Come August, Come Freedom (17 page)

September 8, 1800

Magistrates to the Governor

Richmond

Dear Excellency,

This is to certify that we were examining magistrates in the case of the Negroes charged with conspiracy and a design to rebel against the white people; and from every incident which appeared at the examination, we do not hesitate to say that Gabriel, the property of Thomas H. Prosser of Henrico County, was clearly proven to be the main spring and chief mover in the contemplated rebellion.

Given under our hands,

Gervas Storrs

Joseph Selden

GABRIEL RODE
into Richmond in a cart driven by Tinsley’s John. At low twelve on September fourth, he had left the swamp headed north toward Hanover Towne, where he hid out for another week. He had friends, recruits, at the tavern there and prayed they could help him get into the city undiscovered.

Concealed underneath a mound of hay, he hardly breathed the whole twelve miles into town. As the cool September morning broke, the patrollers stopped John and asked for his papers and mulled through the cart, just avoiding the corner where Gabriel had melted away into the wood bottom. He needed to reach Jacob’s forge. He knew that to go back into Richmond was dangerous, but he saw no other way to reach Norfolk but down the James.

The boys in Norfolk might be ready to rise. If Quersey went south there, there may be a way.

Gabriel was known to many in the capital and could only hope that if he were to be recognized, it would be by those friends of liberty who had shared Richmond’s streets with him since he was an apprentice boy. When he reached Main Street, John drew the cart alongside a quiet alley, and Gabriel slipped away and, with help from the washerwomen, stayed hidden until dusk.

At the forge, Jacob was waiting. They embraced.

“Militia’s already come three times to this shop, Gabriel. They’ll return; we know that. You go to this spot four miles down the river. Wait there for the schooner called
Mary;
go see Captain Richard Taylor. He’ll get you to Norfolk. Maybe there you can find Quersey.”

Just as Jacob said, a three-masted schooner sat docked on a sandbar four miles below the city. Gabriel watched the comings and goings of the
Mary
before he moved to board. He recognized the slave Billy. His name had never appeared on Gabriel’s list or Sam Byrd’s or Solomon’s.

Never seen Billy anywhere near the business.
Gabriel hesitated to show his face but knew he could not turn back. He waded into the water, and with his bayonet and his sword held high above his head, he requested to board. Billy nodded for Gabriel to throw down his weapons.

My reward is posted all over town. Does Billy remember me?

“Do I know you?” Billy asked. “Aren’t you Gabriel? Aren’t they lookin’ for you?”

Gabriel had given up on receiving any help from Ma’s Lord, but still he looked to heaven again, as he always did when he needed a way out.
Daniel,
he thought.
Ma always called me Daniel.
So he told Billy, “I’m Daniel, not Gabriel, but I know who you mean. I’m not that man.”

Billy took Gabriel aboard. Captain Taylor promised to get him safely to Norfolk. “I owe a debt to Jacob Kent,” Taylor said. “He took me in and got me straightened out. I owe him, and I expect you do, too.”

For the whole of the journey, Gabriel stayed belowdeck so as not to be seen by any man on any ship or boat. He hardly ate. He hardly slept, and he spoke to no one.

To His Excellency the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia

September 12, 1800

9:00 p.m.

Richmond Jail

Sir,

I conceive it my unbounded Duty to inclose Solomon’s Petition to Your Excellency — much good seems to flow from a rapid Execution — my day light Bell no sooner gave signal to my servants to rise to duty, than it roused the unfortunate criminals to a sense of their approaching Fate, and the whole Jail was alive to Hymns of Praise to the great God and here (I hope) penitence instantly began.

Wm. Rose.

P
ETITION FOR
S
OLOMON

The Petition of the Negro man Solomon, now under sentence of death in the Jail of Richmond, Humbly represents That the petitioner would consider it as a favour of the highest importance, and as essential to his eternal welfare, if he could possibly, by Your Excellency’s goodness, obtain a respite for a few days from the execution of the just and awful sentence which has been pronounced agt. him; that this act of mercy and compassion will not only be of the utmost advantage to the petitioner, but it may ultimately promote the interest of the Commonwealth, as he is ready, if time shall be allowed to him for recollection, to make numerous and important discoveries concerning the late atrocious Conspiracy.

C
ONFESSION OF
S
OLOMON

My brother Gabriel was the one who influenced me to join him and others so we might conquer the white people and take their property. When I asked how, he said by falling upon them in the dead of night, at a time they would be unguarded and unsuspicious.

When I asked who would lead it, he said a man from Caroline who was at the siege of Yorktown, and who was to meet him at the water — the Brook — and from there on to Richmond. They would take the city. This man from Caroline was to be in charge the first day, and then, after exercising the soldiers, the commander would be Gabriel. Every Sunday, my brother came to Richmond to provide ammunition to some men and to find where the military stores were deposited.

The first places Gabriel intended to attack in Richmond were the Capitol, the Magazine, the Penitentiary, the Governor’s house, and the Governor himself. My brother planned the insurrection now because so many soldiers have been discharged in the last one or two months. He said that would make it easier.

Gabriel said if they succeeded, then they would put down the whole of the country where slavery was permitted, but no further than that.

September 12, 1800

J. Monroe to Mayor of Williamsburg

Richmond

Sir,

I have been advised that Gabriel, the slave who was at the head of the late conspiracy and intended insurrection of the slaves, was seen last night in Hanover enquiring the route to James Town. I give you this information that patroles may be ordered to search for him, since if due exertion be made it is probable he will be apprehended. I send you his description that it may be made known as generally as circumstances will permit in the lower country. I will thank you to communicate the above to the commanding officers of the regiment in James City, and likewise to Mr. Ambler at James Town, with whose slaves he is probably acquainted. Any expence attending a compliance with this request will be defrayed by the publick.

With great respect I am, Sir,

J. M.