The trial of LOT FORRESTER, was not without interest, as he was the courier of the conspiracy, and was proved to have gone out of town, for the purpose of inducing the country negroes to join in the insurrection; his journeys were both south and north of Charleston. His zeal and perseverance in the cause were strongly proved, and there is every reason for believing that the conflagration of the city was confided, by Vesey, to him. Match-rope was found in a situation where he had probably secreted it.—He was hung on the Lines on the 26th of July.

BACCHUS HAMMETT, who was hung, also, on the 26th, did render, and was to have rendered, on the night of the 16th, the most essential aid. Before the latter period he had stolen from his master’s store a keg of powder, which was conveyed, first to Vesey’s afterwards to Monday Gell’s, and lastly to Gullah Jack, to be prepared into cartridges. On the night of the 16th he was to have slept where the arms of the Neck-Rangers were deposited, and facilitated their seizure and distribution among Gullah Jack’s corps, who were to have carried this post, as well as Mr. Duquercron’s store, in which there were 500 stands of arms, deposited for sale.

The cases of JACK GLEN, BILLY PALMER, and JACK PURCELL, are distinguished, not by any peculiar atrocity, but for the hypocrisy they blended with their crime. Their assent to the plot was distinctly shown, and it was in proof, that Vesey had recognized them all as his men. Jack Glen was a Preacher. Billy Palmer, exceedingly pious, and a communicant at the church of his master; and Jack Purcell no less devout. The case of the latter was not without its pathos, from the deep contrition he expressed before his execution; the distressing interest which his mistress is said to have taken in his fate, and the lamentable delusion under which he laboured, which is more particularly unfolded in his confession, in the Appendix marked (L.)[[12]] Jack Glen and Purcell were hung on the Lines. Billy Palmer has been respited by His Excellency, the Governor, until October next, for a commutation of his punishment to banishment beyond the limits of the United States.

The Court having used the testimony of Monday Gell, Charles Drayton and Harry Haig, very efficaciously, to the ends of public justice, reconsidered the sentences, which had been passed on them, and instead of death, sentenced them to transportation beyond the limits of the United States.

As a matter of form, Perault, John Enslow and Billy Bulkley, (who had become witnesses for the state,) were then tried on their own confessions, and sentenced to be transported beyond the limits of the United States. These individuals were important witnesses in all the apprehensions and trials subsequent to the 13th of July.

Perault gave his testimony with great fearlessness and candour, and Enslow with much composure and connexion; the evidence of both, as well indeed as that of most of the witnesses, was much appreciated by the Court, after a severe scrutiny.[[13]]

This Court, having disposed of all the cases before them, adjourned on the 26th of July.

At this stage of our investigation we were satisfied that of all the ringleaders in the conspiracy, William Garner, (who had effected his escape from the city about the 1st of July) only, remained to be punished. As information had been received of his having travelled towards Columbia, a proclamation was issued by His Excellency, the Governor, for his apprehension, in promotion of the success of which some subsidiary steps were taken by private means. On the 2d of August our wishes, relating to Garner, were gratified, by his arrival in town. He had previously been arrested at Columbia, thro’ the public spirited efforts of the Intendant of that place and Lieut. Maxcy, who overtook and apprehended him at Granby.

On Garner’s arrival, a new Court was organized for his trial, and such other cases as might be brought before them, by precisely the same means as those which had been employed on the appointment of the first; and the services of the following gentlemen secured, who were known to possess, deservedly, a large share of the public confidence.

Magistrates,
Jacob Axon,}
and} Esqrs.
G. M. Furman,}
Freeholders.
Hon. Joel R. Poinsett,
Thos. R. Smith,}
R. Y. Hayne,} Esqrs.
Col. Thomas Roper,
Col. John Gordon.