APPENDIX. APPENDIX I. THE author having claimed for this work that it records historical circumstances, presents the following pages, copied from the “American Archives,” in which the reader will find mentioned many of the names introduced to his notice in the course of the narrative. The trial of the life guardsman Thomas Hickey, for treason, and which terminated in his conviction and subsequent execution, brings the whole plot and the infamous plotters clearly to the reader's view; and it is, therefore chosen as the most appropriate, as well as the fullest record of events which transpired during the period when Margaret Moncrieffe was an inmate of General Putnam's house, received and treated as a member of his family. The documents now given are copied from Vol. VI. of "American Archives," and, apart from their direct connection with the author's fiction, may serve to interest, for the reason that the circumstances thus detailed before the court-martial, have only been alluded to in the most general and briefest terms by those who have written the history of those troublous times. The evidence is not presented in full, as it would occupy too much space; but the main and most prominent circumstances are here recorded, proving, beyond the possibility of cavil, the existence of one of the most diabolical plots ever conceived, and which was only defeated by Providential interposition. The names of the Provincials who had enlisted in this infamous plot had been sent on board the “Duchess of Gordon," so that with every effort, the court-martial was unable to fasten criminality on any save a few of the Royalists whose names are mentioned in the course of the trial. Corbie, Forbes, Mason, Houndling, and others, directly implicated, were imprisoned, and only released when the British took possession of the city after it had been evacuated by the Continental troops. TRIAL OF HICKEY BEFORE THE COURT MARTIAL. Col. SAMUEL H. PARSONS, Pres. Lt. Col. Wm. Sheppard, Major Levi Wells, Capt. Jos. Hoyt, Capt. Abel Pettibone, Capt. Samuel Warren, Capt. James Mellen, Capt. Warham Parkes, Capt. William Reed, Capt. Jos. Pettingil, Capt. David Lyon, Capt. David Sill, Capt. Timothy Percival. WILLIAM TUDOR, Judge Advocate. The warrant being read, and the court, first duly sworn, proceeded to the trial of Thomas Hickey, a private sentinel in his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief's Guard, commanded by Major Gibbs, brought prisoner before the court, and accused “of exciting and joining in a mutiny and sedition, and of treacherously corresponding with, enlisting with, and receiving pay from the enemies of the United American Colonies." The prisoner being arraigned on the above charge, pleads not guilty. |