obtaining money
to make his escape. It is notorious that he was never known to
have a dollar in his life, to swear an oath, or drink a drop of
spirits. As to his ignorance, he certainly never had 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. As to his being a coward, his
reason, as given, for not resisting Mr. Phipps, shows the
decision of his character. When he saw Mr. Phipps present his
gun, he said he knew it was impossible for him to escape, as the
woods were full of men; he therefore thought it was better for
him to surrender, and trust to fortune for his escape.

"He is a complete fanatic, or plays his part most admirably. On
other subjects he possesses an uncommon share of intelligence,
with a mind capable of attaining any thing, but warped and
perverted by the influence of early impressions. He is below the
ordinary stature, though strong and active, having the true negro
face, every feature of which is strongly marked. I shall not
attempt to describe the effect of his narrative, as told and
commented on by himself, in the condemned hole of the prison: the
calm, deliberate composure with which he spoke of his late deeds
and intentions; the expression of his fiend-like face, 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
the blood curdled in my veins."

In the "Richmond Enquirer," of September 2, 1831, appeared the
following: "It is reported that a map was found, and said to have been
drawn by Nat. Turner, with _polk-berry juice_, which was a description
of the county of Southampton."

The influence of this bloody insurrection spread beyond the Old
Dominion, and for years afterward, in nearly every Southern State the
whites lived in a state of dread. To every dealer in flesh and blood
the "Nat. Turner Insurrection" was a stroke of poetic justice.

FOOTNOTES:

[29] Atlantic Monthly, vol. x. p. 337.

[30] Atlantic Monthly, vol. x. p. 339.

[31] Atlantic Monthly, vol. vii. pp. 728, 744.

[32] Atlantic Monthly, vol. vii. p. 737.

[33] Richmond Enquirer