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THE AFTERMATH OF NAT TURNER'S

INSURRECTION'

Nat Turner was a man below the ordinarystature,

thoughstrongand active. He was of unmixedAfricanlinTurner was a familiar name in the household in which the author
:'at
was reared, as his home was withinfiftymiles of the plawe of Turner's exploits.
In 1871, the last term of the author's service as a teacher in the public schools
of Virginia, was spent in this same county,with a people, many of whom personally knew Nat Turner and his comrades.
Nat Turner was born October 2, 1800, the slave of Benjamin Turner. His
father, a native of Africa, escaped from slavery and finally emigrated to
Liberia, where,it is said, his grave is quite as well knownas that of Franklin's,
Jefferson's or Adams's is to the patriotic American. There is now living in
the city of Baltimore a man who on good authorityclaims to be the grandson
of Nat Turner and a son of his was said to be still living in Southampton
County,Virginia, in 1895.
In his early years Turner had a presentimentwhich largely influencedhis
subsequent life and confirmedhim in the belief that he was destined to play
an unusual role in history. That prenatal influencegave him a marked individuality is readily believed when the date of his birth is recalled, the period
when the exciteinent over the discovery of Gabriel Prosser's plot was at its
height. Nat 's mind was very restless and active, inquisitive and observant.
He learned to read and write with no apparent difficulty. This ability gave
him opportunityto confirmimpressions as to knowledge of subjects in which
he had received no instruction. When not working for his master, he was engaged in prayer or in making sundry experiments. By intuition he, in a rude
way, manufactured paper, gunpowder, pottery and other articles in common
use. This knowledge which he claimed to possess was tested by actual demonstration during the trial for his life. His superior skill in planning was universally admitted by his fellow workmen. He did not, however,attribute this
superior influenceto sorcery,conjuration or such like agencies, for he had the
utmost contemptfor these delusions.
"To this day," says T. W. Higginson, "There are the Virginia slave
traditions of the keen devices of Prophet Nat. If he were caught with lime
and lampblack in hand conning over a half-finishedcounty map on the barn
door, he was always planning what he would do if he were blind. When he
had called a meeting of slaves and some poor whites came eavesdropping, the
poor whites at once became the topic of discussion; he incidentally mentioned
that the master had been heard threateningto drive them away; one slave had
been ordered to shoot Mr. Jones' pigs, another to tear down Mr. Johnson's
fences. The poor whites, Johnson and Jones, ran home at once to see to their
W. Highomesteads and were better friends than ever to poor Nat. "-T.
ginson 's Travellers and Outlaws, pp. 28-283.
208

AFTERMATH OF NAT TURNER'S INSURRECTION

209

eage,withthetrueNegroface,everyfeatureof whichwas
marked. He was nota preacher,as was generally
strongly
believed,thougha man of deep religious and spiritual
of some
nature,and seemedinspiredfor the performance
manner,
life
and
work. He was austerein
extraordinary
not givento society,but devotedhis spare momentsto inand consecration.He thoughtoftenofwhathe
trospection
had heard said of himas to the greatworkhe was to perform. He eventuallybecame seized with this idea as a
frenzy. To use his ownlanguagehe saw manyvisions. "I
saw whitespiritsand blackspiritsengagedin battle,"said
he, "and the sun darkened-the thunderrolled in the
heavens,and blood flowedin streamsand I heard a voice
saying,'Such is yourluck,such you are called to see and
let it come roughor smoothyou must surelybear it.' n2
This happenedin 1825. He said he discovereddrops of
bloodon thecornas thoughit weredew fromheaven,that
characters
he foundon theleaves in thewoodshieroglyphic
attitudes,
and numbers,withtheformsof menin different
portrayed in the blood and representingthe figureshe had

previouslyseenin theheavens.3 These werewithoutdoubt

creaturesof Nat Turner's own imaginationmade by him
withcoloringmatterto make the Negroesbelievethat he
was a prophetfromGod.
Receiving,as he says,furtherdirectionsfromthe Holy
his designsto fourofhis mostconSpirit,he communicated
fidentialfriends. July4, 1831,the anniversaryof Amerwas theday on whichtheworkof death
ican Independence,
was to have beenbegun. Nat Turnerhesitatedand allowed
the timeto pass by,when,themysterioussigns reappearto beginat oncethebloodywork. Suning,he determined
day, August 21, lie met those who had pledged theircooperationand support. They were Hark Travis, Henry
Porter,SamuelFrancis,NelsonWilliams,Will Francisand
Jack Reese, withNat Turnermakingthe seventh. They
workedouttheirplans whiletheyate in thelonelywoodsof
2

T. W. Higginson's Travellers and Outlaws, p. 284.

8 Nat Turner's Confessions.

210

JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY

remainingat the
Southamptontheirfeast of consecration,
was begun
The
massacre
feast untillong aftermidnight.
at thehouseofJosephTravis,themanto whomNat Turner
thenbelonged. Armedwitha hatchetTurnerenteredhis
master's chamber,the door havingbeen brokenopen with
the axe, and aimed the firstblow of death. The hatchet
glancedharmlessfromthehead of thewould-bevictimand
the firstfatal blowwas givenby Will Francis,the one of
the partywho had got intothe plot withoutNat Turner's
suggestion. All of his master'shousehold,fivein number,
soon perished.4
The insurgentsprocuredhere four guns, several old
musketswitha few roundsof ammunition.At the barn,
under the commandof Nat Turnerthe party was drilled
and maneuvered.Nat Turnerhimselfassumedthe titleof
GeneralCargillwitha stipendof tendollarsa day. Henry
was to receivefivedollarsa day,and
Porter,thepaymaster,
each privateone dollar. Thencetheymarchedfromplantationto plantationuntilby Mondaymorningthepartynumbered fifteenwithnine mounted. Beforenine o'clock the
had covered
forcehad increasedto fortyand theinsurgents
two or threemiles distantfromthe
an extentof territory
beforethem. Nat
firstpointofattack,sweepingeverything
Turnergenerallytookhis stationin the rear,withfifteen
or twentyof thebest armedand reliablemenat thefront,
whogenerallyapproachedthehousesas fastas theirhorses
escapes and
couldrunforthedoublepurposeof preventing
strikingterror. His forcecontinuedto increaseuntilthey
numberedsixty,all armed with guns, axes, swords,and
clubs,and mounted. This line of attackwas keptup until
whentheyreacheda point,about
late Mondav afternoon,
threemilesdistantfromJerusalem,thecountyseat,where
yieldedto a halt whilesomeof his
Nat Turnerreluctantly
He was eager to
forceswentin searchof reenforcements.
push on to thecountyseat as speedilyas possibleand capture it. This delay proved the turningpoint in the enterprise.
4Drewry, The Southampton Insurrection,pp. 35-74.

