The Recorder

DOCUMENTS

RESPECTING THE

INSURRECTION OF THE SLAVES.

August 30, 1800.

JAMES MONROE, Esq.

SIR,

I have just been informed that the negroes were to rise (as they termed it) in the neighborhood of Thomas H. Prosser's, and to kill the neighbors to wit. Major William Mosby, Thomas H. Prosser, and Mr. Johnston from thence they were to proceed to town, where they would be joined by the negroes of this place (Richmond) after which they were to take possession of the arms and ammunition, and then take possession of the town. Here they stopped, appearing much agitated; I then asked them two questions, viz. When was it to take place? Answer: To night. Question. Who is the principal man? A. Prosser's Gabriel. I have given you the substance of what I have heard, and there is no doubt in my mind but what my information is true, and I have given this information, in order, that the intended massacre may be prevented if possible.

I am with due respect,

MOSBY SHEPPARD.

N. B. I will here recite to you the manner in which I got the information. I was sitting in the counting room with the door shut, and no one near except myself; they knocked at the door. and I let them in; they shut the door themselves, and then began to tell what I have before recited.

M. S.

Henrico, Nov. 10, 1800.

James Monroe, Esq.

DEAR SIR,

On Saturday the 20th of August, about ten or eleven o'clock, I received information from Mr. Mosby Sheppard in Richmond, that the negroes that night intended to rise, kill and destroy the white people, and that their place of rendezvous was on the Brook, near Mr. Thomas H. Prosser's, and that Mr. Prosser, Mr. Johnston and myself were the first that were to fall a sacrifice, that they were then to move on to Richmond. I asked him how he came by his information; he answered that he had received it from a negro immediately from the country, who had come down that morning for the express purpose; that he was agitated in such a manner when telling him, that he was induced to believe it was true. I confess that I was very much alarmed, and communicated the news to captain Austin, who promised to go on the Brook that night with his troop of horse, in order to meet Mr. Dabney Williamson and myself with what men he could raise; but there came on the greatest rain perhaps ever known, which prevented our junction. However capt. Gregor, myself and some others, who had met at Mr. Priddy's tavern for the purpose of carrol (went) as far as Mr. Prosser's tavern, and from there to the Brook, but made no discovery. We then returned to the tavern again, where I staid perhaps till eight or nine o'clock next morning. I then went home, and being very much fatigued soon laid down. I had not been in bed but a very little while before a negro woman of my own came to me, and the first word she spoke was, you must not tell; she then asked me if I had heard the negroes were to rise? I told her I had: I then asked her where they were to meet, she said some where about Mr. Prosser's; and as they did not meet last night, they would meet to night: I asked her how many she understood were to meet; she answered three or four hundred, some from town and some from the country, and that a number of them were to be mounted on horseback, who were to go at a distance and destroy all they met: to take them I understood her, in their beds; and that the main body was to move on to Richmond.

This Sir, is the information I received at the beginning of the alarm, delivered as near as can be recollected, in the words in which I received it.

I am dear sir,

Your most obedient

humble servant,

WILLIAM MOSBY.

Communications made to the subscribers by Solomon, the property of Thomas H. Prosser of Henrico, now under sentence of death, for plotting an insurrection

My brother Gabriel was the person who influenced me to join him and others in order that (as he said) we might conquer the white people and possess ourselves of their property. I enquired how we were to effect it? He said by falling upon them (the whites) in the dead of night, at which time they would be unguarded, and unsuspicious. I then enquired who was at the head of the plan? He said Jack. I then enquired who he was going to employ? He said a man from North Carolina who was at the siege of York town, and who was under him (Gabriel) at the Brook. and to proceed on to Richmond; take, and then fortify it. This man from North Carolina was to be commander and manager the first day, and then after exercising the soldiers, the command was to be resigned to Gabriel. If Richmond was taken without the loss of many men, they were to continue there some time, but if they sustained any considerable loss, they were to bend their course for Hanover town or York; they were not decided to which, and continue at that place as long as they found they were able to defend it; but in the event of defeat or loss at those places, they were to endeavor to form a junction with some negroes which they understood from Mr. Gregory's overseer, were in rebellion in some quarter of the country. The information they had gotten from the overseer, made Gabriel anxious; upon which he applied to me to make scythe swords, which I did, to the number of twelve. Every Sunday he came to Richmond to provide ammunition, and to find where the military stores were deposited. Gabriel informed me, in case of success, that he intended to subdue the whole of the country where slavery was permitted, but no further. The first places Gabriel intended to attack were the capitol, the magazine, the penitentiary, the governor's house and his person. The inhabitants were to be massacred, save those who begged for quarters and agreed to serve as soldiers with them. The reason why the insurrection was to be made at this particular time was the discharge of the number of soldiers one or two months ago, which induced Gabriel to believe the plan would be more easily executed.

Given under our hands this 15th day of September. 1800.

GERVAS STORRS.

JOSEPH SELDEN.

(To be continued.)