Social and Behavioral Sciences E-Campus

H 101 - Lab Exercise: The New York Conspiracy (1741)

The Trial of Caesar (Vaarck's) and Prince (Auboyneau's)

Charges

"Caesar and Prince were arraigned on two indictments on April 24, 1741: the one for their entering the dwelling house of Robert Hogg, of this city, merchant, on the first day of March then last past, with intent then and there to commit some felony;.... The other for their entering the dwelling house of Abraham Meyers Cohen in this city, merchant, on the first day of March with intent then and there to commit some felony:.... To each of these indictments they pleaded not guilty."

Witnesses

For the king, Mrs. Hogg, Mrs. Boswell, Christopher Wilson, Rachina Guerin, Mr. Robert Hogg, Mr. Robert Watts, Margaret Sorubiero, alias Kerry, Abraham Meyers Cohen, James Mills, Thomas Wenman, John Moore, Esq., Cornelius Brower, Anthony Ham, Mary Burton.

For the prisoners, Alderman Bancker, Alderman Johnson, John Auboyneau.

Evidence

Mary Burton deposed before the judges,

That Prince and Caesar brought the things of which they had robbed Mr. Hogg, to her master, John Hughson's house, and that they were handed in through the window, Hughson, his wife, and Peggy receiving them, about two or three o'clock on a Sunday morning.

That Caesar, Prince, and Mrs. Philipse's negro man (Cuffee) used to meet frequently at her master's house, and that she heard them (the negroes) talk frequently of burning the fort; and that they would go down to the Fly and burn the whole town; and that her master and mistress said, they would aid and assist them as much as they could.

That in their common conversation they used to say, that when all this was done, Caesar would be gvoernor, and Hughson her master, should be king.

That Cuffee used to say, that a great many people had too much, and others too little; that his old master had a great deal of money, but that, in a short time, he should less, and that he (Cuffee) should have more.

That at the same time when the things of which Mr. Hogg was robbed, were brought to her master's house, they brought some indigo and bees wax, which was likewise received by her master and mistress.

That at the meetings of the three aforesaid negroes, Caesar, Prince, and Cuffee, at her master's house, they used to say, in their conversations, that when they set fire to the town, they would do it in the night, and as the white people came to extinguish it, they would kill and destroy them.

That she has known at times, seven or eight guns in her master's house, and some swords, and that she has seen twenty or thirty negroes at one time in her master's house; and that at such large meetings, the three aforesaid negroes, Cuffee, Prince and Caesar, were generally present, and most active, and that they used to say, that the other negroes durst not refuse to do what they commanded them, and they were sure that they had a number sufficient to stand by them.

That Hughson (her master) and her mistress used to threaten, that if she, the deponent, ever made mention of the goods stolen from Mr. Hogg, they would poison her; and the negroes swore, if sever she published, or discovered the design of burning the town, they would burn her whenever they met her.

That she never saw any white person in company when they talked of burning the town, but her master, her mistress and Peggy.

Voluntary confession.--Margaret Sarinbirr, alias Kerry, declares, That she was several times at the house of John Romme, shoemaker, and tavern-keeper, and saw several meetings of the negroes from time to time; and in particular, in the month of December last past, she saw assembled there in or about ten or twelve in numer, viz.--Cuff, belonging to Mr. Philipse; Brash, Mr. Jay's; Curacoa Dick, a negro man; Caesar, Pintard's, Patrick, English's; a negro belonging to Mr. Breasted in Pearl-street, (Jack) Cato, Alderman Moore's.
The rest of the names that were in the combination I cannot remember, or their master's names. They proposed to burn the fort first, and afterwards the city; and then steal, rob and carry away all the money and goods they could procure, and was to be carried to Romme's and were to be joined by the country negroes; and that they were to murder every one that had money.
The reason why I did not make this discovery before, Romme swore them all never to discover, and swore me too; and I thought, I would wrong my own soul, if I discovered it. And that all the rest of the negroes in the city and country were to meet in one night.
All the above I am ready to declare upon oath. Signed with her mark X.

Verdict

Based on the Law, and the Evidence presented here, what do you think was the verdict?

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Revised: 6 November 1999
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