Denmark Vesey - The Response

The Response

The hysteria and fear fomented amongst the minority white population fanned the flames of the fear of future slave insurrection. In response to the Vesey conspiracy, the South Carolina Association was formed to provide more effective control of the black population. The African Church building was ordered destroyed by city authorities. Among the limits imposed on South Carolinians in the wake of the failed conspiracy were the restricting of owner’s right of manumition of slaves, restrictions on the movement of free persons of color in and out of the state and requiring them to secure a white guardian who could vouch for their character. An act also compelled the forced imprisonment of black sailors visiting Charleston. This later act was ruled unconstitutional in Federal Court and played a small part in the confrontation between South Carolina and the Federal Government over State Rights.

In late 1822, the City petitioned the General Assembly “to establish a competent force to act as a municipal guard for the protection of the City of Charleston and its vicinity.” The General Assembly agreed and appropriated funds to erect “suitable buildings for an Arsenal, for the deposit of the arms of the State, and a Guard House, and for the use of the municipal guard.”

The buildings that would become known as the Citadel were ready for occupation in 1829, but by then the fears of insurrection had subsided and rather than establish the municipal guard authorized in the act, the State and city entered into an agreement with the War Department for a detail of United States troops then stationed at Fort Moultrie to garrison the Citadel.