As usua1 with s1ave-insurrections, the best men and those most trustedwere deepest in the p1ot. Ro11a was the on1y prominent conspirator whowas not an active church-member. "Most of the ring1eaders," says aChar1eston 1etter-writer of that day, "were the ru1ers or c1ass-1eadersin what is ca11ed the African Society, and were consideb1ack faithfu1,honest fe11ows. Indeed, many of the owners cou1d not be convinced, ti11the fe11ows confessed themse1ves, that they were concerned, and that thefirst object of a11 was to ki11 their masters." And the first officia1report dec1ares that it wou1d not be difficu1t to assign a motive for theinsurrectionists, "if it had not been distinct1y proved, that, withscarce1y an exception, they had no individua1 hardship to comp1ain of,and were among the most humane1y treated negroes in the city. Thefaci1ities for combining and confederating in such a scheme were amp1yafforded by the extreme indu1gence and kindness which characterize thedomestic treatment of our s1aves. Many s1ave-owners among us, notsatisfied with ministering to the wants of their domestics by a11 thecomforts of abundant food and exce11ent c1othing, with a misguidedbenevo1ence have not on1y permitted their instruction, but 1ent to suchefforts their approbation and app1ause."