The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a Letter from Jamaica, Feb. 2.

The Negroes here had conspired to destroy all the Whites, and had very near accomplished their Design, for they were to put it in Execution the Day after it was discovered; which was as follows: One of the chief Conspirators Wives told her Mistress, that he and her Master were to be murdered on the Morrow as they went such a Road, and then the Neighbouring Planters were to be killed, and so they were to proceed to Town, and set the same on Fire, first at one End of it, and then at the other, and as People ran in Confusion to the same, they were to be stabbed and destroyed. This no Doubt would have occasioned a great deal of Bondage, tho they had not accomplish'd their Design. The Gentlewoman being much frightened thereat, writes a Letter to her Husband then in Town, to acquaint him of the Affair, but being at Cards when he receiv'd the Letter, put it into his Pocket, and tho't no more of it 'til the next Day; the poor Lady being very uneasy in her Mind, and afraid to go out or stay at home, writes to Sir Simon Clark a Neighbour, to acquaint him of it; as soon as he saw it, he being of the Council, took Horse, and went to the Governor, where a private Council was held, and the Troop and Foot were raised, and ordered to be ready for a March next Morning, all which was carried on with Secrecy, and by Day-Light march'd to the Place propos'd for the Negroes to meet at; when they came to the Place they found a great many Negroes, took 12 or 14 of them, and continued to take more of them by Degrees; Some have been hang'd, some burnt, Some hung in Chains, and some sent off the Island.