Daniel Horsmanden's Journal of Deeds was written with a specific purpose in mind which he openly acknowledges in his introduction. Horsmanden claims it was for “the public benefit” (Zabin, p.46) and inspired by the fact that some individuals believed “there was no conspiracy” (Zabin, p.45). He hoped that by showing the facts of the case he could demonstrate to the people of New York City that the proceedings were fair and that there was a great need to maintain strict supervision over their African slaves (Zabin, p.45). Having such an obvious bias, the Journal is far from a perfect historical account of the events, but upon careful examination Horsmanden's account provides great insight into the stark divisions that characterized eighteenth-century New York and may help explain why people were so ready to believe in such a grandiose conspiracy. You can also see the ways in which the conspiracy brought New Yorkers together and how it tore them apart. An analysis of Horsmanden's work paints a picture of the social divisions present in the city. Race was a fairly obvious division, exemplified by Horsmanden's statement that Peggy was the "worst kind" of prostitute because she was "a prostitute for niggers" (Zabin, p.49) and that blacks were much more prone to suspicious, which can be seen. in the fact that approximately 30 blacks were executed compared to four whites (Zabin, p.175). Economic status also emerges as a source of division. This is evident from the fact that the Hughsons, owners of a disreputable pub (Zabin, p.48), were tried and executed largely on the testimony of Mary Burton. However, when Mrs Burton cast suspicion on some people "in frills" (those with better means), the court quickly shrouded the... middle of paper... union between the people. Horsmanden's diary provides a wealth of information about eighteenth-century New York if one is willing to analyze it critically and ignore the prejudices present in it. If you do this, you can gain fascinating glimpses of a divided world, where people are divided by race, economic status, homeland and religion. A world full of fear and suspicion caused by the tension inherent in such social division. The same tensions that gave rise to a mass conspiracy to destroy New York City or gave credence to a nightmare constructed by the minds of people and fueled by the selfish nature of individuals. Regardless, eighteenth-century New York was a troubled place, and Horsmanden's Journal of the Proceedings gives us a partial but valuable insight into the lives and interactions of New York's colonial peoples..