Slave Conspiracy of 1744

Title:                Slave Conspiracy of 1744
Date:                1744
First Name:     James
Last Name:      Bulloch
Subject:           Testimony of Slaves in the Plot of 1744
Type:               Colonial Court Records
Source:            The Journal of the Proceedings of His Majesty Honorable Council of South Carolina

 

This is a transcription of The Journal of the Proceedings of His Majesty Honorable Council of South Carolina from the 20th day of December 1748 to 26th Day of December 1749 by James Bulloch.  Agrippa's Confession of the same taken before the Honorable Charles Pinckney Esq.

Information being made to his Excellency the Governor in Council of a design of several slaves to rise and cut off the White people of this province and then to make their escape to St. Augustine and the confession and examination of a slave named Agrippa belonging to William James Akin taken yesterday by the Honorable Charles Pinckney Esq. in writing being laid before the Board, the same was ordered to verify which was accordingly done and is as follows that is to say.  Confession of Agrippa a Negro Man slave of William James Akin taken the twenty third day of January one thousand seven hundred and forty-eight who saith on examination that sometime in last summer he and some other of his masters slaves were sent down Cooper River in two canoes by his master to get oyster shells to make line for indigo and they were overlook by a canoe of Captain Broughton's people who came down on the same errand that in the canoe belonging to Captain Broughton were Kent Scipio Renty and a boy that steered the canoe, that in his masters boats were Joe Sambo and Toney Bosey Scripio, Jenny and Somerset belonging to his master and Glasgow  William McGregor  that they went ashore to Col. Vanserouspens Plantation and there they fell to conversation with the Col. Negro overseer--Pompey and Billy and Pompey's Wife that their conversation turned upon their going away in some pettiagers and leaving the province but that before they did that would come to town set the town's magazine afire and in the confusion kill the white people and leave as much distruction [sic] behind them as they could before they made off that Captain Broughton's fellow Kent was the person in particular that mentioned the doing the mischief in town that no certain time was fixed upon for doing this but Capt. Broughton's people afterwards came several times to his masters plantation and talked of carrying the matter into execution as soon as they could bring matters to bear in getting Pettiagers that go upon and down the rivers and provisions ready that several of William Nesbritt's Negroes in particular Somerset and Jemmy Sharper Toney and Dick used to come over to his master's plantation and talk of running away in the Pettigrew after they had been down for shells as do also several of Mr. Drakes Von: Toney the Patron of his boat and Charles Prince and Diego of also Col. Cordes patron named Porter and two more out of that boat of Colonel Cordes and also Capt.: Wathers Cyrus patron of his boat and some of the people in that boat, also one of Mr. Thompson Wrights boatmen and one or two White men of Mr. Wrights boat used several times to come to his master's plantation to consult with his Negroes about the running away that Hector a Negro of Sangrave John Morton's and Stephen a Negro of Joseph Wragg Esq. from their Goose creek Plantations used also to come to his masters to their said consultations, that some time after the  trip down for shells, tow of his masters brother Mr.  Thomas Akins, Negroes named Ammon and Primus came from his Plantation at the head of Cooper River to his master's Plantation and had consultations of the same sort with his masters people about fireing [sic] the town murdering the white people and running away that during the time that these two Negroes were down as his masters they were sent over by his master and the examinant to Mr. Nesbitt's Plantation on some business and their they entered into consultation with several of Mr. Nesbitt's  people particularly some of those above named, on the same subject and there they agreed to do all the mischief they possibly could to make the greater confusion and to render their escape to the Spaniard more easie [sic] and in particular they agreed to murder all the Negroes that would not join with them in leaving the province, that soon after the return of Ammon and Primus to their master's Plantation at the head of Cooper River the examinants masters Negro Joe desired leave Agrippa master to go up to his brother Ammon for Ammon and Joe were brothers for some rice which he had promised him that his master gave Joe and some others of his people leave to go up for it, that his examinant was one of them, that they accordingly set in  canoe on Saturday afternoon that as they went past Bonneaus Ferry they saw  Mr. Edward  Harleton Negro overseer named Tom Paine and there Joe mentioned to him their going up to his master to Akin's Plantation to consult about the rising and Tom Paine promised to meet him there and he accordingly  came there that night that as they went up the River they saw at Harrell’s Landing a Negro of his named George who asked Joe where he was going, he said to his master Tomeys where upon George then said I'll come there tonight and accordingly he did so, that as they passed further up the river.   They came to Mr. Baal's Landing and there they saw several Negroes, one of which is named Tom, and another Pompey that Joe put the canoe to the shore and Pompey then came on board and talked with Joe, and Joe as asked him and the other Negroes to meet him that night at his Master Tomey  to which Pompey said that he could not  meet with him there that night but that some of master's Negroes would accordingly Tom and some of the others did  come there that night, that they went on to Mr. Hughes Negro named Charles and Joe asked him if he or any of  his master's people were going that night to his master's Tomeys, Charles answered he himself was going to Mr. Duashes and the examinant saith that one of  Duashes Negros [sic]  and his overseer called Guy came that night  to the meeting at his master Tomeys Plantation.  The examinant further saith, that soon after dark he and his company got to his master Tomeys Plantation, that on that night several Negroes came to his master Tomey's Plantation and move the next Sunday that they then consulted about their intended running away and doing all the mischief they could before they went off that they were to runaway  with Pettyages that they were to lay in provisions for their voyage that no particular time was then agreed upon, but as Joe was the head man that was left to him to fix, that Mr. Duashes Negro Guy on the Saturday night, invited Joe and the rest to call in their return home at his master's Plantation that Joe and  several others went but the examinant and four others came down to Hughes Bridge with the Barrel of rice Amonon had provided for Joe which they put into the canoe and at length they returned all on Sunday night to their master Plantation that sometime in the beginning of this winter before the Potatoes were all____the said Joe and Robin two of his master Negro was taken up and examine by the examinants master upon suspicion of having burned his master's barn three years before and Will the Negro overseer  was then also under confinement by his master for some crime he committed and that during the time that those three Negroes were so confined there were several consultations of Negro's who went in the night time at his master's Plantation with two White men one of which is named Abram  Was and the other Richard Simmons with a Negro man of Doctor Bruce named Scripio and his brother Jack and the before mentioned Negroes of Landgre Mortons and Mr. Wraggs and several runaway Negroes and there they came to a resolution to rise the Thursday night following and by force to rescue the three prisoners and do all the mischief they could and go on board Mr. Thomas Wrights Pettigrew  then lying about his master's landing but that this resolution was discovered to his master by two of his wenches who their upon called his Negroes together and talked to them so much that they promised they would attempt no such thing nor join with any other's Negroes to do it and in a few days after Joe was tried for burning the barn condemned and executed that during the time they said Joe was in confinement his master's Negroes stole great quantities of potatoes for their voyage and put them on board Mr. Drake's boat and rice and potatoes were also put on board Mr. Wright's boat for the same end, that  tho' Joe's death put  as for to their _______rising and running off for some time yet they agreed to carry it on for little before Christmas that past Capt. Shbrick's Pettigrew came too off the examinant's master landing and Diamond the patron of the boat came on shore there and several of his master's people went on board the Pettigrew and were treated by Diamond and at their parting Diamond asked them if they continued in the same mind to which they all answered yes, the examinant being here asked what he understood by that, for he had not before mentioned Shubrick's boat or Negroes answered that Diamond had been early at their consultation and agreed to their rising murders of running away and the_____in particular said that it was well for that their friends in town were ready and the examinant further saith that the Sunday night after Mr. Frank Simmons barn was burned which was about three months ago Doctor Bruce's Scripio and Jack his brother belonging to Mrs. Naylor told his master's Negroes in this.  Examinant's hearing that they had taken out of that barn twelve barrels of rice and that when they had taken out the rice they set  the barn on fire and that they afterwards put it on board Shubrek's boat in Diamond charge that last Saturday night, several white men in sailors' dress came by water and Scipio Dr. Bruce's and some other Negroes were at his master's Plantation persuading them to continue their design of rising and running away and the examinant heard they were there also in the holy day of Christmas but did not then see them upon the same occasion of that in particular the said Richard Simmons was there on Saturday Night last and that they were again there last night upon the same errand but the examinant saith that his master's Naylor had seen so much trouble and danger in carrying these designs into execution, that they told them they would give over all though of it and be no further concerned  in it, for that their master had talked so much to them about it they did not love to hear anything more about it, nor would join them in their design and they persuaded Scipio and the other Negroes to give it over and he further saith that this most of his master's slaves have confessed the same things to their mater.  Taken before me January 28th day 1748.

Charles  Pinckney

 

Mr. Akin examination concerning the design and confession of his fellow Agrippa. Mr. Akin who had come down with the said slave and had been present at the above confession and examination was went for and he offended the board was examined in relation to the said design and confession of his fellow Agrippa and upon his examination he gave the board along detail of the affair as he had been informed of it by some of his own slaves, which in substance was the same with Agrippa's confession.

Agrippa ordered in and examined he asserts his confession to be true.  Agrippa was then ordered in and examined by his Excellency upon which examination, he  presented what he had confessed, before the Honorable Charles Pinckney Esq.: To be true.


The board taken the affair under their consideration and finding some white person were said to be concerned in the design particularly one Wade sometime before committed to goal by Col. Sejeau upon suspicion of enticing some of Mr. Akin's Negroes to run off this province with him, thought it proper that  this Wade should be examined there upon and defined the Honorable Edmund Athin and Charles Pinckney Esq.: To take that trouble upon themselves which they readily did and having accordingly gone to the prison and examined the said Wade reported to the board that they could get nothing out of him to the purpose but that he deny to his knowing anything or being concerned in any shape in such a design.

Agrippa having in his above confession charged several slaves with being in the design and conspiracy his Excellency with the advice . . . of his Majesty's Council issued two warrants one directed to Capt. Nicholas Harleton and the other to Capt. Thomas Ashley for apprehending and securing several slaves charged by Mr. Akin's Agrippa of being engaged in carrying on a dangerous conspiracy against the peace and safety of this province which warrants run in the words follow viz.  Carolina.  By His Excellency James Glen Esq.: Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of South Carolina.

Side bar: His Excellency's warrant to secure Mr. Broughton's Kent, Mr. Dakes Toney, Mr. Cordes Parker, Mr. Wathers Cyrus, Mr. Wright's Tom, Mr. Morton's Hector, Mr. Wragg's Stephen, Mr. Thomas Akin's Ammon, Mr. Harleton’s Tom Paine, Mr. Harrell’s George, Mr. Boal's Tom, Mr. Hughes George, Mr. Duashe's Guy, Mr. Bruce's Scipio, and Mr. Thubick's Diamond.

Whereas I have received information in that it is absolutely necessary for his Majesty's service to apprehend and secure the persons of the following slaves viz.: Mr. Wathers, Cyrus Mr. Wright's, Tom, Mr. Morton's Hector, Mr. Wragg's Stephen, Mr. Thomas Akin's Ammon, Mr. Harleton’s Tom Paine, Mr. Harrell, George, Mr. Baal's Tom, Mr. Hughes George, Mr. Duashes Guy, Mr. Bruce's Scipio and Mr. Thubrek's Diamond to be examined touching several matters of importance.

These are therefore in his Majesty's name to command you by detachments of the company of militia under your command immediately to apprehend and secure the persons of the said slave viz.: Kent, Toney, Porter, Cyrus, Tom, Hector, Stephen, Ammon, Tom Paine, George, Tom, George, Guy, Scipio, and Diamond, and then to carry safely to Charles Town to be examine touching the premises and for so doing this shall be your warrant.   Given under my hand and Seal this twenty-four day of January 1748.To Capt.: Nicholas Harleston.  To Capt.: Thomas Ashley.   James Glen


The 27th day of 1748 the examination of Sambo continues he accuses Billy Pomprey wife, Joe, Toney, Agrippa, Glasgow's  Broughton, Kent Scipio______ and  a  white man Simmons.  Bargain and agreement to go away being asked who begun that discourse he said that Joe begun it and the rest  seemed to like it, and were willing of it, being asked how they were to go off he  answered that Kent agreed to  carry them in his boat, being asked how they  were to carry on their design and to get ammunition for  he answered that he heard the Negroes say that Simmons was to get powder to carry with him and that they were to blow up the Magazine and in the confusion that would occasion kill the people in town and the Negroes in the country were to kill the White people in the path being asked what Negroes he heard say so? He said that the heard Joe and Kent tell the rest of the Negroes so, being asked when they had their last meeting? He answered that on last Saturday night Simmons came to his master's Negroes and asked them if they were ready and that I was agreed among them to set about it next Saturday, being asked who were there at that meeting besides Simmons he said that one named Arthur and another White man were there being asked if they had any arms he answered in the negative being asked what they other white people said he answered that they escaped likewise their readiness to go being asked what Negroes were there, he said Susanna and Robin were there being asked what House they were in he said they were in Susanna's, being asked if George knew anything of that meeting and if he was there he did, and was there being asked what other Negroes had agreed on going, he answered that Drake's Tom, Dashe's Guy,  Hughes’s Shallomet and agreed on the same, being asked when he and Diamond at his  master's landing?  He said that he saw him there last summer and that he was one of them that was to carry them off in his boat being asked how they were to get provisions to carry them off he said that Diamond has promised to provide them some, and that he saw Billy and some other Negroes carry potatoes and rice to Diamond's boat who told them he would lay they by, till they were ready to go being asked who elsewhere to be assistant in carrying them off he answered that Porter Cordes was to help to carry them off in his master's boat, being asked how he knew that,  he said that Porter had told Susanna so, being asked where he told her so, he answered at the Marle Bank, being asked how Porter was to let them know, when he came to the landing.  He said that he had agreed to send them up word when they came there.  Susanna, Akin's who her master brought down as evidence against the Negroes of running off this province, she answered that she knew there was such a design, being asked who was the first  broacher and instigator of it, she answered that  one Springer [a White man] first  put such a notion in the Negroes head some years ago.  Being desired as she appeared to be sensible wench to give a true and faithful account of all that she knew of the matter:  She began by telling the board that Springer had at several times pretended himself to the Negroes and compassion for their being hard by used and told them that they were fools to bear such hardships and if they would go with him he would undertake to carry them off where they should live as well as White people with a good deal more to the same purpose.  That afterwards Springer went off with effecting anything among the Negroes and that last fall one Atholl [a White man] came from him to carry on the same design, when Joe was under confinement for burning his master's barn.  Two while men out of Mr. Wright's boat Kelly and Follow by came to him and lamenting hard usage said they  would relieve him or fire the house he was Simmons had promised Joe a cow and Kelly had promised him_____Barrow to keep all secret that While people were with them Negroes three nights at Christmas last that last Saturday and Sunday they were likewise with them and then told them that they would kill them as well as the white people if they would not join them being asked what White people were there she answered that Simmons Atholl and the patrons of Mr. Drakes and Mr. Wragg's boats were with them last Saturday night.  She further said that a White man named Russ told them that all that Atholl said to him was true being asked what Negroes were there, she answered a good many of Mr. Nesbitt's Negroes, Mr. Bruce's Scipio and Tammy Mr. Warnoch's Winter with three more, that she did not know where there with guns and cutlasses, she further said that one Mathews a weaver was likewise concerned in the design and the day before they came down had charged the Negroes to keep all secret and that the Negroes.

Thereabouts in general were concerned in the plot, to wit Mr. Beauneau Patina, Mr. Harleston's Negroes two of Mr. Baal's Mr. Arells, Mr. Hugher, Mr. Rochjew, Mr. Simmons, Mr. Duash's and_____: Pagetts than they had  a meeting at Irish town last summer and that Toney Sambo and Joe went up with her that there were a great number of Negroes there who all agreed  in the conspiracy, that there were a great many there she did not know, that at the last Christmas meeting Warnock's Negro and a Mustee fellow had arms, that a susty yellow fellow was with the Mustee but she did not know either of them.  She further said that Matthews Atholl and Simmons came to Joe when he was in_____hold and told him they would relieve him, that since the affair was talked of one Donilly had freighted them and told them they had now brought death upon themselves, that Matthews knows the whole affair and that he follow by Simmons and Kelly have set many Nights in their house talking it over.

Robin whom Sambo had said was with the White people in Susana's house last Saturday and whom his master Akin's had likewise brought down as an evidence against the Negroes charged with being in the plot being sent for was asked what he knew of a design among the Negroes of rising and making their escape out of the province to which he answered, that there was such a design and that one Springer was the first that put them upon it and that Simmons had often mentioned carrying them away to Maryland Antigua or to the Spaniards that Kelley made a treat for the Negroes and then proposed the thing to them and that they promised to go that he learned them from time to time to time to do it and told them to keep it secret and not to mention it, for if they did he would swear against them and that a White man's word would go further than Negroes that they had they had a meeting at Irish Town and agreed to go that Joe at his death blamed Simmons and the other white men for all he had done and said his death to them that Kelly threatened to kill the first that discovered their purpose and design that Simmons spoke to them as before related by Susanna Mr. Hughes’s and Mr. Akin's Negro's, Mr. John Harleston's Prince and Dick, Mr. Nicholas Harleston's London and Robin Mr. Baal's Carolina, Tom Pompey and violet were all at Irish Town and first agreed to the thing there that Doctor Bruce's Scipio is a ringleader and said he would kill his master the first thing he did and that he undertook to engage all the Negroes on Monday.

Nick in the plot and that his master Akin's Negroes had under taken to bring over all the Negroes about them that Mr. Cordes and Mr. Shubrick's boats were to be assistant  in carrying them off that they talked of their design before Mr. Broughton's ______Scipio and Kent and that  some White men and a great many Negroes met at their master's Plantation last Saturday with arms, that the patrons of Mr. Wragg and Mr. Wright's boats were two of the White men that Ammons another of them was spokesman and asked the Negroes if they would now go or not and told them if they would not go they should suffer as the White people for they had enough and as for them they might stay and die with the rest if they would that Simmons and the other White man go backward and forward continually between Mr. Akin's and Mr. Nesbitt's Plantation that he saw a tall musstee with a gun and cutlass and a lusty yellow fellow at their meeting and that the Negroes were armed that Col. Corde's Pompey and Cupid were concerned in the design and plot and that Mr. Shubrick's Diamond Brutus and another undertook to engage the town Negroes in it;  Mr. Moton's Hector the Goose creek Negroes and Mr. Wather's Cyrus and Jack to provide a boat for the purpose that they were to make up___boats in all to wit Mr. Wright's, Mr. Wragg's, Mr. Corde's, Mr. Broughton's, Mr. Wathers's and Mr. Shbricks that the affair was to begin at town where they were to meet and from thence set  bit and carry all with them, that it was to be done immediately and that they had made a bargain among themselves to destroy the white people that Mr. Harrell's George, Will and Dick were at the meeting and likewise Mr. Duash's Guy and Jack, Mr. Hughes Daniel, Prince and Charles, Mr Roche's Frank and Toney and Mr. Pasqett's two Wills that one Donily is in the conspiracy and plot  and that since the affair begun to be taken off Matthews has talked of running away.

