Bacchus Hammett, whose master kept the establishment. In Mr. Duquercron's
shop there were deposited for sale as many more weapons; and they had
noted Mr. Schirer's shop in Queen Street, and other gunsmiths'
establishments. Finally, the State arsenal in Meeting Street, a building
with no defences except ordinary wooden doors, was to be seized early in
the outbreak. Provided, therefore, that the first moves proved
successful, all the rest appeared sure.

Very little seems to have been said among the conspirators in regard to
any plans of riot or debauchery, subsequent to the capture of the city.
Either their imaginations did not dwell on them, or the witnesses did not
dare to give testimony, or the authorities to print it. Death was to be
dealt out, comprehensive and terrible; but nothing more is mentioned. One
prisoner, Rolla, is reported in the evidence to have dropped hints in
regard to the destiny of the women; and there was a rumor in the
newspapers of the time, that he or some other of Gov. Bennett's slaves
was to have taken the governor's daughter, a young girl of sixteen, for
his wife, in the event of success; but this is all. On the other hand,
Denmark Vesey was known to be for a war of immediate and total
extermination; and when some of the company opposed killing "the
ministers and the women and children," Vesey read from the Scriptures
that all should be cut off, and said that "it was for their safety not to
leave one white skin alive, for this was the plan they pursued at St.
Domingo." And all this was not a mere dream of one lonely enthusiast, but
a measure which had been maturing for four full years among several
confederates, and had been under discussion for five months among
multitudes of initiated "candidates."

As usual with slave-insurrections, the best men and those most trusted
were deepest in the plot. Rolla was the only prominent conspirator who