AFTERMATH

OF NAT

TURNER'S

INSURRECTION

211

Impatientat thedelayof his menwhohad turnedaside,

Turnerstartedto themansionhousewhithertheyhad gone
and on theirreturnto thewoodfounda partyofwhitemen
who had pursued the bloodypath of the insurrectionists
and disposedof theguard of eightmenwhomTurnerhad
leftat theroadside. The whitemennumberedeighteenand
were underthe commandof Captain AlexanderP. Peete.
They had been directedto reservetheirfireuntil within
thirty
paces,butone of theirnumberfiredon theinsurgents
whenwithinabout one hundredyards. Half of thewhites
beat a precipitateretreatwhenNat Turnerorderedhis men
to fireand rush on them. The few remainingwhitemen
stood their grounduntil Turner approachedwithinfifty
of theircomyards,whentheytoo followedthe exanmple
rades, firedand retreatedwithseveral wounded. Turner
pursued and overtooksome of themand their complete
slaughterwas only preventedby the timelyarrival of a
party of whites approachingin anotherdirectionfrom
Jerusalem.
Nat Turnerwitha partyof twentymen
Being baffled,
determinedto cross the Nottawayriver at the Cypress
Bridgeand attackJerusalemwherehe expectedto procure
fromtherear. Aftertryadditionalarmsand ammunition
forceto proceedto Jeruing in vain to collecta sufficient
salem,the insurgentsturnedback towardhis rendezvous
and reachedMajor Thomas Ridley's,wherefortyassembled. He placed out sentinelsand lay downto sleep, but
therewas to be no sleepthatnight. An attackon his forces
whichensuedlefthim
was at hand,and theembarrassment
to recruithis forces,
withone half,but Turner,determined
was proceedingin his effortto rallynew adherentswhen
thefiringof a gunby Hark was the signalfora firein ambush and a retreatfollowed. AfterthisTurnerneversaw
many of his men any more. They had killed fifty-five
whitesbut the tide had turned. Turnerconcealedhimself
in the woods but was not dismayed,for by messengerhe
directedhis forcesto rallyat the pointfromwhichon the
previousSundaytheyhad startedout ontheirbloodywork;

JOURNALOF NEGROHISTORY

912

but the discoveryof whitemenridingaroundthe place as

thoughtheywerelookingforsomeone in hidingconvinced
him thathe had been betrayed. The leader thengave up
hope of an immediaterenewalof the attackand on Thursday, aftersupplyinghimselfwithprovisionsfromthe old
plantation,he scratcheda hole undera pile of fencerails
in a fieldand concealedhimselffornearlysix weeks,never
leaving his hidingplace exceptfor a few minutesin the
quiet of nightto obtainwater.
A reign of terrorfollowedin Virginia.5 Labor was
paralyzed, plantations abandoned,women and children
were drivenfromhome and crowdedinto nooks and corners. The sufferings
of manyof theserefugeeswho spent
nightafternightin the woods were intense. Retaliation
began. In a littlemore than one day 120 Negroes were
killed. The newspapersof the timescontainedfromday
to day indignantprotestsagainstthecrueltiesperpetrated.
One individualboasted thathe himselfhad killedbetween
ten and fifteenNegroes. Volunteerwhitesrode in all directionsvisitingplantations. Negroes were torturedto
death,burned,maimedand subjectedto namelessatrocities.
Slaves who were distrustedwere pointedout and if they
endeavoredto escape, theywere ruthlesslyshotdown."
A fewindividualinstanceswill showthenatureand extentofthisvengeance. "A partyofhorsemenstartedfrom
Richmondwiththe intentionof killingeverycoloredperson theysaw in Southampton
County. Theystoppedopposite the cabin of a freecoloredman who was hoeingin his
littlefield. Theycalled out,'Is thisSouthampton
County?'
He replied,'Yes Sir, you have just crossed the line, by
yondertree.' They shothimdead and rodeon."7 A slaveholderwentto thewoods accompaniedby a faithfulslave,
who had beenthemeansof savinghis master'slife during
theinsurrection.Whentheyreacheda retiredplace in the
The RichmondEnquirer,Aug. 30, Sept. 4, 6 and 20, 1831.
on statementsmade to the author by contemporaries
of Nat
Turner.
7 Higginson,Travellers
and Outlaws,p. 300.
a

e Based

AFTERMATH

OF NAT

TURNER'S

INSURRECTION

213

forest,the man handedhis gun to his master,informing

himthathe couldnotlive a slave anlylonger,and requested
on the spot. The master
eitherto freehim or shoothinm
levelledit at thefaithful
tookthegun.in sometrepidation,
Negroand shothimthroughthe heart.8
But theseoutrageswerenotlinlitedto the Negropopi relation. Thereoccurredotherinstanceswhichstrikingly
mindone of scenesbeforetheCivil War and duringreconstruction.An Englishman,namedRobinson,was engaged
in sellingbooksat Petersburg. An alarm beinggivenone
nightthat fivehundredblacks were marchingagainst the
town,he stoodguard withothersat thebridge. Afterthe
panichad a littlesubsidedhe happenedto maketheremark
thatthe blacks as menwere entitledto theirfreedomanid
and
to be emancipated.This led to greatexcitement
ouglht
in
He
took
passage
the
town.
to
leave
was
warned
man
the
the stage coach,but the vehiclewas intercepted.He theii
fledto a friend'shomebut thehouse was brokenopen and
of
he was draggedforth. The civil authoritiesilnformed
gave
him,
The
mob
stripped
theaffairrefusedto interfere.
hima considerablenumberof lashes and senthimon foot
naked under a hot sun to Richmond,whencehe withdiffoundpassage to New York.9
ficulty
was a general
BelievingthatNat Turner'sinsurrection
conspiracy,the people throughoutthe State were highly
quicklvcalled
excited. The Governorof thecomnmonwealthl
The
were
at
his
command.
forces
whatever
service
into
lack of adequatemunitionsof war beingapparent,Commodore Warrington,in commandof the Navy Yard in Gosport,was inducedto distributea portionof thepublicarms
orunder his control. For this purpose the government
of theLightInfantryfromthe seventlh
dereddetachments
Regimentsand fromthe fourthRegiment
and fifty-fourth
of cavalryand also fromthefourthLightArtilleryto take
the fieldunderBrigadierGeneralEppes. Two regiments
in Brunswickand Greenvillewere also called into service
8 The statementof Rev. M. B. Cox, a Liberian Missionary,then in Virginia.
9 Higginson, Travellers and Outlaws, 302-303.