The above examinations having been taken the board were of opinion that the said Negroes should be secured for further examination but Mr. Akin undertaking to see his Negroes forthcoming whenever they should be called for, they were accordingly left to his care Agrippa only excepted whom the board thought necessary to have kept secretly and by himself.  His Excellency therefore sent for the warden of the workhouse and ordered him take the said Agrippa into his care and custody and to see that he be kept separate from all communication with any persons whatsoever white or black and that he be well used and at the same time ordered him likewise to take Mr. Broughton's Kent and Scipio into his custody and keeping till further orders.

It was further the opinion of the board that his Excellency immediately issues his warrant for apprehending the several other Negroes charged with being concern in the conspiracy and plot carried on by Mr. Akin's Negroes and others against the peace and safety of this province which his Excellency accordingly did which warrant is as follows that is to say.

South Carolina: By his Excellency James Glen Esq.: Captain General Governor and commander in charge in over his Majesty's province of South Carolina.

Whereas I have received undoubted information of a dangerous conspiracy carrying on against the peace and safety of this province by the slaves in different parts thereof, and that Porter patron of Col: Corde's, Pettigrew Diamond, patron of Captain Shubrick Pettigrew, Toney patron of Capt Drake, Pettigrew and Mr. Bandeaus Patina and Jenny, Mr. Baul's Carolina, Mr. John Harleston Prince and Dick, Mr Duashe's Jack, Mr. Rocher Frank and Toney, Mr. Padgee's Will, Mr. Broughton's Scipio, Kent and Winter, Mr. Cord's Pompey and Cupid, Mr. Shubrick's Brutus, Mr. Wragg's Stephen, Mr. Walher's Jack, and Mr. Morton's Hector are charged with being guilty of the same.

These are therefore in his Majesty's name to charge and command you immediately to apprehend the said slaves, and to bring them before me to be examined touching the premises, and for your so doing this shall be your sufficient warrant.  Given under my hand and seal in the county chamber at Charles Town, the twenty-seven day of January, one thousand seven hundred and forty-eight, and in the twenty-second year of  His Majesty's Reign.  To any lawful constable and to all others his Majesty's officer Civil and Military in this province    James Glen.

It was likewise the opinion of the board that his Excellency immediately issues his warrant for apprehending the several White persons charged with being concerned in a plot with several Negroes against the peace and safety of this province which his Excellency accordingly did, which warrant is as follows to Wit.  South Carolina.  By His Excellency James Glen Esq.: Capt. General and Governor in Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of South Carolina.

Whereas I have received information of several wicked and dangerous practices against the peace and safety of the province carrying on by Richard Simmons, John Atholl, Lawrence Kelly, John Mathews, Thomas Fuss, William Fallow by and George Nicholas.

These are therefore in his Majesty's name to charge and command you immediately to apprehend and take the above named persons into your custody and bering them before me in council to be examined concerning the premises and for you so doing this shall be your warrant.  Given under my hand and seal at the Council Chamber in Charles Town the twenty seventh day of January one thousand seven hundred and forty eight and in the twenty second year of His Majesty's reign.  To any lawful constable and to all other's his Majesty's Officer Civil and Military in this province.

It was likewise the opinion of the board that letters be sent immediately to the Captain's Taylor Butler and Ladson and Hendricks commanders of the several company's of militia in their respective districts upon the occasion which letters were accordingly written signed by his Excellency the Governor and dispatched to them by an express and are in the words following that is to say.  In the Council Chamber the 27th day of January 1748.

Whereas I have received undoubted information in Council of a very dangerous conspiracy against the peace and safety of this province by several White persons, in conjunction with a great number of slaves in different parts of this province.

These are therefore to require and command you that you immediately cause the patrol service to be duly and constantly performed within all the districts of your company and that you take effectual care to prevent or suppress all meetings of the slaves in your parts of that you apprehend and secure all persons suspected of any dangerous designs against the peace of the province and that you give notice to all there Ferry's in your district not suffer any suspected pass the same.  Your most humble servant James Glen.  His Excellency likewise with the province of his Majesty's Honorable Council sent Capt John Lloyd commander of Fort Johnson the follow order that is to say.  By His Excellency James Glen Esq.: Governor and Commander in Chief in and over his Majesty province of South Carolina.  To Capt. John Lloyd you are hereby desired not to suffer any Pettigrew or boat to pass the Fort for any pretence whatsoever till further orders.  In the Council Chamber the twenty seventh day of January 1748.  James Glen.

It being proposed that as Mr. Akin was acquainted in the quarters where the Negroes charged with being concerned in the plot lived, and was likewise a magistrate in that district, that he go up to forward promote their being apprehended which he agreed to.

His Excellency sent for Capt. Darby and Capt. Rae and acquainted them with the suspected revolt and conspiracy of the slaves and the necessity there was of having them quickly apprehended which could not be done without the assistance of their ship, boats and hands as the government was destitute of boats at present for that purpose which they readily agreed and the boats were accordingly fitted with_______and manned and sent away with Mr. Akin going in one of them.  His Excellency desired the said Captains that they ________his Majesty's ships that one of them might come by before they town and the other in Rebellion road to prevent as much as may be the getting of any slaves by water which they engaged to do.

The board being informed that captain Wather's boat of which Cyrus is patron was in town sent the said Cyrus and he being brought before the board was asked if he ever went to Mr. Atkin's Landing with his boat he said not since Mr. Trott's (?) death.  He was asked if he knew Porter belonging to Mr. Corde's, he answered he did know him.  He was asked if he ever was at Mr. Akin's with him, he answered no he never was.  He was asked if he knew Mr. Shubrick's Diamond, he answered in the affirmative, he was asked if he had been lately in company with him or heard anything of Mr. Akin's Negroes designing to rum\n away to both which he answered in the negative.

Agrippa  was sent for and ordered in to confront Cyrus and was asked if he knew Cyrus, he said he did and that he was at his master's Plantation about two weeks before Christmas last, with more people that he did not know, he was asked who of Mr. Akin's people were there.  He answered Susana was there.  He was asked, how long Cyrus stayed, he said till he had some potatoes carried into the Pettigrew for this voyages, he said Billy did.

Cyrus was asked what he did with the potatoes, he denied he had received any or had been there since Mr. Trott's (?) death or that he knew any of the slaves belonging to that Plantation, being pressed to make a true and frank confession, and that he knew nothing of thee plot and conspiracy or of any design amongst the Negroes of running off the province, he denied absolutely that he knew anything at all of any such plot or conspiracy.

Colonel  Vanderdussen acquainting the board that his fellow Pompey who had been charged with insurrection and concerned in the suspected conspiracy was come on and was sent for and being brought in was asked if any carriages came last summer to his master's Landing? He answered that Mr. Atkin's boat was there and the people belonging to him came up to his house and that his wife gave them victuals.  He was asked what they talked about, and he said that was between him and them at that time, he said they had not particularly talk but only played the Banjo.  He was asked whether Mr. Atkin's people had been there since that time, he answered in the negative.  Mr. Morgan the doorkeeper was sent to the Workhouse to bring down Agrippa and with orders to the Warden to bring down Scipio and Kent.

Agrippa being accordingly brought down was called in to confront Pompey and made to look at Pompey and say whether he knew him.   Looking at Pompey he said that he did not know him.  Pompey was then asked if he knew Agrippa and he answered in the negative.  Agrippa being asked who  were along with them when he said Pompey said that Sambo, Sommerset, Glasgow, and two more were with  him and that Pompey directed to a place to sleep in, Agrippa was asked if they talked  about the conspiracy and running of the province was in presence of  Pompey.  He answered in the affirmative, he was asked what Pompey said to it, and answered that he did not hear what Pompey said, but heard Joe and Kent talk of it, Pompey being with them, and he was asked where he was, whether in the house, when they talked. He said he was at the door of the house, where he heard Kent talk to Pompey about running away, Pompey was asked if he knew Kent.  He answered in the negative, Agrippa was asked if Pompey had been at any of their meetings afterwards to which he answered likewise in the negative and said further that Pompey asked Joe who he belonged to and shook him by the hand and that as they returned from the Colonel's house to the landing.  Joe told him and Agrippa that he had told Pompey their design and that he said yes to it, he was asked if he heard any of the rest of the Negroes agree to it and answered that Mr. Broughton's Negroes agreed to join them in doing the things, and that Kent proposed it to Joe, and Joe said it would do very well.  Scipio being ordered in was asked what he had to say now; he persisted in his being guiltless and said if he knew anything at all he would tell it, he was asked if he knew Pompey and answered in the affirmative, and that he once helped to shave him from drowning in the river.  Kent being ordered in was asked if he knew Pompey and answered that he did, and had once saved him from drowning in a boat coming down to town with pease he was asked whether he had not seen him since that time, he said only once and that only at a distance as he came down the river and called to him how do you.  He was asked where he slept when he was at Colonel Vandardessen's last summer with Mr. Akin's Negroes, and answered he slept in his master's boat and saw none of Mr. Akin's people till day.

Agrippa was charged to tell the truth and nothing but the truth and then was asked how many were at Colonel Vanderdussens when he was there last summer.  He said his master's slaves and Mr. Broughton's people that belonged to the respective boats, he was asked whether any body was left in the boasts all night.  He answered no and that they and Mr. Broughton's people went all up together to the Colonel's Negro house, he was further asked how his master came to know of their design.  He answered that his master's Negroes had told him the affair and that the Negroes mentioned before were tempting him to it, the first meeting or talk has frequent meetings since that time, at which were Scipio and Kent, but as for Pompey he never met him there.

George, Akins when his master had brought down as evidence against the Negroes charged as before being sent for and ordered in was asked if he knew of anything among the Negroes of killing the white people and running away.  He said he did for he was present at their meetings for that purpose.  Being asked who put first such a thing into their heads he answered that one Springer first began it and told them if they would go with him, they should be  Baptized as the white people are live, and live as well as they and that Springer went likewise over to Mr. Nesbitt's Plantation, and had the same talk there with his Negroes and that they agreed to go with him he likewise proposed the same thing to Mr. Duashe's Negroes, who likewise need do it, particularly Joe and Robin, in that, Joe and his wife Caesar and Robin  were present and heard him speak the same thing to Sharper and Sommerset belonging to Mr. Nesbitt that after Springer was gone Atholl Simmons and Wade carried on the same thing that Simmons told him that Atholl came from Springer on the same account they told him that they were not ready upon which he bid them see that they keep the matter secret from their master that Wade asked them again about it about two or three months before last Christmas and kept dogging of them from time to time till they were tired of the matter, and began to fall off and stop a while that when Joe was in hold Wade Simmons and Athol and several other white people dressed liked sailors with Mr. Nesbitt's Sommerset, Sharper, Toney and Mr. Drake's Joney came to relieve Joe and swore they would cut all before them rather than not relieve him that the examinant told them for God's sake don't, for that the Negroes had brought mischief enough upon their heads, Springer told him he was a fool and that if he or any other of the Negroes discovered them he would shoot them last Saturday.  Simmons and Aholl came again with several other white people and Doctor Bruce's Scipio, Mr. Drake's Toney, Mr. Nesbitt's Sharper, Sommerset, Toney and that Simmons asked them what they thought on it now, they told him they had several things to provide before they could be ready, but if they would come on Sunday they would tell them what they would do.  On Sunday they came again and asked if they were not ready, they answered no, then Simmons said, they had a mind to deceive them, damned them and told them all the town people were ready to set the town on fire and blow up the Magazine, but if they would not go they might stay and be damned and for his sister if she would not go, she must suffer for it, being asked if they had meeting at any other place, he answered that they had another meeting at Mr. Dallas and that his Negroes are likewise in the plot viz:  Hope talked with many others and one Glasgow a fellow of Mr. Padget's he further said that Mr. Nesbitt's Negroes told him that Mr. Wragg's slaves were to provide them with beef and other provisions for the voyage. He (?) saw Mr. Shbrick's Diamond a little before Christmas at his master's who asked them if they continued in the same mind, they said they did, he told them all was ready in town.  He further said that Mr. Morton's Hector told them not to fear for he had all the town Negores at his back and could make tem follow him where he pleased  He said that they took his master's rice and potatoes and put them on board. Mr. Wright's boat for their purpose, that Kelley excited them to the thing and was frequently in company with Simmons and the Negroes about harvest time consulting about it, he farther said that two barrels of rice was given to Mr. Drake's Toney and potatoes to Mr. Walther's Cyrus to put on board their boats and secure for them that Mr. Shubrick's Diamond had likewise received rice and beef which he was to keep in town for them till it was wanted that Cyrus and James came to their masters and asked how they went on___told them that they were ready to join them but never talked of firing the town till Saturday night before Christmas that there are three or four white men more in the combination and plot besides these already named he said they left it to the white people how they were to do it, but that they were to go off in different boats to Maryland that Drake's Toney, Prince,  and Jenny were often with them and ready to join them that Porter, Corde's was at his Master Akin's Plantation and that they were on board his boat over against Mr. Drake's Landing at harvest time and had the same talk there.  He was asked if he knew any of Mr. Harleston's Negroes to be concerned in the design, he answered in the affirmative and that they had a great meeting at Mr. Duelch's at which they were present being asked if Mr. Harell's people were concerned.  He said, he heard they were at that meeting at Duelches and likewise that Mr. Baal's and Mr. Hughes’s people were there and that Mr. Padgett's Billy, Will and Bashia were ready to join them with a great many more of their people.

The board being informed that John Gainer, who had been charged by the Negroes of being concerned in the plot and conspiracy under the name of Mr.Wragg's patron was in town, he was ordered to be brought before the board which being accordingly done Susanna was ordered in and asked if she knew him?  She answered that he was one of the white men that was at the meeting on Saturday and Sunday nights and that she look him to be patron of Mr. Wragg's boat and that he had a gun and cutlass there.

Gainer in his defense said that he was not there, but that he kept watch on Saturday night under Capt. Swan one of the commanders of the Charles Town Watch.  Capt. Swan being called in was asked if Gainer had been on the watch with him on Saturday night, to which he answered in the affirmative, Gainer being asked where he lodged said at Mr. Tummel's Summer was sent for, and being ordered in was asked, if Gainer lodged in his house, he answered that he slept in his house sometimes, being asked where he slept on Saturday night.  He said in his house being asked who Gainer kept watch with answered with Capt. Bateman, Capt Swan recollecting himself acquainted to the board that he had made a mistake for Gainer was not with him on the watch on Saturday's night but on Tuesday night.

George being ordered in was asked if he knew Gainer, he said he saw him or one like him at their meeting with a White watch coat.  Robin being likewise ordered in and asked if he knew him, he answered that he saw him at their meeting in a Red Watch Coast.  Sommers being asked where he lived, he said at one Fitzgerald.  Fitzgerald being sent for was asked if he had anybody lodged with him to which he answered that nobody lodged in the house with him, but that one Sommers had his kitchen where he and a woman that lived with them slept being further asked if he knew one Gainer:  He answered he sometimes saw him with Summers and that he sometimes sleep in Summers house, being asked if he saw Summers at home on Saturday and Sunday, he said he did, being asked if Summers slept at home those nights, He answered that he did, for he saw him late, being asked if Gainer slept there those Nights.  He said he did not know whether he did or not, being asked what character Summers has and what sort of a man he was, he answered that so far as he knew of him, he was an honest sober man.

Fitzgerald speaking of woman that lived with Summersshwe was sent for and being ordered in was asked if she saw Summers on Sunday, she said that, he came to their lodging in the evening and that he went down to his shop on Elliot's Bridge being asked if she saw him on Saturday.  She answered, that she did not remember that she did, being asked whether he or Gainer slept in her room on Saturday night, she answered positively that neither of them did being asked if she at any time heard them talk of any insurrection amongst the Negroes.  She answered in the Negative, being asked where Summers was on Saturday that she had not seen him, she answered that she heard he was at one Richardson’s Billiard Table all day being asked if ever she knew Summers go into the country?  She said she never knew him go a mile out of the town since he has been in the province.

Upon the foregoing examinations of Gainer and Sommers it appeared to the board that the account they gave of themselves was suspicious and therefore were of opinion that they be both committed to prison for further reexamination and that his His Excellency do issue his warrant of commitment for that purpose which he accordingly did, which commitment is in words following that is to say, by his Excellency James Glen Esq. Capt General and Governor in Chief in and over his Majesty’s Province of South Carolina.

Whereas Thomas Summers and John Gainer have been brought before me in Council to be examined touching several dangerous practices and conspiracies against the peace and safety of this province.  And whereas it is necessary farther to detain the said Thomas Summoners and John Gainer in custody for further examination touching the premises.  These are therefore in his Majesty’s name to charge and command you to receive the said Thomas Sommers and John Gainer into your goal and them safety to keep for further examination and for you so dong this shall be your warrant.  Given under my hand and Seal in the Council Chamber at Charles Town the twenty seventh day of January 1748, and in the twenty second year of His Majesty’s Reign

The Board was likewise of opinion that the several Negroes who had been brought before them should be committed to the custody of the warden of the workhouse to be by him secured and kept for further examination.  His Excellency accordingly ordered in the said warden and charged him with the care and custody of the said several Negroes till further orders from him.  In the Council Chamber Saturday 28th day of January 1748.  present the Honorable [His Excellency the Governor, Edmund Atkins, Alex Vanderdussen, John Cleland, Edward Fenwiche, Charles Pinckney, [and] H.B de Beaufain] Esq.

