prehend the leaders in this outrageous
proceeding, the mob immediately issued a counter proclamation,
threatening with death any one who should dare to comply with the
governor's orders.

In August, 1823, an insurrection took place at Demerara, among the
negroes, which was most unjustly attributed to the efforts of the
missionaries. The principal events in relation to this affair are
detailed in the subjoined account from the Missionary Herald.

Various accounts have, from time to time, appeared in the public prints,
of the insurrection of the slaves in the colony of Demerara, and of the
condemnation of the Rev. Mr. Smith, a missionary from the London
Missionary Society, on an accusation of having been accessary to the
plot. We have collected and embodied such of the leading facts, relative
to these transactions, as have come to our knowledge.

The slaves of many plantations on the eastern coast of Demerara had
formed a conspiracy to obtain their freedom. The plot was disclosed by a
servant to his master on the 18th of August; not till the conspiracy was
thoroughly organized, and arrangements made to secure simultaneous
movements; and only a few hours before the time appointed for action.
Information was immediately communicated to the commander-in-chief, and
the most efficient measures taken; but before a sufficient force could
be assembled to resist a large body of negroes, who were immediately
under arms, the evening, which was the time for executing the first
grand enterprise, had arrived. This was simultaneously to seize upon the
whites at the different plantations, confine them in the stocks, and
take possession of their arms. This was effected on nearly fifty
plantations, containing, inclusive of women and children, 10 or 12,000
negroes. The whites, to the number of about 250, were imprisoned. In
some places an ineffectual resistance was made, and several lives lost
on both sides.

On the morning of the 19th, the governor issued a proclamation,
declaring the colony under martial law, and ordered all who were capable
of bearing arms, without distinction, to be immediately enrolled. The
most vigorous measures were pursued; and in the course of a few days,
after several skirmishes, in which a considerable number of negroes lost
their lives, the insurrection was subdued.

A court martial was then constituted, and many of the negroes brought to
trial, condemned and executed. Subsequent accounts state that more th