214

JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY

under GeneralWilliam H. Brodnax and continuedin the

fielduntilthedangerhad passed. Furtheraid was afforded
by CommodoreEliott of theUnitedStates Navy by order
of whoma detachment
of sailors fromtheNatchezwas secured and assistance also fromColonel House, the commandingofficer
at FortressMonroe,whopromptly
detached
a part of his forceto take the fieldunderLieutenantColonel Worth.10 The revoltwas subdued,however,before
these troops could be placed in action and about all they
accomplishedthereafter
was theterrifying
of Negroeswho
had takenno part in the insurrection
and the immolation
of otherswhoweresuspected.
Sixty-onewhitepersonswerekilled. Not a Negrowas
slain in any of the encountersled by Turner. Fifty-three
Negroes were apprehendedand arraigned. Seventeenof
the insurrectionists
were convicted,and executed,twelve
ten acquitted,sevendischarged
convictedand transported,
and foursenton to theSuperiorCourt. Four of thoseconvictedand transportedwere boys. Therewerebroughtto
trial onlyfourfreeNegroes,one of whomwas discharged
and threeheld for subsequenttrial were finallyexecuted.
It is said that theywere givendecentburial.'1
The news of the Southamptoninsurrection
thrilledthe
wholecountry,Northas well as South. The newspapers
teemedwiththe accountsof it.'2 Rumorsof similaroutbreaksprevailedall overtheState ofVirginiaand throughout the South. There were rumorsto the effectthat Nat
Turnerwas everywhere
at thesame time. People returned
in theirhomes,
homebeforetwilight,
barricadedthemselves
keptwatchduringthenight,or abandonedtheirhomesfor
centerswherearmed forcewas adequate to theirprotection. Thereweremanysuch false reportsas the one that
two maid servantsin DinwiddieCountyhad murderedan
the State
old lady and two children. Negroesthroughout
and
on
the
least
arrested
were suspected,
prosecuted
pre10 Journal of the Homse of Delegates, 1831, p. 9.
IIDrewry, The Southampton Inaurrection,102.
12

The Richmond
and October,1831.
Enquirer,August34 and September

INSURRECTION215
OF NATTURNER'S
AFTERMATH
text and in some cases murderedwithoutany cause. Almostany Negrohavingsomeof themuchadvertisedcharacteristicsof Nat Turnerwas in dangerof beingrundown
and tornto pieces forNat Turnerhimself.
Therecamean unusualrumorfromNorthCarolina. It
was said that Negro insurgentstherehad burntWilmington, massacred its inhabitants,and that 2,000were then
marchingon Raleigh. This was not truebut therewas a
Negroeswhohad extended
plotworkedout by twenty-four
theiroperationsintoDuplin,Sampson,Wayne,New Hanover,and Lenoir Counties. The plot havingbeen revealed
by a freeNegro,the militiawas called out in timeto preventthecarryingoutof thesewell-laidplans. Raleighand
Fayettevillewere put under militarydefence. Many arrestsweremade,severalwhippedand releasedand threeof
Negro
theleadersexecuted. One ofthese,a veryintelligent
of
testimony
the
was
on
named
convicted
David,
preacher
anotherNegro.'3
in otherStates was not muchless than
The excitement
in Virginiaand NorthCarolina. In South Carolina GovernorHayne issueda proclamationto quietrumorsof similar uprisings. In Macon, Georgia,the entirepopulation
rousedfromtheirbeds by rumorsof an
rose at midnight,
impendingonslaught. Slaves were arrestedand tied to
parts of the State,whilecaptains of the
treesin different
militiadelightedin hackingat themwithswords. In Alabama,rumorsof a jointconspiracyof Indians and Negroes
was
foundreadycredence. At New Orleansthe excitement
at such a heightthat a reportthat 1,200stands of arms
werefoundin a blackman's house,was readilybelieved."1
But thepeoplewerenot satisfiedwiththisflowof blood
and passionswerenotsubduedwiththesepublicwreakings.
Nat Turnerwas still at large. He had eluded theirconstantvigilanceever since the day of the raid in August.
That he was finallycapturedwas morethe resultof accidentthanof design. A dog belongingto someof Nat Tur13

The BichmondEnquirer,Sept. 4, 1831.

Travellersand Outlaws,303.

14 Higginson,

216

JOURNAL
OF NEGROHISTORY

ner's acquaintancesscentedsomemeatin thecave and stole

it one night while Turner was out. Shortly after,two Negroes, one the owner of the dog, were huntingwiththe same
animal. The dog barked at Turner who had just gone out
to walk. Thinkinghimselfdiscovered,Turner begged these
men to conceal his whereabouts, but they, on findingout
who it was, precipitately fled. Concluding from this that
theywould betray him, Turner left his hiding place, but he
was pursued almost incessantly. At one time he was shot
at by one Francis near a fodder stack in a field,but happening to fall at the momentof the discharge, the contents
of the pistol passed through the crown of his hat. The
lines, however,were closing upon Turner. His escape from
Francis added new enthusiasmto the pursuit and Turner's
resources as fertileas ever contriveda new hiding place in
a sort of den in the lap of a fallen tree over which he placed
fine brush. He protruded his head as if to reconnoiter
about noon, Sunday, October 30, when a Benjamin Phipps,
who had that morningfor the firsttime turned out in pursuit, came suddenly upon him. Phipps not knowing him,
demanded: "Who are you?" He was answered, "I am Nat
Turner." Phipps then ordered him to extendhis arms and
Turner obeyed, delivering up a sword which was the only
weapon he then had.15
This was ten weeks after that Sunday in August when
they had feasted in the woods and arranged their plan of
attack. At the time of the capture there were at least fifty
men out in search of him, none of whom could have been
two miles fromthe hiding place. The Richmond Enquirer
in giving the first public announcement,said: "Nat displayed no sort of enterprise in his attempt to escape nor
any degree of courage in resisting his captor;" but this
journal does not give him credit for having eluded his pursuers for more than two months or for knowing that discretion is the better part of valor. Several companies of
the State militia and a battalion of United States marines
15

The Richmond Enquirer, Nov. 4 a.nd 8, 1831.

AFTERMATH OF NAT TURNER'S INSURRECTION

217

had joined in the searchand failed,yet Nat displayedno

enterprise.'6

His arrestcaused muchrelief. He was takenthe next

day to Jerusalem,thecountyseat, and triedon thefifthof
Novemberbeforea board of magistrates. The indictment
against him was for makinginsurrectionand plottingto
take away the lives of divers free whitepersons on the
twenty-secondof August, 1831. On his arraignmentTurner

submittedits
pleaded " Not Guilty." The Commonwealth
of any eye witnessesbut on the
case, not on the testimony
depositionsof one Levi Waller who read Turner'sConfession'7 and Colonel Trezevantthe committing
magistrate
corroboratedit by referringto the same confession. Turner introduced no testimony in defense and his counsel

made no argumentin his behalf. He was promptlyfound

guilty and sentenced to be hanged Friday, November 11,
1831, twelve davs after his capture. During the examination Nat evinced great intelligenceand much shrewdnessof

16The Richmond Enquirer, Nov. 4, 1831.

