Inside view of slavery : or, A tour among the planters / by C.G. Parsons, M.D. ; with an introductory note by Mrs. H.B. Stowe

INSIDE VIEW
LAVERY
TOUfB AMONG THE PLANTERS.
BY O. G. PAESONS, M. D.,
WITH AN INTRODUCTORY NOTE B MBS. H. B. STOWE.
FOURTH THOUSAND.
BOSTON-
BLISHED BY JOHN P. .TEWETT AND COSIPANY. CLEVELAND, OHIO :
JEWETT, PROCTOR AND WORTHINGTON. 1855.

Entered according to Act of Congress, A. D. 1855, by C. G. PARSONS & CO.
In. the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Maine.
B.THUHSTON
Per -"J, Maine.

\ INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

PBKPATOEY NOTE, The following work is Htt^ more than a record

of facts seen and learned during an extensive tour in the Southern

Slates in 1852 and 1853, from a journal made at the time. This tour

V\ts made, and the notes had been used by the author as the basis of a

,-ries of lectures delivered in several of the New England States, before

any othsr " view *' of slavery had been published. Neither its origin

nor its pr; ^aration has been induced, therefore, by any publicsti 01 that

has pT& _;ded it,

The manuscript copy, as originally prepared for the press, contained

the entire names of individuals and places. At the suggestion of the

publisher many of these names have been suppressed, or the initials

only inserted. But as this has been done solely from a regard for the

feelings of the individuals referred to, many of whom are the author's

personal friends, any one desiring to obtain the names, -with the view

of testing the truth of any statements contained in the volume, can do

so by applying to him, or to the publisher.

C. G. P.

Wmdham, *fl.ug. 1, 1855.

fl "\V~hen Freedom, on her natal day, Within. her war-rocked cradle lay, An iron, race around Uei' stoat),, Baptized her iruaiit tmsvr iu blood, And, through, the storm which, round her swep(> Their constant ffanl antl watching kept.
Our i'athcrs to their graves have gone Their strife is ;iast, their triumph, won j But sterner trials "wait the tace Which rises m their honored place A r^oral \varikre with the crime And folly of an eiril time.
" So let it be. In GotFs o-^vn snight "We gii-d us for the coming fi-gbt, And, strong in Him whose cause is ours In conflict with unholy powers, We grasp the weapons tte h^ia giveii, The light, and Truth, and Love of Heaven.I"

CONTENTS.

CHAPTEB.

PAGE

INTRODUCTION -- By Mrs. H. B. Stowe, - 11

I. -- PRELIMINARY REMARKS, ------- 13

II. --ARRIVAL AT SAVANNAH, - - - - - - 20

III. -- ABE THE SLAVES CONTENTED ? - - - - 29

IV. -- CHRISTMAS IN SAVANNAH, - .... 40

V. -- ILLUSIONS OP SLAVERY", ------- 53

VI. -- WHY THE NORTH PROSPERS, .... 62

VII. -- RESOURCES OP THE SOUTH, ----- 67

VIII. -- SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE, ----- 78

I..--YANKEE AND SLAVEHOLDER COMPARED, - 96

.. -- PRIVATE AXD PUBLIC BUILDINGS, -

106

.I. -- THE PARTING SCENE, ------ 118

.II. -- SLAVEHOLDERS AS BUSINESS MEN, - - 125

.III.--SOUTHERN SPOETS, .,-..- 135

.IV. -- TREATMENT OF SLAVES, ..... 150

CONTENTS.

XV.-- FOOTPRINTS OF SLAVERY,

163

XVI. -- No SYMPATHY FOR SLAVES, -

173

XVII. -- SOUTHERN JURISPRUDENCE, - -

186

XVIII.-- SLAVERY HARDENS THE HEART,

203

XIX. -- SLAVERY AND EDUCATION, - -

232

XX. -- SLAVERY AND THE SABBATH, - -

254

XXI. -- SLAVERY AND CHRISTIANITY, -

269

XXII. --"WAYSIDE NOTES, .....

286

XXIII. -- THE GIANT SLAVE, - , . ,

300

XXTV. -- THE ETHIOPIAN SOCRATES.

311

INTRODUCTION.
WE have in this book the simple, straightforward narrative of an impartial witness, whose relationships and business brought him into intimate connections with all the phases of Southern society.
It is truly, as its title indicates, an inside -view of slavery, -- a view which could only be taken by one brought into intimate association with the society de scribed.
It appears to be candid and fair in its spirit--to extenuate nothing1, nor set down ought in malice^ -- and the facts carry their own authentication with them.
We recommend to all unprejudiced, or even preju diced persons, to read it. If they once begin, they will not be likely to leave before the book is fin,-

xii.

INTRODUCTION.

islied. And having read it, we hope they will ask

themselves the question--^are these things so? -- and

if they are, -- have I any duties to perform respect

ing them ? Every man, woman, and child in America

has a personal interest in the question--what is slav

ery?-- and every person is morally bound to form a

correct opinion with regard to it.

Thie book is earnestly commended, therefore, to the

attention of all who wish an intelligent answer to that

question.

H. B. STOWE.

Andover, August 8th, 1855 s

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.
I.
A TOUR AMONG- THE PLANTERS.
OSTE of the most interesting features of the age in which we lire, is the spirit of reform, that everywhere pervades it. It is confined to no nation or country. The whole civilized world is alive with it. Before its search ins; scrutiny, no abuse is allowed to pass unnoticed. It finds its way into the prisons and cloisters of Europe, to deliver their inmates, or ameliorate their condition. It attacks despotism, alike in church and state. It strikes at systems hoary with age and crime, and exposes their enormities; -- while it brings the habits and practices of men, -- though san^tiouorl by f" : I^<^TI o,nd custom, -- to the test of its srfm-lrhv; j-.ii utiny. Like Ichu^iel's spear, it touches everything, however disguised, that tends to
2

14

INSIDE VIEW OP SLAVEBY

degrade, or injure, or debase mankind, and reveals it to the world, in all its native ugliness and deformity.
This spirit, as now developed with special prominence in this country, relates to the two great evils of the land, -- slavery, and intemperance. I do not mean to say that it is limited to these. It has no limit, within the range of human welfare. But as these evils are now engrossing a large share of public attention, so the voice of reform is calling loudly for some way of deliverance. The question of remedy is more properly within the sphere of political discussion; -- but the evils themselves, as they deeply affect moral, social, and physical life, en ter into almost every field of literary effort.
The observations which have resulted in the prepara tion of this volume were made more minutely, as well as more extensively, in Georgia than in any other State. The early settlement of that State was begun under more favorable auspices than attended the birth of any other,--not excepting even Massachusetts. The found ers of the colony of Georgia seem to have had some premonitions of the evils that were afterwards to afflict our country, -- and they sought to avert them. Under their first charter, therefore, the introduction of slavery, and the importation of spirituous liquors were both ex pressly prohibited. How different would have been the condition of that State, and, perhaps, of the whole nation, if those provisions had been maintained to this day!
But the adjacent colony of South Carolina was thickly populated with slaves, and the evil example was conta gious. Like the ancient Hebrews when they desired a

A TOUR AMONG THE PLANTERS.

15

king, -- wishing to be like their neighbors, they at length became so. As the population increased, and the inhab itants became closely connected in business, the antislavery clause in their code began to be violated with impunity, and in 1749 it was abrogated.
The same struggle and defeat on the temperance ques tion had already been seen. As early as 1736 a cargo of liquors, brought into Savannah by the Carolina tra ders, was seized by the civil authorities, and publicly destroyed, -- and the traders were imprisoned. Perhaps nothing in the early colonial histories approaches nearer to the " Maine Law" than this. But it was too far in ad vance of the age, to stand. Adverse influences from the neighboring colonies, -- especially from South Caroli na, -- together with the power of appetite and interest at home, finally gained the victory, -- and the prohibition, was removed.
There are few Northern men who have not relatives, or intimate friends, in the South. State sovereignty aad. citizenship, local attachments, the sacred associations :of , home, all yield to the centrifugal forces of active life/\ and families are scattered until, perhaps, each member ; resides in a different State. But the strong ties of early affection, though lacerated, are not destroyed. The com panions of childhood are remembered, and if we are not able to revisit them among
" The smiling HUs, the spacious, fertile vales, "Where oft we wandered, plucking vernal flowers, And reveled jit the odor-breathing gales,
we long for them to visit us where another home has

16

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY,

been hallowed by now associations. And hence, though there are repulsions iu religion and politics, and sec tional controversies have arisen, the warm greeting and kind invitation are still sent and- returned- Aiid; thanks to a good Providence, whatever have been the recrimina tions of politicians, and -whatever blemishes there may be upon, the character of our people, either K"orth or South, this spirit of prcncrotis hospitality and warm hearted social intercourse is not yet dead I
From the commencement of the anti-slavery move ment in this country, 1 Lave been deeply interested in its progress; and though I have never believed it neces sary, in order to understand this subject, that one should visit the slave States, still I had long wished to do so. I felt certain that there must be, among the effects of the slave system, facts that would arrest the attention and awaken the sympathy of Northern men more than could be done by discussing its abstract principles. I there fore determined to know, from actual observation, the workings and results <of this system*
In the autumn of 1352, I made my arrangements for a tour in the Southern States. I had a number of rela tives in Georgia whom I desired to visit; and as gome of them were slaveholders, and all of them so situated that a more intimate acquaintance with their southern homes would bring me into close contact with slavery, I designed to avail myself of every opportunity which the occasion mip,ht afford fox- a thorough investigation. The fact that I had influential friends connected with the system, ^ave me,, probably, a nearer access to its

A TOTJK AMONG THE PLANTERS.

17

secret operations than had ever been enjoyed by any one iJot supposed to "be in favor of it. The time of my visit "was also opportune, being after the compromise meas ures had been adopted in Congress. The pulpit and the press had proclaimed that all "agitation had ceased/' and that tho "anti-slavery cause was dead." In the South this was, to some extent, believed to be true; and the espionage of slaveholders over the movements of Northern men was less than had been known before for many years.
Daring my sojourn in tlic South, I traveled through Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, "Virginia, and the Carolinas. Thus I learned that tho agricultural system of all the slave States is generally the same. But my in quiries into the condition and the business habits of the people, the institutions of learning and religion, and tho whole modus operandi of the slave system, in its effects upon masters, non-slaveholders, and slaves, were made more particularly in the State of Georgia. And, perhaps, no single State exhibits a fairer view of the whole system. Though not in so mild a form as in Virginia and ^Maryland, still darker and more cruel aspects of it may be seen in the Carolinas, and the South Western States.
In order to obtain a correct knowledge of the man ners and customs of the people, and their modes of doing business, I engaged, at different times, in various occupations. In 110 other way can a stranger become acquainted with men and things. For some time I trav eled in the interior, as agent for a commission house in

18

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

the city of Savannah., purchasing cotton, corn, hides, &c. At another time I was employed by a lumber company that "was "building mills in the country, to superintend the operation, and take charge of the manufacturing business. Here 'were slaveholders and. slaves laboring together, living in log cabins, eating from the same dish, and sleeping on the same floor, or on the ground, at night. One of the owners "was a Presbj-terian clergy man, and a slaveholder, but the smartest man to "work we had ia the "crowd." The "master builder" was also a minister, of the Baptist denomination. He was a native Georgian, but a thorough going abolitionist. The subject of slavery was frequently and fully discussed among us, and its injurious effects on industrial pursuits were admitted by all.
!N"o one can understand much of slavery by looking at the features which it presents in the northern slave States. The influence of free labor, and Northern inst-i. tutions; here modifies the system, and cither banishes or conceals many barbarous practices which are common farther south. The master, even if unconscious of It, feels the influence of public sentiment, and often seeks to palliate the great wrong by Idnd treatment.
Neither can any one see and know what slavery is by 'visiting only the cities and large villages in the southern slave States. Here, as in the States farther north, the slaveholder is surrounded by influences that change tho external features of the system, and tend to check its excesses. Those men who are prominent in the learned professions, and most successful in business, are many,

A TOUR. AMON& THE PLANTERS.

19

if not most of them,, from the N"orth. If we inquire of the most enterprising, wealthy merchants iu the cities, not only on tlw coaat, but iu the interior of the slave States, where they originated, they "will point us to their remote country homes in New England, wliere they first saw the light, -where their early years of life were em ployed in vigorous exercise on the rough farm in sum mer, and in the common school in. "winter. These men learned the value of schools and churches before they left their good old puritan, homes, and they have strug gled manfully to maintain these institutions, in spite of the downward tendencies, and the untoward influences of the slave system. And they have also felt that labor ing* 'men need wholesome, nutritious food to stimulate the muscle, and quiet rest at night, on a comfortable bod, to restore toiio to the nerves. Such men care for the condition of their servants. The legitimate effects of slavery are not fully developed in. their families, though the slaves probably experience great sufferings in the best condition, which the stranger cannot perceive ; nor even the master know.
But to understand what slavery is, we must go '.'nto the planting districts, and sec the " live Crackers" as the inhabitants of those districts are familiarly called. Here we behold tlie native slaveholder alone with his slaves, having no Northern men about Mm to influence his con duct, to chock the full indulgence of his appetites, or re strain his passions. Here, and here only, can wo see slavery as it is. No whore else are its leiritimate results and real influences so fully disclosed.

A TOUR AMONG THE PLANTERS.
" By atoned lull and hallowed grot, By mossy wood and marshy glen, "Wlien.ce rang of old the rifle shot, And hurrying shout of Marion's men, Tlie groin of breaking hearts is there--> The falling Lish, the fetters' clank! Slaves -- slaves are breathing in that air, "Which old DaKalb and Sumpter drank!
"WHTTTIEB.
THE Southern Colonies did not distinguish- themselves in the Revolutionary War. Savannah arid Charleston successively surrendered to the British arms, and at last, Georgia and. both the Carolinas were abandoned to the British power. The Southern army was nearly destro}r ed? and the remnant withdrawn from the field. And yet, these colonies were the scenes of sonic of the most bril liant exyjloits and heroic adventures that are recorded in the history of that memorable struggle. The death of Pulaskij and DcKalb, the daring bravery of Gen. Sump ter as he contested the ground, inch by inch, with a su perior force, before which he was compelled at Jast to retire, the struggles and triumphs of Marion, Wayne,

A TOUR AMO^a THE PLANTERS-

21

and Morgan, after Gen, Grceno had taken tlio command of the Southern division of Uie army, form a chapter of events not inferior in interest to any other. It "was from tliis field that Kennedy gathered the materials for his fine historical romance " Horse-shoe Robinson." And -whatever may bo said of the devotion which the South exhibited to the American, cause during the Revolution ary War, it must be admitted that since that time slio has held the names of the heroes who fought and bled upon her soil in. grateful remembrance. Her counties, cities, and towns are named in lionor of them, and the places consecrated by their struggles are pointed out to strangers as shrines of patriotic devotion. In a public square in the city of Savannah, a monument has been erected to the memory of Gen. Greciie,---and another to commemorate the fame of Count Pulaski, ^vho foil during the gallant but unsuccessful attempt to retake the city, by Gen. Lincoln, in 1779.
I arrived in Savannah on the 22d of November, 1S52. This city is located upon the river of the same name, 18 miles from its mouth. The site is an elevated sandy plain, about forty feet above the level of the river, the bank of which, was originally called " Yamacraw Bluff; " a name, like that of the river itself, of Indian origin. The earliest settlement in the State was at this place. The city was laid out by Gen. Oglethorpe, in 1733, and has always been the largest commercial depot on the Atlantic coast, south of Charles,ton. The British took possession of it In 1778, and held it until 1783. A largo portion of it was destroyed, by lire iu 1820, but BO far

22

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

from checking its prosperity, this disaster resulted in its permanent improvement. It was unhealthy in summer, until the rice growers were induced, by a contribution of $70,000 from tlie citizens, to abandon the practice of flowing the rice fields in the vicinity. The dry cultiva tion of rice is substituted., but to less profit. The river is navigable as far as Augusta, 230 miles from its mouth. This, with several railroads by which Savannah is con nected with the interior, makes it the center of a large amount of inland trade. About 350,000 bales of cotton are annually received aiid shipped here, and in 1852, there were exported from this city 40,000 casks of rice, and 25,000,000 feet of lumber. In 1853 the population was 23,000, of whom about 10,000 were colored.
The city stands upon a sandy plain, or table }and. It Is regularly laid out with wide, nnpavcd streets. At every alternate corner, there is reserved a public square, planted with ornamental trees. The most of those are the..Pride of India tree, which are very far from being beautiful in foliage, or fragrant in blossom. Since my return to the Korth, I have learned that a large part of them.have been destroyed by a violent wind,-- and if Borne other kind of tree shall be substituted for this, In a few years no one will regret the loss.
In the rear of the city is a public park, containing forty acres, mostly covered with the original pine trees, standIng so far apart as not to prevent the growth of grass,. and enclosed by a high, costly, iron fence.
The monument to Count Pulaski, before mentioned, though wanting in proportion and symmetry, is an honor

A TOUR AMONG THE PLANTERS.

