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.