of no
use. I have often understood that there is a great deal of difference in
respect of color, and I have seen it in this Court. Dawes and Brownrigg
were as guilty as I am, and these witnesses have tried to fasten upon me
greater guilt than is just, for their life has been given to them. You
have taken the blacks from their own country, to bring them here to
treat them ill. I have seen this. The witnesses, the jury, and the
prosecuting Attorney consider me more guilty than Dawes, to condemn
me--for otherwise the law must have punished him; he should have had the
same verdict, for he was a perpetrator in the conspiracy.
Notwithstanding my participating, they have sworn falsely for the
purpose of taking my life; they would not even inform the Court, how I
gave information of money being on board; they had the biggest part of
the money, and have sworn falsely. I have said enough. I will say no
more.

_By the Court_. The Court will wait patiently and hear all you have to
say; if you have any thing further to add, proceed.

_Wansley_ then proceeded. In the first place, I was the first to ship on
board the Vineyard at New Orleans, I knew nobody; I saw the money come
on board. The judge that first examined me, did not take my deposition
down correctly. When talking with the crew on board, said the brig was
an old craft, and when we arrived at Philadelphia, we all agreed to
leave her. It was mentioned to me that there was plenty of money on
board. Henry Atwell said "let's have it." I knew no more of this for
some days. Atwell came to me again and asked "what think you of taking
the money." I thought it was a joke, and paid no attention to it. The
next day he said they had determined to take the brig and money, and
that they were the strongest party, and would murder the officers, and
he that informed should suffer with them. I knew Church in Boston, and
in a joke asked him how it was made up in the ship's company; his reply,
that it was he and Dawes. There was no arms on board as was ascertained;
the conspiracy was known to the whole company, and had I informed, my
life would have been taken, and though I knew if I was found out my life
would be taken by law, which is the same thing, so I did not inform. I
have committed murder and I know I must die for it.

_By the Court_. If you wish to add any thing further you will still be
heard.

_Wansley_. No sir, I believe I have said enough.

The District Attorney rose and mov