No. 14.
PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE NEGRO INSURRECTION OF 1736.
“His Excellency and Council to the Gentlemen of the Assembly,
“Gentlemen—
“I think fit to lay before you a remonstrance I have received from the justices who have examined into the intended insurrection of the negroes. I could not forbear remarking to this board the grateful sense I have of this great service, and have found here every member as moved as myself. I cannot doubt but the Assembly will give a public testimony of their satisfaction and acknowledgment to the gentlemen, from whose wisdom, public zeal, and indefatigable care, we found a crime of the deepest die, and of universal danger, and the public safety secured by the most criminal having been brought to justice.
“By command,
“De la Court Walsh, &c.”
“Members of the Assembly to his Excellency.
“We are extremely sensible of the zeal and integrity with which the magistrates have acted, in endeavouring to discover and punish the principal offenders in the insurrection intended by the slaves of this island, as well as of the prudence and temper with which they have proceeded in this matter; and, therefore, we shall not be wanting on our part, to testify our acknowledgment for the same, by appointing some members of our house to return these our thanks upon that account.
“Thos. Kerby, Speaker.”
The following relates to the execution of “Frank,” one of the conspirators of the Ravine:—
“Gentlemen—
“I sent you a report of the justices of the conspiracies, dated 15th instant, upon which I observed to you, that the execution of the negro “Frank,” belonging to E. Chester, Esq., had been suspended from Friday the 17th, to this 20th of December, upon some information and application to the justices; which, having been considered fully by them, he is, accordingly, this day to suffer the aforesaid sentence of death, by being burnt in Otto’s Pasture.
“By command, &c.
“Council Chamber, 20th Dec. 1736.”
In the thirtieth chapter of this work, will be found another letter from a white inhabitant of Antigua, to a friend in England, giving a fuller account of the mode of execution practised upon some of the unfortunate actors in this melancholy affair. The military strength of Antigua at this period consisted of “Monk’s Hill,” mounted with thirty guns; a fort, known as “Great Fort,” at the entrance of St. John’s Harbour, mounted with fourteen guns; and seven other batteries, with twenty-six pieces of cannon.