elivered it to him, and he
brought me to prison. During the time I was pursued, I had many hair
breadth escapes, which your time will not permit you to relate. I am
here loaded with chains, and willing to suffer the fate that awaits me.

I here proceeded to make some inquiries of him, after assuring him of
the certain death that awaited him, and that concealment would only
bring destruction on the innocent as well as guilty, of his own color,
if he knew of any extensive or concerted plan. His answer was, I do not.
When I questioned him as to the insurrection in North Carolina happening
about the same time, he denied any knowledge of it; and when I looked
him in the face as though I would search his inmost thoughts, he
replied, "I see sir, you doubt my word; but can you not think the same
ideas, and strange appearances about this time in the heaven's might
prompt others, as well as myself, to this undertaking." I now had much
conversation with and asked him many questions, having forborne to do so
previously, except in the cases noted in parenthesis; but during his
statement, I had, unnoticed by him, taken notes as to some particular
circumstances, and having the advantage of his statement before me in
writing, on the evening of the third day that I had been with him, I
began a cross examination, and found his statement corroborated by every
circumstance coming within my own knowledge or the confessions of others
whom had been either killed or executed, and whom he had not seen nor
had any knowledge since 22d of August last, he expressed himself fully
satisfied as to the impracticability of his attempt. It has been said he
was ignorant and cowardly, and that his object was to murder and rob for
the purpose of obtaining money to make his escape. It is notorious, that
he was never known to have a dollar in his life; to swear an oath, or
drink a drop of spirits. As to his ignorance, he certainly never had the
advantages of education, but he can read and write, (it was taught him
by his parents,) and for natural intelligence and quickness of
apprehension, is surpassed by few men I have ever seen. As to his being
a coward, his reason as given for not resisting Mr. Phipps, shews the
decision of his character. When he saw Mr. Phipps present his gun, he
said he knew it was impossible for him to escape as the woods were full
of men; he therefore thought it was better to surrender, and trust to
fortune for his escape. He is a compl