was thatI scarcely
drew breath; being in double danger both
from within and from without should be dis
covered, made my way TO the hall door,
undone the bolts, and admitted the williams:
not only Pierre and Martin, but three others,
who took their station at the foot OF the stair
case Little did know or even then fancy
the horrible intent of those Infatuated wretches,
or should have escaped from them, assisted
by the darkness of the night; but it was now
too late, and it was with horror observed
each man was armed not OILY with an axe,
but with long knife, which latter they drew
from their belts, and forming ring uttered
an oath. as if binding each other to firmness
and inviolable secrecy. ] was now desired
by Pierre to follow himself and Martin with
lantern up stairs, leaving the other three
men as guards in the hall in case OF sur
prise 1t happened TO be the chamber-door
of the Dutchman; which first met their view.
They tried TO open il, but the fastening resist
ed their efforts then short and rapid con-
sultation took place which could not over
hear. as the elements again at war overpow-
cred the low tone in which the men spoke;
but presently kick from both of them, ac-
companiod by a simultaneous blow from the
two axes. threw the door off its hinges back
into the ROOM was beckuned TO follow
with the light, saw the m,irderous rascals
draw their long knives across the throat OF
the drunken and unresisiing Dutchman, who
expired with heaty groan; gurging noise
issuing from the cash as he attempted 10 rise
when he first felt the incission Of the knife
The French overSeer's fate was even more
barbarous. lie was the superior; and many
of the cruelties inflicted on the slaves were
through his orders to his interiors in Office
Leaving the corpse of the Dutchman on the
bed, they Quilted The room, and turning
through gallery to the left, came to the
chamber door of the French overseer--the
noise of breaking it open awoke him, and as
thew rushed in, he called stoutly to know who
was there, at the same time firing pistol,
which shot Martin through the fleshy part OF
his left arm This did but increase the fury
Of the savages, and made their revenge more
barbarous and keen. How shall proceed!
the recollection of this night has been ever
vivid in my memory, and the horror OF the
scene is beyond my power OF description.
..They tied the hands of their victim be-
hind him, regardless of his entrcaties and
PRAYERS for mercy, and in cold blood cut off
his ears and held them,up in mockory to his
view. The cries Of the sufferer were only
silenced when Pierre with his axe cleft his
skull in two. This act was too much--l
dropped the light and ran down stairs to the
door as fast as could, followed by the muir
dcrers who cursed me for my weakness. On
our arrival outside the house Martin became
faint from loss Of blood, and had his arm tied
mn by Pierre with handkerchief