The Virginia Gazette Foreign News December 10, 1736

Williamsburg, Dec. 17. 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.