Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-11-26
From the Philadelphia Press.
THE FAMOUS NEGRO PLOT OF SIXTY
YEARS AGO.

80 r-s ii.
The article in Thursdays Press, relative to the
tions. The following episode, connected d with one
which occurred at an earlier period may mos be
without its interest at this time
About sixty years ago, it was discovered that
in the neighborhood Of Richmond Virginia. a
plan had been devised by the c~lored people to
spread slaughter and devastation am,ng the
whites. Three negroes had been seen by their
master riding out Of his stable yard. This was
sufficient to create alarm. On their return the then
absconding blacks we're tried by the court of three
planters. Though direct evidence was adduc-
ed, yet enough was elected to induce the belief
that there had been an extensive com 6inaton
formed for dreadful purposes. The Governor OF
Virginia offered the of $4,000. and the gen.
slemen of tho city of Richmond $4,000 more,
as o reward to any one who would give infOrma-
ton of the head of the project, but no one was
tempted to betray the secret q.
A few days after the 500, 900 reward was offered
a little African boy came into grocery store. in
Richmond, and asked for a quart of rum. The
grocer asked him for whom he wanted it. lie
said for his uncle Gabriel. Be-.
That African, when twen:y-oue years OF age, had
asked his master how much he would take for him
His master replied, Gabriel, no money would buy
you.' But said Gabriel, should buy myself ?
In that case,' said the master 4 would take five
hundred dollars for you.' Then l am ready to
pay said Gabriel Had thought so,' said the
master, i would not have made the otfer-but, as
have said it, will not draw back Gabriel
was manumitted. He then commenced learning
the English language, and in a short time learned
reading, writing and arithmetic. lie was inteIli'
gent sober, and amiable All the people who
knew him esteemed him highly. lie was 25 years
of age when the reward was offered.
Such was the man who sent his nephew for a
jug of rum, which cost him his life. The grocer
asked the boy where his uncle Gabriel was Lie
replied, in the Sally Ann, a vessel at the dock,
just ready to sail for st. Domingo. The grocer
told the BOY to wait little for his return. No
tice was given to an officer, and Gabriel was ap'
pretended, and then put upon his trial. lie
thought some one had been tempted by the great
reward to betray him, and he confessed the whole
He said their plan was to fire the city at the end
opposite the arsenal. Men were appointed to ring
the fire. BELLS and while the citizens were drawn
/
off 10 extinguish the fire, they intended to seize
the arsenal, rush into the city, and slaughter all
indiscrimnately. except few young ladies, whu
were selected to be the wives Of some Of the lead
ers. All these measur es Gabriel ayowed as his
own device. lie said that his earliest thoughts
were occupied by these plans that he had traded
and increased his stock to $500 at the age o! TWEEN
ty-one--that he had made himself acquainted with
learning, with this sole object that he had
travelled expressly through the Southern States by
night, riding down many horses, in preparing the
Africans for his measures and that he had form
ed, in caves and remote places, deposits Tor arms
He also told the Court that had not God interier'
cd by great rain, that so sweled stream in
the neighborhood Of Richmond, shat his Assem- b.
cd band could not pass, they would not, at that
day be sitting as his judges. l..d.s, br
Bot said the court, Gabriel, We all esteem you
You have not been thought cruel How could
you devise a scheme Of such almost indiscriminata
bloodshedr 4f-I l'f s]la7 'l's' ''-