By secret correspondence they formed a union throughout the island, for the purpose of resistance.

This, however, was not effected for a long time, and while in process, the correspondence was detected, and the most vigorous means were used by the whites to crush the growing conspiracy--for such it was virtually.
Persuasions and intimations were used privately, and when these failed, public persecutions were resorted to, under the form of judicial procedures.

Among the milder means was the dismission of clerks, agents, &c., from the employ of a white men.

As soon as a merchant discovered that his clerk was implicated in the correspondence, he first threatened to discharge him unless he would promise to desert his brethren: if he could not extort this promise, he immediately put his threat in execution.

Edward Jordon, Esq., the talented editor of the Watchman, then first clerk in the store of a Mr.Briden, was prominently concerned in the correspondence, and was summarily dismissed.
White men drove their colored sons from their houses, and subjected them to every indignity and suffering, in order to deter them from prosecuting an enterprise which was seen by the terrified oppressors to be fraught with danger to themselves.