1831 Reward for Conviction of Whites Distributing Abolitionist Newspapers & Nat Turner Drowned (False Report)

This October 29, 1831 edition of the Niles’ Weekly Register was published in Baltimore, MD and reports on “‘Gen. Nat’ It is believed that this distinguished leader of the blacks at the massacre in Virginia, was drowned, in attempting to cross New river. So says a letter to the governor of the state.” Also…

reported is “a reward of fifteen hundred dollars for the apprehension and prosecution to conviction, of any white person who may be detected in distributing or circulating within that state the newspaper, called “The Liberator,” printed in Boston, or the pamphlet called “Walker’s Pamphlet,” or any other publication of a seditious tendency. [Is not, by far, too much importance attached to these publications? It can be accounted for only in the fearful and ardent feeling of the people in the south, because of their condition–and, indeed, from certain movements among the slaves in various states, there is much reason to apprehend no inconsiderable degree of concerted action, though extremely indigested and inefficient, except for very limited operations, though causing a general alarm, no one knowing where a blow might fall.]

Also included in this newspaper is an account of 11 white men convicted of “living in the territory occupied by the Cherokees.” 7 of them “had intermarried with Cherokee women.”