The board being informed that George Nicholas patron of one of Mr. Drake’s boats was come down he was sent for and being ordered in and examined said that he took in a load of rice and boarded at Mr. Keating on Black river last Saturday morning that they fell down the river and called at his master’s Landing for provisions on Sunday morning which he took in there and sat out about two o’clock in the afternoon from his master’s Landing and got to town on Monday morning about one or two hours high and slept nowhere but off of Codners for the tide, that he did not go on shore there or anywhere else nor had anybody on board but the Negroes that he delivered the rice in town on Monday on Mr. Elliott’s Bridge being asked if he knew one Summers? [He] answered that he did know him and that he had been on his boat in town sometime ago, with one Westbury being asked if he knew one Atholl and one Gainer.  Answered in the negative, but said that he knew one Summers a shoemaker who kept a shop on Elliot’s wharf being asked what was the names of the Negroes who were in the boat with him last Saturday? Said he had Billy, Prince and Diego being asked if he knew Mr. Drake’s Toney? [He] answered that he did know him and that he was patron of Mr. drake’s other boat that he was sensible fellow and born in this country.  Being asked whether he knew any of Mr. Akins’s Negroes. Said that he hardly knew any of them being asked whether anybody came to town with him when he came last down, answered that the last trip when he brought down Mr. Keating rice one George and his son came along with him all the way from Mr. Keating to town and that George went ashore with him to his master’s Landing being asked whether he had ever been at Mr. Akin’s Plantation? Said that he had never been there but once for a load of rice.

Mr. Drake attending out of doors was called in and being asked when his boat came to his landing at the time she brought don Mr. Keating’s rice said that she came to his landing about Sunday noon that she stay about two hours and then sat away for town that he knows not of any white man or his son being on board at that time and if they were he did not see them some ashore but that the trip before there was a white man and his son on board whose names was Coffin who had formerly been overseer at Mr. Hume’s Plantation.

Susanna being sent for and orders in was asked if she knew to examinant Nicholas. Said that she had seen the man that she thought he was patron of Mr. Wragg’s boat, that the patron of Mr. Wragg’s boat and Mr. Drake’s boat were at his master’s Plantation last Sunday night and that the examinant was one of them Nicholas being reexamined said that it was not the last time but the trip before that, that George and his son came down along with bim.  George being sent for and ordered in was asked if he knew the examinant Nicholas. Said that she had seen the man that she thought that he was patron of Mr. Wragg’s boat, that the patron of Mr. Wragg’s boat and Mr. Drake’s boat were at his master’s Plantation last Sunday night and that the examinant was one of them Nicholas being reexamined said that it was not the last time but the trip before that George and his son came down along with him.  George being sent for and ordered in was asked if he knew the examinant Nicholas. And said that he knew the man very well, that he was Mr. Drake’s patron, that he was at his master’s house last Saturday night and Sunday night that he knows him very wee, has eat and drank on board his boat several times and in particular he has been on board of his boat within these two months, that he was once on board of her with Toney and the examinant when the boat lay up a creek that he was present at the consultations and heard what the Negroes said, and agreed to the going away but did not remember whether the examinant had arms or not on Saturday and Sunday nights.

Mr. Crawford Wharfinger on Elliott’s bridge being sent for was asked whether the examinant had delivered a load of rice at his bridge on Monday last and producing his Wharf book the rice appeared not to be weighted till Wednesday, but Mr. Crawford inform the board that his partner Mr. Corbelt kept the Seal book and could be more particular.  Mr. Coebelt was accordingly sent for and was asked the same question as had been put to Mr. Crawford and he producing the Scale book it appeared that the examinant had brought down forty barrels of rice from Maurice Keating and that he had seen the examinant on the Wharfront Tuesday when he believed the boat came to the bridge.  George being again interrogated about the examinant said that he had treated several Negroes in his boat as she lay at the Warf.  The board being informed that Toney patron of another of Mr. Drake’s boats was brought down he was sent for and being ordered in and examined said that this day sunlight he got to Mr. Wragg’s Plantation at Dacon with his boat, that he carried a letter from Mr. Wragg to his overseer these which he delivered to him at three o’clock in the afternoon that they took in eight or ten barrels of rice that night he slept on Saturday’s night at Samuel Wragg’s Plantation in the house of King road his Negroes overseer that he went to Mr. Samuel Wragg’s to carry something to one Mrs. Smiths who was not at home, that on Sunday night he slept at Mr. Joseph Wragg’s in the house of Gibby his Negroes Overseer that Jemmey, Scripio and Worster commonly goes with him in the boat, being asked how long it was since he had been at Mr. Akin’s Plantation, answered that he had not been at Mr. Akin’s Plantation since the Yellow Fever was in town last Summer but knew most of their Negroes and had been frequently before that at his Plantation, being asked when he loaded his boat? Said he finished loading his boat last Tuesday about noon and then set away for town.

George Akin’s being called in said that he saw Toney at his master’s Akins Plantation last Saturday and Sunday nights that he came there with the white men and the Negroes Jemmey, Jackey, and Charles that Toney invited him last Summer at his master’s Plantation to meet him at Mr. Nesbitt’s to consult on the running away that he was one for setting Joe and Mr. Akin’s other Negroes loose when they were confined and that Charles, Drake’s, having been sent over to his master Akin’s on some errand when he returned acquainted Mr. Drake’s Negroes with the confinement of Joe and the others.

Toney owned that his master had sent Charles over to Mr. Akins with a Jug and that on his return he acquainted him Toney with Joe’s confinement and that he had been at Mr. Akin’s Plantation before and had invited George and Joe on his Toney’s going to take a wife, who had been George’s wife before?  Susanna being ordered in and confronted with Toney said that she saw Toney at her master’s Plantation last Saturday and Sunday nights, that he was there three night last Christmas holidays that he had been there some considerable time before, that Toney has a wife at Mr. Nesbitt's who was formerly George's wife, that George had left her about a year before that Toney was at her master's Plantation when Joe was under confinement that he had two barrels of rice and other things for their running away and that it was late at night when Toney came to their master's Plantation.

Toney said that he and three other Negroes lay in King roads house all Saturday night and that the white overseer saw them about eight o'clock that night that he knew nothing of Simmons Mathews or Atholl but knows one Kelly who lives at Midkin but that he never gave him any provisions. The board being informed that Tom Baals was brought down he was sent for and being ordered in and confronted with Susanna she said she saw him on the way to Irish Town, and at Irish Town, at Mr. Thomas Akins Plantation. Tom owned that he saw them pass the landing as he was at work and that he spoke to them, that a man owed him some money at Mr. Akins Plantation and he went there for it, that Joe as he and the rest past the landing asked him if he would come to Irish Town to Mr. Akins that night that he told him he did not know but however he went that there were a good many Negroes there and that they eat and drunk together, that he knew Quaske's Guy and Wright's Tom who where there but that there were no white men there that they had no talk at all about anything bad but only played and laughed that he very well knew Harleston Tom Pain[e] and that he was not there that night. Being asked if he had ever been at Mr. James Akins Plantation. [He] answered that he never was at Mr. James Akins Plantation.

Jamie Drake's having been likewise brought down and the board informed thereof he was sent for and being ordered in and examined said that he goes in Mr. Drake's little boat along with Toney and that on Friday was sunlight they went with her to Dacon Plantation were they arrived Saturday afternoon and took in eight barrels of rice that night that Toney went up to Mr. Wragg's Negro overseer on Saturday evening that the examinant went to sleep in the cabin before Toney came on board that when he walked on Sunday morning Toney was a sleep in the cabin, that on Sunday night they sat up till eight o'clock then went to sleep and on Monday morning when he got up Toney was a sleep in the cabin and that he walked him to get up to their work, that some months ago he was sent to his master along with Charles with a Jug with liquor to Mr. Akins the time that Joe was in trouble.

George being again brought in and interrogated concerning Jamie said that he was at his master's Plantation last Saturday and Sunday nights and that he was there with Charles, Jackey, Prince, Toney and Nicholas. Worster Drake's have been likewise brought down he was sent for, and being ordered in and examined said that Jamie and he slept in the boat but Toney went up to Dacon to the white overseer that Toney generally sleeps in the cabin and he and Jamie in the Fore castle that Toney slept on Sunday night in the boat and kept on board all Sunday that he saw him early on Monday morning and board and therefore believed he slept on board and that he knew none of Mr. Akins people but George.

Upon the examination of George Nicholas as above and Mr. Drake's answered to the several questions put to him relating to Nicholas and Mr. Crawford's and Corbett's books it appeared to the board that Nicholas had not given a just and true account of himself and where he had been at the time he is charged with being at the consultation of the Negroes and therefore were of opinion that he be committed to prison and there kept for further examination and that his Excellency do issue his warrant of commitment for that purpose, which he accordingly did which warrant is as follows. That is to say. By his Excellency James Glen Esq. Capt General and Governor in Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of South Carolina.

George Nicholas bath been brought before me in Council to be examined touching several dangerous practices and conspiracies against the peace and safety of this province. And whereas it is necessary further to detain the said George Nicholas in custody for further examination touching the premises. These are therefore, in his Majesty's name to charge and command you to receive the said George Nicholas into your goal and him safety to keep for further examination and for your so doing this shall be your warrant. Given under my hand and seal in the Council Chamber at Charles Town the 28th January 1748 and in the twenty second years of His Majesty's Reign. James Glen. To the Provost Marshall or keeper of the common goal in Charles Town.

The board were likewise was of opinion that the several Negroes who had been brought before them today and examined should be recommitted to the custody and keeping of the warden of the workhouse to be by him secured and kept for further examination his Excellency accordingly ordered in the said warden and charged him with the care and custody of the said several Negroes till further orders from him. In the Council Chamber Monday the 30th day of January 1748. Present [His Excellency the Governor Edmund Akin, Alex Vanderdussen, John Cleland, H.B. de Beaufain Esq.]

The Excellency the Governor acquainted the board that several of the white people who had been apprehended by his order were brought down and likewise several more slaves and that it was necessary to have them examined as soon as possible; but previous to any further examination he thought it would be proper to consider if there were any laws now subsisting by which the particular crimes they were charged with could betrayed, and if there were any to have then examined for their future government. It was moved that the Gaily be ordered to cruise upon the coasts in order to prevent the escape of any slave from justice.

Scipio Drake's, one of the slaves brought last down was sent for and being ordered in and examined said that as they were bringing him to town on Saturday they met the man of wars boat, which scared him and made him jump over board, that the white people having took him into their boat carried him back to Captain Akins who bid him tell true for if he did not he would be charged. He said Mr. Akin asked him if he was at his plantation and told him he wanted him to stand by his Negroes; he further said that he went to Dacon in his master's boat along with Toney and was there on Saturday and Sunday that he loaded on Monday and Tuesday and set off from thence on Wednesday that on Saturday night Jamie and Worster slept in the boat and he on the shore that Toney did not sleep on board but at Mr. Wragg's and came to the boat on Sunday morning and kept on board all Sunday that on Sunday night he slept he believed at Mr. Wragg with Gibbey and that Toney went to his master's the day they set out. He was asked if he had seen any of Mr. Akins or the other Negroes that had been brought down on the occasion, he made answer that he saw none of them but that he had seen Mr. Billy Wakes and further said that the white people cracked him and carried him to Mr. Akins and that he was never there before, being asked what made him jump over board, he answered he was afraid because the White people took Toney.

George being ordered in and further examined said that besides Toney there were at his master's on Sunday. James, Prince, Charles and Jokey with a Mustee fellow that he not know being asked if he ever saw Scipio Drake's there? He answered that he saw him at his master's about the time of digging potatoes and once since but no body with him and that he gave him provisions, being asked if he ever had seen his master since he came down? He said they had been with him likewise. Robin being ordered in was asked if he had any dealings with Scipio and answered in the negative, but that he saw Scipio at his master's several times all last Summer long sometimes with Toney and sometimes with Mr. Nesbitt's Negroes, that Scipio had provisions many times of them and carried the same on board his boat, being asked if Scipio was at his master's last Saturday or Sunday? He said that he was not positive whether he was there or not. Scipio being asked if he knew George or had ever seen him before; to both which he answered in the negative. George being asked where he saw Scipio said that he saw him at Mr. Drake's Plantation, and that he was the runaway.

[The 20th day of Jan. 1748 Susanna examined further] Susanna being asked if Scipo was at her master's on Saturday or Sunday last? Answered in the negative. George being asked if he knew of any white people being concerned in the plot said that Kelly knew of it, and that he was there with the white people at Christmas that Kelley borrowed a gun of him and Joe, which he did not bring back to them and when they won’t for it he bid them set down gave them rum and told them Akin had good Negroes but did not know how to use them, but if he had them he would know better and told them they had better leave him, and gave them powder with fallows by and the Negroes, and that he had carried both potatoes and rice to Kelley for their use.

Lawrence Kelley one of the White people charged by Mr. Akin's Negroes with being concerned in their plot whom his Excellency had issued his warrant for apprehending on the twenty seventh instant and had their upon been brought down was sent for and being ordered in was asked what countryman he was? answered he was an Irishman being asked where he came from last said from Pennsylvania [sic] being asked how long he had been in this province? Answered fifteen years, being asked if he knew anybody at St. Augustine or had any relations there, and answered in the negative, being asked where he had lived lately? Said Mr. Moore Plantation and that Mr. Akin had ruined him two or three times? Being asked when he was last at Mr. Akin's Plantation? Answered that he was there about four days after Christmas last. Being asked if he was not there last Saturday and Sunday nights, said that he never was there in the night in his life nor in the daytime but when he has business with Mr. Akin, being asked if he knew one Richard Simmons. Answered in the affirmative being asked when he saw him last? said about three months ago, being asked if ever he heard him talk of the Negroes running away, said that he never heard him or anybody else talk speak of the Negroes running away, but Mr. Akin himself being asked if he knew Atoll answered in the negative being asked if he knew Springer answered in the affirmative being asked if he knew when Springer left this province said he knew not when he went away, being asked if he knew one Mathews answered in the affirmative being asked where he was when Mr. Akin's Joe was hanged said he was at Colonel Lejeau's Plantation being asked where he was last Saturday and Sunday was a week? Answered that he was at Nathan with his wife being asked if ever he treated any negroes, answered in the negative, but that he wrought hard for his bread being asked if he had ever received any messages from St. Augustine and whether he had not some friends there? to both which he answered in the negative but as they were coming down prisoners in the boat one of the hands belonging to the boat said that they would run away to Augustine upon which Mr. Akin winked at him, and that he said they might go and be damned.

Susanna being further examined said, that they begged and prayed Kelley to come and be their overseer that he might prevent the thing but he would not, she further said that Kelley had told her he would be witness against Simmons seeing their master had been told the affair, and it was all come ______ Kelley being asked whether he gave Joe a Barrow? Answered in the affirmative, being asked what he gave it him for? Said it was for a deer's skin and upon no other account whatsoever? Being asked if he ever was at Mr. Akin's answered that he was there with one Fallows by and Beauchett, Mr. Akin's overseer in the barn but that he went not in to any of the Negro houses there.

Susanna being further examined said that Kelley and Fallows by after her master was gone to bed, got up and went to Kate's house and to Billy's and talked the whole affair over before several Negroes particularly Kate Toney and Robin. George being further examined said that the last time he saw Kelley was at Christmas that Fallows by was with him, that he saw him at the barn but did not remember that he saw him at any other house and that he and Fallows by talked at one end of the barn and came to the other where he was cutting mills that he took fire and carried about and that Beauchett took it out of his hand being asked if he saw him at their meeting on Saturday and Sunday was a week answered in the negative.

Robin being examined in regard to Kelley said that he saw Kelley at his master's Plantation about Christmas with Atholl that he came again by himself and asked him what was the matter now, and wondered what they kept Robin in irons for after he had received his punishment, that Kelly said that Akin was afraid, and that Kelley abused the Negroes and called them names before Beauchett who was there, but told them he never day not to mind that, for it was because of Beachett's being present that Kelley did not sleep at Mr. Akin's the last time that he and Mathews was there.

Susanna being again examined said that they talked over the affair at Billy's house and told them their master was not good that Mr. Simmons would carry them where they would be better, and they were damned fools if they did not go, that this was before Christmas, but that he was at the plantation again about Christmas. Kate Akin's, being sent for was ordered in and confronted with Kelley and was asked if she knew him, and when she saw him last? She said at her master's before Christmas at the Negro houses with Fallows by and that he came to her house she said she heard she had been in the barn, that he slept in her master's house, but left the great house after her master was gone to bed, and came to her house and asked if they were willing to go with him and Fallows by but afterwards he went back to the great house to bed. She heard likewise that he had been in Billy's house, that he was at Billy's house two or three months before Christmas that herself, Billy, Susanna, Robin, Toney and Crupper were there and that he said he came to make them runaway, that at Christmas he came again and proposed the same thing as before to her.

Toney, Akin's, being sent for and ordered in was asked when he saw Kelley last? And answered that he saw him and Fallows by at his master's in the barn, and at Will's house and that Joe, Will and Flora were present, but that he knew not what they said. Kelley being asked if he knew one Russ said he never saw him before yesterday that they were fellow prisoners, being asked if he knew one Nichol's and one Gainer, and another called Simmons, answered in the negative to all three.

Mr. Akin's Akin being called in was asked when he saw Kelley at his house said that he was there at Christmas, but did not stay, that he thinks he was there about a month before that but is not certain, that Kelley told him he was going to look out for a place, between Black River and Cooper River and that he recommended him to Colonel Lejeau as an honest man that he came to his house afterwards and slept there by his permission. That about Christmas he came again and had some provisions from him, that he rode directly from thence to one Duffey's that he understood he had been likewise asked when he first knew Russ answered that he never saw him, or heard of him before Saturday was sermight that he came to his house and that on Monday he came again for some shoemaker's tools and seemed dismayed when he saw him examining his Negroes Susanna. Being again examined and asked if she knew one Russ and when she saw him at her master's? answered that she saw one of that name at her master's on Saturday and Sunday was a week with the other white people there that she did not know his name to be Russ till Simmons told her so that a week before that was the first time she ever saw such a man. Thomas Russ one of the White people charged by Mr. Akin's Negroes of being concerned in the plot, whom his Excellency had issued his warrant for apprehending on the twenty seventh instant and thereupon been brought down, was sent for and being ordered in was asked what his name was? Answered Thomas Russ, being asked where he was born? Said in New England. Being asked how long he had been in this province? said he came in on the fourth instant to Charles Town and that he slept one night in town and everyday he went up to his cousin John Russ at Cane boy.

