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Submitted by Sloan Mason From the Fayetteville Observer, of Sept. 14. Two of the gentlemen who went from this place to Clinton on Monday night, have this moment returned, there being no danger, though the existence of the plot is clearly established. We have procured from one of them the following statement, drawn up by himself yesterday at Clinton. It is worthy of entire reliance: On Sunday the 4th inst, the first information of the contemplating rising of the blacks, was sent from South Washington. The disclosure was made by a free mulatto man, to Mr. Usher of Washington, who sent information to Mr. Kelly of Duplin. It appears from the mulatto’s testimony, that Dave, a slave belonging to Mr. Morissey of Sampson, applied to him to join the conspirators, stated that the negroes in Sampson, Duplin and New-Hanover, were regularly organized and prepared to rise of the 4th October. Dave was taken up, and on this testimony convicted. After this conviction, he made a confession of the above to his master, and in addition gave the name of the four principal ring-leaders in Sampson and Duplin, and several in Wilmington, named several families that they intended to murder. Their object was to march by two routes to Wilmington, spreading destruction and murder on their way. At Wilmington they expected to be reinforced by 2000, to supply themselves with arms and ammunition and then return. Three of the ringleaders in Duplin have been taken, and Dave and Jim executed. There are twenty-three negroes in jail in Duplin county, all of them no doubt concerned in the conspiracy. Several have been whipped and some released. In Sampson 25 are in jail, all concerned directly or indirectly in the plot. The excitement among the people in Sampson is very great, and increasing; they are taking effectual measures to arrest all suspected persons. A very intelligent negro preacher named Davie, as put on his trial to-day and clearly convicted by the testimony of another negro. The people were so much enraged, that they scarcely could be prevented fro shooting him on his passage from the court-house to the jail. All the confessions made induced the belief that the conspirators were well organized, and their plans well understood in Duplin, Sampson, Wayne, New-Hanover and Lenoir. Nothing had transpired to raise even a suspicion that they extended into Cumberland or Bladen, except that Jim confessed that Nat, Col. Wright’s negro (who has been missing since the discovery of the plot) had gone to Bryant Wright’s in the neighborhood of Fayetteville, to raise a company to join the conspirators. The rumors respecting a large force having been seen collected together, are unfounded, tho’ there seems no doubt but that small bands have been seen. I cannot believe that any danger is to be apprehended, where the citizens are so constantly on the watch, and pursue such vigorous measures towards the offenders. The militia are assembled in ample force. We would suggest that those into whose hands this handbill may fall, to destroy after reading it. SOURCE: Duplin-Vermont Gazette, 9/27/1831 |