23

to the city, and an ornament to the beautiful square in front of the large hotel by the same name.
No one of the fourteen churches would bo called ele gant, except the Independent Presbyterian, -which is truly magnificent. It cost $120,000. It is built of light mar ble, and has wide aisles "with marble floors. Retreating sky-blue niches between the windows, for monuments, add beauty to the interior; and the whole edifice, both within and without, for symmetry and beauty is probably not surpassed in the country.
Savannah exhibits unmistakable signs of enterprise, refinement, and wealth. Many of the dwelling houses are spacious and elegant, the stores arc large and well filled. In the heart of the city every thing imparts to the view of the stranger an idea of comfort; but in the suburbs, the low, dingy, dirty, squalid, cheerless negro huts, remind the Northern visitor of the fearful price paid by one class to support another.
The principal business is based on the great staple, cotton. During my first visit to the place, nine trains came down the Central Railroad daily, with from twenty to thirty cars in each train, loaded mountain high with this article. The depots and plank yards, covering sev eral acres, were groaning constantly under the immense burden, while long trains of horse teams were laboring for their relief, by drawing it over a plank road a mile or more in length, to the commission houses. Samples of the various descriptions of cotton are displayed in the ante-rooms of the stores, into which purchasers are introduced, and contracts are made so privately and

U4

INSIDE VIEW OP SLAVERY.

quickly that it is difficult for a Yankee to find out whether aoy business is done at all. Bat the clerks are standing, silent, at their desks, dashing- their pens for tlieJr Jives. Bills, orders, cheeky, drafts, are exchanged, bale? of cotton arc pacing into vessels from the wharves as fast and still as ripe blossoms trom the trees in the spring-time, when shaken with a strong east wind.
1 .spent more time in Savannah than in. any other South ern city. Prom this place I made my excursions for busi ness, or observation, or pleasure, and having accom plished tlie object in view, returned here again, to form new plans, or complete my notes of slavery in city lifeIn yliort, I made this a sort of point dapp^t.^, if I may use a military phrase, around which the operations of nry Southern tour "were carried on. And it was fortu nate for my purpose that I took this course. l^or though the true features of slavery may generally be seen in the country without much trouble, it is not so in the city, as has already been noticed. It is only "by a protracted residence, and a careful examination, that the real condition of the slaves can here be understood. And even then, there are many who have had no special reasons for investigating this subject, who know but lit tle about it. I have known Northern men who have lived in Southern cities many years, without ascertaining whether slaves, belonging to families in which they re side, have wholesome food, C.T comfortable beds.
A few weeks before I left Savannah for the interior, I boarded at the Marshall House. A friend of mine who had boarded at the same house for several yearg;

A TOUR, AilONG THE P-LiN'TEHS.

A >

and who had become an advocate of slavery, not ha ring witnessed much of the privations and suffering's of slaves, frequently inquired of mo if (he slaves in that city did not aypcai' to be in. a hot lei1 cotulitiou. ihati the colored population of the Xorth. And I was constrained to ad'init that, so far as I hn-<.l been (.idle to judge from ijojictt. f had seen, tho slaves were very well cared for. Butj. before I left that house, so;sie facts ea,me to my knowl edge, in relation to llio tveat'iien.t of slaves at the public boarding houses, wiiiuii astoiayhed some oi" the Yankee.^, who had been tlxcvrc for yeai-s. And the disclosures, show that business x'elationB ail'ord the beat opportuni ties for obtaining facts.
Mr. L., of Maine, contracted with the proprietor of the Marshall. House for a lease of those premises for se\>eral years. The keys were put into his hands on the third uioTning of January. 1853. When ilr. L. opened the bar-roora door, he found throe of the male servants sleeping on narrow boards placed on chairs, the floor being sanded; without a pillow or a blanket. He opened; tho boot room, und there found two of the " boot blacks,'*; in. a room too short for them to lie down at full lengtlijf with nothing but boots for pillows, in tho kitchen, there were five female cooks sleeping on the solid brick hearth. This fact was not disclosed to tho Northern boardersuntil this gentleman had taken, chargo of the house. My friend, though ho had boarded t'levc two years, had not known untU (hat rriovriiiKi;, +hat jVFr. Jolmsoiv's fcUives had no bc'ds. Mr. L. inquired of Mr, J. } if there were no.
3

2(3

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

beds furnished, and sleeping apartments appropriated to tlio slaves ?
'*' No," replied Mr. J.; " niggers never sleep on beds in the public houses in this State."
I mentioned to a gentleman of my acquaintance "who was boarding at tlie Pulaski House, that "we had made the discovery at the Marshall House, that the slaves had no beds to rest upon; to which he replied,
" Mr. Johnson is a brute, not to furnish his negroes with beds, for they have to work very hard here In win ter."
" Bo they have beds at your house ? " I asked. " Of course they do," was the reply. " Are you sure ? Because Mr. Johnson says they never have beds at the taverns." The nest day, my friend told me that he had asked the proprietor at the Pulaski House what kind of beds were furnished for his servants. "Beds.1 " exclaimed Capt. W., "don't you know that x^ niggers never sleep on beds? Put any one of my nig gers on the best bed there is in my house, and he wont lie there half an. hour. Niggers prefer sleeping on the floor." This was the largest hotel in the State, and its patrons were among the wealthiest and most refined. There were some fifty slaves, or more, owned or- employed about the establishment, as it is necessary to have many more servants in a first class hotel in the South than in. tho jSTorth. And yet, this gentleman had boarded there

A TOUR AMONG THIS PLANTERS,

27

Some years, and having* no special interest in making the inquiry, he had not learned that tho slaves who waited, upon him by day and by riig-ht, -\rere never provided with even such beds as Northern farmers furnish their horses.
One of the first strange sights to a Northern, man on visiting tho cotton-growing States, is,the enormous quantity of this article that Jio sees wherever lie goes. In the streets, in the storehouses, on the wharves, it is constantly before him. He will 110 longer wonder that Gen. Jackson made a breastwork of it In defending New Orleans. At or near the railroad depot in Savannah, there are, sometimes, literally, acres of cotton bales. Standing in view of it, and remembering that this city is but one of the depots for this trade, ho can compre hend, to some extent,, the remarkable influence which this great American staple exerts, not only upon industrial pursuits, but upon the bus?.nessj and. even upon the poli tics of the country.
My first impression was that, as nearly all the cotton raised in Georgia was shipped from this port, I should find Savannah frequented from clay to day by cottongrowers from the interior. But I was mistaken. Occa sionally a specimen of the '' Crackers " may be seen at a hotel, but no one can form any correct opinion of the manners, customs, or the intelligence of the people in the back counties by anything which, he will sec on the seaboard. Their habits are entirely different from those of business men. ivi tho North. 1 found, before leaving1 the South, that there was very lit 11 o intercourse between the inhabitants of the planting districts and the cities on the coast.

'28

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

I traveled over the Central Railroad sis times, from

*>avaunah to Macou, a flourishing Inland city, containing

some 7000 inhabitants. This road Is tlie great Ihor-

oughfarc from the interior to tlic seaboard. Only one-

passenger car was ever attached to the train. At one

time, on a fair day, there were only twelve passengers

on board. The highest number at any time was only

thirty-ftre.

The tl Crackers" send their negroes and mule teams

with the cotton to their agents at the railroad depots.

These agents forward it to the commission merchants in

tho ports. The merchants sell it to shippers, and the

planters draw on them, at the banks, for their pay. So

that there is no necessity for them to g;o to market them-

aelves. And any one who visits the country remote

from, the seaboard, will find many slaveholders, who are

in easy circumstances, who have never seen a vessel, or

a printing press.

>

As a general thino;, also, the St Crackers" arc rery igno

rant. And I may as well state a fact here, which I did

not learn, until some time after I first visited Savannah.

There are few Northern, men who are not capable of

ascertaining the quantity, and computing the value, of

whatever they send to market. I dare say the instance

was never known, of a Northern farmer sending his

pressed hay to be sold, without having jfc weighed and

marked, and knowing himself the amount. But the eot-

ton-u'rowcr is frequently incapable of weighing and mark

ing his cotton, and i?. therefore, obliged to send it un

marked, and trust entirely to the honesty of the mer

chant who acts as his agent.

III.
ARK THE SLAVES CONTENTED?

. ,,.,

cloud it over-with artificial ni^ht;--you may yoke him to

your labor, as the ox which liveth only to work;---you may put him

under any process which, -without destroying liis value as a slave, -will

debase and crush him as a rational being':-- you may do this, and the

idea that he was "born to be free will survive it all. It is allied to his

hopes of immortality ; it is the eternal part of his nature, ivhich oppres

sion cannot reach, it is a torch lit up in his son! by the hand of the

Deity, that can never be extinguished by the hand of man."

Me. DOVTKLL, OF VIRGINIA.

NORTHERN men and women who visit their relations in the Soutli; usually find, them in the cities and villages, "where they see the slaves enjoying the comforts of a poor lied, and other privileges, which slaves in the coun try Hcldoni, if ever, enjoy. They are liable, therefore, to form too favorable opinions of the condition and treatment of the slaves; and they often honestly arrive at the conclusion that they arc in a better condition than the poor colored population of the North.
Sometimes one is allowed, to inyriiro of the slaves themselves how they fare. The answer, almost invari ably, is, that, they "fare well--have Kind masters - -- are contented and happy-- do not desire ilieir irecdom if

SO

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY".

it can only be obtained by leaving the family of their master, and their good homo, to -which they arc ardently attached ; -- and the inquirer decides that the Northern abolitionists have greatly exaggerated their sufferings. He docs not know that the slave hag been educated to deceive in these matters ; and he believes that he is con tented and happy, simply "because he says so.
At a hotel where I was boarding, in the city of Savan nah, there "was a Christian slave named "John." His wife had been torn away from him, and carried into the back country a distance of twenty five miles. John's affection was so strong; that lie had several times ''run away " to see her, though, lie was always whipped severely on his return. At last his master told him that he must give up the old wife, and take a new one. Accordingly, ILQ ""bought a wife for John," and commanded the slave to regard and treat her as his wife. John refused to obey, and was whipped, again and again, but he did not yield. A Northern gentleman, who was not acquainted with these facts, had frequently asserted that the slaves -\vere happy, and 1 suggested that inquiries be made of "honest John^ touching his domestic enjoyments. The bell was rung, and John came in.
"N"oWj John," said my friend, "I want you to tell me if you would like to be free."
" O no.master," replied John, quickly. "I don't want to be fi'ec, no how."
" Then you have a kind master, have you, John ?" ""Yes. I have a kind master, and I don't want to be sold away." u Then you prefer to stay with your present master

ARE THE SLAVES CONTENTED?
John, rather than to "bo made free, or go to any oilier place to live, you say ? "
"I reckon I rather remain here/' answered John. t( be cause I don't know what worse hands I may fall into."
" There, now what -do you say/' said the gentleman, turning to me? "about the discontent of the sla^os ? "
"I think John has deceived you, shy I replied. -'' How so ? "
" Has he satisfied you that he is contented and happy ? " "Most certainly. 1 have no doubt he is so." *" In this you are entirely mistaken, sir, and John sees it, but lie dare not undeceive you. J secured his confidence a few days ago, and lie told me the story of Iiid wrongs, aud afflictions, and sufferings. "And now, Jolin," said I, u will you state the facts connected with your treatment on account of your wife, that my friend her, who is also your friend, may know the truth In this matter? Speak freely; you shall not be betrayed." John tlien threw off the mask, and stated the simple facts. The affecting story -would melt any heart except that of a slaveholder. The Northern, merchant acknowl edged that he he "was never before so artfully deceived. And these false representations, which the slaves are compelled to make for their own security, have kept Northern men in ignorance of their true condition. The following incidents will show how liable we arc to be deceived in tlie cities of the South, by having the best aspects of slavery presented to us ; and also what duplicity is practised upon us by the slaveholders for this purpose.

82

INSIDE VIEW OF

Among the boarders at the hotel where I stopped were Afr. JSF. and his excel]cut Christian lady. They were me.n!ljcrs of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. N. waa a cut ton broker, a native of that State, and owned a plant ation and slaves in the country. He was a warm friend of the temperance cause, in which I had expressed a deep interest publicly in that city. While making a call at his private room, whore I found him and his ladv alone, after conversing upon the subject of temperance awhile, Mr. N. aslied me if I was an abolitionist. Be said that he had been so informed by one of my Northern friends.
I replied that ho had been correctly informed. " Are yon a Garrisonite ? " be asked. % answered, that I was not. "You arc a political abolitionist, then, I presume ?" "Yes, air, you are right; I am a, political abolitionist, and T profess to be a moral and religious abolitionist; also." " "Well, now, let me say to yon," said Mr. N., ic that I hare been North, during the summer, for several years, visiting the cities, and Springs, and Falls, where I have read your anti-slavery papers, -- not only those of the Garrison school, but Bailey's, and Leavitl's, and others, -- and let me toil yon, sir, that, if yon have taken yonr views of slavery from those papers, yon have formed erroneous opinions of the institution. Yon will find the slaves in a irmcli better condition than that which is described in tfiosc fanatical papers. Most of the writers in those paper? have never traveled in the South, to sec for themselves how well the slaves fare. ?\ow if yon examine closely, you. will sec that the slaves arc well

ARE TlfE SLAVES CONTENT-ED .p

33

bared fur, in every respect. Ton will not find the cru elty and. tlio suffering yon have expected to see."
ci I have no doubt, sir/' lie added, positively, " that yon Yvill have yon? view a of slavery essentially modified, and return to the North 'with your opinions in relation to this whole subject entirely changed."
This was said with so muck apparent sincerity, and T had reposed so much confidence in the integrity ol* Mr. N-. that ho actually inspired me -with the hope, at least, that I should find the slaves in a better state than I had anticipated.
This interview was had previous to my traveling in the country; but subsequent disclosure? of the suffer ings and privations of the slaves at that public house, led me to suspect that Mr. N. intended to deceive me. And especially after I had traveled among the " Crack ers/' and had been permitted to lift the veil and take an inside vieio of the system, in all its forms, I knew that he intended to misrepresent the case, and make a false impression upon my mind.
On my return to that city, just before I left the South, I called on Mr. N. again, and found him and his excellent lady alone, as before. I was greeted very cordially. During this conversation, I remarked to Mr. N. that I had taken the liberty to call to ask him a simple, straight forward question, to which I wanted him. to give mo an honest, explicit, Christian answer.
" Well, what is it, sir, you wish to know?" inquired Mr. N., with evident surprise, and a little embarrassment.
''It is this, sir" I replied. "Will you inform n;o

34

INSIDE VIEW OP SLAVER?.

why you stated to me, when. I first came to this city, that

the slaves "were well treated, that the anti-slavery papers

of the North had belied the slaveholders, and that I

should find good reasons, by a careful examination of

the system, for changing my abolition views ? "

" To toll you the plain truth," said Mr, N.? with a

blush and a laugh mingled in the expression, " I did not

know then that you were intending to go out into the

country!"

" I told Mr. 1ST., after you left us at that time, sir/'

said Mrs. N.; quickly, "that he had deceived you; and

the only apology ho made for it was, that slavery would

never bo abolished, that you could do nothing to make

the condition, of the slave better, and. that you might as

well be sent home to the North with your heart and

mind put to rest on that matter, as to have you trouble

yourself any farther about it."

Mr. N. did not deny that his good lady had given me the

true explanation of his equivocal conduct and language.

By arts like these has many a Northern man been

sent home to peddle South-side notions in Yankccdom.

Slavery is a shrewd, practiced, and cunning- dissembler.

Like Milton's Comus,

" it hurls

Its dazzling spells into the spungy air,

Of power to cheat the eye with blear illusion,

And give it faise presentments ;

*

*

And, under fair pretence of friendly ends,

And well placed words of glazing courtesy,

Baited with reasons not implausible,

Winds ilself into easy-hcartsd men,

And hugs them in its snares."

ARE THE SLAVES CONTENTED?

