New York Conspiracy Trials 1741

The New York conspiracy trials of 1741 were a plot by slaves and poor whites in the British colony of New York in 1741 to revolt and level New York City with a series of fires. The conspiracy trials started off with a tavern burglary involving a slave, John Gwin who stole the goods, and a tavern keeper, John Hughson who helped dispose the goods. Then a series of fires occurred after the theft. In addition to the investigation of the tavern burglary and the series of fire, a hint from an informant lead to the Supreme Court to believe these activities were connected and suspected a citywide conspiracy. The trials targeted black and white, male and female, slave and free. The New York conspiracy trials revealed the fear of blacks, similarities between black and white, the power of class, and the …show more content…
She had the informal power of making someone or destroying them because she was a woman and because of her status. “Her status as Hughson’s servant gave her creditability as an eyewitnesses. No one could have been better placed to know what happened in a dockside tavern (15).” She testified against the others to be freed from her owner and was able to get what she wanted. “By the end of the trials, her master and mistress were dead… (15)” Higher class also had influence over the conspiracy trials. Wealthy and elites have the power of putting an end to the trials if they please. According to document 4, “Letter to Cadwallader Colden (171)” the anonymous writer claimed that the New York conspiracy trails is just like the Salem Witch trials. “At the same time, the accusers had begun to charge wealthy and elite women of witchcraft […] by 1702, the General Court had declared the trials unlawful (171)…” The anonymous writer is stating that the conspiracy trials will turn out like the witch trials, it will not end until elites are