This article highlights the role played by the press and the police upon learning about a slaves’ planned rebellion scheduled to take place during the celebrations in honor of Saint Anne on July 27, 1884 in the county of São Matheus, in the northern area of the province of Espírito Santo, a revolt intended to promote general slave emancipation in the county. Throughout the nineteenth century slaves were wont to take advantage of religious celebrations to carry out massive insurrections. The events which took place in São Matheus help throw some more light into both this practice and the role played by the press in concealing facts that might stir up panic in the society of the time.