The Trial and Execution, for Petit Treason, of Mark and Phillis, Slaves of Capt. John Codman Part 3

_Quest._ Was any Body concern'd in the burning the Work house besides Mark and you?

_Answr._ Yes, Phoebe knew about it as well as I.

_Quest._ Where was Phoebe & Mark when you put the Coal of Fire into the Shavings?

_Answr._ The were up Garret in bed.

_Quest._ Who first proposed the Setting the Workhouse on fire? and what reason was given for doing it?

_Answr._ Mark first proposed it, to Phoebe and I; and the Reason he gave us was that he wanted to get to Boston, and if all was burnt down, he did not know what Master could do without selling us.

_Quest._ Why did you, when Phoebe pour'd Some of the Water out of the Vial into the Chocalate tell her, "her hand was heavy?"

_Answr._ I thought she pour'd in too much, more than she should I felt ugly and I wan't willing she shou'd put in so much and that he should be kill'd so quick. Mark's orders were to give it in two Doses, that was the Directions Robbin gave to Mark, as Mark told me, and Mark Said Robbin told him there was no more taste in it than in Cold Water.

_Quest._ Why did you not tell your Master or some of the Family that Phoebe had poisoned the Chocalate, and thereby prevent your Master's eating it?

_Answr._ I do not know why I did not tell.

The mark of X Phillis.

[_Examination of Mark._]

MIDDLEs.e.x ss:

The Examination of Mark a Negro Servant of John Codman late of Charlstown deceased taken by Edmund Trowbridge & Thaddeus Mason Esqrs. at Charlstown in the County of Middles.e.x the ---- Day of July Anno Dom: 1755.

_Quest._ What is your name?

_Answr._ Mark.

_Quest._ Are you a Servant or Freeman?

_Answr._ A Servant. Mr. John Codman decd: was my master.

_Quest._ How long was you his Servant?

_Answr._ For several Years before & untill his Death.

_Quest._ Do you know what occasion'd your sd. Master's Death?

_Answr._ He was poisoned.

_Q._ What was he poisoned with?

_A._ With Poison that came from the Doctor's.

_Q._ What Doctor?

_Answr._ Doctr. Clark that lives at the North End of Boston.

_Q._ What sort of Poison was that?

_A._ It was a White Powder put up in a Paper.

_Q._ How do you know that that Powder came from Doctr. Clark's?

_A._ Robbin the Negro Fellow that belongs to Doctr. Clark gave it to me.

_Q._ When & where did Robbin give you that Powder?

_An._ A Week Day night, at his Master's Barn.

_Qu._ Was there any Person present with you when Robbin gave you that Powder?

_An._ No. The first Time, the negro man his fellow Servant called him out, it was in the Evening near 9 o'Clock.

_Qu._ How many Times had you such Powder of Robbin?

_An._ Twice only.

_Qu._ When was the last Time you had any such Powder of him?

_An._ The Sabbath Day night before my sd. Master died, in the Evening after Candle Light.

_Qu._ Where was it you had this last Powder of him, and what was it in?

_An._ He gave it to me in the same Barn, it was done up in a long square in two Papers, the outtermost Paper was brown and the inermost Paper was White, as the other was.

_Qu._ What did Robbin give you these Powders for?

_An._ To kill three Pigs belonging to Quaco as Phoebe told me.

_Qu._ How long ago was it Since Robbin gave you the first of these Powders?

_An._ I can't certainly tell.

_Qu._ Was it before Robbin & you were together at John Harris ye Potters Work house?

_Ansr._ I think it was before.

_Qu._ How long before was it?

_Ansr._ About a Week before.

_Qu._ Did you pay Robbin any Thing for these Powders?