The examinant chewed the Governor a little Journal he had kept since his arrival being asked if he knew one Atholl? Answered in the negative, being asked if he was at Mr. Akin's last Saturday was Sunlight to borrow some shoemaker tools? He answered in the affirmative, and that he had first gone to Mr. Russell’s for the tools which Mr. Russell having lent to Mr. Akin told the examinant he might go there and get them of him. He went accordingly to Mr. Akin's and meeting a girl at the door asked for Mr. akin who came out and asked him his business the examinant told him what he came for, upon which Mr. Akin examined him very strictly which a little surprised him, he bid him come again on Monday for he was then busy, that he accordingly went again on Monday and then had the tools, that when he was at Mr. Akin's he observed Mr. Akin very busy examining his slaves, that Captain Bonnu came there, that he had never been at Mr. Akin's before Saturday was a week and one Mathews being there and the examinant asking which was the nearest way to Mr. Stone's, Mathews offered to go and put him in the way, which he accordingly did and then left him it was then about dusk and the examinant went directly to his cousin Stones, being asked if he knew anything of one Simmons? Answered in the negative.

Susanna being again examined and confronted with Russ, said he was the man, whom she had said she saw with Simmons and Atholl at her master's last Saturday and Sunday was a week and once before that. that Simmons told them his name was Russ, that all the Negroes said him there, and heard him say that he came from a good country and that Simmons could carry them there, when he came for the tons he said nothing to them but after he had carried them away came back in the middle of the night with Simmons and Atholl.

Kate being again examined and confronted with Russ said that he came to her master's on Saturday and Sunday was Sunlight at midnight with Simmons and Atholl and a good many others that he had on the same cloaths he had now on all the time he was there, and accepted shirt that he stood in the dark but that she did not hear him speak anything, that she heard Simmons and Atholl say, that they had got one Russ to persuade them away that all the Negroes saw him particularly George and summerset.

Robin being again examined and confronted with Russ said that the first time he saw him was before Christmas with Simmons and Atholl at his master's Plantation and that he saw him again there last Saturday was a week with the same Simmons and Atholl that he heard him say well my lads is already, I came just to know, for it you are not ready I will not stay either for you or Simmons, that he had on a blue watch coat and the same jacket, that he came there likewise before Christmas with Mr. Nesbitt's Negroes.

George being again examined and confronted with Russ said that he did not know him. Robin being again examined said that he saw Russ at his master's house on Saturday was sunlight and that only Russ one came into Susanna's house and talked with her, but did not hear what he said more than that he heard him ask Wit was time to go away, that he never saw him before that time, and that George Susanna and Robin were there in Susanna's house.

John Mathews one of the white people charged by Mr. Akin's Negroes of being concerned in their plot whom his Excellency had issued his warrant for apprehending on the twenty seventh instant and had thereupon been brought down was sent for, and being ordered in was asked if he knew Russ and where he had seen him? he answered that the first time he ever saw him, was on Saturday was Sunlight at Mr. Akin where they talked till it was pretty late and then Russ going away the examinant wanted to go likewise, but Mr. Akin desired him to stay, and kept him some time after Russ, he followed him however and soon over took him, and offered to direct him in the path to Stone's Plantation which he accordingly did, and then left him insight of it, bidding him good night that he saw him again on Sunday at Church and never since till yesterday that Mr. Rae the Presbyterian minister in Williamsburg where the examinant had formerly lived recommended him to Mr. Akin being asked if he knew Simmons and Atholl answered in the affirmative? Being asked if he knew anything of a design among Mr. Akin's Negroes of running away answered in the negative asked when he saw Simmons said he had not seen him since the time of stripping corn blades, that he was not with him nor saw him at the time of Joe's confinement.

The board being informed that Kelley had made some confession in the boat as he came down, and that one worth a hand belonging to the boat knew something of the matter the said worth was sent for and being ordered in and examined upon oath thereupon declared that Capt. Akin as he came down the River yesterday with the prisoners desired him to take Lawrence Kelley forward and give him some liquor and try if he could get anything out of him and accordingly the deponent took the said Kelley forward and gave him liquor and bid him tell him truly if there was anything in the affair about running away? Kelley told him that he would tell him the truth and that he had a design of going to his brother at St. Augustine and to take schooner out of the harbour and to carry off some Negroes with him in the said schooner and carry them to St. Augustine and that Kelley desired the deponent not to discover it?

Kelley being asked what he had to say to what this deponent had charged him with? denied that he knew of his having said any such thing, but if he did he was drunk and knew not what he said and that he was made drunk by the men employed by Mr. Akin for that purpose. George being again examined said that he saw Kelley at his master's Plantation several times, and that he talked several times about the affair, particularly once, about a month before Joe was hanged that he gave him and Joe victuals and drams being asked what Kelley gave Joe the barrow for, said it was for a deer skin and that he did not know that he gave it upon any other than that account and because it kept at Mr. Akin's Plantation being asked if he ever heard Mathews speak of the plot and design? He answered in the negative.

Being again called in and his pocket book demanded of him the same was examined and the messenger ordered to go to Mr. Schermerhorns and examine a trunk he said he had there but nothing was found either in his pocket book or trunk to his disadvantage. Upon the foregoing examinations of Lawrence Kelley, John Mathews and Thomas Russ, the board were of opinion they be committed to prison and there kept for further examination touching the matters charged against them and that his Excellency do issue his warrant of commitment for that purpose which he accordingly did, and is in the words following, that is to say South Carolina. By his Excellency James Glen Esq. Capt General and Governor in Chief in and over his Majesty's province of South Carolina.

Whereas Thomas Russ, Lawrence Kelley and John Mathews, have been brought before me in Council to be examined touching several dangerous practices and conspiracies against the peace and safety of this s province. And, whereas it is necessary further to detain the said Thomas Russ, Lawrence Kelley and John Mathews in custody for further examination touching the premises. These are therefore in His Majesty's name to charge and command you to receive the said Thomas Russ, Lawrence Kelley, and John Mathews into your goal and them safely to keep for further examination and for your so doing this shall be your warrant. Given under my hand and seal in the Council Chamber at Charles Town the 30th days of January 1748 and in the twenty second year of His Majesty's Reign. To the Provost Marshal or keeper of the commonly goal in Charles Town. James Glen.

His Excellency having on the twenty seventh instant ordered the commander of Fort Johnson, not to suffer any Pettigrew of boat to pass that Fort till further orders. Mr. George Austin applied to his Excellency for an order for Pettigrew to be allowed to pass the said Fort, as likewise did Capt. John McKenzie for a pass for a boat of his and Mr. John Ouldfield for a pass for one belonging to him all three bound to the northward of this town for rice and were in their way obliged to pass the Fort, which his Excellency grants and ordered the clerk to draw three several let passes for the said boats which he accordingly did, and then his Excellency signed the same.

In the Council Chamber Tuesday the 31th day of January 1748/9. Present his Excellency the Governor. The Honorable [Edmund Atkin, Alex Vanderdussen, John Cleland, H. Ber. de Beaufain] Esq. it being moved that the Attorney General should be present, at the future examination of the White people and slaves charged with being concerned in a design and plot of rising against the inhabitants of this province and running off to the enemy, he was accordingly acquainted there with and desired to attend the board.

Mr. Attorney waiting on the board, his Excellency acquainted him with the information he had received from Mr. Akin and the confession of Agrippa and several others of Mr. Akin's slaves had made and that the board thought it necessary to have his assistance on the occasion and then the board took the whole affair under reconsideration and being informed that Mr. Thomas Akins, had declared to some persons in town that he believed in his conscience there was nothing in the affair, but a wicked and forged contrivance of his brother's Negroes.

The said Thomas Akin was sent for and being examined upon the matter declared that he knew nothing certainly of his own knowledge, yet he had heard a great deal from others who had opportunity of knowing the truth, he farther said that several persons in that neighbourhood e believed could clear the matter up and declare a good deal of what had passed between is brother and his slaves. Upon which the board were of opinion that it was necessary Mr. James Akin should make a narrative of what he had related to the board on the twenty fourth of last month and of all that he knew of the affair in writing and that he should sign the same and make affidavit thereto, which he being called on was accordingly ordered to do as soon as might be and to lay the same before the board.

In the mean time it was moved that the several White persons committed to goal upon the supposed plot be further examined in prison and in order to get the truth out of them that they be examined and promised a patron separately upon their declaring the whole truth and accordingly the Honorable Edmund Atkin Esq. and was desired by the board to take that trouble together with the clerk of him in the afternoon for that purpose. In the Council Chamber Wednesday the first day of February 1748/9. Present His Excellency the Governor, the honorable [Edmund Atkin, Alex Vanderdussen, John Cleland, H. Ber de Beaufain] Esq. [The Honorable Edmund Atkin Esq. acquainted the board that he with the clerk examined the white people suspected to be concerned in the suspected plot]. The Honorable Edmund Atkin Esq. acquainted the board that agreeable to their desire he and the clerk went yesterday in the afternoon to the prison and examined the several white persons committed upon the supposed plot, who upon their examination declared severally as follows, that is to say.

In the person the 31st day of January 1748/9 Mathews said, that as before God he knows nothing of any of Mr Akin's Negroes designing to run away from their master or off the province, neither knows he of any white peoples meeting them to go or enticing them away [His mark X, Lawrence Kelley]. Russ said that last Saturday was a week Daves or someone in Stone's family told him at his return from Mr. Akin's, that Mr. Akin had took a notion into his head that somebody was going to run away with his slaves particularly to masters of vessels and cautioned him against going to Mr. Akin's for fear of his being suspected and that last Friday Mrs. Akin came to Mrs. Stones and said that there was a project of raising a sort of mob, to destroy some part of the country and to go off, and that Mrs. Stone replied she did not believe anything of it, but Mrs. Akin said it was certainly true, and that these two times were the first she ever heard anything of it, Mrs. Akin added that not only Blakes but Whites were concerned to the number he thinks of fifty or upwards and said tomorrow is the day they are to fall on or words to that effect, and says he knows nothing of any white peoples meeting them to go off. Nicholas said he knew nothing of the affair in any shape till Mr. Drake told him of it, about three weeks ago.

Gainer said that he would give his oath that he knew nothing of the matter. Simmons said that if he was to die, he knew nothing of any bad action, repeated it that if he was to go to the gallows he knows nothing of the matter. Mr. Attorney General being desired to attend the board accordingly came, the board being informed that one James McGowan could give some account of John, Atoll one of the White persons charged with being concerned with the supposed Negro Plot, was sent for and being ordered in was asked if he knew one John Athol', he answered that he had known him these five years and that he commonly resided in Williamsburg township? being asked when he saw him last, he said that he saw him Wednesday the eighteenth of last month and that on Friday the twentieth of the said month he came to his house and stayed there till Monday morning. Being asked where he slept, he answered upstairs with the examinants son, being asked what distance his house was from Mr. Drake's he said about nine miles, it being moved that the said Mr. Gouan be sworn to the truth of what he had above declared, he was accordingly sworn and declared the same to be true upon his oath.

His Excellency proposed to reconsider what the board had done in their examining into the supposed Plot and conspiracy, that they may be better able to judge what further slept might be proper to be taken upon which it was thought necessary to have the Negro Law examined and to see what revision it had made in such cases and the messenger was accordingly sent to the Secretary's Office and ordered to bring all the laws there relating to Negroes, The Governor acquainted the board, that Mr. Drake had shewed him a letter yesterday from Doctor Bruce, which seemed to make the whole affair but a contrivance and forgery. Mr. Drake was sent for and being ordered in was desired to lay the said letter before the board which was accordingly done and is as follows that is to say.

Sir: that day after I parted from you I went as told you to your brother Russell and found your sister in a very poor condition being very sick and low, as also your brother Russell who is also very low and weak, after I had some discourse with him concerning this troublesome affair of Capt. James Akin he to me he was very sorry he was not able to go to town for that he was sure he knew more of the whole circumstances of that affair then any in the Parish upon inquiring what he thought could induce Mr. Akin to proceed in such as extraordinary manner, he told me that he knew the whole of his scheme, which was as he had solemnly promised both before the Magistrates and Freeholders [Court] who had sentenced his Negroe Joe to die, as also to most of his relations and in a most solemn manner to himself, that without fail he would send off the province, the said Wench Kate and her children and that he really believed he was far from performing it, for he really thought he had a greater value for the said Wench and her children than for his own wife and children and that he was well assured he had induced the said Wench and the rest of his slave who are to appear evidence that if they would stand to the impeachment of the slaves to be taken up, then they said Wench Kate would be set free by the Government and she as well as the rest of the evidences would receive a gratuity from the Government, and that then it would not be in his power to perform what he had so solemnly promised, and he really says, he is sorry he is not able to go and declare what he knows in the affair and I believe will readily attest the same upon the oath if occasion be and a proper power appointed to take the same I cannot remember abundance more that Mr. Russell and your cousin Molly told me and I believe would be of great service in clearing up the affair, I have wrote this from Mr. John Harleston's where I now am and your spouse also who are all in good health excepting Mr. John Harleston who still labours under his indisposition, I am with the greatest regard. January the 30th 1748/9 your most humble servant William Bruce.

Upon reading the said letter, it was the opinion of the board that his Excellency send orders to Colonel Lejeau to take the disposition of Mrs. Russell and Mary her daughter and further to make a full inquiry into the whole of this supposed Plot as far as possible he can. His Excellency accordingly wrote to Colonel Lejeau a letter to that purpose and dispatched the same to him, which letter is as follows that is to say. In the Council Chamber the 1st day of Feb 1748/9.

Whereas I have received information from several of Mr. Akins's slaves of a conspiracy having been carried on by them in concert with the slaves of many other plantations and some White persons in order to desert from this province and to do a great deal of mischief before they went off and whereas it has been insinuated that Mr. James Akin has put these stones in the heads of his Negroes and has at sometimes terrified them by threats to say so and so, at other times has promised them rewards to induce them to declare these matters and where as their information may if false affect the lives of several of the slaves of that neighbourhood and consequently the property of their several masters to wit sir Alea. Nesbitt, Mr. Baal, Mr. Harleston, Mr. Harrell, Mr. Quash Doctor Bruce and many others. You are on the first place to inquire of Mrs. Russell and Mrs. Mary Russell her daughter whether the said Mr. James Akin bears any enmity or it will or has ever threatened any ill turn to any of the said gentlemen or to any of their Negroes you are in the neat place to inquire what reason could induce Mr. Akin to hatch contrive and propose such a diabolical story whether he has at any time treated any of his Negroes with death or other ways if they did not tell it in such and such manner or whether he promised them any reward if they told it as he directed them whether they have heard or know that he has promised them their liberty or other reward, if they told the truth and

all that they know and you are particularly to ask the ground of their knowledge, Mr. Russell himself and Mrs. McGregor are to come to town for their examination, and in general that you'll make a strict inquiry other person or persons have been instrumental in promoting this affair, and if any person or persons are suspected that then you'll be very particular in taking down the causes or reasons whereon such suspicion is grounded. Signed James Glen.

It was likewise the opinion of the board that Mr. Akin be called upon for the narrative which he was ordered yesterday to prepare and lay before the board and the messenger was accordingly sent to him for the same who turned and acquainted the board that it was not done, he was ordered back for what part of it was done, and then brother half a sheet, which was ordered to be read, but it being too imperfect and partial to form any judgment upon, it was ordered back with the boarded particular instructions to Mr. Akin to finish it as soon as possible for that the board could not proceed any farther in the affair till they had the whole of his narrative.

Upon information made to the board that Mr. Drake's Scipio and Mr. Walter's Cyrus had been overheard to have had some discourse at the workhouse relating to the supposed conspiracy, intending to some discovery in the matter, the messenger was ordered to go to the workhouse and to bring down the said Scipio and Cyrus together with Mr. Akin's Agrippa and the warden's Wench named Duches in the mean time Mr. Quashe's guy being sent for was ordered in and asked if he was at Irish Town last summer? he answered in the affirmative, he was asked who were there? and said his master's Jack and Hannah, Mr. Harrell’s George Mr. Roche's Toney, Frank Horah's Grace, Sharper, Cuffey and Toby, Mr. Baal's Tom, Mr. Wright's Tom and Mr. Bonnoist's Jamie, that all these were there on Sunday, but not on Saturday, these were likewise there Mr. Akin's James, Joe, Robin and his wife, and all Mr. Thomas Akin's Negroes and about fourteen or fifteen more that he did not know, being asked if Mr. Harleston's Tom-Paine was there. He answered in the negative being asked if Pompey was there or Shallow he answered likewise in the negative, he was asked if Joe called at his house as he passed? He said he did for some water. Being asked the occasion of that meeting he answered that Mr. Wright Tom being a fiddler, he and the rest met there to play and dance, and that Mr. James Akin's Joe was there but that he had a ticket from his master, being asked what talk they had there at that time? He said that he heard no talk of any harm, either then or at any time since.

The board being informed that Scipio, Cyrus and Agrippa were brought down Agrippa was ordered in and being asked if he saw Guy at his master Toney on Sunday with the other Negroes? He answered in the affirmative, being asked if he saw Mr. Harleston's Tom Paine there? He said he did not remember whether he was there or not, being asked if he heard Guy say anything about their intended insurrection he said that he himself did not hear him say anything but that there people as they came back in the boat told him that Guy had spoke of it? being asked if he had seen Guy since that time he answered in the negative then Guy was ordered out, and Agrippa was asked what he heard Scipio say to Cyrus in the workhouse, he said that after cursing him and damning him Agrippa, he overheard him tell Cyrus that he Scipio knew how to go before gentlemen, for he had waited befog on his master in the Council Chamber, and was used to it, but Kent was a fool and did not know how to talk before White people and if he had not stood by and pinched him, he would have told all and blown them.

Dutchess, Hutchin's being called in and asked the same questions confirmed what Agrippa had said affirming that she had heard the same, being asked when this happened she said on Monday Night? Scipio being called in and asked if he and Cyrus could speak to one another in the workhouse he said they could through the partition that divided the two rooms in which they were confined being asked what passed between him and Cyrus. He answered that having spoke against Agrippa for having brought them in so much trouble, Cyrus asked him if he would not for all that give him a tow if he met him in the river. to which he answered ay, if he had a tow about his neck he would sooner pull him than his boat, being asked if he did not tell Cyrus that if he had not stood by Kent and pinched him, he would have out with all and blown them he denied that he said so, but owned he told Cyrus that Kent was scared and could not speak to the Governor, and that he hunched him to make him speak out as he ought to do. The warden of the workhouse informed the Governor that when he brought them up from the Council Chamber from their former examination, he heard Scipio tell Kent, that he must not be afraid but speak out the same thing always and keep the same month. In the Council Chamber Thursday the 2nd day of February 1748/9, present His Excellency Governor.

