by CP Patrick
Somehow, I can feel it. I will not be one of the slaves who gets to live. They won’t choose me to tell the story of how freedom’s not worth it. I saw it in Master Destrehan’s eyes. Disappointment. Then anger. He’s set to kill me for sure.
Charles continues, “Now those of us who will die—and I am certain as your leader I will be one of the first—we know it will be a painful death. They will make us suffer…”
“Suffering is no matter, for suffering is temporary,” a voice interrupts.
Awiti appears as she always does.
Charles looks at her with admiration. Together, they planned one of the biggest slave revolts ever seen in these parts. What they feel is more than love for each other. They share a hatred. A rage far deeper than the average slave. For Charles and Awiti, what they share is worth dying for.
“Awiti…,” Charles whispers.
“Those who endure the greatest suffering, your spirits find a way to seek retribution,” Awiti says. “For after death, there is no fear. The biggest fear is right now. Living the rest of your life as a slave. Fear of dying. Imagining the horrible things they plan to do to you. Wondering what death feels like. I say to you, don’t worry. For only in death are you truly free.”
I know I am living my greatest fear. Knowing death is coming. I can’t stop worrying. What will it be like when my life is no more? And what will my death do to Celestine?
“I’ve heard their plans.”
Awiti sits on the floor next to Charles. Both of them, upright and proud, unafraid of death.
“Charles is right,” Awiti continues. “They will leave a few of you alive to tell a cautionary tale. But most of you will die. They want to ensure this will never happen again. And once they kill you, your heads will be cut off and placed on poles.”
James lets out a long sigh. For certain, he is thinking of his wife and son. They will see his dead body on the ground and his head on the end of a stick. And that will be the memory that floods them.
I sit still thinking of my head on a pole.
“That’s right, I heard them talking,” Awiti continues in a hushed whisper. “Once they cut off your heads and place them on poles, they will line the streets from here to New Orleans. They plan to even place your heads atop the levees so all can see what is done to slaves who disobey.”
Footsteps shuffle outside the door.
“Remember,” Awiti promises us, “I will make them pay. For every one of your heads placed upon poles, I will make them suffer a hundred fold.”
And then Awiti leaves us as she always does.
Death is finally here, and nobody dares to move or talk. Our memories are flooding.
The footsteps stop, and a familiar voice calls out to us.
“I am here to get your stories. Trial startin’ soon, so you’ve got to be quick. Who’s tellin’ first?”
I need Celestine to know. Even though it was but a few hours of my life, I was free. I walked where I wanted to. Said what I wanted to say. Lifted my hands for what I wanted and not for Master Destrehan. I need Celestine to know when I die, even if they put my head on a pole, it was worth my moment of freedom.
Death is calling. Not much time left.
“Me,” I say, moving closer to the door.
I crouch down so my mouth is near the crack. I see Griot’s brown ear waiting, listening for my story. And I tell him.
* * * * *
The oral tradition is our way of keeping track of history here in the Parish. Many Negroes cannot read or write. Griots capture the stories of the people so we can retell them later. This is the story of Petit Lindor. He told me these things as he awaited trial for his involvement in the insurrection. As is the tradition, I begin at the past and come to the present. These are Petit Lindor’s final words told to me at the Destrehan Plantation on January 13.
So much I want to tell you, my dearest Celestine, but Griot got to collect stories from the others, so I can only end with these words—I love you.
Know I love you more than the life I lived until I died. Do not weep for what they do to my body. If what they say is true, I’m set to die a terrible death.
Believe I will always be with you. Watching over and protecting you as best I can. If you ever get the chance to flee to freedom, do so. Don’t be scared as we once were. Run away so your life won’t end here in this Parish.
I’m sad we will never marry or have children. I’m sad I will never see you again, at least not touching skin to skin. Don’t think I have gone mad, Celestine. I promise something within me is at peace.
Whether true or not, the thought of me living on after I die helps. For if I believe I can still live on, even as a spirit, well then, I don’t care what they do to my body.
As Charles and Awiti always say, the body ain’t nothing but a vessel for the spirit. The body is capable of breaking, of being tortured and buried. It is the spirit that cannot be tamed.
Some people, when they die, their spirits don’t pass on. No heaven or hell. They stay right here among the living. That’s what I hope to do.
Do you believe that, Celestine? Once they kill me, do you believe I can stay? That I can be near you, watching over you and loving you, but you won’t be able to see me? Won’t that be something?
Do you remember when we planned to run away, Celestine? Go off the coast of the Mississippi River? We could have made it. Swam there and been free. I remember being so scared. The fear of getting caught. The punishment.
Now I wish we would have tried. At least we would be together, whether in death or in life as freed slaves. Now, all I have are memories of you. And all you gon’ have are memories of me.
I believe James, Thomas, Hypolite, and Koock—all of us—will be found guilty. Guiau, Nede, and Etienne and Amar might too. And surely Charles will die. In the eyes of the law, no matter what I say, I am guilty. My dearest Celestine, I know they will kill me. So I tell these words to Griot only for you. I love you.
