A Rumor of Revolt: The "Great Negro Plot" in Colonial New York

Davis has done an excellent job of painting a word picture of 1740s New York City, and its white residents' fears and concerns about slavery. The story of the uncovering of the "plot" and the subsequent executions of 34 people (white and black) is at one once a scholarly piece of work and an adventure tale. My only complaint was that Dr. Davis did not speculate as to the motivations of some of the white "plot leaders." Were Hughson and his wife merely tavern owners who tried to use Blacks for their own personal gain, or were they sympathetic with the plight of the slave and abolitionists 125 years before it was popular? Being a descendant of John Hughson, I was particularly interested in this question. None of my calls to Prof. Davis were returned.