Thomas L. Holt et al., to Council President Edmund Jenings, 24 March 1709.

Honble. Sir:

Persuant to an Order of ye Honbl: In Councill, Dated the 20th: Instant Directing ye Examination of Severll: Negro and Indian Slaves, Concerned in a Late Dangerous Conspiracy formed and Carried on by great Numbers of ye said Negroes and Indians Slaves for making their Escape by force from ye Service of their Masters and for ye Destroying and cutting off Such of her Majties: Subjects as Should oppose their Designs We the Subscribers have accordingly proceeded to ye said Examinations (a Coppy of wch: is herewith transmitted) and have punished and Discharged all Except Mr. William Edwards Scipio Mr. Joseph Jno: Jackman's Salvadore and Tom: Shaw Belonging to Mr. Samuell Thompson who we are of Opinion, are the Principal Contrivers and most remarkable in ye aforesaid Conspiracy who do still Continue in ye Goal of this County till further Ordrs: from your Honr:  as to the Probabillity of ye Testimony it Appears to us very Clearly from the Evidence that we have taken that Scipio and Mr. Samuel Thompsons Peter who is now Outlawed were the first and Chief promoters of that wicked and pernicious designe their Behaviour as well as that of Tom: Shaws having allways been but more Especially for some Little time past very rude and Insolent.  As to Salvadore he has been a great promoter and Incourager in perswading of 'em to ye probability of Effecting their Designe and in promising of 'em his Assistance therein. We are

March ye 24th:
1709:

Yor: Honrs:

Most Obedt: humble Servts:

Tho: Holt

Nathl: Harrison

Wm. Edwards

Wm. Cocke

Ethd Taylor.

Colonial Papers, Record Group 1, Library of Virginia.