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Foreign News
October 15, 1789
The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A slave insurrection plot in St. Pierre, Martinico, was discovered on August 30, 1774 (inferred from letter dated Sept. 6). Negroes planned to burn the town and massacre whites; 40 plotters arrested and to be executed.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 6.
Extract of a letter, dated Dominica, Sept. 6.
'This day week the most diabolical design that ever was formed, was discovered in Martinico.—It was an insurrection of the negroes, who were that night to have set fire to the large and beautiful town of St. Pierre; while the white people were all in confusion, and striving to escape the flames, they were to be butchered indiscriminately—man, woman and child. The combustibles were laid in upwards of 100 houses, (consisting of hemp dipped in turpentine.) The plot was not discovered until 5 o'clock in the evening, when a negro belonging to an old lady, stung with remorse on thinking that he must murder the woman who had brought him up from a child, discovered it to her. The troops being thereupon assembled, 40 of the negroes were taken, armed with a hanger and long knife; the instruments which were in a few hours to have put a period to the existence of upwards of 2000 people. All the inhabitants have been under arms ever since, as they are afraid the negroes will attempt to rescue the 40 who are in gaol: but this week they will all die on the rack.'
Extract of a letter, dated Dominica, Sept. 6.
'This day week the most diabolical design that ever was formed, was discovered in Martinico.—It was an insurrection of the negroes, who were that night to have set fire to the large and beautiful town of St. Pierre; while the white people were all in confusion, and striving to escape the flames, they were to be butchered indiscriminately—man, woman and child. The combustibles were laid in upwards of 100 houses, (consisting of hemp dipped in turpentine.) The plot was not discovered until 5 o'clock in the evening, when a negro belonging to an old lady, stung with remorse on thinking that he must murder the woman who had brought him up from a child, discovered it to her. The troops being thereupon assembled, 40 of the negroes were taken, armed with a hanger and long knife; the instruments which were in a few hours to have put a period to the existence of upwards of 2000 people. All the inhabitants have been under arms ever since, as they are afraid the negroes will attempt to rescue the 40 who are in gaol: but this week they will all die on the rack.'
What sub-type of article is it?
Rebellion Or Revolt
Colonial Affairs
What keywords are associated?
Martinico
Slave Insurrection
St Pierre
Plot Discovered
Negro Revolt
Execution Rack
Where did it happen?
St. Pierre, Martinico
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
St. Pierre, Martinico
Event Date
This Day Week Before Sept. 6 (Ca. Aug. 30)
Outcome
40 negroes arrested and to be executed on the rack; plot foiled, no massacre occurred
Event Details
Insurrection plot by negroes to burn St. Pierre and butcher white inhabitants discovered by a remorseful slave; combustibles in over 100 houses, armed plotters captured by troops; inhabitants armed against potential rescue.