| Citation |
PG-P.737.005
10-17 Mar 1736-37:11,12,21,22,31,32 (431)
A Full and Particular Account of the late Horrid Negro Plot
in Antigua, as reported by the committee appointed by the
Government there to enquire into the same. . . [2 columns
describing the principals.]
The chief measures used by the two heads, to corrupt our
slaves, were entertainments of dancing, gaming and feasting,
. . . [24 lines, a new government to be established, all
whites killed.]
The evidences of witnesses and confession of many of the
criminal Coromantees make it appear to us, that it is the
custom in Africa, when a Coromantee King has resolved upon a
war with a neighbouring state, to give public notice among
his subjects, that the Ikem Dance will be performed at a
certain time and place; and there the Prince appears in
Royal habit, under an umbrello or canopy of state, preceeded
by his officer called Vrassoo, and his marshal, attended by
his Asseng (or Chamberlain) and guards, and the musick of
his country; with his general and chiefs about him. Then he
places himself upon an advanced seat. . . [4 lines] his
musick playing, and the people forming a semicircle about
him; after some respite the Prince rises, distributes money
to the people, them [=then] the drums beating the Ikem-beat,
he with an Ikem i.e. (a shield . . . ) upon his left arm,
and a lance in his right hand, begins the dance,
representing the defensive motions of the shield, those of
throwing the lance, and the several gestures by them used in
battle. When the Prince begins to be fatigued, the guard
run in and support him; he delivers the Ikem and Lance to
the person who next dances; then is led supported to his
chair, and is seated again in state, . . . Then the same
dance is performed by several others, but without the
ceremony of being supported. Then the Prince stepping into
the area of the semicircle, with this chief General, and
taking a cutlass in his hand, moves with a whirling motion
of his body round about, but dancing and leaping up at the
same time, from one horn or point of the semicircle, quite
to the other, so as distinctly to be viewed by all . . . [26
lines] Then the ceremony of this dance is concluded by
Brassoo's cutting to pieces in the semicircle a captive
taken by surprise from the people the war is intended
against. Brassoo thro' the whole ceremony, having his face
whitened over, to prevent it being known, and drest with a
cap full of feathers, and a bundle at his back representing
a dead Negro child as the badge of office.
This shew and dance the usurping traitor, Court,
exhibited on Thursday, the 3d of October last, at about two
of the clock in the afternoon, in Mrs. Dunbar Parke's
pasture near the town, in the presence of some whites, whose
curiosity led them thither, and of a very great number of
Coromantee and Creole slaves. . . [6 lines] and a drum was
cut to pieces instead of a man, figuring by this last how
they would serve the whites when overcome. . . [24 lines]
This dance without the oath is often used in the Coromantee
Country, as an entertainment; and upon other innocent
occasions; but when attended with the oath; is so certain a
declaration of war, that the neighbouring Princes sent to
know against whom the war is intended, and according to the
answer return'd, prepare or not for their defence. . . [5
lines]
The method first proposed for executing the plot, was,
that Tomboy should procure the making of the seats at a
great ball, at which they knew all the people of note, in
the island, would be present by your Excellency's invitation
. . . [4 lines, to lay out gunpowder] and then the company
was dancing, fire was to be set to three trains, upon the
notice of firing a gun and beating a drum, which were a
notice also to the Negroe musicians and attendants (who were
to be let into the secret) first to depart: . . . [ball
delayed, secret leaked out,] Remainder in our next.
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