The trial and execution over, the Confessions of Nat were published in
pamphlet form and had a wide sale. An accurate likeness by John Crawley, a
formerartist of Norfolk at that time, lithographed by Endicott and Sweet of
Baltimore, accompanied the edition which was printed for T. R. Gray, Turner's
attorney. Fully 50,000 copies of this pamphlet are said to have been sold
within a few weeks of its publication, yet today they are exceedingly rare, not
a copy being found eitherin the State Library at Richmond,the Public Library
at Boston nor the Congressional Library at Washington. These Confessions
purport to give from Turner's own lips circumstances of his life. "Portions
of it," says The Richmond Enquirer, "are eloquent and even classically expressed; but," continues the critic,more than sixty miles away, "the language
is far superior to what Nat Turner could have employed,therebygiving him a
character for intelligence which he does not deserve and should not receive."
On the contrary,however, Mr. Gray, his attorney and confessor who did not
write from long range, said: "As to his ignorance, he certainly had not the
advantages of education, but he can read and write and for natural intelligence
and quickness of apprehension is surpassed by few men I have ever seen.
Futrtherthe calm, deliberate composure with which he spoke of his late deeds
and intentions,the expression of his fiend-likeface when excited by enthusiasm;
still bearing the stains of the blood of helpless innocence about him; clothed
with rags and covered with chains, yet daring to raise his manacled hands to
heaven; with a spirit soaring above the attributes of man, I looked on him
and my blood curdled in my veins." -The Confessions of Nat Turner.
17

218

OF NEGROHISTORY
JOURNAL

intellect,answeringeveryquestionclearly and distinctly

and withoutconfusionor prevarication.
An immensethronggatheredon the day of execution
thoughfew were permittedto see the ceremony. He exhibitedthe utmostcomposureand calm resignation. Althoughassuredifhe feltit properhe mightaddresstheimmensecrowd,he declinedto avail himselfof theprivilege,
in a firmvoicethathe was ready. Not
but toldthesheriff
a limbnor a musclewas observedto move. His bodywas
givenoverto the surgeonsfordissection. He was skinned
to supply such souvenirs as purses, his flesh made into

grease,and his bonesdividedas trophiesto be handeddown

as heirlooms. It is said that there still lives a Virginian

whohas a piece of his skinwhichwas tanned,thatanother

Virginianpossessesone ofhis ears and thattheskullgraces
thecollectionof a physicianin thecityof Norfolk.
Consideringthe situationunusuallyserious,Governor
JohnFloyd made thisthedominantthoughtofhis message
to the legislaturethatyear. More space was devotedto a
discussionof this uprisingthan to any othersingle fact
mentionedin themessage. He was of theopinionthatthe
toSouthampton.'The
wasnotconfined
spiritofinsurrection
well-drawnplans of
there
were
believed
that
Governor
and murder,"designed and matured
treason,insurrection
States,
fanaticsin someof theneighboring
byunrestrained
theirviews and plans
who foundfacilitiesin distributing
or by
amongstour populationeitherthroughthepost office
agents sent for that purpose throughoutour territory."
He, therefore,correspondedwith the governorsof commonwealthsto preserveas far as possible"the good un1derstandingwhichexistedand whichoughtto be cherished
membersof thisUnion."
betweenthedifferent
The Governorbelievedthatthe personsmostactive in
stirringup the revoltwere Negro preachers. "They had
acquired," said he, "great ascendencyover the mindsof
theirfellows,and infusedall theiropinionswhichhad preof thefinaldesign. There
pared themforthedevelopment
was also some reason to believe," thoughthe, "those

OF NAT TURNER'SINSURRECTION 219

AFTERMATH

in relationto these
preachershave a perfectunderstanding
the easterncounties;and have been the
plans throughout
papers and pamchannelsthroughwhichtheinflammatory
emissariesfrom
and
agents
phlets,broughthere by the
other States, have been circulatedamongstour slaves."
He consideredit a weaknessin the laws of the State that
facilitiesforassembly,to plot,treason,and conspiracy,to
by thelack
had beenafforded
revoltand makeinsurrection,
such freedomof
of legislationto the contraryto preve-nt
the
amongtheNegroes. He believed,therefore,
movement
be
silenced,
the
Negro
preachers
publicgood requiredthat
"because, full of ignorance,theywere incapableof inculcating anythingbut notions of the wildest superstition,
in the hands of craftyagithus preparingfitinstruments
tators,to destroythe public tranquility."18
He, therefore,recommendedas a means against the possible repetition of such sanguinary scenes the revision of
the laws to preserve in due subordination the Negroes of
the State. He believed, moreover, that although this insurrectionhad been due to the work of slaves, that the free

people of colorfurnisheda muchmorepromisingfieldfor

the operations of the abolition elementof the North, inasmuch as theyhad opened to themmore enlarged views and
urged the achievementof a higher destinyby means, "for
in the end from
the present less violent, but not differi-ng
those presented to the slaves." He referred to the free
Negroes as "that class of the community,which our laws
have hitherto treated with indulgent kindness," and for
whom many instanicesof solicitude for their welfare have

markedthe progressof legislation. If, however,thought

he, the slave who is confinedby law to the estate of his
how muchmoreeasy it
mastercan worksuch destruction,
would be for the free Negro to afflictthe communitywith a
still greater calamity. The Governor,moreover,referred

to the fact thatthe freepeople of colorhad placed themselves in hostilearray against everymeasuredesignedto
18

The Journal of the House of Delegates, 1831, pp. 9 and 10.

220

JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY

remove them from the State and raised the question as to

whetherthe last benefitwhich the State might conferupon
themmightnot be to appropriate annually a sum of money
to aid their removal to other soil.19
To show how general the excitementwas throughoutthe
State one needs but read in the journal of the legislature
the number of petitions praying that some action be taken

to provide for the safetyof the people in the common-

wealth.20 In the Valley and in the extremewesternportion

of the State where few slaves were found and where there
were still persons who did not welcome the institution,
therewere held a numberof meetingsin whichthe abolition
of slavery was openly discussed and urged. Such memorials, however, did not constitutethe majority of the peti-

tions requiringaction with referenceto slavery. More

meetingswere held in the eastern countiesbut opinion
theredifferedso widelythattheyavailed littlein working
out a constructive
plan. The largernumberof thesetook
19The Journal of the House of Delegates, 1831, p. 10.
In Fluvanna this memorial of certain ladies was agreed upon and sent
to the legislature: "We cannot conceal from ourselves that an evil is among
us, which threatens to outgrow the growth and eclipse the brightness of our
national blessings. Our daughters and their daughters are destined to become,
in their turn, the tender fosterersof helpless infancy, the directors of developing childhood, and the companions of those citizens, who will occupy the legislative and executive officesof their country. Can we calmly anticipate the
condition of the Southern States at that period, should no remedybe devised to
arrest the progressive miseries attendant on slavery? Will the absent father's
heart be at peace, when, amid the hurryof public affairs, his truant thoughts
return to the home of his affection,surroundedby doubtful,if not dangerous,
subjects to precarious authority? Perhaps when deeply engaged in his legislative duties his heart may quail and his tongue falter with irresistible apprehension for the peace and safety of objects dearer than life.
"We can only aid the mightytask by ardent outpouringsof the spirit of
supplication at the Throne of Grace. We will call upon the God, in whom we
trust, to direct your counsels by His unerring wisdom, guide you with His
effectualspirit. We now conjure you by the sacred charities of kindred,by the
solemn obligations of justice, by every consideration of domestic affectionand
patriotic duty, to nerve every faculty of your minds to the investigationof this
importantsubject, and let not the united voices of your mothers,wives, daughters and kindred have sounded in vain in your ears.' -Drewry, The Southampton Insurrection,p. 165.
20

AFTERMATH OF NAT TURNE:TR'S

INSURRECTION

221

the formof such an improvement

and changein the black
code as to preservethe institutionand at the same time
securethesafetyof the citizens.21
Believingthatthefreepeopleofcolorhad beenor would
be themosteffective
meansin theattackon theinstitution
of slavery,thereweremorememorialsforthe removalof
this class of the populationthan any otherpetitionsbearing on slavery. Amongthe countiesprayingfor the removal of the free Negroes,were Amelia, Isle of Wight,
York, Nansemond,Frederick, Powhatan, Fairfax, and
Northumberland.Othersaskedfortheremovalof thefree
Negroes22and furthermore
thepurchaseof slaves to be de21DTewry, The Southampton
Insurrection,
pp. 1-100.

