s, and it was presumed by the
writers that he did so on business connected with the conspiracy, which
I consider altogether probable. He had certainly thrown himself into the
movement with might and main. We know, that its direction absorbed
finally his whole time and energy. "He ceased working himself at his
trade," so ran the testimony of a witness at his trial, "and employed
himself exclusively in enlisting men."

The number of blacks engaged in the enterprise was undoubtedly large. It
is a sufficiently conservative estimate to place this number, I think,
at two or three thousand, at least. One recruiting officer alone, Frank
Ferguson, enlisted in the undertaking the slaves of four plantations
within forty miles of the city; and in the city itself, it was said that
the personal roll of Peter Poyas embraced a membership of six hundred
names. More than one witness placed the conjectural strength of Vesey's
forces as high as 9,000, but I am inclined to write this down as a gross
overestimate of the people actually enrolled as members of the conspiracy.

Here is an example of the nice calculation and discretion of the man who
was the soul of the conspiracy. It is contained in the testimony of an
intensely hostile witness, a slave planter, whose slaves were suspected
of complicity in the intended uprising.

"The orderly conduct of the Negroes in any district of country within
forty miles of Charleston," wrote this witness, "is no evidence that
they were ignorant of the intended attempt. A more orderly gang than my
own is not to be found in this State, and one of Denmark Vesey's
directions was, that they should assume the most implicit obedience."

Take another instance of the extraordinary aptitude of the slave leaders
for the conduct of their dangerous enterprise. It illustrates Peter's
remarkable foresight and his faculty for scenting danger, and making at
the same time provision for meeting it. In giving an order to one of his
assistants, said he, "Take care and don't mention it (the plot) to those
waiting men who receive presents of old coats, &c., from their masters
or they'll betray us." And then as if to provide doubly against betrayal
at their hands, he added "I'll speak to them." His apprehension of
disaster to the cause from this class was great, but it was not greater
than the reality, as the sequel abundantly proved. Let me not, however,
anticipate.

If there were immense difficulties in the way of recruit