Source: Amy Notes (ID702)
Author: Howard, Amy (ID633)
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Content id: 26780
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This is something Mend would do from the Yamassee and even SA
This is something Mend would do from the Yamassee and even SA
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Description of slaves cabaling in Charleston
Date Created: 2023-10-12 20:56:17
Source: Black Majority (ID 127)
Author: Wood, Peter (ID 93)
Content_id: 5080
The following description, printed in the SCG for 9/17/1772, is worth reprinting in full even though it falls outside the chronological limits of this study. It was one of a series of essays on SC by an author who signed himself "Stranger" and who expressed concern over the lax enforcement of the Negro Act of 1740, particularlly the clauses regulating the unauthorized comings and goings of slaves: "The STranger had once an opportunity of seeing a Country-Dance, Rout, or Cabal of Negroes, within 5 miles distance of this town, on a Saturday night; and it may not be improper here to give a description of that assembly. It consisted of about 60 people, 5-6th from Town, every one of whom carried something, in the manner just described, as bottled liquors of all sorts, Rums, Tongues, Hams, Beef, Geese, Turkies and Fowls, both drest and raw, with many luxuries of the table, as sweetmeats, pickles &c. (which some did not scruple to acknowledge they obtained by means of false keys, procured from a Negro in Town, who could make any Key, whenever the impression of the true one was brought to him in wax) besides other articles, which, without doubt, were stolen, and brought thither, in order to be used on the present occasion, or to be concealed and disposed of by such of teh gan as might have teh best oportunities for this purpose: Moreover, they were provided with Music, Cards, Dice, &c. The entertainment was opened, by the men copying (or taking off) the manners of their masters, and the women those of their mistresses, and relating some highly curious anecdotes, to the inexpressible diversion of that company. Then they danced, betted, gamed, swore, quarrelled, fought, and did everything that the most modern accomplished gentlement are not ashamed of; except breaking of lamps, abusing the watch, adn wht is commonly called beating up of quarters, which would have endangered their own safety. They had also their private committees; whose deliberations were carried on in too low a voice, and with so much caution, as not to be overheard by teh others; much less by teh Stranger, who was concealed in a deserted adjacent hut, where teh humanity of a well-disposed gray headed Negro man had placed him, pitying his seeming indigence and distress. The members of this secret council, had much the appearance of Doctors, in deep and solemn consultation upon life or death; which indeed might have been the scope of their meditations at that time. Not less than 12 fugitive slaves joined this respectable company before midnight, 8 of whom were mounted on good horses; these, after delivering a good quantity of Mutton, Lamb, and Veal, which they brought with them, directed associated with one or other of the private consultators; and went off about an hour before day, being supplied with liquor, &c. and perhaps having also received some instructions.--The Stranger is informed, that such assemblies have been very common, and that the company has sometimes amounted to 200 persons, even within one mile's distance of this place: Nay, he has been told, that intriguing meetings of this sort of frequent even in Town, either at the houses of free Negroes, apartments hired to slaves, or the kitchens of such Gentlemen as frequently retire, with their families, into the country, for a few days; and that, at these assemblies, there are seldom fewer than 20 or 30 people, who commit all kinds of excesses. Whenever or wherever such nocturnal rendezvouses are made, may it not be concluded, that their deliberation are never intended for the advantage of the white people? (SCG 9/17/1772) (Wood BM 343) AN513