22 October18. This memorialcirculatedin Petersburgard in adjoining

townsand countiesis typical:
"The undersigned
good eitizensof the Countyof......................
invitethe attentionof yourhonomblebody to a subjet deemedby themof
primaryimprtanceto theirpresentwelfareand futuresecurity.
" The mistakenhumanityof the people of Virginia,and of our predecesto remainin this Commonwealth
a class of peoplewhoare
sors,has permitted
neitherfreemennor slaves. The markset on themby natureprecludestheir
in thiscountry,
of the privilegesof the former;and thelaws of the
enjoyment
la-nddo not allow themto be reducedto the conditionof the latter. Hence
theyare of necessitydegraded,profligate,
and discontented.
vicious,turbulent
"More frequentthan whites (probablyin tenfoldproportion)sustained
by the charitableprovisionsof our laws, theyare altogethera burdenon the

community. Pursuing no course of regular business, and negligent of every-

thinglike economyand husbandry,

theyare as a part of the community,
supported by the productive indu stry of others.

"IBut their residenceamong us is yet more objectionableon otheraccounts. It is incompatiblewith the tranquilityof society; their apparent
exemption
fromwant and care and servitudeto business,excitesimpracticable
hopesin the mindsof thosewhoare evenmoreignorantand unreflecting-and
theirlocomotivehabitsfitthemfor a dangerousagencyin schemes,wild and
visionary,
but disgustingand annoying.
"We wouldnot be crueland unchristian-butwe musttake care of the
interestsand moralsof society,and of thepeace of mindof the helplessin our
families. It is indispensableto the happinessof the latter,that this cause
of apprehension
be removed. And effortsto this end are, we firmly
believe,
sanetionedby enlightenedhumanitytowardthe ill-fatedclass to whomwe
allude. Theycan neverhave the respectand intereourse
herewhichare essential to rationalhappiness,and social enjoymentand improvement.But in
otherlands theymaybecomean orderly,sober,industrious,
moral,enlightened

222

JOURNALOF NEGRO HISTORY

ported. Amongthe countiesprayingfor such a measure

were Fauquier, Hanover, Washington,Nelson, Loudoun,
Prince William,and King William. From Charles City,
Rockbridge,and CarolineCountiescame the additionalrequest fora legislationprovidingforgradualemancipation.
Page, Augusta, Fauquier, and Botetourt,sent memorials
to the
prayingthatstepsbe takento procurean amendment
of theUnitedStates,investingCongresswith
Constitution
the power to appropriatemoneyfor sendingbeyondthe
limitsoftheUnitedStatesthefreepeopleof colorand such
of the slaves as mightbe purchasedfor the same purpose.
This was almostin keepingwiththerequestfromtheHenrico and FrederickColonizationSocietiesaskingthe Governmentto deport the Negroes to Africa. Buckingham
Countyrequestedthat the coloredpopulationbe removed
fromthe countyand colonizedaccordingto the plans set
forthby Thomas Jefferson.The requestof the Societyof
Friends in thecountyof CharlesCityforgradual emancipation,however,caused resentment.23
Thinkingthat it mightnot be possibleto transportall
theNegroesofthecountryveryeasily,requestsfordealing
ththesituationas it was,werealso in order. As a numfroma loss of sheepby the
ber of thefarmershad suffered
and freepersonsof
slaves
by
maintained
dogs
numerous
color,therecame requestsprayingthatthekeepingof dogs
and hogs by Negroesbe made illegal. Some of thesepetitions,too,had an economicphase. There came fromCulpeppera petitionprayingfora passage of thelaw forthe
encouragementof white mechanicsby prohibitingany
slave, freeNegro or mulattofrombeingbound as an apof plantingand diffusand be thehappyinstruments
and christiancommunity;
ing thoseblessingsover a barbarousand benightedcontinent.
will not designatea plan of legislativeoperation-they
"Your petitioners
the conleave to the wisdomand providentforecastof the GeneralAssembly,
ceptionand the prosecutionof the best practicablescheme-but theywould
and earnestlyask that the actionof the laws passed to thiseffect
respectfully
be decisive,and the means energetic-suchas shall, withas muchspeed as
moralityand
may be, free our countryfromthis bane of its prosperity,
Enquirer,Oct. 21, 1831.
peace.' '-The Rwohmond
23 The Journalof the Howe of Delegates,1i31, pp. 1-13.

AFTERMATH
OF NAT TURNER'SINSURRECTION 223

prenticeto learn any trade or art. CharlesCityand New

Kent complainedagainst the practiceof employingslaves
and Negroesas millersand askedthata law penalizingsuch
actionbe enacted.24
The questionas to whatshouldbe donewiththeblacks
turnedout to be themostimportant
matterbroughtbefore
the legislature. Three-fourths
of the sessionwas devoted
to the discussionof such questionsas the removalof the
freeNegroesand thecolonizationof suchslaves as masters
couldbe inducedto giveup. The legislaturemeton the5th
of Decemberand aftergoingthroughthe preliminariesof
organizationlistenedto themessageof theGovernorwhich
had theinsurrection
as its mostprominent
feature. When
the petitionsfromthe various countiesbegan to comein,
theresoon prevaileda motionthat so much of the Governor'smessageas relatedto theinsurrection
of slaves and
theremovalof thefreeNegroesbe referredto a selectcommittee,whichafterprolongeddeliberationfoundit difficult
to agreeupona report.
Desiringto protectthe interestsof slavery,William0.
Goode,of Mecklenburg
County,movedon the eleventhof
Januarythat the select committeeappointedto consider
the memorialsbearing on slaves free Negroes and the
Southamptonmassacrebe dischargedfromthe considerationof all petitions,memorialsand resolutions,
whichhad
fortheirobjectthemanumission
of slaves. The resolution
furtherdeclaredthat it was not expedientto legislateon
slavery.25 WhereuponThomas JeffersonRandolph, of
AlbemarleCounty,movedto amendthisresolutionso as to
instructthe committeeto inquireinto the expediencyand
to reporta bill to submitto thevotersoftheState theproprietyof providingby law that the childrenof all female
slaveswhomightbe bornin thatState on or afterthefourth
day of July,1840,shouldbecomethepropertyof thecomthe males at the age of twenty-one
monwealth,
years and
femalesat theage of eighteen,if detainedby theirowners
24
25

The Journal of the House of Delegates, 1&31, pp. 41, 56, 119.
Ibid., 1831, p. 93.

