The New Hampshire Gazette

HARTFORD, June 21.

Prison of Newgate, June 21, 1800.

A most daring plot was this day discovered to have been laid by the convicts here, to rise upon the keeper and guards, burn the public works and gain their liberty. The particulars as far as can be learnt, are as follows:—Two of the number, by name Grubb and Tramp, having found various attempts to break, prove abortive, came to the determination of making a rush (as they termed it) they communicated their resolutions to their most enterprising associates, who after hearing their proposals, and considering their scheme as practicable, readily came into it.—It was agreed, that each, while chained at his block, should find an opportunity to take an impression. of the key that would suit his lock, by suitably moistening a piece of soft bread, and pressing the same on the outside thereof, where the key is inserted,— this object obtained, they were in possession of a sample of every key ; the difficulty was now to make those keys, as it would not be done at their forges in the presence of the officer and sentinels—to surmount that obstacle they saved part of their allowance of Pork, and unnoticed, secured the same to a part of the body where delicacy would forbid too close a scrutiny at the usual examination, and in that way they got a sufficient quantity into the caverns for the purpose of feeding lamps—in place of which tin cups were substituted. The next object was to collect all the pewter spoons in use, also the pewter buttons 'from off their clothes, out of which to cast keys, from the samples, of dough before mentioned ; they with a piece of a nail rod made sharp, cut moulds in smooth pieces of pine boards; the pewter they melted in an iron spoon by the heat of their lamps, having obtained flint and steel for striking fire; in that way in the night season, they furnished themselves with complete keys for every lock in the shop, notwithstanding they have been for a long time visited twice every night. Those keys were brought out and tried secretly from time to time, as they were completed, and deposited near their several blocks.

They had engaged a negro who run at large in the yard with fetters, and employed about domestic matters, who in consequence thereof often had access to the room of the prison keeper, to sweep, &c. to watch an opportunity and knock the priming out of his pistols, which are not worn at all times, yet kept hanging up in view. This miniature of Satan was also to watch the motions of the guards, &c. when off duty, and notice a favorable time, such as a number of them being in the chamber at a time, and their arms laid in their births or places of rest, which is the place of deposit when arms are laid by on any occasion ;-He was also if possible, to find such a circumstance or something equally favorable, at a time when the officer of the day should have left the shop, and gone for their allowance of cider, upon which he was to give a private signal, when each was to disengage himself. Two, Millard and Grubb, by names, were to seize on the sentinels, and with the assistance of the others wret their arms from them, and in case of resistance or out cry, quiet them with their hammers. That being accomplished, one party with one of the muskets, were to rush into the room of the keeper and dispatch him and the officer of the day, whom they expected to find in the cellar, as it would require considerable time to draw the allowance for such a number. The other party were to rush into the guard room, seize on the arms, if obtainable, if not, on whatever came to hand, and offer quarters to all who would tamely. submit, and descend quietly into the caverns, but in case of resistance, had all sworn to fight and conquer, or die. The business being thus completed, the arms consisting of muskets, pistols, and cutlasses, were to be put into the hands of the most resolute, with sufficient ammunition, while others were to take a supply of provisions, when the buildings were to be plundered of whatever they thought worth their notice, and the whole works set on fire—and then march off in a body in defiance of any opposition which could be supposed to present, until they had gained a favorable position to disband with safety.

Vigilance led to a suspicion, and stratagem to a discovery of this masterly plan, which was to have been,put in execution within twenty-four hours if possible, but within forty-eight hours at most. Their keys are given up, and measures taken as far as possible, to secure the public from being exposed to a similar disaster.