Letter received by Banks from William Hamilton, 4 November 1812 (Series 20.28) - No. 0007

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a Mulatto man-unless the affair be vigorously [space] His Majestys Government at home - I have [space] Mr Huggins will escape with the most perfect [space]  The unfortunate Negroe who suffred was guilty [space] thd - while owing to this court, & I really believe to this court alone, a peaceable Mulatto Man, an overseer upon an estate in the Parish of Gingerland, has been adrough the public street, eating a [Junk?] of cane, of which he had a few under his arms & was neither breaking the peace not attempting a robbery. The ball entered near his ear, & dividing the jugular vein & external carotid artery came out near the chin, penetrating a part of the lower jaw; & occasioning such an effusion of blood as must have been almost instantly fatal-indeed no blood whatever was found, except on the spot where he fell -
The perpetrator of this horrible deed has been publickly bailed, & will no doubt, if brought to trial under the present circumstances of the Colony, be acquittemitted to bail, & released from a prison which had nearly proved fatal to him, & in which he was confined upon the charge of an assault said to be committed by his shaking his fist at a white man who first threatened to cart whip him - This man has been refused, upon what grounds I cannot imagine - a copy of his committal - Such is the equal administration of Justice in this island  -  I hope you will pardon the tediousness of this desultory epistle, & allow me to remain with the highest respect Sir your very obedient & very humble Servt
William Hamilton