Social and Behavioral Sciences E-Campus

H 101 - Lab Exercise: The Denmark Vesey Insurrection (1822)

The Trial of Samuel Guifford , a free Negro and Robert Hadden, a free mulatto; both of them boys.

Evidence

John Woodworth, a white boy, testified as follows: I am 14 years old. About a week ago (subsequent to the 16th June), I heard Robert Hadden say to Samuel Guifford, he was going to join to set fire to the town, take the Magazine, and kill every white man who did not give up the country. I do not think he meant me to hear him. Robert Herron, Jefferson Campbell, and Henry Woodworth were also present.

Robert Herron, a white boy deposed as follows: I am 12 years old. I heard Robert Hadden say, that on the night they raised they would kill the Governor, fire the Magazine, and kill every damn white man who would not give up the country to the Blacks. He spoke moderately loud, and did not seem to care who heard him. Samuel Guifford afterwards repeated to me what Hadden had said.

Verdict

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

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Revised: 6 November 1999