nothing about it." Thus it is always hard to know whether to assume the
facts of an insurrection as above or below the estimates. This Virginian
excitement also happened at a period of intense political agitation, and
was seized upon as a boon by the Federalists. The very article above
quoted is ironically headed "Holy Insurrection," and takes its motto from
Jefferson, with profuse capital letters: "The Spirit of the Master is
abating, that of the Slave rising from the dust, his condition
mollifying."

In view of the political aspect thus given to the plot, and of its
ingenuity and thoroughness likewise, the Virginians were naturally
disposed to attribute to white men some share in it; and speculation
presently began to run wild. The newspapers were soon full of theories,
no two being alike, and no one credible. The plot originated, some said,
in certain handbills written by Jefferson's friend Callender, then in
prison at Richmond on a charge of sedition; these were circulated by two
French negroes, aided by a "United Irishman" calling himself a Methodist
preacher, and it was in consideration of these services that no Frenchman
was to be injured by the slaves. When Gabriel was arrested, the editor of
the _United-States Gazette_ affected much diplomatic surprise that no
letters were _yet_ found upon his person "from Fries, Gallatin, or Duane,
nor was he at the time of his capture accompanied by any United
Irishman." "He, however, acknowledges that there are others concerned,
and that he is not the principal instigator." All Federalists agreed that
the Southern Democratic talk was constructive insurrection,--which it
certainly was,---and they painted graphic pictures of noisy "Jacobins"
over their wine, and eager dusky listeners behind their chairs. "It is
evident that the French principles of liberty and equality have been
effused into the minds of the negroes, and that the incautious and
intemperate use of the words by some whites among us have inspired them