224

JOURNAL

OF

NEGRO HISTORY

withinthe limitsof the commnonwealth,

until theyshould
respectively
arriveat theages aforesaid. Theywouldthen
be hiredout untilthenet sum arisingtherefrom
shouldbe
sufficient
to defraythe expensesof theirremovalbeyond
thelimitsof theUnitedStates.20
After several days of heated but fruitlessdiscussion
markedby adjournmentto calm the troubledwaters,the
questionassumeda new phase whenWilliamH. Brodnax,
the chairmanof the selectcommittee,
reportedthe resolution: That it is inexpedientfor the presentto make anty
for theabolitionof slavery. Wherelegislativeenactments
upon Mr. William A. Patterson of ChesterfieldCounty
movedto amendthis resolutionso as to read: That it was
expedientto adopt some legislative enactmentsfor the
abolitionofslavery.27 AroundGoode's motion,Randolph's
centeredan exciting
substituteand Preston's amendments
of opinionthat the
debateshowingsuch a wide difference
as Nat Turner's
publicitycaused aboutas muchexcitement
itself. Many citizensprotestedagainst such
insurrection
an open discussion,knowingthatslaves able to read might
therebybe inducedto rise again.28 This fear,however,did
rnot
serveverywell as a restrainingfactor.
The warningsoundedby some of these people is significant. The RichmondEnquirer the chief organ of
thoughtin theState expressedin a strongeditorialthatthe
evilsof slaverywerealarmingand urgedthatsomedefinite
actionbe takenimmediatelysince the policy of deferring
the solutionof the problemfor futuregenerationshad
to grief.29Certainladies from
broughtthecommonwealth
Fluvanna Countysaid in theirmemorial:"We cannotconceal fromourselvesthatan evil is amongus, whichthreatens to outgrowthegrowthand eclipsethebrightness
of our
nationalblessings."30 Brodnaxdeploredthe factthatthe
26 The Journal of the House of Delegates, 1831, p. 93.

Ibid., p. 93.
Ibid., p. 125.
29 The Richmond Enquirer, Jan. 7, 1832.
SODrewery, The Southairpton Imurrection, p. 165.
27
28

AFTERMATH
OF NAT TURNER'SINSURRECTION 225
time had come in Virginia "When men were found to lock
their doors and open them in the morningto receive their
servants to light their fires,with pistols in their hands.''31
A summaryof this debate shows that a few membersof
the legislature desired instantabolition,a muchlarger number, probably a majority of the body, wanted to work out
some scheme for gradual emancipation,and others feeling
that the slaves could be controlled by severe laws, endeavored to restrictthe effortto the removal of the free

peopleofcolor. Certaincitizensof Hanoverdesiredto lay

a tax on slaves and freeNegroesto raise fundsto deport
however,was
themall.32 The unfortunatedevelopment,
thatno one knewexactlywhathe wanted,no one came to
plan to remedytheevils,
thelegislaturewitha well-matured
and everyman seemedto be governedin his actionby his
local interestsratherthanthoseofthecommonwealth.
was, afteran excitingdiscusThe Prestonamendment
sion,finallydefeatedon the 25thof Januaryby a vote of
58 to 73. Thereuponon motionof Mr. ArchibaldBryce,of
GoochlandCounty,the legislatureamendedthe reportof
the select committeeby insertingthe following:" Profoundlysensibleof the great evils arisingfromthe condiintion of the coloredpopulationof this commonwealth
as well as by policyto an immediate
ducedby humanity,
effortfor the removalin the firstplace, as well of those
whoare nowfree,as of suchas mayhereafterbecomefree:
whileit is in just accordancewith
believingthatthiseffort,
on the subject,will absorb
of thecommunity
thesentiment
all our presentmeans,and thata furtheractionforthe removal of the slaves shouldawait a moredefinitedevelopmentof publicopinion.33
This resolutionaptly describesthe situationresulting
aftertheprolongeddiscussion. A majorityofthemembers
believedthatslaverywas an evil,butno one was willingto
pay the cost of exterminatingit. It was easily shown that
31 The Richmond Enquirer, Dec. 17, 1831.
32 ibid., Nov. 18, 1831.
33

The Journalof theHouse of Delegates,1831,p. 110.

226

JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY

was
slave labor the commonwealth
because of unprofitable
laggingbehindthe free States and that the freelabor essentialto the rebuildingof the waste places in the State
as long as there
would nevercome to the commonwealth
would be competitionwith slave labor. It was soon apparent,however,that a State withsuch a diversityof interests,one-halfslave and one-halffreecouldnot legislate
resolutionof procrastinaon slavery. This compromising
tion, therefore,was adopted as the best Virginia could
be inducedto do fortheexterminaunderthecircunmstances
tion34of its worstevil.
The debate proved to be valuable to the abolitionists.
In thecourseof his remarksMr. Brodnaxdeclaredthatthe
of the people seemedto be gone. " Under such
confidence
lifebecomesa burthenand it is betterto seek
circumstances
a homein somedistantrealmand leave the graves of our
fathersthan endureso precariousa condition." It was
evident,he thought,that somethingmust be done; and
althoughmeasuresfor the removalof this evil mightnot,
freemen of colorvotedin NorthCarolinaand
34Beforethe insurrection
case existsof a coloredvoterin Virginiaprior
at least one well-authenticated
is an authority
to 1830. A nativeof Virginialong a residentof Massachusetts
for the statementthat the facilitiesfor highereducationof the Negro were
quite as good in Richmondas in Bostonat thattime. Therewas.publishedin
of the
a paper of the time an accountof the celebrationof the anniversary
July4, 1827, by the free people of color of the
Declarationof Independence,
Virginia. The oratorof the day was Isaac N. Carey.
city of Fredericksburg,
In NorthCarolina John Chavis,a Negro, rose to such excellenceas a
teacherof whiteyouththat he is pronouncedin a biographicalsketch,containedin a historyof edueationin that State, publishedby the UnitedStates
Bureau of Education,as one of the mosteminentmenproducedby that State.
Negro,as a preacherhe aceeptablyfilledmanya white
Thoughan unmistakable
pulpitand was welcomedas a social guestat manya fireside. Such was the
however,
bitterness
againstthe race growingout of Nat Turner's Insurrection,
thatevensuch a man fell underthe ban of proseription.
Floydhad reference
quietlyignored
One of thepreachersto whomGovernor
thesuggestionin themessageof his Excellenevand keptup his work. He was
of the famousSergeant
a Baptist preacher,WilliamCarney,the grandfather
WilliamH. Carney,of the 54thMassachusetts
Regiment. At the same timea
town"bearded the lion in
daughterof his and a Methodistin a neighboring
his den" by actuallycollaringand drivingout the leader of a partyof whaito
menwhobrokeinto a Negroreligiousmeeting.

