Document A (Modified)
The Confessions of Nat Turner: The Leader of the Late Insurrections in Southampton, Va. As Fully and Voluntarily Made to Thomas R. Gray
[To the Public]
Thomas R. Gray: Public curiosity has tried to understand Nat Turner’s motives behind his diabolical actions. Everything connected with the rebellion was wrapped in mystery, until Nat Turner the leader of the violent and savage band, was captured. I was determined to end public curiosity and write down Nat Turner’s statements, and publish them, with little or no change, from his own words.
Nathaniel Turner: As I child, I knew I surely would be a prophet, as the Lord had showed me visions of things that had happened before my birth. My father and mother said I was intended for some great purpose. I was a child of uncommon intelligence and I knew I was never meant to be a slave. To a mind like mine, restless, curious and observant of every thing that was happening, religion became the subject that occupied all of my thoughts.
Thomas R. Gray: Nat Turner is a complete fanatic. The calm way he spoke of his late actions, the expression of his fiend-like face when excited by enthusiasm, still bearing the stains of the blood of helpless innocence about him. I looked on him and my blood curdled in my veins.
1. Who wrote this document? When and where was it published? What kind of publication is it?
2. Describe Nat Turner according to himself.
3. Describe Nat Turner according to Gray’s introduction and conclusion notes.
4. Is there a contradiction between Turner and Gray’s description? How and why?
5. Is this a trustworthy source? Does this account of Turner’s character seem believable? Explain.