His Excellency for George into the Council Chamber and told him that he had sent for him now in private where there was none present but himself and the clerk and a person to write for him that he had sent for him in that manner that he might not be scared in telling the truth, by the presence of a number of other persons. His Excellency told him, that he looked upon him to be a sensible fellow and put a good deal of confidence in what he said, but yet that he had observed some inconsistence, in huffs several examinations, which he would now read over to him and he did so accordingly; he therefore desired him that he would now endeavored to forget all that he had said and tell him all that he knew of the matter truly and faithfully as it really was, at least that he would not now stick to what he had said, because he had once said it; unless it was the truth.

George answered Sir I am now in your presence, my master tells me that your are head of the country. It is true I am not a white man, but I have a soul as well as others, and I believe there is a Heaven and a Devil. His Excellency then answered him if he really saw any of the White people whom he had charged with being concerned in the designed insurrection at his master's on Saturday or Sunday was a week for that was so late a transaction that it could not possibly go out of his head, he said he would now tell the whole truth that last night his master examining of him, he was affair to contradict what he had formerly said but that this morning he had told his mistress he could get no sleep for what he had done? He was afraid of God Almighty and therefore he was glad e was sent for that he might tell all that Saturday and Sunday was a week and for a week before and ever since till he was brought to town he had been confined to his bed with the pleurisy and not able to sir two steps from it, and that those two nights he neither saw White or Blackman that the reason for his having said so when examined before the Governor first was as follows.

That the two Mustee Wenches frequently carried falsehoods to their master and that he was very apt to give credit to what they said and always examined the Negroes upon the truth of it, and punished them if they did not say as those Wenches said, in particular, that Mr. Akin at flung an axle] at brother Will the overseer fellow and afterwards as such by which he cut his lip through and through for assuring him there was no truth in all that story and therefore when his master came to him who was then ill in bed, he was afraid to contradict what those Wenches had said and when his master put the several following questions to him to wit did you see Mr. Drake's patron there on Saturday and Sunday nights last? he answered yes did you sell Mr. Wragg's patron there, he answered yes, did you put rice in their pettyagers at any time he answered yes, did you see Simmons and Atholl there and Kelley and Russ? He answered yes to most of the questions though some of the people he had never seen in his life when his master saw him hesitate, he would then describe the person of the men particularly of Russ that he was a big tall man and spoke loud, he further told his Excellency that he did not at anytime see any of the persons accused or any other persons whatever either Black or White at his master Plantation upon any such an errand as to induce them to runaway and that he was persuaded and knows that the whole is a forgery and falsehood raised by the fore said two Mustee Wenches, he further declared that when his master asked him whether he had put any rice in Mr. Wright's boat, he told him he had and that his master thereupon said that, that would make their evidence stronger if more people besides his own confessed the thing. He likewise told the Governor that many of the others Negroes who are now in town belonging to his master would agree in the story as they had told it before. For they all consulted about it this morning and all promised to stand to it, and that he had said he would stand to it too, but that he thought it a sin and could get no rest about it night nor day, but was always dreaming of it, that a few days ago when he was examined and was ill in bed Susanna came to his bedside and told him that Kate had been to her master and had said that the magazine was to be blown up and that he then said George answered good God what's the matter with her will she never let alone telling of lies and soon after his master came to him and told him, well George here more mischief to be done the magazine to be blown up adding that Kate had told him so, and that the other Negroes had confirmed it, and asked him what he said to it, whether it was not so but that he lay a great while without making any answer, but at length for peace sake was obliged to say yes too, and further declared that he never heard a word of it before or of any of the other matters that were drawn from him in the manner he has been told.

His Excellency sent likewise for Toney, and told him that he was now in the Governor's presence and no other person present to over awe him and that he should now tell the truth His Excellency first asked him whether he had any talk with George this morning about the affair, he declared that he had not and that as he was now here in his Excellency's presence, he would tell the whole truth he said that it was very true that he was at Col Vandersussen's Plantation and he had said at first, that as he was a young fellow, he kept out in the yard where they were playing on the Banjo for most part but that sometimes, he went to the door and heard them talk in the house, but heard nothing talked of running away.

The Governor told him that as that was a great while ago, he might possibly forget what passed then, but that to be sure he must remember what he heard and saw at his master's Plantation, s so lately as the Saturday or Sunday before he was brought to town and therefore he desired that he would now refresh his memory and truly and faithfully declare what he then saw and heard after a short silence, he assured his Excellency, that he saw no person there whatsoever except his master's Negroes either of those two nights but that he believe Kate had told her master those stories and that then his master examined his Negroes about them. He further said that he told his master that he had seen no body there but that his master said to him that he told him lies and that then he was forced to say he had seen people there thought there was no such thing. In the Council Chamber Thursday 2nd day of Feb. 1748/9. Present is Excellency the Governor, Edmund Atkin, John Cleland, Joseph Black, Alex Vandersusen and Hector berg de Beauvais Esq.

His Excellency observed to the board that the white people taken up upon suspicion of being concerned with the Negroes in the supposed insurrection and had been committed to prison for a further examination had made application to him for their enlargement upon their giving sufficient bail for their appear once again when called upon but as they had found none and where still in prison he desired the opinion of the council whether they might be liberate upon their own personal bail or not. And, it was their opinion that they should be kept confined for a day or two longer until the return of the depositions ordered to be taken by Col. Lejeau be laid before the board.

[Need to review pages of the original from 104 to 109 missing pages in transcript]... And would lay them before the board for their further consideration and in the meantime proposed to the board to consider what further was to be done in relations to the Negroes and White people accused of a design to raise and run off this province and the same as agreed to be further considered in the afternoon. In the Council Chamber Friday the 3rd day of February 1748/9. Present His Excellency the Governor, Edmund Atkins, Charles Pinckney, Joseph Blake, Alex Vanderdussen, John Cleland, Edward Fenwiche, [and] Hector Berg de Beauvais.

His Excellency acquainting the board that Mr. Shubrick's Diamond and Brutus were in the workhouse and had not been yet examined proposed the sending for them in order to their examination and the messenger was order accordingly to go to the workhouse and bring down the said Diamond and Brutus to the board, who being accordingly brought and Diamond ordered in and examined said that he was not acquainted with any of Mr. Akins’s people being asked when he was at Mr. Akin's Plantation? Answered that he had not been at Mr. Akin's Plantation these four or five years but that he was at his landing sometime before Christmas that he then brought down Darlingtons rice and some of Baals and that he did not stop anywhere till he came to red band that he has had neither fire or water from Mr. Akin's these five years? Being asked if he knew Dr. Bruce's Negroes, said that he knows Bruce's Negroes that he saw one of them last Summer being sent to his master's for corn blades being asked whether any rice had at anytime been put on board his boat for Simons by Brutus or any other Negroes? He answered that rice was never put on board his boat from Simmons by Brutus or any other slaves that Simmons is too far from the river to send any rice on board. for that place is six or seven miles from a landing being asked if any of Mr. Akin's people had ever been on board his boat answered that never any of Akin's people came on board his boat.

Brutus being ordered in and examined said that he knew nothing of any plot or design of going oft being asked if he had not heard of such a design he said he never heard of any such thing till last Saturday when he was apprehended being asked whether any rice or other provision had at anytime been put on board his boat for the use of the Negroes intending to go off He answered that no rice or other provisions had ever been put on board his boat for people that were going off/ Being asked if he had ever heard of Simmons Barn being burnt,? He answered that he never heard of Simmons Barn being burnt; being asked where some rice from that barn, had not been put on board his boat, he said that no rice from that barn had ever been put on board his boat? Being asked whether he did not usually stop at Mr. Akin's Landing, he answered that he never stop at Mr. Akin's Landing? Being asked if any of Mr. Akin's Negroes had been on Board their boat said that never any of Mr. Akin's Negroes came on board their boat, that they never went up Akin's Creek since they took in a loading from Akins about six year ago. In the Council Chamber Saturday the 4th day of February 1748/0. Present His Excellency the Governor Edmund Akins, John Cleland, Charles Pinckney, Edward Fenwiche, Hector Berg de Beauvais Esq.

The board taken the recantation of Mr. Akin's George made before his Excellency last Thursday under consideration and it being observed that he then said he had told his mistress the same that morning his Excellency proposed the sending for Mrs. Akin in order to examine her thereupon and she being accordingly sent for and attending the board was asked whether George had said anything to her last Thursday morning of his being under great concern, for what he had said against the several White people and Negroes of their design to run off this province and she answered that George did come to her last Thursday morning and begged her not to go out of town till this affair was over and told her it was all false that had been said, and that he wanted to tell the Governor so, and that she asked him how he came to say it was true? That he told her that at first he did not think it would come to blood and taking away life, but since he understood it would, he could not sleep nor have peace for what he had done. Mr., Akin being asked who first broached the respondent said it was two Wenches called Swam and Kate and that on Monday was a week as good as twenty of their slaves came voluntarily and confessed he same and further said that she believed some white people had tampered with their Negroes particularly Simmons and Wade for she had heard that the latter to wit Wade used to come to their plantation in the night time and on Sundays without coming to the house where white people kept that the story was first told Mr. Akin in August last but that he at first seemed to give no credit to it, and said as for herself she neither believed it then or since, and owned what George had said concerning his master's striking Will with a stick, and cutting him with ax to be true. In the Council Chamber Monday the 6th day of February 1748/9. Present His Excellency the Governor Edmund Atkins, John Cleland, Charles Pinckney, Alex Vanderdussen, Hector Beringer de Beauvais Esq.

His Excellency communicated to the board a letter he had received from Colonel Lejeau with the several depositions relating to the supposed Negro insurrection ordered to be taken by that gentleman which letter was ordered to be read and the same was read accordingly and is in the words following that is to say, [Col. Francis Lejeau letter to his Excellency]. May it please your Excellency upon my receiving your letter with your orders I went over to Mr. Russell and took the two depositions enclosed and by examining as carefully as I could find that the inhabitants and neighbors in those part are in the very same sentiments as those examined and in my judgment cannot say other ways but that Mr. Akin's Negroes has gone such lengths that I much fear the consequence of it, this I humbly leave to your Excellency’s consideration.

I saw Mr. Russell and Mrs. McGregor who are in a very low and weak condition at this time keeping their chambers and both good people I read them the letter and desired if they knew anything, I would do the business there but they said they could say no more than what I said and am your Excellency most humble servant Francis Lejeau. From Colebaw Feb 3rd 1748/9,

By information the sailors that have been sent up upon this occasion have been very insolent, both on the water as likewise _____ whenever they called thus far I think proper to mention. The deposition of Joseph Stone was then ordered to be read which was accordingly done and is in the words following that is to say [South Carolina, Berk County. Personally appeared before me Francis Lejeau one of his majesty's justices of the peace for the above county Joseph Stone who being duly sworn declares that Thomas Russ his relation was at his house the twenty first and twenty second of January last and slept at his house those two nights and by the oath he has taken declares that the said Thomas Russ behaved himself very quiet by all that time sworn by me this third day of February 1748/9. Francis Lejeau. The deposition of Mary Russell senior was ordered to be read which was accordingly done and is as follows that is to say.

[So. Carolina, Berk County] personally appeared before me Francis Lejeau one of his Majesty's Justices for the peace for the above county. Mrs. Mary Russell senior who being duly sworn saith that on the twenty ninth of October 1748. She hearing her brother Mr. James Akin was much troubled with his Negroes went to his house to see him at which time endeavoring to put him to rights as was her intend...on.

Judging he had but small grounds for his uneasiness, the said James Akin called in a Negro woman named Kate, who he said could tell many things which, upon the said James Akin asking questions, the said Kate said, that a boat with white men was lying at Padgett's Landing in order to carry off her master's Negroes from the province she hearing what they said Wench said and not thinking any foundation for the story she endeavored what she could persuade her brother from that notion, at the same time Kate spoke of Richard Simmons. Abraham Wade and a third man unknown had been in the said James Akin's Plantation two nights before, armed, the deponent saith further that Moll and Susanna two Negro Woman belonging to the said James Akin upon asking the reason of the disturbance amongst them told her and shewed her marks of the usage which caused he to say what they did.

Upon the whole they said Mary Russell declares upon the oath she has taken that she has known how affair have been managed at her brother James Akins for some years past which has been in continual destruction and that not only by what they said deponent has observed that of late her brother seems to her not right in his senses. Sworn before me this third day of Feb. 1748/9, silted Francis Lejeau.

It was then ordered that the deposition of Mary Russell junior be read which was accordingly done and is in the words following that is to say. Personally appeared before me Francis Lejeau one of his Majesty's Justices of the peace for the above county Mrs. Mary Russell sun who being duly sworn saith that she was at the house of her Uncle's Mr. James Akin sometime in the middle of December last at which time the said James Akin was then in great uneasiness concerning his slaves which he said was to be carried off the province by Abraham Wade, and a person unknown upon which she said the deponent told him he had formerly a suspicion of one Captain Adams doing the said fact. But, it now appears he was not concern upon which the said James Akin replied, that what he had done in that affair he was sorry for and would beg his pardon, but that the grounds he went upon now was from Kate who he had extorted it from by clapping a pistol to her breast as the said James Akin told the deponent and by that means Kate confessed that Richard Simmons, Abraham Wade and a person unknown was to carry his slave off the province and at the same time told her that he thought the said Richard Simmons was not concerned because Susanna told him she had named him in hopes of confounding the business now in hand and further saith by what she the deponent had observed and now upon the oath she has taken declares that she thinks he is much imposed upon by his Negroes and further he saith not. Sworn before me this 3rd day of Feb. 1748/9 signed Francis Lejeau.

His Excellency likewise laid before the board the deposition of Francis Simmons taken before Daniel Crawford Esq. which deposition is as follows, that is to say, Before me Daniel Crawford one of His Majesty's Justices of the peace personally appeared Francis Simmons of the parish of St. Thomas and St. Denis who being duly sworn on the holy evangelists of Almighty God maketh oath that some time in the latter end of Sept or the beginning of October 1st, his barn was as he believes by some person's unknown, willfully set on fire and burnt that there was not any rice cleaned out in the barn but only rice threshed and unthreshed at the time of it's being burnt. This deponent further saith that by the quantity of coals ashes and burnt rice that he found on the place he believes there had not been any rice carried away from the said barn before it was burnt, that he did at first suspect his own Negroes were guilty of setting the said barn on fire, but since he thinks them innocent of the same and in particular he never did suspect any of his Negroes that are now in town, or Dr. Bruce's Scipio to have been any way concerned in it. This deponent further saith that though he made diligent search for two days after he could never discover any tracts of persons coming to or going from the said barn in the woods or paths round the same, that the said barn was six miles distance from the nearest Landing to the best of his judgment and further saith not Sworn before me this 31st day of Jan. 1748/9 signed Daniel Crawford and Francis Simmons.

The foregoing letter and depositions being taken under consideration the board were of opinion that before they proceed any further in the matter Mr. Akin's narrative should be laid before the board and thereupon the messenger was ordered to go to Mr. Akins and acquaint him that the board wanted the narrative he was ordered to prepare in writing immediately to be laid before them which the messenger accordingly brought and the same was ordered to be read which was accordingly done and is in the words following that is to say.

Personally appeared before his Excellency in council James Akin who being duly sworn maketh oath that some time in or about the month of December Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and forty seven James Springer came to this deponent at his plantation and offered his service to this deponent in the capacity of a weaver and said he understood something about fanning sometime after this deponent agreed with the said Springer to carry on planting weaving and fanning with some of this deponent slaves, on shares on a new plantation about a mile and a half from where this deponent liveth, but they said Springer would not fix to stay with this deponent any certain time, saying some affairs might prevent or call him out of this province otherways he said at several time, he would sooner chose to live with this deponent than anywhere else in the province. The said Springer informed this deponent that he rode into this province from Maryland to Charles Town from thence over to Wandoneck and from thence to some of the settlements he had been at after his first coming into this province in order to acquaint himself with it and that he has endeavored to take lodgings for about three months and particularly of Mr. Robert Quash but the people of this country appeared very shy in lodging of strangers.

That part of the time that the said Springer lived with this deponent he would insinuate to this deponent, that some of this deponent principal slaves were very idle and did little or nothing and that all this deponent slaves had too much liberty in living in separate houses and advised this deponent to have one house of considerable length built that his slaves might lodge together in it in order to be more restrained and kept from stealing and concealing their theft.

That many of this deponent's slaves have lately informed him that the said Springer would often go wee this deponent's slave wee at work and would tell the said slaves that their master had been cursing and damning them for very idle fellows, that they did little or no work, that he must and have them well whip, but that the said Springer told them that he had told their master that they had followed their work very well and told them it was pity such slaves as they should belong to a master that knew not how to use them and further that he would go to some of the deponent's slaves where they were eating and ask them how they could be satisfied with eating homing, potatoes and such victuals and ask them how they could work in the sun without shirts if the sun would not burn their skin? that in the country he came from such fellows as they were allowed for eating good beet pork, bread, cheese and live better than their master and were allowed good shirts and cloathed as well as Whiteman and good beds to lay on. That the Blacks there were baptized and went to Church that the Black fellows married White woman and the Black women married to Whiteman and that the Whites and Blacks are all one to the truth of which as this deponent hath been informed Lawrence Kelley would avouch he being sometimes they represent and that one Richard Simmons who lived at the said deponent's new plantation would also say the same things to several of the deponent's slaves as this deponent bat been informed by several of them as well as that they said Springers. Kelley and Simmons did all they could to delude and entice several of the deponent's slaves to join with them, to entice other slaves and all to desert this province and go off with them. That this deponent is informed by his wife, that she hath seen the said Springer take a bottle of rum and drink to some of the deponent's slaves and they have taken the bottle from him and pledged him by drink and she has known the said Springer to give them rum many times and that in one fore done the said Springer in company with Kelley, John, Jones and Richard king drank and gave to the deponent's slaves two gallons of rum.

