, 1859-10-28
Tic Famous Negro Plot OF S1xty Years
Ago.


1Fson tas r -l-aceph1A psss..l
The article in Thursdays Pres, relative to
the Southampton Tragedy Of 1851, awakens
recollections of similar events, Of like charac.
Ter. The following episode, connected with
one which occurred ut an earlier period, mar
not be without interest at this time:
About aixty years ago, it was discovered that
plan had been devised by the colosed people to
sf'ead Slaughter and devastation among Tue
whites. THEE negr1 es had been Seen by their
muster riding out Of hls stable yard. I'll was
sufficient to create A1Arn- Tn their return, ,hr
then abscondipg blacks we're tried by the cour,
OF turee planters. Though no direct evidence
was adduced, yet enough was elected 10 induce
the bel1ef lt'ut there huu been TN e1tcuslyec m.
bination formed for drrauful pu, poses. The
Governor Of Virginia offered The sum Of 81. 600.
aad the gentlemen OF the city Of Richmond
$4,000 nlurc, IS reward 10 uny one " no would
Iise iuiafmstou Of the llead uf this project, but
no one was tempted to belray the secret,
4 few days alter the S2o,000 reward was of.
!tred, little African boy came into q grocery
store n Richmond. and asked for quart u
run. The grocer asked linn for whom lie vnnt-
ed il. liz said, for his uncle Gabriel.
That African, when tweasy.one years of age,
had asked MS master how much be would take
money would buy yuu." "But." said Gabriel.
should buy n.yeelf.' "Iu that case.r saii
the masier, i" l would take Eve hundred dollars
for you" Then am ready 10 pay." sxid
Gabriel. "lad thought so,' said ihe mas
ter, II would not ha7e made the otrer-but, as
huEe said il, l will pot draw back" Gabriel
was mauumiued. lie then commenced tha
learning Of tue English language, and in
short time lie learned reading, writing and
arithmxtic. He was Intelligent sober and ami
able. All people WHO knew him esteeued Inn,
highly tie was twenty years Ct are when
the reward WAS offered.
such was she man who sent his nephew for a
jus Of rum. which cost hun luis life The gro.
Ger asked tue boy where his uncle Gabriel was,
lie replied, in tue SallE-Aun, vessel at the
dock, Just ready 10 sail Tor ST. Domingo. The
grocer told tAe boy TO wait little for bis cturn,
y, lice was given TO m officer, and Gabriel va.
apprehcnded, and then put upon bis trial. he
thougas some one had been tempted br the
great reward 10 betray him aud he confessed The
whole. he said their plan was to tire tie civ
Ut the end opposite the arsenal. Men were ap.
pointed to ring the tre-bells, and while the ciiIi
gems were drawn oil 10 cxtinGEikh the fire .Aey
intended to SEIZE the arsenal, rush into the civ.
and slaughter alt unfortunately, except d iew
young Ladies', who were eelected to be tue v,Tes
Of some Of the leaders. All these mcaaures
Gabriel avowed II his own derics- LIE said That
bis curllest thoughts vera occupied by these
plaps-that he had traded and increased bis
stock 10 $500 at tue age Of twenty-one--that be
Aao made hlmsel1 acquainted with learning,
with this sols object; that LIE had travelled e.
press!y through the Southern States By nieht.
riding down many horses, in preparing the
Africans for his measures; and that be had
formed, in cares and remote places, depots Of
arms. He also told The Court that had rot God
in,erfered By q great rain, that 20 swelled
streau. in the neighborhood Of Richmond, that
wonid not, ut that day be sitting rs bis Judges.
"Bps," said the eourt, " Gabriel, We ali a.
TEEN you. Yon hase not been thought eruel.
How could Jon devise scheme Of such alupxt
bloodshedt'
Gabriel eooliy replied, ut Is not that I de-