Page:The rising son, or, The antecedents and advancement of the colored race (IA risingsonthe00browrich).pdf/292

 "Evening Journal," under the head of "Gabriel's Defeat."

The following is the copy of a letter dated September 21, 1800, written by a gentleman of Richmond, Virginia, published in the "Boston Gazette," October 6th:—

"By this time, you have no doubt heard of the conspiracy formed in this country by the negroes, which, but for the interposition of Providence, would have put the metropolis of the State, and even the State itself, into their possession. A dreadful storm, with a deluge of rain, which carried away the bridges, and rendered the water-courses everywhere impassable, prevented the execution of their plot. It was extensive and vast in its design. Nothing could have been better contrived. The conspirators were to have seized on the magazine, the treasury, the mills, and the bridges across James River. They were to have entered the city of Richmond in three places with fire and sword, to commence an indiscriminate slaughter, the French only excepted. They were then to have called on their fellow-negroes and the friends of humanity throughout the continent, by proclamation, to rally round their standard. The magazine, which was defenceless, would have supplied them with arms for many thousand men.

"The treasury would have given them money, the mills bread, and the bridges would have enabled them to let in their friends, and keep out their enemies. Never was there a more propitious season for the accomplishment of their purpose.

"The country is covered with rich harvests of Indian corn; flocks and herds are everywhere fat in the