8
marsh v. marsh
PLAINTIFF: James Thomas Marsh III
DEFENDANT: Sarah Marsh
CASE NUMBER: 1857-112377
FILED: July 30, 1857
COURT: South Carolina District Court
OFFICE: Florence
COUNTY: Charleston
PRESIDING JUDGE: The Honorable Joseph Duce, Jr.
REFERRING JUDGE: The Honorable William Singleton
NATURE OF SUIT: Criminal
JURY DEMANDED BY: Plaintiff
ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF: James Paul Myruth, Esq.
ATTORNEY FOR THE DEFENDANT: Charles Roycee, Esq.
WITNESS TESTIMONY OF VIRGINIA TRIPP
JUDGE DUCE: We are preparing for the witness testimony of Virginia Tripp. Mrs. Tripp, do you understand the crimes being brought against the Defendant?
A: Yes.
JUDGE DUCE: Very well. We will start day two of this trial with the witness testimony and cross examination of Mrs. Virginia Tripp. Please remember you are under oath, Mrs. Tripp. Your witness, Counselor.
ATTORNEY ROYCEE: Thank you, Your Honor. Please state your name and residence for the record.
A: My name is Virginia Tripp. Wife of Mr. William Tripp. I reside at 425 King Street. Charleston. With my husband. At the Tripp Plantation.
Q: Thank you, Mrs. Tripp. May I call you Virginia?
A: Yes. Yes you may.
Q: Thank you, Virginia. Can you please state your relationship to the Defendant?
A: She is my younger sister. My only sister.
Q: Thank you, Virginia. I know this must be difficult for you.
A: It is. Indeed it is. Thank you.
Q: Can you please confirm for the record whether you received a letter from the Defendant on June 18? “Defendant” sounds so harsh. Let’s call her by her name, shall we? Did you receive a letter from your sister Sarah?
A: Yes. Yes, I did receive a letter from Sarah.
Q: And what did you do once you received the letter?
A: Well, I o
pened it and read it, of course.
Q: And after you read it?
A: I showed it to my husband, William. And well, he thought it best we take the matter straight to the sheriff.
Q: Okay. Thank you. We can discuss your visit to the sheriff later. And this letter I am holding, is this the letter you received from Sarah?
A: Yes, it is.
Q: Thank you, Virginia. I am going to ask you to do something. And it will be difficult. But I want you to be strong. Think about the duty you have, not only for Charleston, but all of South Carolina and other Confederate states where a respectable Christian woman may find herself in a similar situation.
ATTORNEY MYRUTH: Objection, Your Honor!
JUDGE DUCE: Sustained. Please refrain from such talk, Counselor.
ROYCEE: I apologize, Your Honor. Virginia, I am going to ask you to read your sister’s letter to the court. And I know it will be difficult for you. Please remember you are under oath.
MYRUTH: Objection, Your Honor! Does the court need to hear the letter read in its entirety as part of the witness’ testimony? Its contents are private and extremely prejudicial to the Defendant. They are merely my client’s thoughts at the time she wrote the letter. Not evidence of her planning to commit the crimes for which she is being accused. Perhaps the letter may be summarized by the witness?
JUDGE DUCE: Overruled. I believe the court, especially the jury, has a right to hear the entire contents of the letter. It has been properly entered into evidence. It may aid the jury in returning their judgment.
ROYCEE: Thank you, Your Honor. Virginia, can you please read the letter to the court?
A: Yes. It begins, “My dearest Virginia. I write this letter to you with a broken heart. I know you and Mother told me the day might come where James would show affection for one of the slaves.”
MYRUTH: Objection, Your Honor. This was merely an interpretation of the Defendant’s beliefs about her husband’s actions regarding one of the slaves.
ROYCEE: You cannot object on a document that has been entered into evidence. Counselor, if I may ask, where did you obtain your license to practice law?
JUDGE DUCE: Order in the court. Counselors, please approach the bench.
(Short recess)
JUDGE DUCE: Please continue with the letter, Mrs. Tripp.
A: It continues, “I know you and Mother told me the day might come where James would show affection for one of the slaves. I thought I had avoided the likelihood of this happening. I made sure attractive wenches were sold before they came of age. But it was not enough. I believe James has an eye for one of the slaves. And dare I say, I believe he loves her.”
(Murmurs)
JUDGE DUCE: Order. Order in the court, please.
ROYCEE: Please continue, Virginia.
A: “I have seen it time and time again on the plantation of our friends. Even with you, my dear sister. The pickaninny running about your plantation looking like William.”
(Witness is emotional.)
Q: It is okay, Virginia. Can we please allow the witness a moment to compose herself? Take my handkerchief, please.
A: Thank you. And for the record, my husband is a respectable man here in Charleston. He most certainly does not love any of our wenches. And there are absolutely no slaves looking like William running about our plantation.