35

A wealthy planter, from the interior of the State, was Introduced to mo, in. the city of S., before 1 traveled in the interior, for the purpose, as I afterwards ascertained, of deceiving me with reference to the treatment of slaves in his neighborhood.
I had been, previously assured, by a friend, that this gentleman enjoyed a reputation entirely above suspicion for honor and Integrity, and I could therefore place the fullest confidence in his statements. His manner of conversation aided to confirm a favorable impression of his reliability.
During our interview, several topics relating to slavery were discussed, and, among others, the feeding of slaves.
I inquired how the slaves were fed in his part of the State.
He replied, "that formerly they were not so well fed as at that time. The planters," lie said, "have found it more profitable to treat the slaves kindly and feed them well, as they would perform more labor, and take a deeper interest in the master's welfare- Therefore they have adopted a system, of high feeding."
"Do you give your slaves as much meat as they want, Colonel ? " I inquired.
"Meat! " said he, with a laugh; "I feed my hands on the best, most costly, and nutritious articles which the market affords, such as eggs, poultry, fresh meats,, butter, &c., and just as much as they are disposed to eat."
"Indeed! And do your neighbors feed in. the same manner ? "
" Yes, sir, most of my neighbors feed in the same

36

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

iray; and 1 can assure you it is altogether the best way. .Provisions arc generally cheap in this State, and .bands that are \veli fed have better health, arid do more work ; and wo find it to be tlio most profitable way, after all, to feed svc.ll."
1 was really surprised at this ; and yet it was all true. But still it left a false impression, on my mind, -which I sL.ou.ld probably have brought home with me, had .L not afterwards visited the place where Colonel II. resides, and learned " the other side of the story." The " s-unnij side " gave me only haff the truth. When the other half from tlic * ; sluidy hlOc "' was brought to the light, and. tlio two halves wove joined together, the whole truth gave tlio fullest evidence that the slaves hi that neigh borhood suffered more by severe treatment from exact ing, rigorous mastery than, in any other part of the State.
"Let us walk in and see the slaves of the i; reliable" Col. H. Let us go into the huts, and out upon the plantations, and see with our eyes a well fed, " luridly treated"' family of slaves.
" Whose field is that on the other side of the creek ? " said a .Northern gentleman, who was traveling with me, to a neighbor of Col. II.
" That is a plantation of negroes the Colonel hires this year, I believe," replied the " Cracker."
"Will there be any harm in our going over there to sec the boys work?"
' I reckon yon had better go and see the Colonel Jirsi," :rnswcrcd his neighbor, ''-for ho is mighty particu-

AHE TTTE SLATES COK'iTNTEl) ?

67

lar about allowing strangers around among his people/' ""Will you l)e HO kind, sir, as to direct us to the
Colonel's house ?" said I, "There comes his old boy, ; Monday/ now. He will
show you np there, sir." "Thank vou, sir."
" Ho, Monday ! This way ! We want yon. to go and
show ns flu; wav to YOU!' master's house."
' Well, I" can't go now, master. I must go down to the
store first, and get a gun for young master "William. Ho is up at the school house yon see there l>y the great
tree, and he "will tell you where the folks live.'' We passed 011 to the log school house, where, much
to onr joy, we found a Yankee shool teacher -- an old acquaintance.
The school was left to take cr.rc of itself awhile. I made inquiries respecting Col. II. a]id his slaves, re peated the statements he made to me. and expressed my great surprise to learn that slaves wore fed in the man ner stated by him.
" Ah ! there is another side to that story ! " exclaimed the teacher. " That gentleman, bet five thousuitd dolla/rs last year that he could raise more cotton with hjs hands than a neighbor could with the same number."
The truth now flashed upon me. I could see a motive now for feeding high. The slaves wore to be driven hard. The man who raised the largest amount of cot ton would gain the five thousand dollars, in addition to the product of the field.
" Costly and nutritious food "was supplied to those 4

38

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAYJSRY.

slaves," said the teacher of that scliool, "and the cottonplanter's whip was as freely applied to them,"
The Colonel's plantation -was close by that scliool room.
" The driver," said he, "went behind the gang of slaves, constantly cracking his whip, from morning till night. The boy or girl that fell in the rear received the lash, just like the poor, feeble lamb that falls behind in the drove. And I was informed/' he added, in a tone expressing great grief and sympathy, "that eighteen slaves belonging to that man perished in the fields and huts last summer, from being over driven- But Col. H. raided more cotton than the neighbor with whom lie laid the wager."
" How much cotton did ho raise ?" I asked. "About fifty thousand dollars' worth, I have heard/ 1 said the teacher. " With how many hands ? " I inquired, " Four hundred, I believe." The amount of cotton raised probably exceeded, by some iiftcen or twenty thousand dollars in value, the usual crop obtained under the ordinary mode of feeding a.nd driving. In both respects the case was an excep tion, proving- nothing but the fact that, whether well or ill fed, kindly or cruelly treated, the slave is completely in the power of his master., with no source of protec tion, no power of resistance, no hope of redress. ISTo one can. travel in. the South without seeing that the system of slavery has no "abuses,"--that what he has been accustomed to regard as such arc only the

ARE THE SLAVES CONTENTED?
{|j legitimate fruits, or rather the constituent elements of I the system itself. All Um cruelties and the tortures, -- {t so far as required to enforce submission, -- the sundering f of families, the degradation, and the wholesale concu| binage, are inseparable from the system. If the system j: Is right, it is right that any "privilege and appurtc| nance " required to perpetuate it should be included in '% the deed. If it is right to hold a man in bondage, it ) is right to take his wife from him, sell Ins children,
keep him ignorant of the word of God, chain him, whip him, take his life, if he refuses to yield. Deny any of these, and you leave no security for a permanent posses sion of the man.
The feelings of our common nature rise in. rebellion against such a system. In the words of one of England's most gifted orators, i! Bc the appeal made to the under standing or the heart, the sentence is the same that rejects it. There is a law above all the enactments of human codes, -- the same throughout the world,--the same in all. times, -- and by that law, unchangeable and eternal, while men despise fraud, and loath rapine, and abhor blood, they will reject, with indignation, the wild and guilty phantasy, that man can hold properly in tnanl "

IV. *
CHRISTMAS 3TN RAVAXXAH.

"They \ycn-e red-hot with drinking;

So full of valor that ihry smote; Jhc nir

3? or bmithing in their faces; bout the ground

For kissing of their feet."

SHAKESPEARE.

MR. J. was landlord of tlic " Marshall House, " in the city of S. Ho liad a beautiful negro boy named Jolui ; sometimes called " Little John," to distinguish him from an older slave boy of the same name, belonging* to Mr. J.
I hare said little John was a beautiful boy, and so said all the boarders, even the lady boarders from the North. From this fact, some of my Northern readers \vill infer that Johnny was a white boy. They entertain so deep a prejudice against the African that they cannot associate an idea of the beautiful with a black complex ion. But Johnny was a "real black" boy. His form was elegant, his head as "pretty shaped" as any white boy's head -- a good forehead, and very thin lips, for a negro. But his courteous manners, mild disposition, goorl conduct, and kind heart, made him more beautiful.
TJesides, little Johnny Lad excellent common sense, and talked with gucl) propriety, and his voice s so

CHRISTMAS IN SAVANNAH.

41

musical, &nd soft, and. persuasive, and captivating that everybody was charmed, with everything- }io said, and delighted with every tiling he did.
Mr. L.. a Yankee boarder, bad "been negotiating with Mr. J., for a lease of the House: and BO nearly was the "bargain completed, the report run. through t1- e house that the proprietor's keys were to l>e put into the hands of Air. L. the next inornlug.
All the slaves expect Christmas presents from friends and boarders, and all " to whom they yield themselves servants to obey/' during Christmas week.
Johnny had received many presents both'from Mr. L>, and his amiable lady, who had often spoken to him with words of more kindness and. sympathy than, slaves arc wont to hear addressed to them by the whites. Encour aged by these expressions of interest in his welfare, which he had fondly treasured in his warm, confiding heart, he ran up to Mr. I*, on the last day of Christmas, -- for Christmas lasts till January -- and said, "Mr. ,L. 7 I want you to g'iro me a dollar !"
<l A. dollar ! Johnny?" replied Mr. TJ-, " that Is a great Christmas present. What arc you going to do with a dollar ?"'
Kmboldcned \;j the recollection, of the former kind words and deeds of Mr. L., niul inspired by his ovrn trlisting nalarc, ho answered with deep emotion:
' ; I am going to keep it, Mr. L." '- What. ai-B yon going to keep it for, Johnny?" asked i!'r. L.. su)ili]!g, "I Uo'nt like io tell rou, Mr. L. ?" was the almost sup pressed reply.

42

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

"Don't like to tell me, Johnny? AVhy not?" asked Mr. JJ. again.
" I am afraid yon will tell Master J.," whispered John ny, as there were other gentlemen present.
"If 1 give yon a dollar, Johnny," added Mr. L., "yonr master will get it away from yon."
" No ho wont 1" said Johnny earnestly. " I tell you. I am going to keep it, Mr. L."
" Well now, Johnny/' said Mr. L., " if yon will tell mo the object for which yon want to keep it, and can satisfy me that it will ever do you any good, I will certainly give you a dollar."
"3sow,then,! will tell yon, Mr. Tj.," said. Johnny, feel ing re-assured, " and 1 know you wont tell Master John son. I am going to keep all the money I can prct, so when I ;?et onongb, I can bny my FREEDOM I I "
The last word, " freedom/' was spoken alond, and ex hibited so mnch of the spirit and genius of Liberty-- such a deep, innate, impassioned desire to bo free, that Mr. L could witlihold the dollar no longer. And that was not the only dollar added to little Johnny's, consecra ted treasure, by which he fondly, but vainly; hoped at some fntnrc day to purchase the restoration of his " in alienable rights."
It was rnmorcd that Mr. J. had great JzaA*/2^s at the return of Christmas, but not so great as John's. Both were liable to be intoxicated, but the poor boy had the additional liability to pay for it in a wliipping. And so it proved this time, to his sorrow.
His yonng mistress. Miss C., had a new, rich silk dress.

CHRISTMAS IX SAVAKtfAH.

43

Unfortunate IltUe Jolmny, staggering as bo won thy Miss C., spilled sonic burn ing fluid on the large, elegant cape of her splendid dress, wlik-n entirely ruined the beauty of "that costly, dazzling drapery.
Mr. J. was informed by liis amiable lady the next morning, that John had spoiled their daughter's new dress by his carelessness. The master, greatly enraged at this communication from the .mistress, vociferously littered in tones of bitter complaint towards the boy, started to run down the narrow walk to the Jutefien. and met John, coining tip the walk to the dining room. He caught the boy by the throat, exclaiming, " Now you scoundrel, T ; li pay you for spoiling C.'s dress t" And he threw him on the floor, jumped 0:1 him with iris hard heeled winter boots, and stamped on his breast and face, mangling him in a most shocking manner! After ho stepped oJT, the slave did not move ! He seemed not to breathe, and Mr. J. ran. into Mr. L.'s room, near by, who was expected, to take possession of the house In a few days, and exclaimed, " I wish you. would come out, Mr. L. ! I believe I have killed John 1'*
'''Killed John! How?" said Mr. L. " I only chastised him a little for getting drunk, and spoiling C.'s dress." Mr. L. ran into the walk, John had begun to breathe again; other signs of returning life soon followed ;- ser vants were called, and Lbe helpless boy was carried off into some dark apartment, where he was not seen agnin by the boarders for three weeks. When he returned to his services as waiter at the table, more than half his

44

IXSIDE VIEW OF

face "\vas still covered "with the bruises. The broken hearted, broken-spirited. Johnny was never so blithsome and sprightly, and genial-hearted, and happy, after his "joyous, jolly Christinas " was succeeded by that terrible stamping, which well-nigh tcrniiiiatcd his life; and all the fond dreams he had cherished of his future freedom had vanished, for his money was NOT TO BE FOUXB !
A mulatto boy named -'Joe," about this time ran. away into the woods. The steward, a hot-blooded, ironhearted Spaniard, who was constantly whipping some of the servants, had threatened to whip Joe, for some mis demeanor 011 one of the Christmas days ; and to avoid the whipping, which he dreaded as mnch as death, he ran. off. He was a young boy, not over twelyo years of age, and had no idea of running1 away in search of freedom, or another home ; but he ran out into the woods, near the ciiy, haying no thought in his plan but to escape the whipping',--not even deciding in his own mind how longlie should remain, in the woods, or whether he should ever return to his master's house. He siaid in the woods live days, until he was almost famished with hun ger. He then decided to return to the house in the even ing, and gain access to the room of his mistress secret"!}-, and appeal to her for protection from the brutal stew ard. He succeeded in gaining the ear, but not the sym pathy of Iiis mistress. She immediately reported the return of the vim array to She steward, who settled with the pooi'; emaciated, suJJC-riugLoy, for his Christmas sins.,
" With stripes, thr.t inercy iveepa To see muiclecl on a buust."

CHRISTMAS IN SAVANNAH.

.

,

oveiling upon the subject of catching runaways, and a

lady ii'oiu Maine remarked that she had. :! heard of their

setting dogs on the tracks of tlio slaves when they ran

a\vay? and that the dog.s often bit them, but she never

believed it."

"Well, you had better believe it, Mrs. L./' said a

daughter of Mr, J., ;L for father used to keep twenty-five

bounds, l,o catch .ulQ-gcrs with. T have seen the runaway

niggers brouuht. in, with large junks bitten out of their

arms and Tegs, big enough to fry."

This was spoken wil.h apparently as little pitv for the

slave, as she would feel for the dead hog, when speaking

of cutting up legs of bacon.

Joe's running away was not the only oalamitv of tlio

kind that vislied JSIr. J.'s family din-Ing the holidays.

One of his sons ran away with another fellow, like hiiu-

wclf, already a drunkard. T]icy wore thoughtful enough

to take bottles of whiskey with them, bat took little

money in their sacks. Johnson's son had suffered so

much at homo, that he declared 1o bis comrade he would

shoot his father if lie overtook them and attempted to

take them back- The father, after pursuing them sev

eral days, found them down iu TJbcr-fy eouiify. "

46

mams VIEW OF SLAVERY.

toan, and brandished that hi sight of the thirsty, whis-

kev-loving son, -- whose empty bottles admonished him

of lus /'oily in leaving1 a father's house, where there was

whiskey enough and to spare, -- and the heart of the tru

ant relented. With humble confession for his deep in

gratitude, tlic father received him with great joy and

mirth.

Many ft time, after most of the boarders had retired at

night, reports of pistols were heard in adjoining rooms.

Sudden calls for the doctor to attend cases of delirium

trcineiiSj in. the house, were numerous during; Christmas.

The Georgia physicians say that the enervating Southern

climate induces this disease, as the Northern rigorous

climate does consumption. But if the climate is the only

exciting cause of delirium trcmens, in Georgia, it is more

to bo avoided through fear of premature death, than the

tendencies to consumption in Maine : for more adtiH, free,

male inhabitants of that State, die annually of delirium

tremeus, than die in Maine of consumption.

A Christian lady of Maine, who had read and heard

accounts of the destructive influence of the habits of

dissipation upon young men in the South, became alarmed

for the safety of her son. who -way employed as a clerk,

in Macon, Georgia, and she sent her request for him to

return home.

While at Macon, Mr. L. formed an intimate acquaint

ance with twelve 5roung men -- clerks in that city -- sev

en of whom were from the North. At this request of

his mother,

" ivho.se pious care

Shielded his infant innocence with prayer,"

CHRISTMAS IN SAVANNAH.

47

Mr. L. came back to the North. I was with him, ten years afterwards., when ho visited Mucon again, and in-, quired for one after another of his old comrades.
" Where is George ? ! ' "Dead!" replied an old friend. " Where is Ben ? " Dead ! " tl Where is Frank ? " "Bead!"
"What was the matter?" "Delirium trcmcns!" And, to he brief, ten of those yomig mcnliad gone in to drunkards' graves by delirium trcnieiis,-- one was an idiot,-- and the last insane. There was sot a man among the twelve witli whom he could, shake hands and be recognized as a friend, when only ten years previous, they were all enterprising young men, from, eighteen to twenty-two years of ago, Mr. L. confessed that he formed a very favorable opinion of slavery the first year he spent in Macoii, but he was now brought to a position where he could see one of its most terrible results,, and he instantly turned his thoughts grate fully towards his mother, whoso prayers and fidelity had saved him. " Had. not my mother been faithful," ho said to me. " doubtless I should have shared the same sad fate that has cut down my un fortunate friends !" Mr. L. is now an active business man in New England, whoso credibility no one will question. But I am inclined to the belief that the Maine Law, well executed in the slave States, would subdue the pro-

48

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

disposing causes to delirium trcmcne.-- 'while the habits of the South, if in troth ir-eel iut o Xew Kngland, 'would not diminish the tables of mortaUfcy by consumption.
T\THlc I was niitlng on the stone sidewalk in front of the Marshall House, conversing; with Mr. Johnson, one of the Christmas -evenings, three, heavy, cut-glass tum blers were thrown from awhidovrof a room in the third story, and came down upon the sidewalk near our seats, with a startling cra^Ii. Anon, plates, and knives and forks, and small articO.cs of furniture were thrown out further into the street. One large platter was thrown out into the middle of the street, by one of the Keiituckiaiis who occupied that chamber. The platter fell in the "horse-bed/' directly before a horse and buggy, passing at that instant. The liore stepped into the platter, breaking it in many pieces, and, taking fright at the noise, he ran away with the gentlemen in the car riage.
The young KlcntuckiaiiSj sons of slaveholders, came down to 8 = . with a drove of horses and mules which their fathers gave them for a Christinas present, and, having* sold Ilioni, they were spending the effects of the sale to suit their taste. Mr. J. uttered a round oath against the rowdies, and then started'to go to the cham ber to ascertain what they were doing. It was very con venient for me to be passing up to my room at the time Mr. .1. rapped at the door of the K-cntuckiaiis' room, on the same floor.
" Who 's there ?" halloed one of the b'hoys. " Johnson," replied the host.

