Answer: demonstrated that the slaves were as aware of the idea of liberty as anyone else.
The large population of Virginia slaves, before the rebellion of Gabriel Prosser, as it has been called, was increasing, while Gabriel and his brothers had learned to read, and it is quite possible that they were blacksmiths, as well as his father. They were owned by Thomas Prosser, and in August 1800 attempted a rebellion, which failed because of rain, and because they were denounced by two slaves. Gabriel, who was literate, and considered of intelligence and superior rank, even by whites, was hanged next to the 23 slaves who tried to rebel. By this attempt of rebellion, free African-Americans, and slaves, were prohibited from reading and writing, to prevent further rebellions.