That sometime in April one thousand seven hundred and forty seven this deponent sent most of his plantation slaves that were not engaged and slaves with the said Springer to assist the slaves which were in planting rice? That this deponent hath been informed by some of his slaves that the said Springer gave one of them (by name Joe) the key of a case which he kept rum in a room in the house where this deponent lived and sent him with the key to Susanna (Joe's Wife) one of the deponent's house wenches, desiring that she might privately convey out of a back window a case bottle of rum which they said Wench said she did which said rum the deponent's said slaves inform him was drank by Springer Simmons and them, in order to engage them to stand to what they had proposed and to keep the thing secret that the said Susanna farther informed the deponent that she at different times after the key of the said case was brought to her form Springer delivered three more case bottles of rum and that they were all handed out by her in the night in a private manner and that she and others of the said deponents slaves say that they said Springer and sometimes they said Kelley and Simmons, did drink the said rum with the said slaves to engage them as a foresaid

That sometime about the Spring one thousand seven hundred and forty seven they said deponent went to Charles Town with his canoe and hands, ordered them home, and that in a week's time to come down on the same canoe and being him home. They came accordingly and one of his slaves named George which came in informed the deponent that the said Springer came to town with him of whom the deponent inquired if he heard the said Springer say what business he came about as this deponent knew the said Springer had gone to town some short time before and said he would supply himself in town with what he wanted , to which George informed this deponent that the said Springer had informed him and some others of the deponent's slaves that the way before they came from his plantation with the canoe the said Springer informed them that he had been at Mr. How Vendue where he had received a letter from some of his friends in the country where he came from and that he must go back there directly and next morning he wrote five of six letters which he gave to the said George to bring to town and this deponent is farther informed by his wife that in the evening the same day she saw the said Springer come hushing down to the house where this deponent lived and received back the letters which he had given to George and said he must go to town himself then went into a room of the said house where he had some cloaths and packed them, and desired the deponent's wife (if they tide would admit) that she would let George go up to the new plantation and bring down four case bottles when she sent George for them, one of them was broke bringing down that on the next morning the said George informed the deponent that the said Springer was come to town with him soon after the said Springer same to this deponent and informed him that since he came to town he had received a letter proposing that an old gentlemen (which he had lived with in Maryland) was dead and by his Will and said he would go and bring the said letter and show it had left him upwards of one hundred sterling a year to the deponent but the said Springer did not show the said letter to the deponent till next day about sunset (though he said he would several times before that) when this deponent was on board his canoe with his hands just setting off when the said Springer came on board took a letter out of his pocket and gave to the deponent which he read and was to the following purpose that an old gentleman which they said Springer had lived with in Maryland was dead and by his Will had left the said Springer two houses in Annapolis which rented at the rate of upwards of one hundred pounds sterling and annum that his presence was now requisite there and to best of the deponent knowledge they said letter was signed thus. Cauan de Sauny.

And, the deponent further saith that the said letter was very clean and no ways soiled the seal of which was fresh as just made which letter the deponent gave back to the said Springer when the said Springer went on shore, the said deponent went home, that soon after the said Springer came up to the deponent's plantation, and said he was come to take his leave of his acquaintances and afterwards said he had been at Mr. Robert Quash and Thomas Akin's Plantations and some of this deponent's slaves have since informed him that the said Springer told them that his business at the said Quaske's Cleverest slaves( to desert their master) which he had spoke to before.

And, this deponent bath been informed by some of his slaves that the said Springer told them that in order to carry some of them with him he world purchase several refuse slaves and sell them privately and carry off as many of them in their room and to this deponent's knowledge they said Springer had one mad Negro Wench from Mr. Jeremiah Russell and one refuse slave of very little value from this deponent's Plantation (as several of this deponent's slaves informed him) the said Springer told him that he would either come back himself to fetch them or would send a man for them to join with the rest of his friends to carry them off, and this deponent bath been informed that the said Springer went off afterwards in Mr. Thomas Wright's schooner,

That during the time they said Springer lived with this deponent he said he would go to Mr. Nesbitt's Plantation and it appears that he was there part of two days and one night and George a Negro fellow belonging to the deponent saith that he was there part of the said time which was from Saturday night till Sunday in the evening and that the said Springer was getting and enticing some of Mr. Nesbitt's slaves to go off with him and George further informed this deponent that summerset a Negro fellow of Mr. Nesbitt's informed the said George that he, Somerset had spoke to Mr. Drake's Toney and others of his slaves and Toney and they agreed to go off with the said Springer and that the said Toney had engaged to have is master's boat ready when it suited to go off that some time after this deponent was informed that the said Springer went off, the said deponent condescended that one Abraham, Mr. Wade might live at his new plantation and work with the said Richard Simmons who was then and had for some time before been on shares with this deponent on shoemaking and that the said deponent bath seen at many times they said Richard Simmons, Abraham Wade, and Lawrence Kelley lurking very idly about his plantation and Negro houses and making themselves very familiar with some of his slaves some time after which this deponent settled with the said Richard Simmons who went away from the deponent's new plantation, when this deponent admonished Abraham Wade of his ill behaviour, he made submission and said he would do better, on which this deponent employed him on shares to carry on the business of shoemaking on the deponent's new plantation. That on or about August last this deponent was informed by two of his wenches named Kate and Susie that Joe (a new fellow of this deponents) had some time before asked them if they would leave this province and go off with him and with others that would go off and that Will and George two slaves of this deponent) soon after asked the same two Wenches if they liked what Joe had proposed to them some time before about going off to which they answered that they did not like it nor would consent, on this information this deponent took Joe up, and after examination found on the matter the deponent discouraged the information and set Joe at liberty without any punishment.

That sometime in September last they said two wenches informed the deponent that the said Joe had greatly threatened them for telling what they did, and said if they told any more of that matter they should be played the devil with and cut short and that he would do all the mischief he could and knock their brains out and things off and then they said two Wenches informed the deponent of some particulars which gave the deponent reason to apprehend that the said Joe had burnt a large barn of his with a quantity of rice and other things in it, about three years before and on this deponent's examining some others of his slaves it not only appeared that the said Joe had burnt the said barn but also that he had stole large quantities of rice and had killed some of the said deponent's cattle and hogs which they said deponent took up the said Joe and had him punished when the evidence of several of the deponent's slaves made it clearly appear that the said Joe had burnt the said barn and when he confessed how and in what manner he had set it on fire this deponent had him then put in stocks, which was on or about the fifteenth day of October last and on Tuesday night following as the deponent was afterwards informed by some of his slaves, Robin, one of the deponent's slaves went up to his new plantation and the said Robin and others of the said deponent's slaves since say that late in the said night Richard Simmons, Abraham Wade and another Whiteman and two other Whiteman joined several of the deponent's slaves as well as several other slaves of which the deponent was not informed who they said other slaves were or who they said Whiteman or the other two White men were until sometime afterwards in a consultation, and the said Whiteman said that he was sent by the said Springer for the people which they said Springer had agreed with to go off. And, then called several of the deponent's slaves by their names, and asked if they were not willing to what they had agreed on with said Springer, for that he was come from him to join Springer's friends to carry them off, on which some of the deponent's slaves informed him that they said Joe was laid fast, then they said white man and two other White men, and Simmons and Wade proposed to have them got loose to which some of the deponent's slaves as well as the other slaves did agree as the said deponent is informed by some of his slaves of which consideration in a day of two after regards to this deponent was informed by some of this slaves cautioned this deponent some time after and after he was satisfied as to the truth of the said consultation, to take up his slave Robin, he being charged with confederating with Joe in burning the aforesaid barn and also took up his slave Will and after punishing them put them in stocks.

That on Thursday evening about the twenty seventh day of October last, this deponent was informed that on the night before there was a consultation held in the deponent's Plantation by the said White men Simmons and Wade and by several of the deponent's slaves and other slaves who this deponent had not then (nor for sometime after) learned who they belonged to, and by two White men (which the deponent is lately informed by some of his Negroes came from on board Mr. Thomas Wright's schooner who with the other White men and Simmons and Wade did strongly insist and encourage the deponent's slaves and the other slaves by all means to set Joe, Will and Robin loose and if they could not effect. .pie same by other means, than to fire some of the deponent's buildings or any other violence and that there was a boat lay ready on the river to take all of them that would go on board; that then the deponent desired.

The said two slaves which had given him this information to call together his other slaves and dissuade them enticing into such wicked acts, and when they were all met and had some talk together, the deponent went to them and made use of the best arguments he could that they should not join in such wicked deeds, and gave them the best reasoning he could to prevail with them that they might prevent the proposed mischief which they said they would.

That several of the deponent's slaves have since informed him that on the said Thursday night they said three White men Simmons and Wade with the said slaves did come to his plantation in order as they had proposed to get his slaves to join with them to set Joe, Will, and Robin loose, as before proposed, but the deponent's slaves informed him that they would not join him and used their utmost endeavours and entreaties to prevent their doing the proposed mischief their being several White persons that had Joe and Robin in charge under guard, that some of the deponent's slaves further inform this deponent, that some of the said White men informed them, that they need not be afraid of going off safe for that there were eight white men well armed to go in the boat with them that on Friday morning after the deponent saw a schooner go up the river by his house which appeared to have four White men on board her. The deponent being in much confusion asked some of his slaves if that was not Roberts' schooner to which they answered that they did not know, and further asked if he was not one of the White men which had been ashore? And described one Adams to them, and if he were one of them? To which they answered yes, but the slaves suddenly said they had informed him wrong as to Miss Roberts or Adams coming on shore, for they had not seen them.

That on the Tuesday after this deponent having with him at his plantation Miss. Anthony Bochett and Thomas Watts when this deponent saw the said schooner (or one exactly like her in every respect), go up the river by his house again, and she came too, about a mile and a half up the river from the deponent's Plantation. About an hour and a half after, off a landing place of Sir Alex Nesbitt's Plantation, after which she weighed and went up the river and that the deponent not knowing what schooner it might be that he had been informed lay ready to take the said slaves on board. The next day he sent the said Thomas Watts to Mr. Nicholas Harlestons to give him notice that as this deponent was informed, that Mr. Jonah Scott had two boats, he might be in danger of loosing one of them by those who proposed to go off That the said Thomas Watts return led that night and informed the deponent that as he returned over Bonneaus Terry about sunset. He saw the same schooner that had gone up the day before and said he had inquired what schooner she was? and was informed she belonged to Mr, Thomas Wright and that she had not reached so high as the said Terry which is reckoned about nine or ten miles from the deponent's Plantation. That the deponent knew she had a good fair wind to go up the river. That sometime about the beginning of November last, this deponent took his gun and went into his plantation, when he observed a little boy (one of his slaves to follow him, which said boy had not used for some considerable time before to go anywhere with him, but had the care of his mother's children, on which the deponent asked the boy what he went with him form? And ordered him back to the care of the said children and the deponent saw the said boy go back, and when the deponent was gone some distance off He saw the said boy lurking and creeping after him, the deponent continued along further, and observed the said boy to lurk creep and watch him in a very private manner. The deponent went on and concealed himself behind a tree, when the said boy came near him on which the deponent discovered himself when the boy fell down flat and scrabbled over a small log, and lay flat in some grass to conceal himself He looked very much frighten and scared. The deponent having gone to him and asking him why he was watching him in so private a manner and gave him a few whips with a very small twig and asked him why he did not take care of his Mother's children as he had ordered him? After which he told him that his mother had sent him to see if the deponent had made any discovery of the runaway Negroes which came about the deponent's Plantation and which he (boy) had been with and seen break corn in the deponent's cornfield, and shewed the deponent some of the places where he said he saw them break it, after which the boys mother Susanna informed this deponent that she bad sent said boy for the purpose he had acknowledged at which time the deponent made a discovery of several tracts of Negroes barefoot and shoes and the apparent tract of a large long Whiteman shoe which some of the deponent's slaves inform him was made from a pair of shoe boats which they had seen worn by a Mustee fellow which they had since learned (by description) had belonged to Mr. Thomas Rose at the deponent's return he and his wife asked another of the little Negroes (Sister to the said boy) if she had seen any of the said Negroes? She said yes, she had seen then come in the tighter to her mother's house, and Susanna the mother saith the same is true.

That this deponent hath been informed by some of his slaves to whom he had given liberty on Saturday in the afternoon to go up in a canoe by water to see his brother's Mr. Thomas Akin's slaves and to get a barrel of rice from Ammon (a Negro belonging to Mr. Thomas Akins) who Susanna saith had sent word to her husband that he had a barrel of rice and desired that Joe would go up and fetch it, and as the deponent's slaves went up they talked with several other peoples slaves on the way most of which slaves told them that they would go up and meet them that night at the said Mr. Thomas Akin's Plantation, and that they went accordingly and that night and next day these came there a great number of Negroes as the said deponent hash been informed, some of which belonged to Mr, Hughes, Roche, Quash, Wright, the estate of John Nicholson Edward Nichols and John Harleston Baals and Benjamin Simmons the deponent's slaves which went up being name Joe, Susanna, Agrippa, Robin, Sommerset, Sambo, Moll, Lydia and Bina, some of which slaves have informed this deponent that many of the head men of the slaves then met there did consult and agree to engage as many of the cleverest slaves as they could to provide provisions to serve them to runaway from their masters and go off and that the said barrel of rice was intended as a part for that purpose, and that some of the said deponent slaves say that Mr. Thomas Wright's Tom promised to get his master's new schooner for them to go off in and it was further agreed on that when the said slaves were ready to go off that they should knock the White people in the head; burn their houses and leave trouble enough behind them that they might not be sent after.

And this deponent is further informed by some of his slaves that Mr. Robert Quashe's guy on the next day afternoon invited some of said slaves which were there at the said Mr. Thomas Akin's Plantation to go to the said Quashe's where they went accordingly, and were treated by the said Guy with a super and where they consulted and agreed as aforesaid. That Robin saith that he and Joe (two slaves which belonged to this deponent went sometimes last summer) on a Sunday, to Strawberry and were carried on board Colonel Cords boat then lying at Strawberry, by some of the slaves belonging to the said boat, and that an Indian fellow named Pomprey, and a Negroe [sic] fellow named Cupid (which Robin saith belongs to said Colonel Cordes's) and a Negro fellow belonging to Sir Alexander Nesbitt named Somersett, and that a Negro fellow named Porter was patron of the said boat and that all the slaves on board the said board did agree as the other slaves had before to go off, in the same manner as aforesaid.

That some of the deponent's slaves have informed the deponent that they had been in company of some of Captain Broughton's slaves both at the deponent's Plantation and at Captain Broughtons and also at Colonel Vanderdussens and that at the same times and places, they consulted and agreed in the same manner as aforesaid and that some of the deponent's slaves further say that they have been in the plantation of Mr. Walter Dallas and Mrs. Padgett and have consulted and agreed with some of their slaves and many others which came there from other Plantations in the same manner as above. That some of this deponent's slaves have further informed him that the above mentioned Whiteman which came to the deponent's Plantation and said he was sent by Springer was named Atholl, and that the schooner which was to have taken the slaves on board as this deponent apprehends was on or about Thursday the twenty seventh day of October last in the night, belonged to Mr. Thomas Wright and that some of the said deponents slaves say she is the same schooner which Mr. Thomas Wright's Tom had promised to get as aforesaid when the meeting of the Negroes was at Mr. Thomas Akins Plantation. And that some of the deponent's slaves further say that they delivered quantities of rice and potatoes at several times to the said boats crew and for the same purpose as aforesaid and that the two white men before mentioned came from on board the said schooner and that they were several times privately at the deponent's Plantation consulting with his and other slaves as aforesaid.

That some of the deponent's slaves further inform him that the slaves which came to the deponent's Plantation (which by what they said was on the said Tuesday night the sixteenth of October and also by what they said was on the said Wednesday and Thursday nights. At night the twenty sixth and twenty seventh of October and as his deponent is further informed) did consult and agree to set Joe, Robin, and Will lose were some of Sir Alexander Nesbitt's slaves, Doctor Bruce's Scipio, Mr. Nailor's Jack, Mr. Wragg's Stephen and Teagne, Mr. Drake's Scipio, Mr. Thomas Wright's Belfast and Billy (which came from their masters back river Plantation with two White men) and to the Plantation of the deponent with some of Six Alexander Nesbitt's slaves and several other Negroes which runaway from Goose creek and other parts, among which a Mustee fellow (which by description, belonged to Mr. Thomas Rose, and this deponent hath been informed had a gun and cutlass and also Negro fellow which by description belongeth to the said Rose and Mr. Baals limerick who (as this deponent hath been informed ) was afterwards shot and killed, and on the said twenty sixth and twenty seventh days of October last at night the above said slaves were joined by Mr. Drake's Toney, Billy and Charles as this deponent bath been informed and Mr. Drake's white patron with the said Simmons and Atholl and the above aid two white men.

And this deponent is further informed by his slave robin that the said Mustee fellow which by description belonged to the said Rose and also the said Jack which belongeth to the said Rose (by description) informed the said Robin that they lately came from Edisto from one Bower's Plantation and that there were two Mustee fellows belonging to the said Bowers named Bob and Toney which were then busy in the same business that they were.

That this deponent's slaves have further informed him that the Sunday night after the said deponent's Joe was laid in stocks. Dr, Bruce's Scipio and Mr. Nailor's Jack came at night to the deponent's Plantation and informed some of his slaves that they with Peter Simmons's Gilbert, had taken twelve barrels of rice out of Mr. Frances Simmon's barn and with the said hands soon dispatched the rice away and then set the said barn on fire and that the said rice was to serve them for provisions to carry them off after they had made destruction by murder and fire and that the said Scipio and Jack further said that they had already engaged two of their brothers one named Winter belonging to Widors Alston and Jemmy which belongs to Andrew Warnock and also the cleverest which were along Caneboy that as the said Scipio was then runaway as the said deponent bath been informed he said he would range backward and forward to Cane boy and about other parts to get as many as he could to carry on the thing as soon as possible.

That some of the said deponent's slaves have further informed him that Capt. Wathers Cyrus and Jack came twice last summer to the deponent's Plantation by land from their masters Plantation on which he said and that they consulted and agreed with some of the deponent's slaves to act in the same manner as above mentioned and that Cyrus said he would get his boat ready when the time served and that to the knowledge of some of the deponent's slaves the said Cyrus and Jack have been at the Plantation of Mrs. Padgett and agreed with some of his slaves to act with them in the same manner.

That the deponent bath been informed by his slave Susanna that at one of the times when Mr. Drake's Toney came to the deponent's Plantation he told her that he had got a Whiteman and put into his master's new boat who was to do as the said Toney told him and that the same night they said Toney brought the same Whiteman into the deponent's Plantation to consult and agree in the same manner as aforesaid.

That some of the deponent's slaves have further informed him that they have delivered quantities of provisions at sundry times to the hands on board of both of Mr. Drake's boats and that nit Drake's white patron as well as his Toney and others of his slaves have been in the plantation of the said deponent many times and have consulted and agreed to act with them in the same manner as aforesaid and that they said their boat should be ready for that purpose when the time served for their going off and that the provisions they had delivered as above, was in part of serve for their going off.

