Albany (New York) Argus,

September 22, 1831

        We publish all the accounts on this engrossing subject [rumors of insurrection in North Carolina] that have come to hand. Although they abound in exaggerations, the natural effect of a feverish and excited state of the public mind, they show at least that there is too much cause for active and vigorous precautionary measures. So far, these seem to have been taken. If, however, the rising shall prove to be extensive or formidable, and the danger real, we know with how much alacrity the men of the North will come to the aid of their fellow citizens of the South. The cause is a common one; and the claim upon us, although less direct, is not the less the claim of humanity and patriotism.

Eric Foner, editor, Nat Turner (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1971), 77-78.