|
The
New York conspiracy or A history of the Negro plot of 1741
CD Content
A Complete Searchable Publication on CD
The
New York conspiracy, or, A history of the Negro plot: with the journal
of the proceedings against the conspirators at New-York in the years 1741-2
: together with several interesting tables containing the names of the
white and black persons arrested on account of the conspiracy, the times
of their trials, their sentences, their executions by burning and hanging,
names of those transported, and those discharged : with a variety of other
useful and highly interesting matter
New
York: Southwick & Pelsue, Horsmanden, Daniel, 1810, 393 pgs.
Preface
to 2nd Edition - 1810
The History of the Great Negro Plot in 1741, has always been a subject
of curiosity, and highly interesting to the citizens of NewYork.
Never having been republished, the work had become so extremely scarce
that it was with the utmost difficulty a perfect copy could be obtained
for the present edition.
After a lapse of nearly three quarters of a century, we look back with
astonishment on the panic occasioned by the negro plot, and the rancorous hatred
that prevailed against Oie Roman Catholics. To judge from tradition, and
the "Journal of the Proceedings against the Conspirators," no doubt can
be had of the actual existence of a plot; but its extent could never have
been so great as the terror of those times depicted. The very mode adopted
to discover abettors, by mutual criminations and confessions, tended, in
the progress of the trials, to inculpate every negro slave in the city.
We accordingly find that the number of conspirators daily increased.
As it was impossible to prove all equally guilty, the ringleaders only
were executed, and those who, to save their lives, plead guilty and threw
themselves on the mercy of the court, were transported.
The city of New York, at this period, contained a population of about 12,000
souls, of which one-sixth were, in all probability, negro slaves. Insurrections
and conspiracies were, at this juncture, frequent in the West India islands,
and great apprehensions were entertained of an invasion by the French and
Spaniards. These circumstances aggravated the horrors of a domestic plot
to such a degree, that the white inhabitants, regarding every negro slave
as an incendiary and an assassin, carried their apprehensions and resentments
beyond all bounds.
A holy hatred of the Roman Catholics was inculcated by church and state.
Our Dutch forefathers, glowing with all the zeal of the early reformers,
emigrated to this country, shortly after the emancipation of the United
Netherlands from the Spanish yoke, and festered all the rancour of their
race against papists and Spaniards. It was the policy of the English government,
after the conquest, to cherish this animosity, and those of our readers,
who were born and educated before the American revolution, will recollect
how religiously they were taught to abhor the Pope, Devil and Pretender.
In estimating this singular event in our, colonial history, the circumstances
of the times should be duly considered, before we too hastily, condemn
the bigotry and cruelty of our predecessors. The advantages of a liberal,
indeed of the plainest education, was the happy lot of very few. Intercourse
between the colonies and the mother country, and between province and province,
was very rare. Ignorance and illiberal prejudices universally prevailed.
Their more favoured and enlightened posterity will, therefore, draw the
veil of filial affection over the involuntary errors of their forefathers,
and emulating their simple virtues, endeavour to transmit a brighter example
to their successors.
New
York, April 5th, 1810
Perhaps it may not come forth unseasonably at this juncture, if the distractions
occasioned by this mystery of iniquity, may be thereby so revived in our
memories, as to awaken us from that supine security, which again too generally
prevails, and put us upon our guard, lest the enemy should be yet within
our doors.
City
of New York, 12th April, 1744 (ending paragraph of original preface) |
|
|
|
|
About Our CDs
Many of our CDs are composed of collections of
multiple texts and documents concentrating on specific regions or subject
areas. Many contain 5, 10 or more separate publications. Each CD is
truly a reference BONANZA to the home historian with thousands of pages of
research information. The age of most of these text make them
inaccessible to the average researcher. Naturally their scarcity and
fragility makes them very expensive to acquire hence often kept under lock
and key in an effort to preserve them. Unfortunately this also makes them
unavailable for public view. Our CDs are produced by scanning the actual pages
of the original text making them not only excellent resources but archival
copies available for future generations. If you could find a hard copy of any of
these books it would cost hundreds of dollars - individually worth many times the cost of a
CD. The average cost of a single
CD, containing our "theme or regional" based collections has been kept
affordable in an effort to make this information obtainable to as many home
researchers as possible.
Our CDs have become the
ultimate research tool. Having a copy on hand allows research at your leisure
and your schedule while in the comfort of your home. Additionally you can still
print individual or groups of pages as you need directly from your CDs.
Giving you the best of both old and new research techniques. Unless
otherwise noted most pdf Files are now searchable. Searchable pdf
files allow single or multiple file searches with one
search request.
Our CDs are designed to be easily
used even for those new to
computers. The opening
menu, which opens much like a web page (utilizing your browser and a link like
navigation system), is easily navigated and extremely user
friendly.
Before using our CDs please update your
Adobe Reader to the newest version available. Updates are available as free downloads at adobe.com. Our CDs now work with both
major operating systems -- Windows and MAC
OSX
|