Joanne, Off the top of my head I'm guessing the allegation (or "impression") is false. Gabriel's plans included the manufacturing of cutlass-like weapons (efficient, no moving parts, no powder to keep dry) but also involved a rather elaborate plan to seize the state arsenal, which would, I assume, have its own stores of powder. Perhaps I am wrong about that though--would arms be stored separately from the necessary powder? The story is an interesting one; it suggests that the fear of plots--even old ones-- could be invoked to "resolve" a variety of issues. David Kiracofe David Kiracofe History Tidewater Community College Chesapeake Campus 1428 Cedar Road Chesapeake, Virginia 23322 757-822-5136 >>> qvarizona <[log in to unmask]> 06/28/07 10:48 AM >>> David, One back-burner research project of mine is tracking down any truth to allegations made in a lawsuit originally brought in Botetourt Co. VA in Nov. 1804. This suit was founded on a contract by a Rev. Gray to purchase 500 pounds of gun powder from (Robert) Rowland of Botetourt Co., and it was charged that the powder was made and stored and subject to Gray's order for several years before Robert's death ca. Aug/Sept. 1800. When Gray demanded the powder, admin. of Robert's estate was unable to deliver and claimed that a few days before Robert's death the gun powder "... was feloniously stolen and the impression was that it was in possession of the negroes at the insurrection in Richmond (1800). " I understand it's been awhile since your research re. Gabriel and his plans, but do you recall coming across anything re. gun powder that would possibly provide a clue for me to follow? Joanne David Kiracofe <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Henry, Years ago I was doing some research on the suppression of the Gabriel Conspiracy of 1800 in the Library of Virginia manuscript collections, and came across has a report on the penitentiary. Along with reports of prisoner diet, expenditures of various kinds, it also discussed what they produced in the prison workshops. The report was in the Governor's papers (James Monroe's adminstration). I'm sorry I can't give you a specific date beyond that. Good luck. David Kiracofe David Kiracofe History Tidewater Community College Chesapeake Campus 1428 Cedar Road Chesapeake, Virginia 23322 757-822-5136 >>> Henry Wiencek 06/27/07 11:50 AM >>> Having done soap, I turn to nails. Jefferson had a nailery at Monticello in the 1790s and early 1800s (until he was run out of business by cheap British imports) where he set to work slaves aged 10-16. A dissertation says that Jefferson's local competition for his nailery was the Virginia State Penitentiary. The designer of the 'pen,' Benjamin Henry Latrobe, consulted with Jefferson on the design. The new prison was supposed to reflect the most advanced "liberal" thinking on prison reform. I'm digging into the sources, but does anyone know anything about the nailery at the state prison? I'm wondering if it was Jefferson's idea, Latrobe's idea, or someone else's. Henry Wiencek --------------------------------- Moody friends. Drama queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story. Play Sims Stories at Yahoo! Games.