Name:- Himanshi Miglani

Class- 1A

Roll no. – 23/354

Review of Herbert Aptheker’s “On Denmark Vesey”

This review is based on the article written by Herbert Aptheker, namely, “On Denmark Vesey”. Herbert
Aptheker, American historian who wrote and lectured extensively on black history and on his Marxist
political views. The best known of his many writings is A Documentary History of the Negro People in the
United States.

This particular article of his, is about Denmark Vesey, a freed slaves, who led a slave insurrection in South
Carolina, however, the conspiring slaves were caught and suppressed, even before the rebellion could
take place.

The review would includeincludee the following:-

•Situation in Charleston

•About Denmark Vesey and his conspiracy

•Selection of participants of conspiracy

•Gathering of support for conspiracy

•Beginning of the suppression of conspiracy

•Plan of conspiracy

•Consequences of the conspiracy

•Public opinion about Vesey’s plot

•Conclusion

Situation in Charleston
Depression-ridden Charleston, South Carolina, whose census of 1820 showed an actual decline in the
number of its white inhabitants, and a rise in that of the Negroes until the latter comprised four-
sevenths of its residents,’ was the scene in 1822 of one of the most serious, widespread, and carefully
planned conspiracies. Slaveowners urged free Negroes to go to Africa, however, Vesey did not pay heed
to it because he wanted to stay and see what he could do for his fellow creatures.

About Denmark Vesey and his conspiracy

Since the leader of this plot, Denmark Vesey (born, it is reported, in Africa, and serving for several years
aboard a slave-trader) had succeeded in purchasing his freedom in 1800 and thus was a member of the
free Negro’ group, it is especially interesting to observe that the rapid increase in that class of people
had aroused concern which several times found expression just prior to the discovery of the conspiracy,
and which resulted in legislation aimed against the group.

Vesey seems, however, to have been the only non-slave directly implicated in the plot. He and several
other leaders, such as Peter Poyas and Mingo Harth, were urban artisans-carpenters, harness-makers,
mechanics, and blacksmiths; they were literate, and Vesey was master of several languages. He was the
oldest of the plotters, being apparently in his late fifties. Until the betrayal of the conspiracy, he wore a
beard, but further than this little is known concerning his personal appearance.

Selection of participants of conspiracy

In the selection of his leaders, Vesey showed great penetration and sound judgment. The fear of
betrayal, however, was great, so that, in enlisting men the great caution observed by the leaders was
remarkable. Few if any domestic servants were spoken to, as they were distrusted; and PeterPoyas whilst
he urged one of his agents to speak to others and solicit them to join, at the same time gave him this
charge, ‘but take care and don’t mention it to those waiting men who receive presents of old coats, etc.
from their masters, or they’ll betray us; I will speak to them.”

Gathering of support for conspiracy

Appeals to the rights of man, couched in both theological and secular terms, were used by Vesey. Affairs
relating to enslavement were noted by him and called to the attention of the slaves, as the bitter debates
in Congress over the Missouri question, or the success of the Haitians’ in establishing and maintaining
their independence.
Beginning of the suppression of conspiracy

While calling people to join the conspiracy, one agent attempted to interest a favourite slave of Colonel
Prioleau in the scheme and he informed his master about it. Then,the authorities took the first steps
towards crushing the conspiracy by arresting Peter Poyas and Mingo Harth.

Plan of conspiracy

Vesey had set the date for the outbreak on the second Sunday in July, the Sabbath being selected since it
was customary for many slaves to enter the city on that day, and the summer month because many
whites would then be vacationing outside Charleston. The betrayal led him to put the date ahead one
month, but Vesey could not communicate this to his country confederates, some of whom were as many
as eighty miles outside the city. The two leaders, Peter and Mingo, though arrested, behaved “with so
much composure and coolness” that “the wardens were completely deceived.” Both were freed on, but
spies were detailed to watch their movements.

However, the arrests of slaves followed all across, from wherever the slaves had joined the conspiracy,
even outside the city, in great numbers.

The Negroes had arranged a considerable amount of weapons. They had noted every store containing
any arms and had given instructions to all slaves who tended or could get horses as to when and where
to bring the animals. Even a barber had assisted by making wigs and whiskers to hide the identities of
the rebels. Vesey had also written twice to St. Domingo telling of his plans and asking for aid. All who
opposed were to be killed for the creed of the Negroes was “he that is not with me is against me.”
Following the arrests there was formulated a plan for the rescue of the prisoners. However, the rebellion
couldn’t take place as planned.

Consequences of the conspiracy

The pattern of recommendations, and the enactments of new measures of restriction and repression
followed the rebellious activity. Post-conspiracy literature stressed the wisdom of keeping down the
number of free Negroes, and of making their lives more difficult. For the slaves seeing the free Negroes,”
“naturally become dissatis- fied with their lot, until the feverish restlessness of this disposition foments
itself into insurrection.

Specific proposals called for ceasing to hire out slaves, keeping them out of cities, forbidding their
instruction, and strengthening the military prowess of the community.” And, significantly, one influential
commentator found dangerous and therefore lamentable the “indiscreet zeal in favor of universal
liberty” that existed and found frequent expression in the United States.”

Action was taken. During the year following Vesey’s conspiracy, laws were passed forbidding the hiring
out of slaves, providing that every free Negro over fifteen years of age was to have a guardian whose
function would be to serve as a control on his behavior, the congregating of slaves was forbidden, the
instructing of Negroes in the arts of reading and writing was made a crime, slaves were ordered not to
converge on Charleston every Sunday, and patrol regulations were made more severe.” It was, moreover,
forbidden for any Negro from Mexico, the West Indies or South America to enter the State, and Negro
crew members of any ship entering any harbor of South Carolina, were not to leave their boat on penalty
of imprison- ment, with the necessity of the captain paying the State the charges of his confine- ment, if
he wished the seaman released.” In addition two extra-legal steps were taken when a volunteer military
organization, under the leadership of Robert J. Turnbull, was formed July, 1823 in Charleston; and a
Negro religious leader, Bishop Moses Brown, whose African Methodist Church in Charleston had three
thousand members in 1822, was forced to leave the State.”

Public opinion about Vesey’s plot

A few Northern newspapers, like the New York Daily Advertiser, the Philadelphia Gazette, and the Boston
Recorder, published articles in a deprecating tone to both the institution of slavery and the uprisings and
bloody repressions it called forth.” Even in South Carolina itself there is evidence of such a feeling,” and
publicists in that State did not hesitate to rush to the defense of its action in repressing the conspiracy,
and to the defense, per se, of the system of chattel slavery.

Conclusion

Slaves were treated as property. The whole system of slavery was based on the need for labour. The
ideas of liberty had also influenced slaves. The dehumanization of slaves, the brutal treatment towards
them, which even included whipping, forced them to rise against their masters. As it is said, “More is the
repression, more is the resistance”. However, some slaves were even treated well by their master. As the
Vesey’s plot reached the ears of the authourities just because a slave had reported it to his master. He
betrayed the Negroes and sided by his master, maybe because he was treated well enough.

While, on the other side, one can also see that, even those who had been free, had empathy for the
former fellow slaves. Vesey was a freed Negroe, still he conspired to free other slaves because of the
brutal treatment, which they had to go through, everyday.

The slaves were also Inspired by the movement in Haiti against the French in the Carribean, which is not
far from the U.S. From this movement, the slaveowners were also cautious ofpossible rebellion.

Though not successful, but slaves were indeed resisting. Some resisted together, like in the Vesey’s plot,
while some even resisted individually via different ways.