Designs against Charleston

On July 2, 1822, officials in Charleston, South Carolina, executed a free black carpenter named Denmark Vesey for planning what would have been the most extensive slave revolt in U.S. history. Only days before the rebellion was scheduled to begin, authorities learned of the plot and arrested and imprisoned those >involved. That summer, more than a hundred black Charlestonians were put on trial for their part in the conspiracy. Thirty-five were eventually sent to the gallows.

Designs against Charleston is a fascinating and comprehensive account of the Vesey conspiracy that uses both primary and secondary sources. Until now, readers interested in the trials have had to rely primarily on a heavily censored account published in 1822. This book contains the complete, verbatim transcript of the trials. Here, published for the first time, are the words of the accused as they were originally recorded in the courtroom.

In an introductory essay, Edward Pearson examines the life and thought of Denmark Vesey, the world of urban slaves, and the impact that the conspiracy had on the lives of South Carolinians, both black and white. The book concludes with three appendixes that contain additional material on the conspiracy, including a detailed chronology of events, biographical information about the individuals involved, and a series of documents that shed light on the lives and activities of Vesey and his followers.