CHRISTMAS IN SAVANNAH.

9

What do you want ? " " I want to come in here." "You sha'nt come in; sir." " Vcs I -will come in," replied Mr. J. "If you come in here, we will shoot you." " Very -well, boys," said Mr. Johnson, gruffly, and left the room to its fate, at the mercy of a Christmas revel. The nest morning, I happened to be at the office when the Kentuckians settled their bill. One of tlicm asked, Well, Mr. J., what is the bill ? " " I hare looked at the bill of furniture I put into that room," said Mr. J., "and I find it amounted to just sev enty dollars. I suppose you have smashed it all up." l' "Very like/' replied tlie Iventucldan; and he added, ei I am sure, tliat wJi.it is left is of no account, air 1" The seventy dollars in. addition to the regular fare, were paid, and the party left. The following- dfiy, in conversation with Mrs. G.} wife of a hardware merchant of that city, I was expressing my astonishment that those young men would spend so large a sum of money for such a foolish gratification. That excellent lady, who was a native of Savannah, re marked that that was a small amount, compared with what is frequently paid for such " busts " by young men. at the South, whose fathers are wealthy; and then sho related the following facts: There was a young man who came to this city, and received several thousand dollars at a bankj for cotton his father had sent to this market. Ho was a fast young man, and he concluded to have a. frolic before he loft the
5

00

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

city for his homo in the back part of the Stato. So ho bought a little box gig, and took it to tlic smith and or dered the axle tree cut oil at each end, to bring tho wheels close up to the body of the carriage, making it so narrow that it would ply along the narrow sidewalks in that city. He then hired tlie fleetest horse and had him. harnessed into the gig on Sabbath morning; and after the church bells had called the people out upon the wfilkg, the reckless youth sprang into his gig, and drove around tho city on tho sidewalks, driving the women, and children into the middle of the streets of sand, scream ing for their lives.
The police wore called, and they pursued the disturber of ihe peace : but they were unable to catch him. Com ing around in front of the Pulaski House -- the largest hotel in the city -- the "wide bar-room doors, which open directly into the street, being open, lie drove his team into that bar-room, discharged a pistol towards the bar keeper, the bullet entering the wall just above his head;, whirled Ms horse before he could be seized by the bridle, turned about and dashed into the street again, and drove until the horso became weary, so that the police were enabled to take him.
, They carried him to tho Pulaski House. Capt. W. looked at the gentleman, saw that he was " well dressed," and inferring that he had a long purse, told him that ho mast p^J Jive hundred dollars.
"Cheap enough!" replied the rowdy^ complacently. ** I have had a good frolic ! "
The money was paid over, and thus the affair was

CHRISTMAS IN SAVANNAH.

51

settled, to the " satisfaction" of all the church-going folks In tliat Christian city.
Few young men "who go South from the freo States, to engage in business, retain tlio steady habits of their Northern education. A friend of the writer, in N"c~w York, had a son employed as clerk iu a cotton store at S., with a salary of a thousand dollars. But this sum was insufficient to meet the expenses of that fashionable clerk, and he drew on his father quite often to pay up arrears for board. The father addressed me a note, re questing that I would, if possible, ascertain the cause of this draft upon him, and desired me to learn the habits of his son, and inform him. On the father's account, I took occasion to notice the conduct of his son while at the bar-room, one evening soon after.
It is customary at the South among young men of that class, to drink large quantities of wine or other liquors ; but when reciprocating a treat with comrades, they take a much less quantity at a time than is taken at the North. Sometimes, in the South, the "convivial" glass passes several times in an hour. When the Southron intends to have a "soak," he takes the bottle to his bed-side^ goes to bed, and lies there till he gets drunk and becomes sober, and then he gets up.
Sly young friend H. W. carao in from his store thai night, stepped to the bar, and called for spirits. Ho drank a small quantity, turned around, saw an old ac quaintance, called for more. In a few minutes after, some other comrades came in. He drank with them and they with him, by turns, and so in the course of one

52

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

short hour, the yoxing gentleman took eight social drinks ; "but not more than a table spoon-full at each time. He drew his parse, paid a dollar to the bar-keeper for the treat; then ordered a bottlo of wine to his room, and paid a half eagle foi* that. Six dollars a day for liquor! Two THOUSAND ONE MUSHED AND NINETY DOT,-
LAKS A YiiAll 1

V.
ILLUSIONS OF THE STSTEM.
*'" "What man so wise, Trhat earthly wit so ~waxe, A.S to descry tlie crafty, cunning train, By which deceit doth mask in. visor fair, And. cast Iicr colors, dyed deep in grain, T> seem like truth, whoso shape she well can feign, And fitting gestures to her purpose frame, The guileless man with guile to entertain! "
SPENSER'S 3?AIRY QCEEN.
No man can visit the South for the first time without having his views of slavery, whatever they may be, to sonic extent modified. If he is credulous, disposed to believe that everything is really what it seems to be? that the surface of society mirrors that which lies be neath, as well as that which is above it, -- if he credits all that is told him, and looks at slavery through the slave holder's glasses, ho will return home with a south-side view, and his acquaintances in the South will Ituigli at his credulity. But if he takes no thing on trust, exam ines everything for himself, engages in business, and gains the confidence of the slaves, so that he can feel their hearts beat and throb against the great wrong, and look at the system with their eyes instead of their master's, "remembering those in bonds as bound ^vitll

54

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

them" lie will wonder at Ms own. coldness hitherto. And from Iiiy now position he will understand some of tlie ways in which men have "been deceived; or have de ceived themselves on this subject.
There is one source of delusion, on this subject, of which few seem to be aware, it lies in the power of a na'ine to chill our sympathieSj and pervert our moral convictions. The term slave has a definite meaning-. It signifies, not a person, but a tiling, a chattel; and an Immense advantage has been secured to the pro-slavery side of tlio argument from Scripture, "by virtually chang ing our own translation from servant to slave. Even anti-slavery men write and talk about Hebrew slaves instead of servants, and thus yield half the force of their arguments by the use of the term.
More than this, the Southern bondman is likely to lose more than half his worth, in our estimation, when we think and spca.lt of him as a slave, instead of a man, op pressed and in bondage. It is very difficult for one to resist this influence of a name on Ms own. mind. "When wo have called a man a slave, we shall probably find, if we analyze our thoughts, that -wo have degraded him. below the level of manhood, in our practical estimation. and the wrongs he suffers sceni to lose a great measure of the enormity WG should attach to them if inflicted on a man. Our sympathies are moved when the slave 13 starved, scourged; tortured ; but it is not .-o much because Ins ma-nhond is degraded as because the cmi'tnal is suf fering.
Such being the Infiaonco upon ourselves, it is not

ILLUSIONS OF THE SYSTEM.

55

strange that those who have been trained in the midst of the corrupting system, and. taught to regard the slave 3,3 a more chattel, without personal rights, should exor cise little sympathy for his wrongs.
I intend no disrespect to clcrgyiij.cn, when I say that no class of men have so little knowledge of ~icn and things as some of the most learned theologians, who from boyhood have been shut up to schools and books. They have enjoyed little opportunity to learn the work ings of human nature among the mass of mankind, -- they are therefore poorly qualified to investigate the ordinary business of life, or to look into other men's matters, Their training may have been favorable to purity of TTHud and manners; it has removed them from many of the corrupting influences of society; but for this veryreason they are unqualified to examine the workings a a system whose influence pervades every interest, every employment, and every thought of the community.
They have visited the South, a:ul brought back their reports of its eltocts on the varied interests and institu tions of the country. They naturally make their inqui ries of the same class of nieii, who themselves know little of slavery except its fairer aspects, or, if they do know, arc careful to hide its most revolting features; and they return as ignorant of the workings and influence of slavery as they went.
And I also found it to be true, though with some os> ceptionSj that clergymen in Southern cities are not well informed as to the condition, of the slave. The means of accurate information ou this subject a^c not enjoyed in

&O

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

the South. It is not freely discussed there- The wel fare of the slave is seldom a topic of conversation. His condition %8 below the consideration of the higher classes,
A clergyman, eminent for piety, talent, and learning, assured me that ho had resided in one of the most pop ulous cities of the South several years without ha?ing the opportunity afforded him to look into the practical operation of the system.
"And probably," said he, " I should have remained in ignorance of the destructive effects of the system to this day, had not a Northern minister of my own denom ination co 111 c down lo make me a visit. Ho prevailed on mo to make a tour with him through the country. We went out through the Carolliias, Georgia, and Ala"bivma, over to the ^Mississippi Biver, and down to New Orleans. Then we came back in another direction, through the planting districts, and we saw that slavery ruined everything that it touched. AVc were astonished at every step to witness its destructive influence on everything valuable. I vrns most, .surprised at my own ignorance of the conflil.ion of the inhabitants, of the planting districts. They are miserable beyond descrip tion."
" I am willing/* he added, " to make all duo allow ance for the disabilities of the master, struggling agamst adverse, influences; but I must confess to yon, sir, that I am an abolitionist. If slavery is cot abolished soon, it will ruin the whole country. The tendency of tho system i;-i to make men idle and vicious, and consequently ignorant and degraded."

ILLUSIONS OJT TOE SYSTEM.

57

"Why "really, sir/' said T, "you admit all the evils we have ever charged against the .system. II' I should talk about slavery after I go liomo as you do now, some of your Northern, ministerial brethren would say it was fanatical, and an exaggeration."
"Exaggeration!" exclaimed the reverend gentleman, " impossible ! You can 2iot exaggerate when speaking of the evils of slavery ! The pit has not been uncovered yet. If it ever is. and the North are permitted to look into it, they will, pronounce it ; the bottom-less pit / ' "
" Good men here in the South/' he added, know very little of the shocking cruelties perpetrated on the de fenceless slaves. And, indeed, but little' is known in the cities of the wretchedness and poverty of most of the whites in the country. Xo good man can JCUGW what the system is doing to us all, and not detest it; much less, apologize for it, or connect himself with it."
And yet this minister was not known by his society to be an abolitionist. He thought that it would do no good to the slaves for him to speak out his real feelings on this subject, and that by doing so ho would lose all his influence, and be driven from his field of labor. ITeiice lie. only uttered his opinions where they would not be used against him. There are many like him in the South. It is not my province to judge them. They weep in secret over the sins of the people. Would to Heaven that they had the courage to lii.'t up their voices, "cry aloud and spare not," though compelled in conse quence to shake o(T the dust of their feet against them 1
It is also true, as strange as it may appear, that there

58

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY,

arc many slaveholders who know but very little about the condition of the slaves. Statesmen, lawyers, and even merchants, "who own plantations, spend very little time upon thorn, and know scarcely anything which occurs there, except what is reported to them by their overseers.
I had a conversation on the subject of slavery with a Southern clergyman, who was well acquainted with John C. Calhoun, During the interview, I made frequent allu sions to the ultra pro-slavery doctrines of this great statesman, and expressed my want of confidence in the integrity of a man who gave all the influence of his great name, and employed all his talent, and learning, and logic, to build up such an institution. But his clerical friend, who had admitted to me Ids own hatred of the system, apologized for Mr. Calhoun's apparent inconsis tency.
"Mr. Calhomij" said he, "knew nothing about slavery.' 1 " Is it possible, sir ? " said 1. " I have always inferred, from the manner he wrote about it, that he must be perfectly acquainted with the operations of the system. Will you do me the favor to explain your statement, ---that he knew nothing about it? " "I will, sir. Mr. Calhoun, it is well known, was a kind, benevolent slaveholder. Ho gave orders to have his slaves well fed and clothed, but he did not conde scend to visit his kitchens and slave huts to sec whether his directions were obeyed. He always kept more serv ants, in every department of his family, than were neces sary to perform the labor required, so that his houseservants were not overworked. No slave of Mr. C.'s

ILLUSIONS OF THE SYSTEM

59

wag afraid at any t-Imo to ask his master, In person, for a dollar to supply any want, nor had any fears of being turned -away empty, if lie could convince him that he really needed the favor lie asked. That constant incli nation to supply every known want of his servants, and the positive instructions invariably given to the "mana gers " of his slaves, constituted tho whole of his personal care for them. Farther than that, the happiness of his slaves was a thing not included with the bounds of his thoughts."
"But," I inquired, "could he not see the instances of cruelty and suffering- among other slaves, whom, he saw in his daily walks ? "
"No, sir, lie did not stop for that, nor think of it. The class of slaveholders to vrhiob. Mr. C. belonged, do not come down to enter the walks in life 'whore tho suf ferings of the slaves can be soon. If they hear one writhing under the lash, they lend n o ear to his cry. They presume that tho punishment is merited. It is tho conventional law of society, that no white man shall listen to the story of the slave's wrongs from his own lips."
" What aristocrats the slaveholders arc 1 " I exclaimed. "You do not hit Mr. Calhoun with that remark," said. his friend, " for he was no aristocrat, I assure you. "When he employed, a white man in his service, --a car penter, for instance, about his house, -- that eai-pentcr sat down with Mr. G. to eat at his table, and ho con versed with ! hhn as an equal. In this respect ho set a "worthy example to your Northern, aristocrats. He oft on.

60

1NSJLDJ3 VIEW OF SLAVERY.

spoke of the aristocracy of Not-theni capitalists, as man ifested in tlieir treatment of their free white laborers. Mr. C. ever regarded a white man as his equal. The badge of a slave only, disentitled a man to his compan ionship."
"When Mr. Calhoun visited any of his friends," the gentleman continued, " especially in the counb.\y, he would o"F course send a note some time previous, informing them at what time they might expect to entertain himself and family. Then when he arrived at the house of his friend, he found everything put in preparation to receive him. The servants were all dressed finely, looking neat and cheerful. He gave them all little presents, as is cus tomary in such familiesj which made the slaves appear very happy and. joyous. It was in such circumstances that Mr, Calhonn saw the slaves of the South.
" Then. when. lie went _N"orth? and noticed the degraded condition of the free colored man in your cities, -- often having no one to care for him, nobody offering him profit able employment, nono aiding him. to obtain knowledge, or assisting to elevate him. in society, Mr. C. came to the conclusion that slavery was the best condition of the African race. I have no doubt-he honestly believed that tlic "white man was born with a scepter in. his hand, and that the black man was created to be his servant."
Such was tlie apology which this gentleman offered for the great Southern statesman. How much weight it should be allowed to have in extenuation of Mr. Calhonn's inveterate devotion to the slave 33*8tern, it is not for me to sav. JJut I have no doubt of the general truth

ILLUSIONS OF THE SYSTEM.

61

before stated, that many slaveholders are ignorant on this subject. And in. judging of any of them it ought not to be forgotten that persons living in the midst of slavery gradaally become familiar with its attendant evils, and by imperceptible degrees they come to view calmly exhibitions of cruelty and suffering fro 1"! which they would once have shrunk with horror.
6

VI.
WHY THE NORTH PROSPERS.
" Labour is life ! -- T is the still water faileth j Idleness ever despaircth, bewailctli; Keep the watch wound, or the dark rust assaileth; riowers droop and die in the stillness of noon. Labour is glory! -- the flying cloud lightens ; Only the "waving wing changes and brightens; Idle hearts only the dark future frightens; Play the sweet keys would'st tliou keep them in tune I"
"FRANCES S. OSGOOD.
IT is the superior physical education of the North, -- the practical knowledge, and the advantages derived from tlio various kinds of labor to which her "whole people arc devoted .-- that best qualifies them for the ordi nary business of life. The young man must work, as well as think) that the muscles may mature -while tUo mind is being developed, or he will not succeed in any profession. "No man," says a learned physician, " ever enjoyed perfect health who was brought up in idleness." The superior intellectual character of the people of New England is to be attributed mainly to their early hab its of industry, which give them athletic physical systems for vigorous minds to work in.

WHY THE NORTH PROSPERS.