AFTERMATH

OF NAT

TURNER'S

INSURRECTION

227

perhaps be arrivedat imediately yet some plan for its

gradualeradicationwouldprobablybe hitupon. A system
mightbe concoctedby degreesto embracethewholesubject
and it was thereforenecessaryto considerit in all its
bearings.35
Mr. Chandlersaid thathe in commonwithhis constituents looked forwardto the passage of a law for the removalof thefreeblacks. He was also in favorof theconsiderationof anyplan whichmightremoveentirelyat some
futuretime,the greatestcursethathad everbeeninflicted
uponthisState. He wouldlookupon theday on whichthe
fromthe burdenof slavdeliveranceof thecommonwealth
ery should be accomplishedas the most glorious in the
annals of Virginia since the fourthof July,1776.36 Mr.
on the subMoore did not wish to entanglethe committee
ject ofgettingridofthefreeblackpopulationof thisState.
That population,he knew,was a nuisancewhichthe interests of the people requiredto remove,but therewas anotherand a greaternuisance,slavery itself. He wished
thatit shouldbe consideredand if it were possibleto devise any plan for the ultimateextinctionof slavery,he
wouldrejoice.37
Mr.Bollingrosein his remarksto a heightofmoralsublimity. "We talk of freedom,"said he, "while slavery
existsin thisland; and speakwithhorrorofthetyrannyof
theTurk. We fosteran evil whichthehighestinterestsof
the community
requireshouldbe removed,whichwas denouncedas thebans of our happinessby theFather of the
and to whichwe trace the cause of the
Commonwealth
lamentabledepressionof Eastern Virginia. Every intelligentindividualadmitsthat slaveryis the mostpernicious
"38
evil withwhicha bodypoliticcan be afflicted.
said
Mr. Randolpli,the grandsonof ThomasJefferson,
the
the
future
despairing
that it was the dark,
appalling,
The Biehmond Enquirer,Jan. 11, 1839.
Ibid., Jan. 11, 1839.
87 Ibid., Jan. 19, 1832.
38 Ibid., Jan. 24, 1832.

85
86

228

JOURNALOF NEGRO HISTORY

thathad awakenedthepublicmindratherthanthe Southampton Insurrection. He asked whethersilence would

restorethe death-likeapathy of the Negro's mind. It
mightbe wise to let it sleep in its torpor;"but has not,"
he asked, "its dark chaos been illumined? Does it not
move,and feel and think? The hourof the eradicationof
theevil is advancing,it mustcome. Whetherit is affected
by the energyof our minds or by the bloody scenes of
Southamptonand San Domingois a tale for futurehistory."39 Mr. Faulkner addressedthe House in favor of
the gradual extinctionof slavery,concludingwith these
carrythesword
words: "Tax ourlands,vilifyourcountry,
of exterminationthroughour defencelessvillages but
spare us the curseof slavery,thatbitterestdrop fromthe
chaliceof the destroyingangel."40
thus deMr. MacDowell,referringto the insurrection,
scribedits terrorand its awfullesson: "It drovefamilies
fromtheirhomes,assembledwomenand childrenin crowds
and everysufin everyconditionofweaknessand infirmity,
theterescape
to
feringthatwantand terrorcouldinflict,
ribledreadofdomesticassassination. It erecteda peaceful
and confidingState into a militarycamp whichoutlawed
beingswhose brothershad offrompity the unfortunate
fended;whichbarredeverydoor,penetratedeverybosom
withfear or suspicion,whichso banishedeverysense of
securityfromeveryman's dwelling;that,let but a hoofor
horn break upon the silenceof the night,and an aching
throbwould be drivento the heart. The husbandwould
lookto his weaponand themotherwouldshudderand weep
upon her cradle. Was it the fear of Nat Turnerand his
whichproducedsuch
deludeddrunkenhandfuloffollowers,
effects? Was it this that induceddistantcountieswhere
the very name of Southamptonwas strangeto arm and
equip fora struggle?No sir,it was the suspicioneternally
a suspicionthata Nat Turner
attachedto theslave himself,
mightbe in everyfamily,thatthe same bloodydeed might
89

The RichmondEnquirer,Jan. 25, 1832.

40 Ibid., Jan. 2f6,1832.

AFTERMATH OF NAT TURNER'S INSURRECTION

229

be acted over at any timeand in any place, that the materialsforit werespreadthroughtheland and werealways
ready for a like explosion."'4'
Althoughno agreementon the extinctionof slavery
couldbe reached,thequestionof removingthefreepeople
of color was decidedlyanothermatter. Many who were
unwillingto legislate with referenceto slavery did not
objectto theproposalto removethefreeNegroesfromthe
State. Yet therewere otherswho lookedupon this as a
politicalby-play. The SouthamptonInsurrectionwas not
theworkof freeNegroesbut thatof slaves. Onlytwo of
countytooka part
themanyfreeNegroesin Southampton
in the insurrectionand these two had slave wives. The
North Carolina plot, moreover,was revealed by a free
Negro. Many citizensagreed too with a RichmondEnof Hanover,who in speakingforthe
quirercorrespondent
freepeople of colorpointedout thegood theyhad been to
and theGovernorwhoin his annualmesthecommunity,42
sage raised thequestionas to proprietyof removingthem,
treatedthe
said thatthelaws of the State had theretofore
free people of color with "indulgentkindness" and that
" many instances of solicitudefor their welfare" had
"43
"markedtheprogressof legislation.
A bill for removal,however,was promptlyofferedon
of January.44On thefirstof February
thetwenty-seventh
therewas presentedan additionalreportdeemingit expedientto set apart for the removalof the free colored
populationso muchof the claims of Virginiaon the Genas maycomeintoand belongto thetreaseral Government
uryof theState.45 A fewdays laterMr. Mooresubmitted
a resolutioncoveringthesame groundand callinguponthe
Senators and Representativesof Virginia in Congressto
to promotethisproject.46The Matter
use theirbestefforts
41
42
43
44

The RichmondEnquirer,Jan. 27, 1832.

Ibid., Nov. 18, 1831.

The Journa of theHowe of Delegates,1831,p. 10.

Ibid., p. 112.

[bid., 1831, p. 125.

46 Ibid., 1831, p. 131.

45

230

JOURNAL

OF NEGRO HISTORY

was tabledbut on the 6thof Februarythe House resolved

itselfinto a committeeof the wholeto take this bill into
consideration.Afterprolongeddiscussionthematterwas
again tabledwitha viewto futureconsideration.The feeling of themajorityseemedto be that,if the Negroeswere
removed,no coercionshouldbe employedexceptin thecase
of thosewho remainedin the State contraryto the law of
1806.47$35,000for1832and $90,000for1833was to be appropriatedfortransportation.A centralboard consisting
of the governor,treasurer,and membersof the Councilof
State was to decidetheplace to whichtheseNegroeswere
to be expatriatedand theagentsto carryoutthelaw would
also be namedbythesameboard.48The billfortheremoval
postponedin theSenateby
offreeNegroeswas indefinitely
nevertakenup.
14
and
was
of
18
to
therefore
a vote
The niexteffortof the legislaturein dealing with the
theblackcode as it thenexisted
Negroeswas to strengthen
so as to providefora moreadequatesupervisionand rigid
controlof the slaves and freepeople of color. Therewas
a bill to amendan act entitled"an act to
offeredthereafter
slaves, free
revise under one the several acts concerniing
provisionsof the
Negroesand mulattoes." The important
bill were that slaves and freeNegroesshouldnot conduct
religiousexercisesnor attendmeetingsheld at nightby
whitepreachersunlessgrantedwrittenpermissionby their
mastersor overseers. Thereafterno freeNegroshouldbe
capable of purchase or otherwiseacquiring permanent
ownership,exceptby descent,of any slave, otherthanhis
or herhusband,wifeor children.Furtherpenalties,moreover,were providedfor personswritingor printinganythingintendedto incitethe Negroesto insurrection.The
theteachingof
State had alreadyenacteda law prohibiting
and
mulattoes.49
The
otherpetitions
slaves, freeNegroes
requiringthatNegroesbe restrictedin thehigherpursuits
of labor and in the ownershipof hogs and dogs were,be47
48
49

The Ri,chmondEnquirer, Jan. and Feb., 1832.