Q: Thank you, Virginia. That will be noted for the record. Please continue with the contents of the letter.
A: Then she wrote, “It begins with favoritism toward a wench who is easy on the eyes. Then, before you know it, he is sneaking out of bed at night. Well, I will not stand for it!”
MYRUTH: Objection, Your Honor!
ROYCEE: On what grounds? Your Honor, this is ridiculous. The witness so much as utters two words, and Mr. Myruth seeks to object.
JUDGE DUCE: Counselor, there will be no further objections during the reading of this piece of evidence. Another unsubstantiated objection from you, Mr. Myruth, and I will hold you in contempt. The witness is to finish reading the letter in its entirety. Is that understood?
MYRUTH: Understood, Your Honor.
JUDGE DUCE: You may continue, Mrs. Tripp.
A: The letter continues, “My problems began when James and the Nicholas brothers went to the Old Slave Mart a few months back. We were in need of two young bucks and an older wench to replace Abigail. I am sure you remember Abigail went blind and could no longer serve as a chambermaid. I was quite clear to James the wench he selected needed to be older, for as you know, I have taken great care regarding this matter. As Mother warned us, a young wench can cast a spell, making their masters want them. I know now this is true.”
(Witness pauses.)
ROYCEE: You are doing great, Virginia. Please continue.
A: “Do you know James returned home with the two Negro boys as agreed and an old wench to serve as the chambermaid? And he purchased a young wench. Not any young wench. A mulatto! Those known to cast their spell! She could not have been cheap. I could tell she was well kept. Her breasts were firm and upright under her dress, tempting James. It angered me so much! And do you know James was fawning over her? He showed her around the plantation like he was giving a tour to Mayor Charles Macbeth himself.”
(Murmurs)
JUDGE DUCE: Order, order in the court, I say.
A: “I knew then she would be a problem. I told James we had all the help we needed in the house. That the young wench could work in the field picking cotton. Nonsense, James said. She was a trained chambermaid and would serve as such. But he had purchased an old wench to serve as the chambermaid, so what was the young wench going to do? Her name is Ah-wee-tee (court note: unsure of proper spelling). Is that not such a God-awful name? And James refused to change her name. Said he liked the way Ah-wee-tee sounds.”
(Witness pauses again.)
ROYCEE: Please continue, Virginia.
A: I am sorry. This is all so hard for me. Although, in my heart of hearts, I do believe I am doing the right thing.
Q: I understand, Virginia. You may continue.
A: Okay. “Do you know he assigned her to Palmetto? The only wing with the covered passageway leading to the main house. As if I were too naïve to know what that implied. She barely does any work. Only light work like running errands. When James started leaving out of bed at night, I knew he was going to her. He would come back and sleep soundly. The way I used to make him sleep when we first got married.”
(Witness pauses again.)
Q: Please continue, Virginia.
A: “One day, I slapped Ah-wee-tee, for I could hardly stand the sight of her prancing around as if she were the lady of the house. And you will not believe this, dear sister, but the wench slapped me right back.”
(Reactions from the court)
JUDGE DUCE: Order! Order in the court, I say!
A: “She looked me right in the eyes and asked me, didn’t I know who she was? Said she was someone special. Virginia, never in all my years have I experienced something like this. That wench said she was going to make me pay for what I’ve done. For my people keeping slaves. Said that I and everyone I love was going to suffer in the worst way.”
(Murmurs)
JUDGE DUCE: Order!
A: “Well, I took her words as a threat and went straight to James.”
(Witness pauses again.)
JUDGE DUCE: Please continue.
A: I’m sorry, Your Honor. I just cannot believe it. Every time I read these words.
MYRUTH: Objection, Your Honor.
JUDGE DUCE: Counselor?
MYRUTH: I am sorry to interrupt the Court, Your Honor, but I do believe I am making a sound objection. Mrs. Tripp’s outburst is prejudicial to the Defendant. Her task is to read the letter, not to comment on its contents.
JUDGE DUCE: Sustained. You may continue, Mrs. Tripp.
A: Well, I wasn’t commenting on its contents. I was saying…
JUDGE DUCE: Mrs. Tripp, please continue with the reading of the letter.
/> A: Well, all right. “Do you know James defended her? He said I had no right to go about slapping slaves for nothing. That’s when I knew Ah-wee-tee had cast her spell on him.” (Stops reading) I’m sorry. The next part of this letter is so hard for me, Your Honor. I am sorry I keep crying.
JUDGE DUCE: The court understands, Mrs. Tripp, as this is a delicate matter. Please continue when you have composed yourself.
A: Okay, I am sorry. So sorry. It goes on, “Oh, Virginia, this horrible thing I have done. You must rip up this letter and discard of it once you are done reading it. We are sisters and best friends, so I know I can trust you. I was so angry at James. And so, while he was away on travel, well, I did the most unthinkable thing. I went to the slave quarters and got Thomas—a tall, healthy young buck with the blackest skin. And well, I made him lay with me.”