63

fl As an humble farmer's son, upon the granite hills of New England/' says Horace GJ-reely, " I became early in.-red. to constant toil, and learned not merely to con front labor, but to respect it, -- to recognize its stern afflictions as one of tlic greatest blessings which Heaven. sends. It is a necessary and vital safeguard against falling into tlie depths of depravity and misery. Through it alone has our race, or any part of it, ever risen in tli6 scale of moral being. Moral degradation lias always first come upon those -who have felt least heavily the stern necessity for labor. No man ever lived and worked, and was content to live by work, who was not essentially honest, and did not become every day nlore manly."
Carlyle says, -- " The latest Q-ospel is, Know thy work, and do it. Know wnat thou canst work out, and work it out like Hercules." It is not with the sword but with the axe that man must hew out his way to great ness."
Though Fortune has been called a fickle Goddess, Bho seldom fails to bestow the boon of success upon those who, when slmt up to their own resources, struggle on with a determination and courage that scorn defeat. The battle-of life is not a mere game of chance. Learn ing, wealth, and honor are but the sequences of forces as unfailing in their results as tho physical laws of the universe. The foundation of every man's fortune or mis fortune is laid for him and in him, long before lie leaves the paternal roof.
The Northern farmer says to his boys, on the morning of the first snow storm, " George ! you may go to the

C4

INSIDE VIEW OF KL.WKRY.

bam and yoke the steers, take the sled, drive into the woods, and get a load of wood before school-time." " John I you can take the horse and sleigh and go to mill, and return in season to carry the c/&7?'e?& to school." " Charlie will cut and bring in. some wood for his mother. Now you understand, boys I Don't stop to play until yonr work is done 1"
The boys spring fbr their hats -- for which each has his own, peg -- and then rush to their work. George, the eldest -- fourteen -- after a severe struggle with the gtecrs in putting the yoke on their necks fbr the first -time, he gets the tongue of the sled into the ring, and starts for the wood. He enters the woods, and cuts clown a tree, -- but it falls the wrong way. -- Bo looks fbr a cause, notices his notches, and perceives that the tree fell directly across the lower or deeper notch* Bo attacks another tree -- makes liis deep cut on the side where ho wants it to fall. And behold it falls in that direction! Benccfbrth he can fell the tree in any direc tion to suit Ms convenience. Valuable practical knowl edge has been acquired -- sclfvtanght -- and " experience is the best schoolmaster."
Now his sled must be turned, -- he mnst contrive to load Uio butt log -- a rock maple eight feet in lenorth. He cannot lift either end without the lever, nor place it on tho sled without the skids. These ho invents and makes. The boy succeeds in. getting home a p-ood load of wood. Bis muscles have acquired strength, and his mind knowledge. No obstacles or contingencies will impfLrt misgivings to him in. his next enterprise. Now ho

Wlli" THE N011TH PROSPilllS.

65

goes to school, and begins his task in mathematics and philosophy with a will. As he studies, he perceives tlio advantages which a Ivno^rjeJ^e of mechanical powers and philosophical principles will afford, him in his future efforts to overcome obstacles in providing for life's ne cessities. By thus associating labor and study, *,hc body and mind are mutually developed. In a few yea.r,s lio may build a ship, or guide it around the world. And if liG should ever become a merchant, or enter one of the learned professions, his early experience will not only be of daily and practical n.yc to him, bat the strength of purpose, the power of per si a bent effort, tho "backbone" it La? given lnin; will reader success in any department of life morally certain.
Slaveholders are beginning; to see that tho sons of poor white men in. the South, who, by reverse of fortune, have been compelled to earn their own bread by the sweat of the face, arc rising in the scale of intellect, and power, and would even now be ranked higher than their own sons, if personal merit were tho only basis of hon orable distinction. .No lioncnt, intelligent Southerner, who is thoroughly acquainted with tho intelligence aud business capacity of the different races in the South, will deny that the African is better qualified now to obtain a livelihood than the white man who rules over him, if both were left with only natural resources and the labor of their own hands to rely upon.
The mulatto es, especially -- and they constitute a large proportion of the slave population, -- are tho best specimens of manhood to be found in the Sooth. The

GG

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

African mothers have given them a good physical sys tem, and the Anglo-Saxon fathers a good mental consti tution. They have enjoyed the important advantages derived from, tho education of various kinds of labor. The contingencies to be met and provided for, the diffi culties to be overcome in their industrial pursuits, have made them efficient and practical men. Give them the entire possession and management of cither of the Caro lina:? -- and lot the masters occupy the other alone,-- and the experiment would not be prolonged many years be fore it would bo settled beyond any farther controversy, thai the slaves could (i take care of themselves" !

NATURAL RESOURCES.
" A country, -whereof here needs no account, Y/Iiere from the sapphire fount Hie crisped brooks, liolling on orient pearl, and sands of golO, With mazy error, under pendant shades Itan nectar, visiting- each plant, and fed Flowers worthy of Paradise, uhlch not nice ait, In beds and curious knots, but nature boon Poured forth profuse on hill, and dale, and plain."
MILTO.V.
TUB South has been called the garden of our land. Its genial climate, and fertile soil., -- its abundant fruit age, and charming; scenery, have "won the admiration of travelers, who have described it in prose^ or celebrated it in verse. Of this we make no complaint. K~aturc has here been lavish of her bounties, -- be ours the hum ble task of learning how they have been improved, -- or if not, how wasted and lost.
My early years were spent upon a farm, and with its variety of occupation I have always been familiar. Tn my first excursion, therefore, into the interior counties of the slave States, my attention was naturally directed to its agricultural resources, the habits and practice.s of those who till the soil, and the different results following

G8

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

the application of slave labor from those which legiti mately follow from free labor.
The Atlantic coast of these States is a broad, level table land, varying in width from one hundred to two hundred miles, and seldom attaining1 an elevation of more than 150 feet. It is said to bo divided into three ter races, rising one above another as you go back from the seaboard, each one being distinctly marked by different kind.,-; of plantj and Irec. .But the elevation is so small us scarcely ever to be noticed without accurate measure ment. The whole of it is evidently of marine forma tion, and was at some remote period submerged. The soil is not deep, and ij entirely formed from the decom position of vegetable deposits,upon a base of sand which everywhere underlies it.
The first terrace includes what arc called the bottom lauds, which have a deep, rich surf'aco soil, formed of yilica and clay luam, combined with ]a.r<ie quantities of vegetable matter deposited in the fresh sts, which aro very frequent in winter, and cause most of thn rivers to overflow Uieif banks. IT icy extend back from a half mile to one or two miles from the rivers. Being situated so low as to be overflown every heavy rain, they are not much cultivated, A little Yankee enterprise would dike them, and thus easily convert them to valuable wheat fields.

FOHT3S-T TREES.
The table lands produce a luxuriant growth of hard pinoj pitch pine-; and yellow pine. All those species of

NATURAL RESOURCES.

69

pine ai'o very valuable for ship timber, and vast quanti ties of it arc a nun nil y transported to the JNTortli for that purpose. Tlic hard and ycljow pine arc both sometimes found on the bottom land9. -\vherc tlicy attain a mam moth si/ie among the magnificent forests of oak that abound there. Tlje largo phic trees used fo1- masts of ships are usually taken from the low lands.
The white oak, as well as the live and red. oak. grows to an enormous size on the bottoms. This species -- qucrr.iis albus --'(called : ' basket" oak7 in ihe Boutli) is so heavy that it cannot be rafted, green, and hence little of it is seen in mai'kct. The wood'is tough and dura ble, and is used .in making all kinds of -farming utensils, carriages, and even baskets -- from whence its nmne. In one of* my excursions finding one of lUcsc trees blown down, I measured it. It was six feet in diameter at the butt, and four feet hi dhmictcj.' SO feet from the root. The cypress tree, and Bwco1>giim are found in swamps or bottom lands. Both are often seen from four to six feet in diameter. The cypress is a light, soft wood, and is often, used for making canoes. .7>oarcls and shingles are also made from it, and as it is cn.sily wrought, it is a frequent substitute for Northern white pine for the in terior finishing of houses. The sweet-gum is very heavy and hard when seasoned. It is tho best wood in the country for keels of vessels, naves of wheels, or any 'purpose where iron firmness a,nd tenacity are required.
These lowland forests present a beautiful appearance when adorned with deep foliage and enlivened with the

70

INSIDE VIEW OP

variegated flowers of spring. .But m winter, when de nuded of leaves, the long, gray; living moss that grows thick and hangs from every branch; gives them a sombre and dreary aspect, far from agreeable. This moss is sometimes used for beds.
The reckless waste of these valuable forests of tim ber iu. the South is truly astonishing to a Yankee. The pine and oak standing on the banks of their rivers, so near that the axeman can fell them in -- and so near the harbors that the chopper's blows can bo heard from the vessels -- are girdled and destroyed for no purpose but to let the rays of the sun in upon the cotton and corn. And whole forests of pine are frequently destroyed to obtain a "crop of turpentine." On the banks of tho AUamaha, within a dozen miles of the old city of Daricii, I saw all the pines " boxed '' for a distance of several miles. The outer bark is all taken off, up eight or ten feet from the ground, spiral grooves are then cut round the tree, and near the ground a deep notch is cut into tho tree, lowest on the inside, next tho heart, forming a vessel in which to catch the turpentine. This process destroys the life of the tree. Tho timber is all wasted, tho fires soon get in and burn up all the growth and the soil, and the lands are left barren and worthless.
Timber lands on the banks of that river and its tribu taries, covered with laro;e pine and oak, from twenty to fifty thousand feet to the acre, were in the market when I was there at one dollar per acre. Make Georgia a free State and these lands would he worth from five to

71
twenty dollars per acre, and would not long remain un sold.
PRODUCTIONS.
Of the agricultural productions of the South it is un necessary for me to give a detailed account. The great staple is "well known to be cotton, -which is the leading article among the exports of our country. Some account of the manner of cultivating this; as well as other crops, will be found in another chapter. Besides cotton, rice, sugar, and tobacco arc produced in large quantities. Corn, wheat, rye, oats, beans, barley, and other grains common in the North can be raised as well in the South, and if cotton, rice, tobacco, and sugar, were not more profitable, and especially if they wore not better adapted to slave labor, cereal productions would abound in the South more than 111 the North. Sweet potatoes arc raised in great abundance in most of the slave States. The soil and climate arc also peculiarly favorable for the cultivation of silk, which free labor would produce in great quantities, and to great profit. The culture of silk was Introduced into "Virginia as early as 1609, and in a pamphlet published about that time it was said that " there arc silke worms, and plenty of mulberie-trees, whereby ladles, gentlewomen, and little children, being set in the way to do It, may be all imploied, with pleas ure, making silke comparable to that of Persia, Turkey, or any other." But slavery-was soon afterwards introduced into Virginia, and " ladies and gentlewomen " were above labor, and the slaves, being incapable of cultivating silk,

72

INSIDE VIEW O? SLAVERY.

were set to raising tobacco.* In 1703 the cultivation of silk was commenced in youth Carolina, ln.it failed for tlie same reason. Slaves could raiye rice more profit ably. It was also introduced into Georgia, when it "was In rft settled; in 1733. Like all new enterprises, success was not always uniform. Cut considerable quantities were produced, and being encouraged by bounties, it bid fair to become a permanent branch of industry. .But slarory was introduced in 1740, and the culture of rico, and afterwards of cotton, gave it the death blow.

COMMERCE, MANUFACTURES, KTC.
The Southern States have all the resources for foreign and domestic commerce which could be desired. The principal part of our exports are from their shores. The materials for ship-building abound in unlimited quan tities. And the- numerous rivers afford facilities for ex tensive inland navigation* How these advantages have been improved, will be noticed hereafter.
The South also has all the natural advantages for manufactures, in the abundance of water-power, and fuel, in the nearness of the raw material, and the facilities for reaching the market. Under a free labor system it would probably surpass the North. For some year? past strong efforts have been made to introduce this business into the Southern States, in connection with slave labor, --but not with much success. In 1850 the number of hands, male and female, employed in manu facturing cotton in the State of Georgia was only 2,272,
* Sec Sparks's Am. Biography, new series XU, 23%

NATURAL RESOURCES.

73

and tlie value of stuffs made 2,135,000. In 1852 the number of hands was reduced to 2,037. and the value produced not so much by $ 000,000,"=" In South Carolina tne whole number employed in the manufacture of cot ton in 1850 was 1,019.
In Minerals the South is also rich. Gold, silver, iron, copper, and lead abound, tmd. also coal. At a Branch mint in the northern part of Georgia there was produced in 1851 $ 350,000 in gold. Alabama produces coal and iron in great abundance. Iron and. lead are found, in the CarolinaR. The gold mines of William Dome in South Carolina yield over $ 200,000 a year, and the quartz-crusher it is said will increase the product to several thousand dollars per day. 'In North Carolina the annual yield of gold U nearly as large, and copper also Is found in cortf4i.cicra.ble quantities. In Virginia, be sides the precious metals, there is an inexhaustible sup ply of coal.
It may be well to remember, also, that the slave States have more tlit_n twice the extent of territory included in the free States. In the midst of all this natural wealth, how happens it that thu South, contains less than halt" so great a free population as the North? I will let Cassius 2'-I. Clvi/, formerly a Kentucky slave holder, answer the question.
" I propose to show to them, how it is that this million of citizens have been expelled from the soil by inevitable and inexorable laws. In the free States, a man upon

* limit's Magazine, May, 1852. 7

* 4-

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

fifty, eighty, and one hundred acres (which last, perhaps, is the average of all the farms in all the free States), can raise, educate, and settle in life, a large family! Why? Because he has his manufacturer and merchant set down alongside of him. lie sells everything: noth ing is lost: "many micklcs make a nmekle" says the Scottish maxim. But here in. the slave States,, in conse quence of all our markets being distant markets, Charles ton, New Orleans, Ciiicinnatij or New York, and through them the great world, we lose all the " odds and ends " which are saved in the free States. But the main loss is in the main articles of production, and return con sumption. For instance, the citizen of Fayette sends a pound of beef to the city of New York: there it is sold for six cents; but three cents corn.cs off for cast of transportation -- the net proceeds are therefore three cents a pound. But the farmer living along side of New York, sells also for six cents ; but that is the net profit, as he has no outlay in going to market. Ho sells, there fore, for twice as much as we. Of course if ho can live upon, one hundred, we must have two hundred acres. Again, the articles which he gets in exchange cost him near one hundred per cent less than us; or one half of our income is lost in consequence of the distance of our articles of consumption. If, then, the free farmer can live upon one hundred acres, we must have four hundred !
Any one can well sec, then, that if we must have four times as much land to live here, as there, wo must of necessity emigrate. But a home market can afford ma nures ; and high price, and personal supervision, encour-

NATURAL RESOURCES.

75

ago " high, farming," and the lands arc continually improv ing;. Freedom gives education, education gives science in cultivation, and increased1, product -- more leisure---- more science -- and more population. Bat in the slave States the "shinning system." prevails, -- large farms arc necessary in consequence of distance of markets -- large farms can not undergo the manuring system; the virgin soil of centuries exhausted in depositc, is worn oat in slovenly, ignorant cultivation. In Virginia, and Maryland, and North Carolina, were good plains, and fertile slopes, but slaves have turned them into barren ness. The whites emigrated-- drove out the wild beasts and Indians -- cleared the forest ;~ but -once more the tide of slaves follows on: the result is the same. Bar renness follows in the wake of the slave. The broom sedge, the mullen, and the briar, pursue ever in his foot steps ! Arc not those who have desolated Judca and Asia Minor, and turned her cities and fertile vales into the abodes of wild beasts -- where "the fox looks out at the window, and the long grass grows upon the walls ! " -- as criminal in the eyes of Nature's God, as they who stoned the prophets, and rejected him who taught justice, mercy, and love ?
The towns are subject to the same laws of depression as the country; and neither in the field nor the work shop, Is there any escape from the ruin of slave labor competition! There are two great data upon which the growth of cities depends: the number of consumers, and their productive, and consequently consumptive, capacity. For they are but the aggregation, for convenience of so-

/6

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

ciety and exchange, of all those persons, who expect to give the product of their intellects or hands for the fruits of the soil. A hatter sells to the twenty thousand people of the county of Fayettc, one hundred hats a year: under the free system, when the population shall have increased to forty thousand, he will sell two hund red hats. At the same time his real estate advances in value as the increase of population. He is a thriving mechanic -- he can not only educate liis children, but set them up in the same trade with himself. The father sells to the fathers of the country, and his sons to their sons -- and what applies to the hatter, applies to every resident of a city; so that there is no limit to the popu lation of the city or country, until sucli time as the earth shall cease to sustain ihe inhabitants. And by manufac tories, Massachusetts, England, and some other countries, sustain a higher population than their soil by agriculture could possibly support.
"Now reverse the case, let slavery be introduced, and immediately, as I have shown, two laws begin to pre vail : the whole population, white and black, begins to decrease, and the productive power of the black is only half that of the white. The result is that the hatter, who at first sold one hundred hats, in the course of these events, now sells but fifty: he is a decaying tradesman. Just at the time that he needs more money for the education and settlement of his children, lie has less than in early life ; the profits of his trade continu ally decline, whilst his real estate declines also, until at last he is compelled "to pull up stakes," to use a com-

NATURAL RESOURCES

i1

mon phrase, and move to the free States, where his consumers from tlio country have gone before him ! And thL reasoning is sustained "by experience. Norfolk, in Virginia, wos once the emporium of Eastern Commerce, but slaves have driven out her whites ; ignorance and sloth have exhausted her lands; manufactures fail, and commerce fails with them. Now Norfolk is forgotten, and New York, and Philadelphia, and Boston, are great cities, and the sails of their commerce whiten every sea. The Virginia Republican says, " a little more than eighty years ago, the imports of Virginia amounted to four millions, those of New York to nine hundred thousand ; in eighteen hundred and forty-nine, the imports of Vir ginia "were two hundred and forty thousand, and those of New York were ninety-two millions." That is, the difference in the race, ia less than a century, all the natural advantages being in favor of slavery, between a free and a slave State, is about sixteen hundred times in favor of freedom! Cities in slave States with the first tide of white population grow to a certain extent of magnificence; when, the slaves come, in, they become stationary, then begin to decline. Chimneys topple ofT,
and go unrepaired -- underpinnings decay -- houses go unpainted--shutters fall to pieces -- lights are broken out, and old cloths and pasted paper are substituted -- ail things indicate, that the city is constitutionally diseased
with slavery, and hastens to its end."*

VIIT.
SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE.

