| Citation |
VGW(PA.736.025
10-17 Dec 1736:41 (20)
By Capt. Joel, master of a vessel, lately arrived from
Antigua, (but last from Bermuda, ) we have an account, that
the Negroes in Antigua had conspired to rise and destroy all
the white inhabitants there, last October, and intended to
put their horrid design in execution, on the King's birth-
day, at night, whilst the general of the island, (Col.
Matthews, ) was entertaining the gentry with a ball; and for
that end, had contrived 3 barrels of gunpowder under the
house where the ball was to be; and whilst they were in the
midst of their mirth, they were to set fire to the powder
and blow them up, the noise of which was to be the signal
for the neighbouring Negroes, to the number of several
hundreds, who were ready armed, to come and surprize the
town, destroy all before them, and even to secure the
vessels lying there: And that they might effect their
wicked purposes the better, they had chosen and crowned a
King, who it seems was a very sensible fellow had been
taught reading, writing, and arithmetick, and was the best
qualified every way to command them. But providentially,
the wicked scene was discover'd, by a Negro woman, who
overheard their consultations, and discover'd it to her
mistress; she did not at first regard it, but upon the
woman's repeating the story, she told her husband, who, upon
search, found the 3 barrels of gunpowder under the house
where the entertainment was to be on the King's birth-night:
Upon which, His African Majesty, and several other of the
ringleaders, were taken up, try'd, and executed; the former
was broke on the wheel, and the rest hanged; and they are
all now quiet.
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