Horsmandens Journal of the Proceedings Essays -- Analysis, Daniel Hor

Daniel Horsmandens Journal of the Proceedings was written with a specific purpose in mind which he openly acknowledges in his introduction. Horsmanden claims that it was for the public benefit (Zabin, p.46) and excite by the fact that some individuals believed there was no plot at all (Zabin, p.45). He hoped that by displaying the facts of the case he could prove to the peck of unfermented York City that the proceedings were just and that there was a enormous need to keep close supervision on their African slaves (Zabin, p.45). Having much(prenominal) an distinct bias the Journal is far from a perfect diachronic record of events, but under close examination Horsmandens describe gives a vast amount of insight into the sharp divisions that characterized eighteenth atomic number 6 new-made York and can help explain why the people were so ready to believe in such a grandiose conspiracy. unrivalled can even see ways in which the conspiracy brought New Yorkers together and how i t drove them apart.An analysis of Horsmandens work paints a stick out of the social divisions present in the city. Race was a fairly obvious division, exemplified by Horsmandens statement that Peggy was the worst sort of prostitute because she was a prostitute to negroes (Zabin, p.49) and that blacks were much more prone to uncertainty which can be seen in the fact that roughly 30 blacks were executed compared to four whites (Zabin, p.175). frugal status also shines through as a source of division. This is presumable by the fact that the Hughsons, who owned a disreputable public house (Zabin, p.48), were tried and true and executed largely on the testimony of Mary Burton. However, when Ms. Burton cast suspicion upon some people in ruffles (those of better means), the court quickly imprisoned up the ca... ...stered togetherness among the people. Horsmandens journal provides a wealth of information nigh eighteenth century New York if one is willing to analyze it critically a nd ignore the bias present in it. If one does this they catch gripping glimpses of a divided world, one where people are partitioned by race, sparing status, homeland and religion. A world filled with fear and suspicion caused by the tension inherent within such societal division. The same tensions that both gave rise to a massive conspiracy to destroy the town of New York or gave credence to a nightmare constructed by the minds of the people and ply by individuals self-serving nature. Regardless, eighteenth century New York was a fast place and Horsmandens Journal of the Proceedings gives us a overtone but valuable insight to the lives and interactions of colonial New Yorks peoples.