" The axe rang- sharply 'mid those forest shades,

"Which from creation toward the sky had spread

Jn unshorn beauty. There, with vigorous arm,

Wrong-lit a bold emigrant, and by his side

His little son, ivitli question and response

Ueguiled the time."

MRS. SiGOUiixiiY.

Tins picture is rarely seen in the South, as it is drawn in these beautiful lines. The foreign emigrant landing iil>oii our shores, tired of the despotisms of the old world, turns his back instinctively upon the South, and makes his home iu the free States- There are about twice the number of men of foreign birth in New York that there are in oil the slave States combined.
And yet the South is a place of constant emigration. For, as will be seen hereafter, the Southern mode of agrltulture vezy soon exhausts whatever soil it touches,-- if we except the bottom lands. -- and the planter is driven by necessity to abandon his premises and bcuriii anew. And though he plants the first seed that has ever been dropped into the soil by man, the same result follows his labors, -- fertility is soon succeeded l>\* barren ness, -- and as Iso '.is driven about, by this curse, lie seek.s new fields, and becomes a wanderer for life.

SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE.

iv

He travels through the woods to the spot where he has decided once more to " pitch his tent," with Ills fam ily in a long cart, covered with coarse cotton ploth, drawn
by mules. The slaves go before the family, on foot, to put up a rude tout for their reception. They builtl a log house for the master, and little log cabins, the size of K Uncle Tom's/' all around the master's house, and with in a few rods, for the slaves. He takes none of tho slave children into the new field with their parents. They arc not wanted there. They would rather bo a burden than a service to him.
The largo trees arc then girdlecl, by cutting through the bark all round the tree near the ground. This procc.s.5 destroys the life of the trees, the leaves perish and fall off, after which there is little obstruction to the rays 01 the sun as they fall upon the earth beneath them. The deadened trees are allowed to remain standing in the ^eld till tlicy fall by decay, or are blown down by winds. Hence a cleared field is seldom seen in the South, as these large dead trees stand until the soil is worn out by constant cropping, when, it is '''turned out to commons," and the young pines, or perhaps a different growth, spring irp again, and soon grow and thicken to a forest.
The small trees are felled, and piled up, to be burned, Tho piling is called the "logrolling," in which whole neighborhoods of masters and slaves are mutually en gaged in rolling the logs together for the burning. The log rolling affords some amusement, and much hard work. The whites soon become as black as "cuiFoe" himself, as the lire has previously run over the logs and charred

80

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

them. Tn this labor tlic master and man work together. They eat the < hog aud hominy" from the same kettle, and drink the whiskey from the same bottle, enough gen erally to place them all on a level before bed time. Af ter the burning, the plow id put in, which runs very near to the trunks of the trees, as the roots do not spread out near the surface, as we see them hi the North, but run directly down thi-owg;h the sand to the day, upon which the soil and sand rest.
The field is now ready for the seed, J3nt as rotation of crops is seldom instituted iu a stave labor system, I will describe the process of the cultivation of the corn crop. The Hold is lightly furrowed with a plow* then marked off crosswise by dragging a lung rake with wooden teeth, or short chains in.st.cad of teeth, four feet apart. Thus by the drilling one way, and cross marking the other, the whole field is struck oil* into squares four feet on each side. One kernel of corn only is dropped at every corner of these squares, forming rows four (bet apart, running at right angles, so that the plow may bo run in either direction between the rows. The old "Virginia" corn, as the large species of Southern corn iy sometimes called, is still raised in most of the slave States. The new fields produce from thirty to nfty bushels of this corn to the acre. The same field is con stantly planted with corn, year after ycnr, so long in some instances that it produces not more than fonr bush els to the acre. Some planters grow corn and cotton alternately, but, as the same properties of soil are re quired to produce both, this is not mnch relief to too

SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE.

81

lands. TIio cotton plant flourishes on dry lands, "but it exhausts the soil more than corn.
N u'theru farmers cannot understand how those plant ers can live who raise only four bushels of corn to the aero. But this is easily explained to all who are ac quainted with the manner of living^ and the system of cultivation, they have adopted.
"But/' says an inquirer, " why do they remain on the old fields that produce only four bushels to the acre, while the new fields yield thirty bushels, and can be pur chased for one dollar per acre ? :J
The only answer I can make to this is, that in the old worn-out districts many of them seem not to possess means and energy sufficient to rcniorc to more produc tive localities. Those who are able, or more energetic, emigrate to new fields. Others remain where they are.
When the fields have been planted a few years with corn, the grasses all dio out. The "Northern grasses, such as clover, timothy, and red-top, do not flourish well south of Virginia. The indigenous grasses of the table lands are the slender <'spire-grass" and " crow-grass."
Southern farmers do not replenish their fields with manure, and one result of this is that weeds seldom spring up to choke the corn. Hence in the old fields, the hoe is not used after planting. No labor is required, except to plow each way between the rows, until the harvest. One slave and one mule can cultivate fifty acres of this corn on this land. The plowing is com menced about the first of December. and finished by the middle of February, when the season for planting returns.

82

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

Two or three months are spent in planting, -- which loaves lime to plow twice between the rows before the harvest commences. If four bushels to the acre are har vested from tlio fifty acres as the reward of the labor of one man and one mule, every master who owns one slave and. a tnule can raise enough for his support. In. some of the old counties, where this system has been applied for a long time, and nearly all the properties of the soil, adapted to the production of corn, have been exhausted,, I have seen hundreds of acres of such corn. All the "first settlors," who had sufficient energy, had fled, either to the cities to engage in other kinds of bus iness, or to the woods to take up new fields, -- leaving behind them a poor, ignorant, dispirited, shiftless popu lation, inhabiting old, black, filthy, open, cheerless log lints,--exhibiting a greater degree of misery, wretched ness, poverty and crime than can probably be foimd in any other Christian country on the face of the earth.
After the soil is entirely wo?, out by this process, and all the dark, earthy, fertilizing properties have been exhausted in the production of corn, the white sand appears on the surface again, and those old abandoned lields, as you look over them, appear nearly as white -with sand as Northern grass fields when covered with a light fall of dry snow in winter, with the long spires of grass standing up through the snow. Lands thus exhausted of fertility are worthless for a free labor system. There is no possibility of reclaiming them by siibsoiling. There is therefore no prospect that a comfortable subsistence will ever be obtained from them, again..

SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE.

80

" The middle region of Georgia/' says Colt oil's Gaz etteer, "was once very productive, but owing to the oppress : ve system of cultivation adopted by tlio planters, it has become in many parts much impoverished. And largo gullies, and red, barren hill-sides often meet the eye in places where onco abundant crops were produced."
COTTON.

The Cotton plant is an annual onc ; very vigorous, and it exhausts the soil rapidly. It requires less moisture than corn, and therefore suffers less in the severe droughts of a long, hot season. The seeds arc planted as early in the spring as corn, as it requires a long time to grow. The field is formed into beds by tlic double farrow, about three feet apart, and the scod is sown on the top of the bed, a few inches apart, like apple seeds in the nurseries. The cotton plant resembles little apple trees of three or four years growth, when both are seen in winter, de nuded of foliage. The capsule, or boll, which contains the cotton, is an inch or more in diameter, and resembles, in color and consistence, tlie puff romaiziing from a de composed apple or potatoe.
"When the cotton capsule is broken by the early frosts the cotton expands and unfolds, appearing at a little dis tance like the full blown white rose. Its attachment to the capsule, wlicn fully matured, is so slender that it can be picked off as easily as the leaves of the rose just ready to fall. The pickers take it in their baskets to the ginhouse. This building always reminds the Yankee of the old cider mill, where the horse walked around on the

84

INSIDE VIEW OF

ground^ and the apples were pat into the hopper in the story above.
The cotton-gin is a very valuable machine, of Yankee invention., for which cotton growers have expressed pe culiar gratitude. Like most useful inventions, the gin is very simple hi its con at ruction. As yon look upon, it, it appears like a cylinder made of circular saws. Uufc it is a drum of wood, about three foot in length., the size of the bass-drum used by bands of music, encircled with saws two feet in diameter. The saws arc one-fourth of an inch apart, in a horizontal position, with teeth all looking forward, like the splitting saw. It is made to revolve with sufficient velocity by a single horse power. The cotton Is brought in contact with this drum of saws by the receiver, which has one side covered witJi strong parallel wires. The saws tear the cotton apart, and draw it between the wires, which arc too near together to admit the seeds, and they fall to the ground. The cotton is swept from the saws by a revolving brush, and is then ready to be baled, for the market.
The volatile oil and anunouia of the seed render it valuable as a manure. After fermentation in the heap has destroyed its power to vegetate, it is often used for this purpose, being dropped in the lull with corn, and seeds of other annual plants. Cotton is the most cer tain and profitable production of all dry, arable land? in hot climates. Aud they plant the old fields as long us they will yield two dollars' worth to the acre.
BICE.
The " rice-fields" are principally reclaimed from lands

SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE.

85

lying on the margins of rivers, near the ocean. Dike a of earth arc thrown up around the fields to pro vent Lhe tide-waters from overflowing them. They are then plant ed, with rice, in drills about one loot apart. The ircsh water from the river above is then admitted, through. gates in the dikes until the field is entirely covered. The water prevents grasrf and. weeds from growing among the rice, while the rice will grow mid or -water. After the rice comes up and. grows a few inches,, the water is drained off to afford opportunity to replant, or thin out, as may be necessary. The field, is then flowed again with fresh water, which is allowed, to remain sev eral weeks before the second draining; prior to the ma turing of the rice Tor the harvest.
This last draining oiT of the waters occurs in the hob Weather of August and September, which occasions so much disease and death on the rice fields at that season. The vegetable ruat L ,;r ivMch has been decomposed by the water, when exposed to a hot sun, fills the atmosphere with poisonous gasscs. The malaria thus generated, is diffused through the surrounding country. The African constitution resists the effects of it longer thnn any othei% The absorbent vessels, whose office it is to take up what ever is unhealthy in the system and throw it oH"7 act more efficiently in systems that perspire freely. Hence the negro, who sweats more profusely than the white man, wards off the fever much longer on the rice plantations. I am fully satisfied, from this fact alone, that the grow ing of rice in those unhealthy localities would be wholly
S

86

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

abandoned if the labor of tho colored man could not "bo obtained.

ROTATION OF CROPS.

To whatever cause it may bo ascribed, the fact is too well known to be denied, that a " rotation of crops," on which the success of farmers in the North almost "wholly dcpcnda, is scarcely known in the slave States. This ia one reason why tho soil in the South so soon becomes valueless* Without entering into any speculation about tho matter, I will only say that where the labor is per formed _/b/' those who Avjoz/; nothing about the science of agriculture, and Ay those who rare nothing about it, -- whoso only problem of life is to ascertain by how little labor they can escape the lash, -- I do not believe that the rotation of crops, the application of manures, or any other means of preserving or replenishing tho fertility of tho soil will ever be found practicable. The experience of a hundred years is demonstration suffi cient.
And the converse of the proposition has also been fully demonstrated. Some of the old fields, worn out by slave labor, have been purchased by Northern farm ers, and. by (ree labor cultivation they liave been re claimed and raised to more than their original value. Lycll, in. his "Travels in the United States," though ho haa generally taken without question whatever was told him by the slaveholders among whom he was so hospit ably entertained, has nevertheless recorded some im-

AGBICTJLTUIUS.

87

portant facts, coming so much wirhin the sphere of lus profession, that lie could not be deceived. In 1841 bo not'ced some of these worn-out fields on the Potomac river, where slavery had nearly finished its work. In. 1845 he traveled down the river again, and gives the following- account of his observations :
" A:J we sailed down the Potomac, a landed proprietor of Fairfax comity pointed out to me some estates in Virginia, in which free had been substituted for slave labor since I was here in 1841. Some farmers came from New Hampshire and Connecticut, and, having bought tlic land at live dollars an acre, tilled it with their own hands and those of their families, aided in some cases by a few hired whites. To the astonishment of the surrounding planters. Ocforo the end- of four years they had raised the value of the soil from five to forty dol lars per acre, hawing 'i'ntror/u.cr.'d for the first time a ro tation of corn ami g~rccn crops, instead of -first exhaust ing the soil, and then letting it lie fallow for years to recover itself."
Not only arc the sandy loams on the table-lands destroj'ed by the Southern .system of agriculture, bnt the rich clay loams, and the high rolling lands, are ruined by tlic same process. This /'act lias been well noticed by Mr. Ilildreth in his "Despotism in America."
" When tobacco is the crop, the fresh land is planted with tobacco each successive year till its fertility is ex hausted. When it will no longer produce tobacco., it is planted wiih corn and wheat, till it will not afford a crop

88

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVES?.

worth gathering. It is then turned out, that Is, left unfenced and uncultivated.
" In the cotton growing States, corn and cotton arc planted alternately, till the land is completely worn out. When its original fertility is exhausted, no further at tempt is made at its cultivation. It is turned out, and the labor of the plantation is -applied to new fields, which presently undergo a similar fate. Thus, every year, a certain'quantity of land is given over as worthless, and new inroads are made upon the original forests. Agri culture becomes a continual process of opening new fields and abandoning the old."
The alluvion carried off from the inclined plains de stroys great quantities of plowed lands lying on South ern rivers. The " side hills," on the margins of the running waters, after being flowed for many years in succession, are greatly exposed to the action of the heavy winter rains, and often, after the grass roots are all dead, whole fields arc thus destroyed. Sometimes large fields of fifty acres or more which have been re cently flowed are all washed off clean to the pan in a single shower. By this constant washing of the lands thousands of acres are annually ruined.
Another great damage resulting from this constant transportation of soils from the country to the coast, is the obstruction of navigation, at the months of the rivers. From New Orleans around to Norfolk we have frequent accounts of the filling up of harbors with sand. Forty thousand dollars, I think; were expended to clear out

SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE.

89

the channel at the mouth of the Savannah in the spring of 1853. So much of the rod clay in the subsoil of the 'high hinds back in the country is washed off into the riv ers, that the waters are colored by it until they reach the ocean. Ail over the South, in the old fields on the banks of the rivers, impassable ravines may be seen, cut through the soil as the water came down the hills, and the naked barren subsoil of whole plantations is visible from the same cause.

CATTLE, SWINE, ETC.

All the domestic animals roam at larcrc on the rang es-- commons -- in Georgia during the winter as well as summer, except the mules, which arc kept 111 the sta bles and used for plowing. The cattle become very lean in winter, subsisting entirely on the slender '* crowgrass," and browse. Va^t numbers of them die in the
spring from starvation, or perish in the rivers. All along the creeks and water-courses, when the feeble old. oxen and cows go down to drink, their feet sink iji the miry clay, and they cannot get out. For miles together the boggy margins of the low bottom lands are bleached with their bones.
The Sonthem farmer derives very little benefit from, any kind of neat stock except sheep. In the spring the young cattle grow Alt, aud are jit for the table for a short time before the hot season conies on. 13nt they are seldom fonnd in a suitable condition fb? beef, with out stall feeding, aPter the? are more than Jfbnr or :Qve years old. Gov. Troup told me that ho owned oxen

y"J

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

that had never worn the yoke, and from which ho had never received any profit, and all he ever expected to receive waa the hides when they should die, if his boys should happen to Jiiid them.
Some men who cut timber for the market work their oxen constantly; and sometimes others who use mules prinuipa.lly, when they want to draw a, load too heavy for the mules, send the slaves into the woods to catch the wild "steers" as they call them all, no matter how old, -- and with great propriety,--for they always act like steers when. an. attempt ia made to subject them to labor. An incident occurred while I was there wJiicb will serve to illustrate the energy and skill exhibited by slaveholders in the accomplishment of their purposes, wiLh the aid. of mules and oxen, when they have no Yiuikccj to assist them.
llr. W. hud contracted to deliver some heavy masts for ships to a commission merchant in the city of S. JJe sent his slaves into the forest to select and hew the masts. One stick was prepared, about eighty feet in length, which measured, after the sap was all taken of^ three thuiwa.n.d six hundred and, tnirty-fbuT feet, board measure. Seven pairs of mules were then harnessed, and nine pairs of wild "steers" were captured in the woods. Yokes were then made of straight sticks, and with small bows the cattle were fastened together in pairs. One end of a rope was attached to the outside horn, of one of each pair, and a stout negro held the oth er end, to pull back wlitm it was necessary to atop the team, -- as the steers had not learned the moaning of

SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE.

