At Hillsborough he held a court martial for the trial of the prisoners, twelve of whom were condemned to death. Six were reprieved and the other six hung, among whom was Captain Messer." The prisoners were all indicted for high treason, found guilty and condemned to death. On six of them---James Pugh, Benjamin Merrill, Robert Matear, Captain Messer, and two others-the sentence was executed on the 19th of June, 1771; the other six-Forrester Mercer, James Stewart, James Emmerson, Herman Cox, William Brown, and James Copeland-were respited until the King's pleasure could be known. (Col. Rec., Vol. 8, p. 635; Vol. 9, PP. 36, 37, 274,311-)