The Journal of the House of Delegates, 1831, AppendixI Bill No. 7.
Ibid., Bill No. 13.

AFTERMATH

OF NAT T-URNER'S INSURRECTION

231

had
cause of the spiritwhichexistedafterthe excitement
subsided,rejectedas unnecessary.The law providingfor
of free
burningin thehandwas repealed. The immigration
Negroesintothe State,however,was prohibitedin 1834.50
and thisdebateextended
The effectof thisinsurrection
far beyondthe bordersof Virginia and the South. GovernorMcArthurof Ohio in a message to his legislature
called special attentionto the outbreakand the necessity
for prohibitivelegislationagainst the influxwithinthat
of the free people of color who naturally
commonwealth
soughtan asylumin thefreeStates. The effectin SouthernStateswas farmoresignificant.Manyofthemalready
as that
had sufficient
regulationsto meetsuch emergencies
but othersfoundit necessaryto revise
of an insurrection
theirblackcodes.
Marvland passed, at the session of its legislaturein
1831-1832,a law providinga board of managersto use a
fundappropriatedfor the purpose of removingthe free
withthe State colpeopleof colorto Liberia in connection
onizationsociety-.5'Anotheract forbadethe introduction
of
of slaves eitherforsale or residentand theimmigration
freeNegroes. It imposedmanydisabilitieson theresident
freepeopleofcolorso as to forcethemto emigrate.52Delaof 1831,restrictedthe
ware,whichhad by its constitution
in 1832 an act preenacted
whites53
to
rightof franchise
ventingtheuse of firearmsby freeNegroesand provided
of thelaw of 1811againstthe imalso forthe enforcement
migrationof freeNegroesand mulattoes,prohibitedmeetings of blacks afterten o'clock and forbadenon-resident
blacksto preach.54
In 1831 Tennesseeforbadefreepersonsof colorto immigrate into that State under the penalty of fine for
in defaultof payment. Perremainingand imprisonment
60 Hurd, Lawc of Freedonm
and Bondage, II, 9.
51 The Laws of Maryland, 1831-32, c. 281.
52 Ibid., c. 328.
53 See Article IV, Sec. 1.
54 Revised Code of Maryland, Chap. 52 and 237.7

232

JOURNALOF NEGRO HISTORY

sons emancipating slaves had to give bond for their re-

moval to some pointoutsideof the State55and additional

penaltieswereprovidedforslaves foundassemblingor engaged in conspiracy. Georgia enacted a measure to the
effectthatnonemightgive creditto freepersonsof color
withoutorderfromtheirguardianrequiredby law and, if
insolvent,theymightbe bound out. It furtherprovided
thatneitherfreeNegroesnorslaves mightpreachor exhort
an assemblyof morethansevenunlesslicensedby justices
on certificate
of threeordainedministers. Theywerealso
forbiddento carry firearms.56North Carolina,in which
Negroesvoteduntil1834,enactedin 1831a speciallaw prohibitingfree Negroes frompreachingand slaves from
keepinghouse or going at large as freemen. To collect
finesof freeNegroesthelaw authorizedthattheymightbe
oftheState in 1835restricted
sold.57 The newconstitution
therightof suffrageto whitemen. South Carolinapassed
theteachingof slaves to read and
in 1836a law prohibiting
too the employment
of a
writeunderpenalties,forbidding
person of color as salesman in any house,store or shop
used for trading. Mississippi had already met most of
in the slave code in the year 1830.58
theserequirements
the
In Louisiana it was deemednecessaryto strengthen
of slaves
slave code. An act relativeto the introduction
providedthat slaves should not be introducedexceptby
to reside and citizenswho mightbepersonsimmigrating
comeowners.59Previouslegislationhad alreadyprovided
severepenaltiesforpersonsteachingNegroesto read and
writeand also had made provisionforcompellingfreecoloredpersonsto leave theState.60 In 1832theState of Alabama enacteda law makingit unlawfulforany freeperson
of colorto settlewithinthatcommonwealth.Slaves or free
The Laws of Tenn., 1831, Chaps. 102 and 103.
Cobb 's Digest of the Laws of Georgia, 1005.
57 Revised Statutes of North Carolina, c. 109 and 111.
68 Hurd, Law of Freedom and Bondage, II, 146.
59 Ibid.L IIo 162.
ao Laws of Louisiana, 1830, p. 90, See. 1.55

56

AFTERAUTH OF NAT TURLNER'SINSIURRECTION

233

persons of color should not be taught to spell, read or write.

It providedpenaltiesfor Negroeswritingpasses and for

freeblacks associatingor tradingwithslaves. More than
fivemale slaves were declared an unlawfulassemblybut
slaves couldattendworshipconductedbywhitesyetneither
slaves nor free Negroes were permittedto preach unless

beforefive respectableslaveholdersand the Negroes so

religious
preachingweretobe licensedbysomeneighboring
society. It was provided,however,that these sectionsof
the articledid not apply to or affectany free person of
color who, by the treatybetweenthe United States ancl
Spain,becamecitizensof theUnitedStates."'
thatone
So manyills of the Negrofollowed,therefore,
is inclinedto questionthewisdomof the insurgentleader.
WhetherNat Turnerhastenedor postponedtheday of the
abolitionof slavery,however,is a questionthatadmitsof
littleor muchdiscussionin accordancewithopinionsconcerningthe law of necessityand freewill in nationallife.
uponits parConsideredin thelightof its immediateeffect
ticipants,it was a failure,an egregiousfailure,a wanton
crime. Consideredin its necessaryrelationto slaveryand
to makingit a nationalissue by the deepas contributory
eningand stirringofthethenweaklocal forces,thatfinally
led to the EmancipationProclamationand the Thirteenth
was a moralsuccessand Nat
the insurrection
Amendment,
be
withthe greatestreformers
to
ranked
Turnerdeserves
ofhis day.
This insurrectionmay be consideredan effortof the
Negroto help himselfratherthandependon otherhuman
agenciesfor the protectionwhichcould come throughhis
owrnstrongarm; for the spiritof Nat Turnernever was
completelyquelled. He struckruthlessly,mercilessly,it
may be said, in cold blood,innocentwomenand children;
butthesystemofwhichhe was thevictimhad less mercyin
subjectinghis race to thehorrorsofthe"middlepassages"
and the endlesscrimesagainst justice,humanityand vir61 Annual Laws of Alabanw, 1832, p. 12.

234

JOURNA

OF NEGRO HISTORY

America. The brutality

tue,thenperpetratedthroughout
of his onslaughtwas a reflexof slavery,the objectlesson
whichhe gave broughtthe questionhometo everyfireside
untilpublicconscience,oncecallous,becamequickenedand
slaverywas doomed.
JOHN W. CROMWELL