9l

When the sixteen pairs of steers and mulos wore all attached to tho wheels on which the mast was loaded, and everything was ready, word was given to si art 1 Tho negroes halloed, and screamed, and threw chips, and bark, and clubs, -- and a complete melcc ensued. Some of the oxen pulled in one direction, some in another. Sometimes the load would move a few fcot, and then suddenly stop. Then the " Cracker" whipped the ne groes, and the negroes whipped tho mules. The angry mules would spring and. rend a trace. The frightened steers would leap and split a yoke, or break a bow, and then fly for life 3 The slaves seemed quite willing to endure tho whipping for the sake of the frolic. While tho Yankee spectator could not help laughing at tho lu dicrous picture. Alter working nearly three days, and whipping the negroes and mules halt' to death, the mast was drawn about one third of the distance to the river, which was only a mile, and then the project was aban doned ! Four pairs of oxen, such as are owned on any of the largo -(arms at the North, could have drawn it to the river in an hour. Cut it was left to rot upon the ground, valuable as it was, for want of sufficient force to move it.
The raising of wool would be very profitable in the slave States, but for tho destruction of the sheep by dogs. This animal is the companion of the slaveholder, and many of them are kept to protect him from the vio lence of injured slaves, and to pursue them when they run away. Tho hungry dogs make horrid havoc among the sheep.

02

INSIDE VIEW OF SLATERY.

Tho wool is coarse, and is used with cotton in the manufacture of homespun clothing for the Crackers. Very little ;<"factory cloth" is worn in some of tho dis tricts. The old spinning wheel and loom arc still in operation. The Cracker seldom suffers pecuniary loss from too sudden change of fashions. He is doggedly opposed to innovation. The iirst pattern of fi'ock coat aud trousers worn by the country planters in the Old Dominion, is now the most modem style in central Georgia and the Carolinas. Even irn%)orted dye stuffs are little used, as the native barks impart the favorite otter color at a less expense.
The extensive oak forests of the South afford sub sistence for largo herds of swine. The pigs -- 7iko lambs -- are marked in tho cars, and arc then permitted to run at large in the woods. The owners occasionally take a bag of corn on a horse and ride out to feed thorn, for tbo purpose of keeping the herds together. Masters who own good acom lands furnish bacon to their slaves; while the slaves of masters who own none bnt pine lands, and cannot afford to fatten pork entirely on com fur their bands, seldom or never have tho "^)OM?? o/" ???aZ a %pce&." I know two fugitives from Sontti Carolina, one of whom said that he never tasted meat until lie wits seventeen years of age. The other, from tho stuno comity, told me that he always had meat three limes a du,y, and. as nmch as be wanted. The former waa raised in. the "piao wood?/' far from any river. Tho latter lived near an oak forest. There was no dis crepancy in their testimony.

SOUTHERN AGR.ICri.TUHK

UO

When the swine arc to be slang-It tercel, the dogs catch them, or the butchers shoot them. The old hogs become veiy ferocious in the woods after being hunted- The tusks of tluj 'males grow to a great length. I saw one which had been taken from a wild boar, over seven inches long. Thev are formidable weapons of defense, as many a poor, luckless dog- has felt, to his sorrow.
Beeves, also, arc sometime-! shot by the butchers in. the country, as they are better skilled in the use of the rifle than of any other instrument of death. At Ocoiicc, two men went out to kill a cow,, Ono of them fired, and the ball struck her head, but not in IC the right place," as the butchers say, and it onby crazed the animal. ho rushed through the fence into the woods. The butchers saddled their horses, called the dogs, and gave chase to her. After pursuing her all day, they finally killed her, about dark, several miles from home, but so far from any house that they abandoned the thought of sav ing the meat., and they returned home with nothing but the hide.
FARMING UTEXSFLS.

Perhaps there is no better test of the civilization of any people than can be seen in their agricultural imple ments. 1 had long known that nearly all the really val uable inventions and discoveries made in our country had their origin in the free States. But the leading in terest in the South has been, not mechanical, but agricul tural. It was not unnatural, therefore, for tlie North to excel in this respect. iJivt since almost the entire inter-

94

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

est of the South is in farming, I expected in this depart ment to find some evidences of skill, and progress. But I was disappointed.
rrit.e <; 77,2 "-"'tr hoc' was first introduced into Virginia as a substitute for the plow, in breaking up the soil. Tho law fixes its weight at four pounds, -- as heavy as the woodman's axe ! It is still used, not only in Vir ginia, but in Georgia and the Carolinas. The planters tell us, as the reason for its use, that the negroes would break a Yankee hoc in pieces upon, the first root, or stone that might "bo in their way. An instructive commentary on the dilFercnee between free and slave labor!
T/ie ' Cracker plow" has no part like the Yankee plow, below the beam, except the left handle. This is made of basket oak, is about four inches square, and a foot long, or deep, below the beam. The lower end of this handle, which is faced with a plate of wrought iron, half an inch thick, is all there is that makes it a plow. The right handle is crooked, and fastened to the beam at the lower end and to the left handle, by a pair of rmuiUes. It turns a furrow only four inches wide, but it is made to land about a foot. It turns the four inches over upon the other eight, and thus good over the ground as fast as the Yankee plow. The holder of the Cracker plow has little power over the beam when the plow strikes a root, or a stone, as the base of the plow is only four inches square. ' Hence when the plow stops sud denly at a root or a rock, the impetus of the mule jerks the forward end of the beam down, and " Cuft'ce'' is thrown up on the handles. It is a laughable sight to sco

SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE.

'JO

a largo number of boys and girls plowing in the new fields, where some of them, arc being constantly tossed up in this manner.
The harrow is seldom tiscd except in sowing grain, and not often then. 3t is easily made, and more easily described, as it is wholly constructed of the top of a tree, dragged over the ground top foremost, having the limbs upon the lower side out off to such a length that they serve as teeth in the harrow.
flic ox yoke is a straight stick of hard pine, square hewn, about four inches thick, six inches wide, and from four to five feet long. -- of equal size the whole length. It is not like the Yankee yoke, crooked down between the oxen, and excavated on the necks -- adapted to sit easy and not chafe -- having sufficient strength with the least possible weight, --and so constructed that the ox en can apply their necks and shoulders in the best man ner to move the heaviest load^ with the least brute force, ajid loss of muscular strength. A. pair of oxcri will draw twice as heavy a load in the Yankee yoke as in those used in Georgia.
One peculiarity in the Cracker's mode of traveling to market always amuses the Yankee. Instead of seating himself in his wagon, to guide the horse, the Cracker rides his horse, and the wag-on, comes along behind, jolt ing over roots, and stumps, and stones. I laughed heart ily at seeing a. Cracker with two sore-footed little negro boys, all on one jackass, with a wagon load of cabbage attached, following after.

TANKEE AXD SLAVEHOLDER.
** Ay f gather your reins, and crack your thong-, And Wd your stecda go faster ;
They do not know., as they scramble along, That they have a fool for a master."
O. W. HOLMES.
THETCTC are no bridges over the largo rivers in Georgia, except where the railroads cross. There arc numerous rivers, streams, and creeks hi the State, but not sufficient energy and enterprise to bridge them. Col ton, in his Gazetteer, says, u there is water power enough, in this State, -with eligible sites for mills, to manufacture all the cotton raised in all the world, and grind all the grain raised in. the United States. 7 ' So the absence of bridges is not because bridges are not needed, but be cause -men are wanted, to build them.
iJarge trees fall clown across stage roads in the slave States, and lie there for weeks, or perhaps months, be cause it is not the custo?n> to remove them. In many places the mail stage will meet half a, dozen in a mile, and have to drive out into the woods to pass around them.
In the winter of 1852. I traveled a distance of sixty miles in Georgia, by stage. Half the time was consuined in fording and swimming creeks and streams,

YANKEE AND SLAVEHOLDER.

97

going around old trees, and through bogs. Three days were spent in traveling sixty miles, T\ro slaveholders were in the stage, on their way from the city to their plantations.
Just before dark, on the second day of our ride, we came to a deep creek where we found a mule team loaded with cotton, stuck fast in the middle of tlie creek. A heavy rain was falling and the water, runrdag swiftly, had worn a new trends, through tlio sand in the middle of the channel, about two feet deep and four feet wide. When the forward wheels of CiuTcc's wagon dropped into the trench, his six mules could not draw them out. The hind pair of mules were all under water, except their heads, aiid Cuffee could not get to the shore him self but by swimming", Tniicli was a, vei'V uncomfortable mode when the water wax cold and the current swift. So he concluded to retain his scat on the highest "bale of cotton, hoping for providential aid.
When our stage arrived at the creek, the gentlemen passengers left it and went up stream a, few rods, and crossed over on a pine log. Two ladies remained inside tUe coach, -- the horses swam across,--the coach filled with water, and one of the ladies was nearly drov/nad !
While stopping upon the other side, after ' passing the Rubicon," another negro dro^c down with a mule and buggy, to cross the creek. "Billy," said the driver, who was a white man, and acquainted with the slave "you can't go through the creek. It is washed out deeper. You see how Cuflec's wheels sink--you had better go back and wait till morning."
9

08

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

'' I must go througlij" replied Billy, resolutely. "Mas ter told mo to go up to the academy and bring young Master George home from school."
And he drove the mule into the creek. "When the forward wheels of the buggy dropped into the new trench, Billy's mule fell over on. his side and broke both of the thills. The whiflle-tree bolt was thrown out. The mule righted and swam, to the extent of the reins, which Billy "paid out" to the end and the length of his arm, still holding them firm in his fist, as the only attachment between the buggy and mule. The mulo " struck bottom," where he was " hauled to." Now there was Guile e. Bitting on his highest bale of cotton, in the water to his knees; and Billy, standing in his buggy, with the water to his waist.
it Come, driver, take off a span of horses/' said I, Yankee-like, "and help the poor boys out." ' If you want to go on with, me, slr? get aboard," said the driver. I"piticd the negroes and the mules, as it was now nearly dark -- the water and weather cold -- with the prospect of a darkj cheerless, stormy night before thein ? and no house within four miles. .But what could a lone Yankee, who had no horse of his own, do for them, more than to pity them? Fortunately, another stage, passing that way that night, fmdhig the creek blockaded with "wrecks, helped CiuTee and J3i!Iy out of their trouble. "We trav eled on two hours longer, "but only four miles farther,, and reached our quarters for tho night.
The next morning wo started "bright and early." I had been talking freely on the way with the slaveholders

YANKEE AND SLAVEHOLDER.

99

about the "peculiar institut.ion," expressing great aston ishment at seeing so wide a contrast between the North and the South in. everything relating to industrial mat ters. T remarked that at tho creek, -where we met so much trouble the night previous, there were noble pine trees standing by the side of tlie creek, long enough to "reach across -- that two "live Yankees " would fell a pair of stringers over, and cover them in a single day, -- that no Northern farmer would neglect to bridge such a stream separating- Jots of tillage or pasturage, where he wanted to drive herds from one to the other, for a single year, while the Southern planter will ford the creek ly ing between his house and stable - a whole life time. "While engaged pleasantly in making comparisons of this kind, and extorting' eoniessions from my slaveholding companions in favor of the superior enterprise and in genuity consequent -vpon a free labor system, we came to a slough in tlie road. The driver leaped from his seat, and commenced pulling away the'rail fence -- ^"Vir ginia fence " --where the ciads of the rails, at angles of twenty degrees, lock in and rest upon each other.
" What are you doing now, driver ? " asked an outside passenger.
" I am going through the oat-patch," replied the driver. "You see the teams have balked in the slough, so we must either tote some more pine boughs and pat into the ruts, or go around ; and I think here is a right smart chance to go around."
I looked out upon the oat stubble, and being a farmer's

100

INSIDE VIEW OF &LAV.ERY.

son, and acquainted "with the appearance of surface soils in the spring time, when the waters have soaked the subsoil and made it soft and yielding; I saw at a glance that the slough extended across the field, and I had the Yan kee impudence to administer a caution.
"Driver, yon can't go through there I Don't you see it is soft out there ? Tou are safer in the road."
"I am the driver, sir, if you please/' was the caustic reply, in his Cracker tone of voice, as sharp and shrill as that of the overseer when, he calls the " morning roll/* (7r drives the " sugar-house paddle/*
"Very well, sir," said I, complacently. The fence opened to the right and left, and the horses sAoZ %* Their feet soon began to settle in the loam -- the wheels began to cut through the sward -- the whip began to crack --- and the driver to swear and scream. The horses seemed frightened, and they snorted, and stamped, and pulled, and shifted legs, but not places. The wheels cut through the stubble and sank down till the bottom of the coach rested on the ground, and we were anchored. Still the lash fell, and the horses strove, sinking deeper and deeper, till it seemed that our only chance would bo on tho " underground railroad."
We "lightened the ship," detached the team, and after a terrible shower of curses ou sloughs, and oaths on the Jatcs, and gentle reproofs on the daring driver, had fallen from the eloquent, fluent lips of the passenger slaveholders,--whoso dialect loses half its eloquence and all its grammar without the rhetorical finish of the

YANKEE A:NT> SLAVEHOLDER,

101

cursing and swearing, the practical question,-- "what shall be done ? " was earnestly mooted.
" Gentlemen," paid I, " this its a judgment upon yon,, for not helping the negroes out of the creek last night. Now, driver, you will please leave my trunks here. I see a house out there in tlie woods, and 1 am going there to stop till the nest stage conies along."
" Oli, no ! " vociferated, the passengers, " that won't do ! For if the Yankee leaves us, we- shall never get out of this fix."
"I have no expectation that you win," said I, " fo? you don't know how, in the first place; and if you did, you "would think It a disgrace to do the necessary work. I would willingly and cheerfully assist to get the coach back into the road again, l.mt 1 am. confident that all your plans and efforts will be fruitless; and so I have con cluded to make the best of the calamity, and stop over to-day; although I must confess my regret at the folJy which has caused the delay, as I am really desirous of getting through to-day, to meet a friend, by agreement, on important business. But I give you my opinion freely, gentlemen, that the case is hopeless, as the doc tors say."
The driver was not a little piqued at the severe re flections my remarks cast upon him ? and he said in a confident, swaggering, contemptuous tone, " I reckon we can do as well without your company as with it, sir."
" Not so," exclaimed the passengers. " We want the Yankee here to plan. If he leaves, we shall not be able to get away from this place to-day !" One asked the

102

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY,

driver to invite me lo help them, --- others bcsouglit me to remain and .af-sist them. I replied that I had no faith to work with them, and Yankees never looked on as spectators in ,-meb emergencies. "Bnt 7 " said I? " if you \vant; me to stay, and the driver will consent for me to be ' boss ' of the "business, and you will ail agree to do as I tell you, i will stay; and if we doo't iret out in less than an hour, then you mny say of the Yankee, as he now does of you, that ho don't know how to do any thing."
After a little whisky persuasion, the driver reluctantly assented to rny proposition.
" Now understand me,"-- said I, "as master of tins business -- when I speak to you, 1 snail not soy 'boys,' as you do to your slaves ; nor geiitleiucn.,' as you. are ac customed to be addressed; but I shall speak to you simply as men. The ' boss,' in Yankcedom, when lie speaks to the operatives, calls bachelors by their Chris tian names, but married men by tlieir surnames, from. respect to their wives. This is understood, i siipposc."
All bowed assent. "Well, then, now for the work," said I. " Billy 1" -- the name of the bachelor driver-- now as humble as black Billy in the creek--"take Smith"--a wealthy commission merchant --" and go and bring a large rail." "Jones !" a cotton planter from the chivalrous kingdom of South Carolina -- " you run out to tlie house yonder imd borrow an axe," "Joe and John !" you take the rails from the fence and lay them, dowu clc^e between the stage and the yoadj as quick as you can." "Gilnian !" -- a lawyer --

YANKEE AND SLAVEHOLDER.