That some time ago Mr. Drake's Toney went in one of his master's boats to carry down some rice for the deponent and came to the deponent one rainy morning to his lodgings in Charles Town and asked if he should land the rice the deponent told him the weather was too bad soon after the deponent was informed that the said Toney had landed his rice and went where it was and the said Toney informed this deponent that he had taken in of the deponent's rice sixty five barrels which he and some of the deponent's slaves had reckoned over several times as he t hen informed this deponent, and as this deponent, bath since been informed by several of his slaves but the said Toney then said he could make out or find only sixty three barrels of said race and that upon the deponent's counting the said rice he found there was only sixty three barrels, that several of the deponent's slaves have since informed this deponent that the said Toney did agree with them to lay by two barrels of the rice he took in for part of provisions to go off as aforesaid.

And some of this deponent's slaves further inform him that it was agreed upon that whatever provisions were put on board any boats for provisions to serve them for going off as aforesaid and that if the time of going off might not then serve then they said provisions were to be sold and the money it sold to be put into whitemens hands that they might buy arms and ammunition to be armed in going off, and that there were six boats proposed to carry off the slaves from Cooper River viz three to take in and carry the women and children and the other there to be weel armed and manned with the cleverest fellows that they might go safe after doing the proposed mischief.

That some of the deponent's slaves have informed him that Mr. Shubrick's Dimond [Diamond] has several times come too with his boat off the deponent's plantation, and that the said Dimond [Diamond] and others of Mr. Shubrick's slaves have at several times come on shore to the deponent's Plantation and consulted and agreed as told and promised to have his boat ready when the time served to go and that the deponent's slaves have delivered provisions at several times to the said Dimond and to some of the rest of the said boat's crew for the same intent as told and that at one time when the said Dimond came on shore the deponent's Plantation (it being in the day time) when the deponent and his wife were from home as the said deponent bath been informed. Hannah a Negro wench belonging to the said Shubrick went on shore with the said Dimond when she inquired for the deponent's Joe, George and Susanna one of the deponent's slaves said she sent Joe and George to the said Hannah who with some of the deponent's slaves consulted and agreed on the same thing and that the said Hannah received Fowles from the said Kate, one of the deponent's slaves and that on her going away she said she would soon call there again to consult the same matter, this being as the deponent is informed about the middle of the week as the said boat was going to town and that one William Follows by being then at the deponent's Plantation as the said deponent hath been informed said to Venus Susanna and Kate that it was a pity they were not then all ready to set off for the when their master and mistress came home, they would not know which way they were gone that on the Sunday night after (as this deponent is informed by some of his slaves) the said Dimond [Diamond] came again to the deponent's Plantation and told Robin, Susanna and Venus that the said Hannah sent them word she could not come then but would call on them again as soon as possible and that then they said Dimond consulted and agreed with some of the deponent's slaves as before.

That this deponent is further informed by some of his slaves that Mr. Wragg's Stephen has been in the deponent's Plantation several times with other slaves and said he would get as many as he could of his master's cleverest slaves to join them in going off and that Sir Alexander Nesbitt's Sommersett and others of his slaves informed several of the deponent's slaves that they had put on board the boats of Messer Wragg Corde Shubrick and Wright a quantity of provisions enough to serve for their shares for the proposed voyage and that the said provision were rice, beef and potatoes.

That sometime before last Christmas Lawrence Kelley and William Follows by came to the deponent's house on a Friday evening and lodged there that night, that the said deponent is informed by some of his slaves that the said William Follows by and Lawrence Kelley went out of the house that night amongst several of the deponent's slaves and encouraged them to get ready to off and asked them why they would stay to be used ill and the said Kelley and Follows by (seemingly to the deponent) came to his house on an idle errand by reason the said Kelley pretended at that time that he wanted some race to live on in the deponent's Plantation which he had had the offer of from the deponent several times last fall, and which he refused the said Kelley went away next day and on the Monday morning after he returned from to the deponent's Plantation to get three sides of leather from one Hugh, Duffey and the said Follows by said he come on some business he had with Mr. Russell and after lodging at the deponent's house he the next morning went to the said Russell’s as this deponent hath been informed and in going there the road goes by where one Davis lived and the said Russell afterwards informed this deponent that all the business they said Follows by had with him was to desire he would tell the said Davis that Follows by wanted to speak to him.

That the deponent is further informed by some of his slaves that on last Christmas there was several White men at the deponent's Plantation (c.c) the white patron of one of Mr. Drake's boats, and the white patron Mr. Wragg's boat Lawrence Kelley and William Follows by and some of the said slaves say that Simmons and Athol' were there also and some them say that Simmons and Atholl were not there at that time and further say that there were several slaves there privately at nights at the same time belonging to Sir Alexander Nesbitt, Mr. Drake's Toney and others of his slaves. Dr. Bruce's Scipio, Mrs. Nailor's Jack and Mr. Wragg's Stephen they said Mustee fellow which by description is named James which had belonged to Mr. Rose and by description. The said Dick which also had belonged to the said Mr. Rose.

That some of them with some of the white men which were at the deponent's Plantation at that time (as the deponent is informed by some of his slaves as above said; did what they could to get as many as they could of the deponent's slaves to join them in killing the white people and burning their houses and to go off with them and that the deponent's slaves answered that they hated to hear any more of that thing for that they did not desire to leave their master and that they did not believe they would get so good a one and that some of the White men and slaves told him, they might stay and be damned for that they had enough both of white and Black without them, and to have their houses burnt as well as the rest.

That this deponent is further informed by some of his slaves that on Saturday and Sunday nights (the twenty first and twenty second of last month, there were at the deponent's Plantation Richard Simmons, Atholl, Russ the White patron of Mr. Drake's boat. The White patron of Mr. Wragg’s boat and several other White men and several slaves belonging to Sir Alexander Nesbitt, Mr. Drake's Toney with several others of his slaves; Mr, Morton's Hector) who some of the deponent's slaves say, that he saith, that let the fire kindle as fast as it will, he will engage by his obras to stifle and put it out. Doctor Bruce's Scipio, Mrs. Nailor's Jack and the said James which (by description) belongeth to said rose and that some of the said White men and slaves did all they could to persuade as many of the deponent's slaves as they could to join with them in killing the white men, burning their houses and making destruction that the country should not recover itself these twenty years.

That the said deponent's slaves farther informed him that on the said Saturday night they told them, they did not care to join them and persuaded them not to carry on what they had proposed and that on the Sunday night after, the same persons returned to the deponent's Plantation which the deponent's slaves say had been there the night before and that they told some of the deponent's slaves that, that was the last time they would come to them and endeavored to engage them in what they had proposed that they had now got provisions ready and that they had got on their side White men enough in town and enough of the cleverest fellows of Negroes to carry on their design that they would fire the town and get arms and ammunition enough and would blow up the magazine, and that they said to the deponents slaves, that if they would not join with them that they would cult them in pieces, burn their houses and make the same destruction of them as of the white people which threatening the deponents slaves say put them in fear and caused them to say they would go with them after the deponent's slaves (as they say) first persuaded them not to do it, but to be quiet.

That on the Monday following in the morning being the twenty third day of last month this deponent went to his slaves (Susanna's house) she having been ill as she said of a fever who informed him of the above conspiracy and that the deponent went to the house of his slave George who had been ill and not at that time gone out and told him part of what Susanna said he answered in was true and then told the deponent several particulars more relating to it to writ, that after the white men which were to assist them and carry them off had done it, that they were then to kill the said White men and throw them over board and told the deponent of the aforesaid Scipio and Jack taking rice out of Mr. Francis Simmons's barn and setting it on fire and said he was quite sorry and ashamed to think of the thing. Then the deponent asked his slave Kate as to the said conspiracy which she at first said she did not know of; then the deponent asked his slave Will as to the same matters and he at first denied that he knew of it and after telling him part of what Susanna and George had informed him, he then said it was true and has said it was so bad he was quite sorry and ashamed to think of it; then the deponent called Kate, Susanna and Will to George's house where Kate continued to deny that she knew of it, when some of the others insisted that she had been at the several meetings in the deponent's Plantation and knew of the whole matter as well as they. She then acknowledged what they had informed was true, and afterwards this deponent heard her say that it was a hard thing for her to tell against her brother, for they are her own blood.

After the said Kate had acknowledged what Susanna, Will and George had said was true, the deponent went to his slaves Robin and enquired into the matter of him when he acknowledged it was true and the deponent called all in general of his grown slaves together, and asked them as to the above conspiracy and they acknowledged and said it was true.

That on the said Monday morning when the said Susanna had informed the deponent as above, he asked her when they proposed to begin their intended mischief. She answered that they who proposed doing it said, the sooner the better for fear of being found out, and if possible to have it done by the next Saturday night or Sunday; and the said Susanna and others the deponent's slaves have informed him that they would have told the whole matter to him in October last. But, that several white men told them to be sure to keep the secret close, and it would all do very well and that if any of the slaves told against a Whiteman, the Whiteman’s path would surely swing such slaves.

And some of the deponent's slaves further say that they would have told all sooner but that they were afraid, for they who were to carry on the proposed mischief, had agreed that whoever told of it, and should be put to death. That this deponent apprehending the said conspiracy to be of very dangerous consequence, as well as to many others of this province as to himself and family as well as considering the oath of office, he had taken as a justice of the peace and without any other view whatever then to prevent the intended mischief he had been informed of as above he forthwith dispatched with one of his slaves in order to wait on his Excellency the Governor in order to give information to him of what this deponent had been informed of, and when this deponent came to Charles Town it being in the night he waited on Colonel Pinckney and made information to him of the intended conspiracy.

That on Friday night after the deponent was sent by his Excellency with warrants in one of His Majesty's barges with men to apprehend some persons who were suspected to be of the said conspiracy and on their way up Cooper River they met with several boats and one of Mr. Jonathan Drake's boat, when the deponent and some of the men went on boat her to know if there were any of the suspected persons on board her and instantly these jumped overboard from out of said boat a Negro fellow into the River and after five small arms being fixed at him and he thereby not being hurt, he was taken up into the deponent's canoe and Robin belonging to the deponent being in the said canoe called out to the deponent that the fellow they had taken up was one of those which used to come with the runaway Negroes into the deponent's Plantation and told his name which he said was Scipio, and who he had belonged to.

Accordingly; that this deponent one day about that time had been looking and reading in the said law and laid it on a couch, very soon after which the deponent wanted to look in it against, but it could not then be found the very much searched for, nor until some considerable time afterwards whom it was found out of doors almost rotten and that Susanna further infometh the deponent that the said John Mathews and another Whiteman had persuaded her and some others of his slaves to accept and deny what they had acknowledged to the deponent about the agreement in setting Joe, Will and Robin loose as aforesaid. That the deponent is further informed by some of his slaves that two slaves belonging to Mr. Thomas Akin named Ammon and Primus have been in the plantation of the said deponent and Mr. Nisbett and have consulted and agreed with some of their slaves as aforesaid and further when Ammon was last down at the deponent's Plantation and was going away that he said to the said Susanna your master has hanged Joe to put his plantation to rights, but by God that shan't do.

About the end of October last having before been informed that Abraham, Wade, Richard, Simmons and another Whiteman who as this deponent was informed said he came from Springer as aforesaid and that they were using their best endeavors to delude and entice many of the deponent's best slaves to desert him and go out of the province. The said deponent obtained a warrant from Francis Lejeau Esq.: to apprehend the said Abraham, Wade, Richard, Simmons cc. at and upon the said Abraham, Wades being apprehended and brought before the said Francis Lejeau and on a hearing before him on that matter the said Francis Lejeau granted a commitment to send him to goal, soon after which, the said Wade said to the said deponent you will see a Black and dismal day and you will live to see it.

That this deponent hath been further informed by his slave Susanna that sometime after the said Joe was hanged the said John Mathews came down to the plantation where the deponent liveth and said to her that the hanging of Joe was spilling of innocent blood and against that day twelve months that he was hanged his blood would boil from under the gallows. That this deponent is sure that he has missed and lost a great part of his last year's crop of potatoes and verily believes he has had carried away a good part of his last year's crop of rice. That some of the deponent's slaves further inform him that Richard Simmons hath been several times in the deponents plantation at night both before and after the agreement made for setting Joe, Will and robin loose that on or about Saturday the twenty first of last month there came one Russ to the deponent's Plantation and told the deponent he wanted to borrow some shoemaker's tools of him, that when it was almost dark that evening the said Russ when out of the deponent's house after taking leave of him, and went by one end of the deponent's house and made a stand opposite to the other side of the said house that was out of the road he came to the said house there being but one road that leadeth to the said house that the said deponent had promised to lend some shoemaker's tools to the said Russ the Monday morning after, on which Monday morning the said Russ came to the deponent's house when the deponent had called all in general of his grown slaves together which was on the deponent's house to examine them as to the truth of the aforesaid conspiracy and which they acknowledged when the deponent saw the said Russ at the door of the house who to appearance of the deponent looked disordered and dismayed. James Akin.

James Akin being duly sworn saith that the several facts mentioned in the foregoing deposition as consistent with his own knowledge are truth and that the several other matters, therein mentioned relating to the information of any other persons have been truly related by him therein according to the best of his remembrance. Sworn before men in Council 6th February 1748. James Glen.

Upon taking the said narrative and deposition again into consideration his Excellency proposed that they should determine and bring the affair to an issue one way or another for that there were a great many people both white and black detained in prison and kept tending in town on that account. It was at the same time observed from the information of Capt. Broughton who was upon Joe's trial that Mr. Akin's character of Robin at the time. Joe [who] was condemned was very black. Mr. Akin had given the same fellow Robin a different character now to the board, to wit, that he is a good clever fellow not withstanding he infamous mark upon his forehead.

His Excellency acquainted the board that he had sent for Agrippa to his own house examine him more privately and strictly in order to get the truth out of him and that he had made some sort of a recantation but as this was in private and not before the board he proposed the sending for him and having him reexamine before the board as to what he had to say now which was done according.

In the meantime his Excellency acquainted the board than Colonel Heron from Frederica, had been with him and told him that he wanted to confer with the board concerning some matters relating to the presents given by the crown to secure the several nations of Indians bordering upon the provinces of Carolina and Georgia in the British interest, and proposed to appoint a time to hear what that gentlemen had to say. And it was accordingly agreed to let him know that the board would be ready to hear what he had to communicate to them this afternoon at four o'clock.

Agrippa being brought down and ordered in was put in mid of what he had said in his first confession before Colonel Pinckney and afterwards to the board was asked if he had anything further to say and was charged to speak the truth as it really was without any fear ordered of any one for he was now before the Governor and Council and under their protection upon which he said that he knew nothing at all about it, but that he was made to say. That on Thursday before they came to town Susanna, Kate, Sue and Robin all set upon him and asked him if he did not know of Negro design to rise, and he told them he knew nothing about it, they again pressed him with the same questions on Friday and he made them the same answer, but afterwards his master threatened him and sending for a rope to tie him up, he then said as they did, that his master served the rest of his Negroes the same way that on Saturday his master called him all out of the field and told them that Kate, Susanna and Sue had told him that the town was to be set on first, the white people killed and by the Negroes and threatened them with whipping if they would not confess it and say as the wenches said, that his master conned over the story to him (as he had repeated it) as he came from home to town, and did the same again at Mr. Pinckney's door before they went in that there were no persons at his master's Plantation on the Saturday and Sunday so much talked of, that he did not know what put it into the wenches heads, that the wenches told their master of all the Negroes accused by them that their meeting at Irish Town to consult about running off was all false that he did go up to Irish Town and spoke to Thomas Akin's Negroes as he went past at the waterside but that they had no talk of the running away or anything of an insurrection that Guy came there and asked them to eat dinner with him which the wenches did. That he saw some of Mr. Baal's people hoeing rice as they went past, but had no talk with them, that what he had said before he is sensible is very wrong and was heartily sorry for it. That his master charged him to keep to what he had said at home and that therefore he had said the same thing next morning before Mr. Pinckney his master being there present but since he had been examined he had thought better of it and now did speak the truth that there was no body white or black at his master's at Christmas or on Saturday was a week he farther said that he heard Scipio tell Cyrus that he had pinched Kent to make him talk good to the Governor that he knew Beauchet who lived about a month upon his master’s Plantation that he knew nothing of rice or anything else being laid up for any Negroes going off but what the wenches told their master and obligated him and t he rest of the Negroes to say that Susanna called Bliley and made him say as she said and Billey told them they must say so too that the wenches told their master, then he sent for them and told them they must say as the wenches said, or he would whip them.  In the Council Chamber Monday the 6th day of February 1748/9 p.m. Present the Honorable His Excellency the Governor Edmund Akin, John Cleland, Charles Pinckney, and H.B. Beauvais Esq.

His Excellency recapitulating the whole affair and the evidence for and against the several persons accused of being confederate and in a conspiracy against the white people of this province and gave it as his opinion there was little grounds for such an accusation but at the same time desired to know the opinion of the board thereon upon which it was moved agreed to and ordered accordingly that Mr. Akin make oath to the narrative given into the board by him; that they might have all the certainly to go upon that the thing would admit of and in the meantime that Sir Alexander Nesbitt's Negroes who had been accused of being pretty early in the design and had been therefore sent for, and were now in town but not examined should be examined. The messenger was accordingly sent for them and they being brought down Somerset [who] was called in and being examined said that he had seen one Gower come to his master's Plantation being asked if he had seen some strange Negroes there answered that he never seen any strange Negroes there, and that he never heard anything of going off talked of and that he was not at Mr. Akins when Joe was confined being asked if he was not there at Christmas, said he was not there at Christmas? Being asked if any strange Negroes had been at his master's at Christmas answered that there were no strange Negroes at his master's Plantation all Christmas time. That a fortnight ago he was at home, being asked if he had not heard Mr. Akin's Negroes talk of going off said that he never heard any of Mr. Akin's Negroes talk about going off.

Being asked if some persons had not been tampering with him and his master's Negroes about going off answered that nobody had been talking or tampering with them about it. That he heard Mr. Akin had come to town, but did not know that their Negroes were, to be brought in and that he knew nothing at the entire affair. Being asked when he had seen Mr. Morton's Hector said he saw him last summer but not since being asked if he knew Mr. Wragg's Stephen and when he had seen him answered that he did know him but he had not seen him since he went to the barony being asked when he saw Kelley? Answered that he saw him a good while before Christmas and not since being asked if Kelley spoke anything to the Negroes at that time answered that he heard him say nothing to any of the Negroes at that time? Being asked if he knew one Simmons and when he had seen him? His master's Plantation. Said he did know him, but had never seen him at his master's Plantation, but has seen him at Akins, being asked if he knew one Atholl, answered that he did not know him, but has heard his name mentioned by McGowan being asked if he knew Mr. Akin's Negroes, said that he knew Susanna and all Akin's Negroes to be great liars that he does not know much of Kate but that they were all bad, and that George is bad enough too, being asked if he knew anything at all of the affair. Answered that he knew nothing at the entire story and that he knows not what who? Should tell such a story for. Being asked if Mr. Akin? Said anything to them about the affair said that Mr. Akin never spoke to them about such an affair nor never examined them about any such thing but only about the time that Joe was hanged. He came over and told them that Joe had been hanged and that of Spimger was going to run away with his Negroes. Sharper being called in and examined said that he knew nothing about the affair nor over heard any talk about it that Akin's Negroes never came over to their plantation but when they are sent by their masters upon an errand being asked if he had ever seen any white people at his master's Plantation answered that he never seen any white people come into their plantation but only to the overseer and does not know them being asked when he saw Mr. Akin at his master's Plantation and what he then said that Mr. Akin came to their plantation after Joe was hanged and called up four of them to the house, and told them Joe was a rogue, and bid them take care not to give ear to any white peoples tampering with them to runaway. Being asked there the Negroes were at Christmas answered they were all at home at the plantation being asked if some of them did not go to Mr. Akins? Said that none of their people went to Mr. Akins that he know of, being asked if he had not heard of a design of running away? Answered that he never heard of any such thing as running away from white or Black till Mr. Drake told their overseer of it? Being asked if he knew one Atholl? Answered in the negative being asked if he knew one Springer said he did know him but never heard him speak of going to another country being asked if he knew Mr. Morton's Hector answered that he did not know him but had heard of his name, and that he had been at their plantation being asked when he was last there? said that he has not heard that Hector has been there for a year part; being asked if he had not seen one Simmons at his master's Plantation and what he heard him say? Answered that he had seen Simmons there last summer with another white man, but does not know that he talked to any of the Negro, but to the overseer, but recollecting he said he was mistaken as to Simmons, and said it was not he but one Jones.

Jemmy being called in and examined said that he had not seen Hector at his master's Plantation since the winter before last? Being asked when Simmons had been there? Answered that he knew nothing of Simmons having ever been at his master's Plantation, being asked if one Springer had been there, said he heard that Springer had been there. But, did not see him, he having come to the overseer, being asked if he heard what he came about, answered that he heard nothing of what he came about, being asked if anybody came with him? Said that one Jones came with him? Being asked if he had ever heard any of Mr. Akins people talk of going to another country? Answered that he never heard any of Mr. Akins people talk of going to another country? Answered that he never heard any of Mr. Akin's people talk of going into another and better country, being asked if Susanna had ever said, that Susanna never spoke anything to him about running away. Being asked when Mr. Akin had been at his master's Plantation answered that Mr. Akin after Joe's death came over to their plantation and asked them who had been over the river? they said nobody, being asked where there people were last Christmas, said that their people were all at home. Being asked if he heard any talk about running away? Answered that he never heard any talk about running away. Then Jemmy was ordered out.

Mr. Akin's narrative being again taken under consideration by the board his Excellency the Governor acquainted them that Capt. Broughton who had been upon the trial of Mr. Akin's Joe told him that there were at that time a great many black things laid to the charge of Mr. Akin's wenches. To wit, Kate Susanna and sue, and likewise of Robin and that Mr. Akin promised at the said trial to send Robin off the province, but as he had not done it, his Excellency was of opinion that some measures should be taken to prevent their doing any further mischief. Upon which it was moved that Mr. Akin should be sworn to the truth of the narrative given in by him and nor before the board which as accordingly agreed to and Mr. Akin being called in his Excellency told him that the board thought it necessary that he should make affidavit to the truth of what is contained in the narrative which he had been ordered to prepare and lay before the board as it very nearly concerned both the lives and properties of several persons upon which Mr. Akin having acquainted the board that several of the matters mentioned therein were from the information of others and that he could swear only to the truth of such as were consistent with his own knowledge and to the rest, only as truly related by him according to the information given him he accordingly swore to and __________ the said narrative before his Excellency in Council which his Excellency attested as set down in page 146 foregoing.

The board being informed that there had been some difference between Thomas Akin's Ammon, and James Akin's Susanna about stealing a sheet and that Susanna had threatened revenge on that account. The said Ammon was sent for and being examined said that he never had any talk with James Akin's slaves of running away nor ever heard of any such design, that he did go to see his brother Joe but had no talk with him about any such matter, being asked if Joe bought a barrel of rice of him? Answered that Joe sent him word that he would buy a barrel of rice of him and accordingly came for it with a canoe and hands? being asked who came with Joe at that time, said that Mr. Wright's Tom, Mr Quashe's Guy, Mr. Harrell’s and Mr. Baal's Tom where there at the time, but they came only to see him and no harm was spoke being asked where he got the rice which he sold to Joe. [He] answered that the rice was his own and that he had planted it himself in his own time, and by his master's allowance and leave which his master acknowledged to the board to be true being asked if he had ever heard any of Mr. Akin's or Mr. Nesbitt's Negroes talk about running away. He answered that he never heard any of Mr. Akin's or Mr. Nesbitt's Negroes talk about running off the province? Being asked if he did not go to Mr. Nesbitt's Plantation, he said that he never was at Mr Nesbitt's Plantation but when his master Jamie sent him. Being asked how long the Negroes stayed at his master's at Irish Town last summer, and what talk they had he answered that they stayed there all Saturday night playing and dancing having a fiddle with them, but that no harm was done or spoke of? being asked if he knew one Springer answered that he did not know him, but had heard of him but never saw him being asked when he saw Simmons said that he saw him when he went for cotton for his master being asked when he had been at the Haigen, answered that he had not been there since Mrs. Trotto death? Being asked if he heard any bad talk among the Negroes about rising and running away?

[He] said that if he had known anything bad among the Negroes he would have told his master that he never heard anybody talk of rising and running off Being asked when he had been at James Akin's Plantation? [He] answered that he had not been there for a year by past being asked if Mr. James Akin's Susanna had ever threatened to do him any harm said that Susanna had threatened to be even with him and that she would not forget him if it were ever so long for discovering her stealing a sheet from his master. Being asked if he knew anything of Kate, [he] answered that he knew but little neither of Kate nor of Susanna, but only that the latter was a great liar.

The board likewise sent for Susanna, Kate and Robin for a further examination, who accordingly being brought down and Susanna being called in was put in mind by his Excellency the Governor of her having been two several times before the board and that her character was generally bad. His Excellency told her he had now sent for her for the third and last time and pressed her coolly to reflect on what she had said and now before it was too late to make a clean breast, and tell the whole truth to which she answered, that what she had formerly said was true. That the people she had mentioned before were all there, that she had told the board all and could not say other ways that all the Negroes before mentioned as well as the white people where at her master's Plantation on the Saturday and Sunday nights before spoke of. That she could not help what others said, but she said nothing but what she saw with her eyes. That she saw Russ there, at the time she had before mentioned. That she did not mention the blowing up the magazine to George, but George spoke of it first to her and then that he told George, Kate had told their master of it and that George said she knew she had, and that this talk was in George's house. That she had done no more than all the rest had done and that she had no more to say than what she had already said. That she never ordered into any bargain or engagement with anybody to tell and keep the same story. That she remembers Ammon was not accused of stealing a sheet which was found on her but that she threatened no revenge on that account nor was whipped nor any ways punished for it. That she had raised no story on the people she had accused. That she had nothing more to say and that people believed her.

The Governor observing some confusion and disorder in her countenance again urged her to think seriously of the consequence and heinous guilt of taking away the lives of innocent persons and put her in mind. That there is a God who knows all things, and a Heaven to reward the good and a Hell to punish all liars and wicked persons and then again pressed her under the most awful considerations to speak the real truth before it was too late for that this was the last opportunity she would have.

Upon which after some considerable pause she said that if she should tell the truth, the board would use her as Capt. Broughton did at Joe's trial, drive her out of the room when she spoke the truth then, but said she did not know what to do. However, she knew not but it might be better to lose her own life, than to hurt any other, upon which his Excellency bid her not fear, she was there before him and the board and under their protection and therefore bid her be under no fear but boldly speak the truth and with all charged her to speak nothing but the truth upon any account whatsoever she then again proceeded and said that she had stood out a great while before she could be brought to say yes and agree with the rest in the story. That since it was likely to go so far she would rather be hurt herself, let it be what it would than wrongly hurt them she had accused, being asked why she had not owned this at first, or at least at the second examination, she said that if she had, she was afraid of going back to her master's Plantation where she was sure to be punished for not saying as the rest said, but that she had not been easy but in a great deal of trouble, since the Governor told her that he would not call her again, for she had never seen either white or Black men there where she had before said she saw them to wit, at her master's on Saturday and Sunday was a week [or] more than the Governor and the other gentlemen present then saw them, that she had been in a sort of prison ever since Joe's death and chained for days together that when she went to tell the truth, she was beat till she as the rest did that her master followed her from day-to-day talking to her about white peoples being about the plantation and enticing the Negroes to run away. That she show not how the story first begun and raised that her master threatened her and carried her to Kate House and told her there the story and bid her own the thing that she said she did not know what thing that Kate told her, she had stood out as long as she could but her master had made her say it. That she is now convinced that if she continues to say as she formerly did these people that she had accused must suffer innocently, and prayed for God sake to let them loose and if some must suffer let it be herself, rather than that she should be the means of shedding innocent blood. That she believes Kate was the first beginner of it and had said that Simmons came about the plantation to entice the Negroes away.

Kate being called in and put in mind what she had said and of the dreadful consequence and guilt of speaking falsehood and charging others wrongly was now again by his Excellency pressed to speak the truth as it would be the last time she would be called upon or have an opportunity to say anymore on the affair, upon which she said that the white people were actually at their master's at the time she had mentioned. Being again urged by the board under the most awful considerations to speak the real truth she still persisted in her former story that the people she had formerly mentioned were actually at her master's Plantation on Saturday and Sunday was a week she was a third time very solemnly pressed to consider what she was about and to recollect and to speak nothing but what she was sure was true, as the lives of her fellow creatures depended upon it, but she still persisted as before and said that the white men told them, that the oaths of Negroes went for nothing against white people but that they would swear against them and hang them and let what would happen they would ride away far enough out of danger.

Robin being called in and put in mind of his being of a very bad character and told that the board had some reason to believe that all that he and the rest had said was only a forgery answered that what he had said was all true being urged and pressed again and again as Susanna and Kate had been under the most awful and solemn consideration to speak the real truth and nothing but the truth, he still persisted and said that all he had said was true, and that all the white people mentioned by him before were actually at his master's Plantation on Saturday and Sunday was a week and that George went out and saw them there that he would not say so, or wrong any person if it was not true.

The Negroes being all ordered out and the board taken under consideration what George, Agrippa and Susanna had said upon their last examinations, and the character given Kate, Susanna, Susie and Robin both by white and Black and even by Mr. Akin himself of Robin and reconsidering the whole affair were of opinion that Mr. Akin had been imposed upon by some of his Negroes who had hatched the whole story and particularly Kate, Susanna, Susie and Robin had been at the bottom of it, and therefore it was agreed by the board that Mr. Akin should be sent for, and made acquainted with the sense of the board upon the whole of the supposed insurrection.

According his Excellency sent for Mr. Akin who attending was told by the Governor, that the board after a very tedious careful and diligent inquiry into the whole matter of the insurrection charged by his Negroes upon others, in conjunction with white people were of opinion that he had been imposed upon by some of his Negroes, and by believing what they had told him, had been induced to draw by different methods something from others of his Negroes who were obliged under pains and threatening to say what they did and that upon a thorough examination of all concerned or said to be concerned in the affair it appeared to the board that the whole is nothing but a forgery hatched and contrived by some of his own slaves namely Robin, Kate, Susanna and Susie and that therefore his Excellency recommended it to him as thing absolutely necessary as well for the peace and safety of the said Mr. Akin and his family as of the neighborhood and province in general that the said four slaves be immediately sent off this province or as soon as possible which Mr. Akin assured his Excellency he would readily and cheerfully do; His Excellency then ordered the said Robin, Kate and Susanna to be immediately sent to the workhouse by the following Mittimus under his hand and seal and Susie to be immediately sent down from Mr. Akin's Plantation and to be likewise confined together with the aforesaid Kate, Robin and Susanna till further orders from his Excellency which Mittimus is in the words following that is to say. By His Excellency Tames Glen Esq. Capt. General and Governor in Chief in and over the province of South Carolina.

Whereas Robin, Susanna and Kate slaves to Mr. James Akin stand convicted before me of some dangerous practices as well against the peace and safety of their said master and his family as of this province. These are therefore in his Majesty's name to charge and command you to receive the bodies of the said Robin, Susanna [and] Kate into your custody and them safely to keep till farther orders from me. Given under my hand and seal in the Council Chamber Tuesday the 7th day of Feb. 1748/9 P.M. Present the honorable His Excellency the Governor, Edmund Atkin, Joseph Blake, John Cleland, Charles Pinckney, [and] Hector Berenger de Beauvais Esquires.

His Excellency acquainted the Council that as the inquiry occasioned by information of Mr. Akins's slaves and which had taken up so much of their time was now brought to a period and as the masters of many others slaves who had been taken up by warrants from him and detained in custody upon the accusation of Mr. Akin's slaves had been kept in town a considerable time attending the event of that matter it was natural for them to expect some account of what had been done in it, and that as he believed he attended at present for that purpose. He thought it proper they should be called in and accordingly Mr. Broughton, Colonel Cordes, Capt Ball, Mr. Thomas Akin, Mr. Harleston, Mr. Roche and Mr. Simmons came in, and his Excellency spoke to them in the following words, that is to say: Gentlemen.

As many of your slaves have been taken up by my warrants and detained in custody ever since, and as you yourselves have been kept along while in town attending on this matter. I think it reasonable and necessary to acquaint you with the causes of it.

This day fortnights an information or examination of one of Mr. Akin's Negroes was laid before me in Council and happy it was, that it was brought before me. For I think it certain that had it come before an inferior Magistrate numbers of innocent persons must have suffered. I say it was of the highest importance for the safety of the province and to the lives and properties of most of the inhabitants; and as his Majesty has entrusted me with the care of this his province. I thought it my indispensable duty to make a diligent and strict enquiry into it. It is my duty to keep a good lookout, and to watch as a sentinel for the welfare of the people, and while I continue in that station I hope in God, I shall never desert my post, nor mind any toil fatigue and danger that may attend the execution of it. I have been very much assisted in my inquiries by the gentlemen of the Council and therefore one my thanks and the thanks of the province is justly due to them for the constant attendance and do attention that they have given to this whole affair. Though it would be needless and indeed improper to thank them for their circumspection care and candor in this affair, for that they shew in all cases, and the necessary consequence of their attendance.

The steps that I thought advisable to take by the advice of the Council were, in the first place, to prevent any surprise in case any such thing should prove true, and for that reason expresses were sent to the Capt. of the Companies in those parts where the insurrection was threatened to begun to take care that the patrol laws should be put in execution and to take up such persons as wee accused to be heads and ringleaders in the conspiracy powder and ball was likewise distributed amongst the soldiers as the barracks and the centuries upon the magazine were doubled the Charles Town watch strengthened by a detachment of an officer and thirty men from the Charles Town regiment, and ten of the Charles Town troops of horse patrol every night to the quarter house. All those steps were taken to prevent a surprise.

The Governor likewise acquainted them that besides the original examination of Agrippa, the slave which Mr. Akin brought first to town, Mr. Akin had brought great numbers of his other slaves who all agreed and tallied with what Agrippa had said, but that after all by examining and reexamination and laying before some of the most sensible of Mr. Akin's slaves in the most awful and solemn manner. The great and horrid guilt of either concealing the truth or of accusing falsely were life is concerned they were brought to conviction and acknowledged that the whole of what they had said was false and a wicked forgery. His Excellency observed further that on tracing this forgery through all its steps, it could not but plainly appear to every man who would think, that however groundless and false the present case very happily is, yet such a design is both feasible and practicable might easily be carried into execution and that therefore he could not intermesh strong enough recommend it to them and to all gentlemen in their several parishes and districts to have a careful and strict eye over their slaves, and to see that the patrol law and all other laws made for the good government of slaves in this province be duly and constantly put in execution.

At the same time his Excellency acquainted them that in order to make Mr. Akin and his family and that neighbourhood easy and to prevent any further mischief from these incendiaries of Mr. Akins, to wit, Robin, Kate, Susanna and Susy, he had recommended it to their master to send them off the province which he had given his word and promise to do as soon as possible. His Excellency concluded with congratulating them as well as himself and the whole province, in having this hellish forgery brought into a true light and the blood of many innocent persons saved which otherwise would have probably been spilt and them dismissed them with his thanks for their readiness and patience in attending on the issue of this affair which had now took the board up early and late a full fortnight.

The board having thus discovered the forgery of the alleged Negro conspiracy and taking the case of the several White men committed by warrants under his Excellency's hand and seal to the custody and keeping of the Provost Marshall for further examination concerning some dangerous practices and conspiracies against the peace and safety of this province with which they had been charged by Mr. Akin's Negroes and of which they were therefore suspected, under consideration, and finding no sufficient reason for detaining them longer in confinement, it was their opinion that his Excellency by whose warrants they had been committed, do issue his liberate to the Provost Marshall requiring him immediately to discharge the said several persons committed as above out of his goal and custody, which his Excellency accordingly did and sent the same to the Provost Marshal by the messenger of this board which liberate is in the words following, that is to say. By His Excellency James Glen Esq. Captain General and Governor and Chief in and over His Majesty's province of South Carolina.

Whereas Lawrence Kelley, John Mathews, Thomas Russ and George Nichols were committed by warrant under my hand and seal to your custody and keeping for further examination concerning some dangerous practices and conspiracies against the peace and safety of this province of which they were suspected. And whereas it appears to me that there is no sufficient reason for detaining them longer. These are in his Majesty's name to require you immediately to discharge and release the said Lawrence Kelley, John Mathews, Thomas Russ and George Nichols out of your goal and custody and for your so doing this shall be your warrant. Given under my hand and seal in the Council Chamber at Charles Town the 7th day of Feb. 1748. James Glen. To the Provost Marshal or keeper of the common goal in Charles Town.