103

"roll that large short pine log along here. Well done, Billy i yon and Smith have got a good pry, Kirn the butt end in between the spikes directly over the hub. Now raise ^ie other end. -- higher! Itoll your fulcrum under, Gilman! That's it; pull duwii, now! There she rises bravely I hold on! Run here, Joe, "with that rail 1 Bun it in under that hub on the ground, -- iarther in! that'll do. Slack the lover, men ! 2{ow place tho lower end of the levei nnder the'hub and bear down again. Good 1 trig np under, Joe I Halloo ! here's Jonca with an axe* There Joe, you run. again and help John lay down rails. Come, Jones I cut a rail up into pieces. Sharpen the ends and drive them under the wheels to hold them np f Zounds % what cutting! Yankee boys four years old cut iastci' than that. Givo mo the axo I ^ow, Jones, sec a Yankee chop."
One, two, three clips on one sido; over -- ono. two heavy blows on the other, and a, uve inch rail drops in two. Smith's attention was so earnestly ibced on the chopping, that ho let go hie hold on the nppcr end of 4be lever, which, sprang up with Billy, who was sitting on it astride -- the lower end, which was nndcr the hub of the wheel, being covered with oily, red clay, slipped out, and. down came the lever, crushing Oilman's beaver bat, knocking him down, tearing the leg of Billy's trou sers, and barking his shin I GiLman scratched his head, and .Billy rubbed his shin, crying oot as pitcously as ever black Billy did after his had been kicked.
" What a piece of work ! Now the wheel has dropped. down lower than it was in the nrgt place. Whj didn't

101

INSIDE VIEW Of SLAVERY.

yon hold OB; Smith? IT you don't act better than this, night will fmd us in a -worse picklo here hi the rain than we left the poor 'niggers' in last night.
" Come, men ! raise the pry again ! Dash the fulcrum under ! down pry ! block up ! Now under the hub ! Push under farther, Billy, so it won't slip again'. Down again, all right. Drive under tlic short rails ! liaise all the wheels in like manner ! Now we are ready to run. her back into the road. But it will be a hard lift to roll the wheels up cm the rails. I will hold the pole, men! and yon take hold of the wheels."
"I will hold the pole for you, sir/' said Billy, politely. " I aril driver iiovr, air, if you pieixsc/' I replied au thoritatively. '* Take hold of the wheels there, with the other hands ! ; ' The lawyer, the merchant, and the planter took hold of the muddy .spokes with their kid gloves on, and the word was given. "AH ready now ! Iloll it up!" But " no go ! " "As many "Yankee boys eight years old would, lift more than you did then! You cau do nothing lifting hi that way, mer. ! ifou must pat yoi.ii- shoulder down to the rim, and both hands to the spokes, G.ue on either side ; and lift once, like Yankees; and the thing is done." Smith dashed off LIs black broadcloth and put his shoulder--covered with a clean, nice, Hneri shirt--to the wheel. Jones and Gilmuu didn't stop to fling oil the broadcloth, but per/.cd a -wheel a-pieee. Ci All hold now? " "Aye, aye, sir/' "Altogether, tlimt! Inhere, she rists ! stick to it! Lift! a little harder ! most up !

YANKEE AND SLAVEHOLDER.

105

For your life rtoio f HURRAH ! the trouble is all over! Now roll back,- steady.-- Hero we arc, in the road once more !"
"Now we will pull the coach over the bog. Driver! you and. Joe take the team up around through the woods, and by the time you get it on the other side of tlic slough, wo will have the coach and "baggage there, and the fence up. But dear me, what looking coats and. shirts for gentlemen to visit their friends in ! " -
"Never mind," replied the gentlemen, "we give in to the Yankee.-'
During- the remainder of the journey we talked to gether freely about slavery and its consequences. And I received many polite attentions afterwards from those (i chivalrous Southerner s," who generously acknowledged that a free labor system best qualifies men for the con tingencies of life.

X.
PRIVATE Aim PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

'< Windows and doors in nameless .sculpture dressed,

"With order, symmetry, or Umte unblessed;

Forms like sonic bedlam statuary's dream,

The crazed creation of misguided whim."

BURN'S.

IN: the cities of the slave States there arc not only mauy 110 public buiidiugSj but also many elegant private dwelling houses, siu'rouuded with beautiful scenery, and fitted up within with rich and costly furniture. It is to such scenes that Northern visitors ore generally intro duced. Hero they receive those impressions that are so widely disseminated iu the North;--that slavery is usually associated with refinement of manners, a culti vated taste, and a luxurious style of living-. It is not my purpose to question the correctness of these ideas, so far as they refer to city life among slaveholders. Nor do I deny that occasionally something of the kind may be found on the plantations, -- though the instances are rare. My object in this chapter is to take the read er into the planting districts of the South; among the " Crackers/* and show him tlicii* immncr of living, -- the kind of houses they occupy for private or public use, -- and some of the external, features of their domestic life.

PRIVATE AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

10?

About fifty thousand, or one tenth part of the inhab itants of Georgia reside ia the cities. And the propor tion does not vary very materially in the other States. Nine tenths of the population arc therefore to be found ia the planting1 districts,-- though only a small part of tliese are slaveholders. The " poor whites" everywhere iu the country constitute a large part of the pepu.la.tion. I shall not describe their habits hero so much as in some of the succeeding chapters.
It will appear to some as an exaggerated state ment.-- and yet an extensive observation in several of the slave States convinced me that more than one half of the slaveholders live in log houses. I confess that this was one of the most surprising facts that came to my knowledge. I was not expecting' to see wealthy slaveholders In the country living in tbe old log house first built for the family when they entered the woods.
One reason why so little has been said and known of their manner of living iu the country, doubtless is that few Northern men have traveled, extensively there. And another id that many who have traveled in the South, have misrepresented their condition in order to gratify the feelings and flatter the pride of slaveholders, from whom they have received kirnl, generous, and polite attentions.
A foreigner, whose letters have been read with much interest, in describing the furniture in tlic house of a planter whom he desired to flatter for favors he had re ceived, represented, his friend as living ia a large an.d splendid, mansion, fitted up with expensive articles of

108

INSIDE VIEW OP SLAVERY.

furniture. Aftor speaking of T'lany beautiful and valua
ble arfie-lefl about iu.s room, 3io closer! with a description
of a ma,gojlicent candlestick furnished for his use. "lain now writing," said Mr. IX. '< by a candlestick
that cost seven hundred dollars." But lie did not men tion of what precious material the costly candlestick was wrought. A slaveholdiiig clergyman, however, who spake as known*!? the fact, assured me that the "wonderful can dlestick was nothing more nor less than Ciiffen. holding a jld'tnbrau ! I have more than once written letters in. slaveholders' houses when. I vras less favored than this foreigner; -- having to hold the pitch torch in my own hand.
One reason why the slaveholder does not build a good house is Localise ho knows that in a few years his fields will be nearly fruitless, and then he inay wish to remove, and pitch his tent in the -woods again. Nor do they take any pride in the possession of line houses. The only pride of "wealth is in the possession of men. "When a citizen is to be selected for some public office, the only question asked Is, "how many niggers does he own ? " If a largo number, the inference is that he must be a smart man, and -well qualified for the office.
The most common style of building in some of the slave States is to construct two log houses, about eight feet apart, one story high, with one roof running over "both, eoiiiiectiin; them overhead, -- so that they may pass from one to ariolhcr in the attic, and have a cool out of doors entry imdt'r the roof, "between the lower rooms. Most of these houses arc built of round pine logs, in

PRIVATE AND 1'UELIG BUILDINGS.

109

rough stylo, and so large spaces are often loft "between the logs that one can look in or out, without windows. Thus made, they afford little protection from the cold in winter,-- and the inhabitants of G-corgia, during the cold stormy days, or frosty nights, often suffer more from, cold than the people of Maine.
The roof is usually made of rafters, having ribs pinned on them, about three feet apart, covered with shingles four feet long, which are aplit from the pine timber by the slaves. Sometimes no nails are used in putting them on. A small pole is laid over each course of shingles, which is fastened to the ribs by wooden pins.
Those houses frequently aro made witliout any iron for any purpose. Even, the doors are hung on wooden gudgeons, driven into the logs, and fastened with wood en latches and green, hide strings. They are seldom slmt, however, except in 11 to night. No matter how cold the weather, or severe the storm, the door remains open through tho day. No tool is needed to erect abodes for the Crackers except the "club-axe" and the auger. Tho Secretary of a Fire Insurance Company in the State of Georgia, -- himself a slaveholder.-- stated to me that in his opinion two thirds of the residences of masters in that State were made of logs. And in the Caroliiias they are, to sav the least, not any more valuable.
The want of energy enough to procure an article so cheap, and we should say so indi.-pen sable, as windowglass, ia truly astonishing1 to the traveler from the free Btates. These log houses are often entirely destitute of glass. They have wooden, shutters to close at night.
10

110

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY1.

The eye of the traveler in some parts of the country will nut rest on u house that has a pane of glass in it in traveling fifty miles, though most of the houses may be inhabited by slaveholders. In one of the best farming coi.ait.ics in Georgia I found a man who had been located there a few years, who was a. native of Maine. He In formed, me that when lie went to that town, though it wag the shire-town of the county, there was not a single pane of window glass in any building,--not even in the church, court house, or tavern.
This gentleman built for himself a Louse with two rooms, one of which his lady denominated her parlor; and she concluded to liavo a window put into it. A carpenter belonging to another county was accordingly employed to como and put in four squares of " seven by nine/* for which ho charged two dollars. "As soon as it was known," said, the lady, ' that such a great curios ity was to be seen in the place, all the ehUdrcn came in flocks to sec the glass. And they really became so great an annoyance to me that I had the window talc en out, and a shutter put up in its place."
The chimney of these houses is usually built on the outside. Sometimes it is built entirely of wood, about the size of common cord wood, piled up cob-house fash ion, with the interstices filled in, and the inside daubed over with clay mortar. But uniformly the base of the cUurmcy is built of stones, as far up as the wooden niantlcpiccc, and then it is topped out safely with wood, or boards, or oak bark. The fireplace is large enough to take in " a mighty big heap*' of lightwood, which super.

PKTVATE AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

Ill

Scries llio necessity of lamps. The heartli is constructed of small flag-stones, rosting' OIL loose Hand, not always in a neighborly proximity to eacli oilier. The oven is not an appurtenance of the Cracker's chimney, as the cook ing is done hi the kitchen, -- which means in the negro lints. These cabins arc not connected with the house by any building, or any covering overhead. The food is brought inf and the dishes are carried back, at every meal.
Court-houses constructed of logs arc not uncommon, in the interior counties. And though churches or schoolhouses of any kind are not numerous, a large proportion, of them in the sparcely settled districts are made of logs. They are frequently found in solitary places,---situ ated far from any dwelling house, deep in the woods, with no road passing by or leading to them, except a few foot paths radiating from them in various di rections through the dark, solemn pine trees, --and a carriage track describing all sorts of angles around the old logs. I have worshipped in rude log- churches locat ed in such spots, -- having no window of any kind -- no desk or elevation for the minister,--nothing to sit up on except a few, narrow, rough scats, on scantling legs, without any backs. And the preacher sat with the hear ers,-- and in any part of the house which best suited his convenience.
I am aware that an influential Journal has undertaken, to show from the tables in the census reports of 1850 that in church accommodations, the South is superior to the North- But these tables caii be made to prove no

112

ETSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

such thing, unless by distortion. So far as I have exam ined them they do not disagree "with tlie facts which came under my own observation. The average value of churchns in Maine is over $3,000 -- in Massachusetts
orc-r $7.000, -- and in the six New England States il is over $4,000 each^ In North Carolina the average value is $500. But Uie value of the Methodist churches aver ages only $400, and the Baptist only $300. In South Carolina the average value in thc.se two denominations in 700. In Georgia it is $500. lint these estimates in clude the cities, as well as the country. If we look into the interior counties tho result is different. In Irwin comity, Georgia, the average value of all the churches is $81, In Ware county it is $i3G. In. the county of Mont gomery, the residence of G-ov. Troup, an account of my visit to whom is given in this chapter, the value averages $40. In tho old county of Tatnall it is only $G.50 '. There arc ten Methodist churches reported in this coun ty, the whole of thorn valued at $105,-- being $10.50 each!
The paucity of furniture and books in the homes of slaveholders is most unaccountable. Even In families that possess abundant means to supply these wants I have frequently seen them living without conveniences of which tho poorest Northern family is seldom desti tute. Sometimes you will not see furniture amounting to five dollars in value in a wealthy planter's house. 1 have seen such houses without a particle of paint on tho inside, or on any article of furniture. A few old oak chairs, made by hand; in the rudest manner, covered with door

MUTATE AIO) PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

113

skins or green Ii3d.es tint aimed. -- a hard pine table, un pinned, -- a wooden poker, instead of shovel and tongs, in the rock chimney Ere place, comprise the whole Inveiitory. There id no closet, nor wardrobe. All the bedding is suspended on pules overhead, or placed on an open shelf against the wall. The wearing apparel is hung on nails or wooden pegs, all in sight. And yet you will find on the promises several hundred dollai./ "orth of elegant saddles, and costly rifles. And perhaps a thousand dollars will be expended for jew elry and. ornaments to adorn the person and dress of the daughter, -- but not five dollars appropriated for furni ture or books.
The Crackers live almost entirely on corn-bread and. bacon. So uniformly does the fare include nothing' else, that ' hog and hominy" are everywhere descriptive terms iu common use to express it* And this is the case not only in the States which I visited, but the fol lowing paragraph from one of a scries of letters pub lished in the Xciv York Times, written by a gentleman of acknowledged integrity, shows that in other parts of the South it is the same.
' At Natchadoches, Texas, an old town of ton thou sand population, we inquired at five stores for Sour, but ter, and sugar, and were informed there was none of either in town. At Crocket, we inquired at sc^en stores and two Hotels for these, and for fresh meat. There was none of cither in town. Corn-bread, with 'pork fry' and coliee, has been placed before us at every meal, -- breakfast, dinner, and supper, -- at every house

114

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

in which we have taken any food during' the tliree "weeks we have traveled in Texas."
I was taken, sick in one of the lower counties of Qcorgia, ami I feared that I should die because no suit able food could be obtained for a person laboring under gastritis. Nothing was to be had. except coarse cornbrcad, and soft, ilhodored bacon, that no Yankee could eat even when, well, unless lie was half starred- Scarcely any two articles could be named more unfavorable to the billions diseases of the climate than, the only two In use. Bat a merciful Providence, --in spite of if hog and hominy" -- so far restored nic to health., that 1 was able to ride on horseback; and I started for Gov. Troiip's plantation, on the Oconco river, twenty miles above, ou the. old stage road leading from Darien. l,o MilledQ-cvillc,-- the Capital of the Slate. 1 called at the first house of a planter, and inquired if they had flour bread, or milk.
'' We have none of either," was the reply. I called at the next house, where the outside exhibited yiguH of more wealth and comfort, -- but found neither. I asked the planter if he had no cows. '' O yes, sir," he replied, "I have a frreat many cows, but they all run in the woods in winter; we don't feed them now, and have no milk at this season. In the spring we catch a few of the calves and confine them in a yard, to toll up their mothers, and by giving the calves just milk enough to keep them alive, we obtain what we want to use in coffee." 1 called at every white man's house--more than

PRIVATE AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

115

twenty in. 3Timber -- before I reached, the residence of Governor Troup, and. inquired tor tlioso ariicles, and I was invariably informed that 'hey had none of eit.licr.
About two o'clock P. M. I arrived, at the Governor's-! house, and found him eating lii.H dinner, in a log house. Having some business with him, 1 was cordially invited to sit with him at his dinner table. In addition to cornbread and bacon, ho had soiuc dry ,ship bread, and corned beef. Z\.t instead of coffee, he had -spirits of all kinds, of which he urged me to partake, on his assurance that that they were p;oocl; but when I gave, in excuse, my custom, and iny feeble health, lie ordered some coffee for me. He apologized for the absence of flour bread. He said the freshet had continued so long that he had. been unable to get In flour over the crooks and river,'-;.
The upper part of a pig's head --''the minister's face"--was on the table. The ears had not be en cut off previous to baking, and they were so very long, and, stood up so straight, and wore a mark HO singular, that I was probably eyeing it too sharply to seem respectful, when the old gentleman remarked, facetiously,--
i( You see I am an honest mau; sir. for that is my own mark in the pig's ear."
The Governor, like most of tlio large slaveholders, had been, unfortunate in his sons. Ho owned, as I had. been informed, about a thousand slaves? on different piautatioiis. He had a large number on a plantation twenty miles below, which I had visited. His brother, Colonel Troup, was, as I was told, the overseer on this plantation for several years. He led a dissipated life,

115

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

and found an early grave. I was told that lie confessed to a minister, a few days prior to liis death, that he had terrible remorse of conscience in the reflection that many of his own children would be left as his brother's
slaves. Governor Troup's eldest son succeeded Ms brother as
the manager of tho lower plantation, where ho lived a few years in dissipation, and died from its effects. His youngest, and now only son, was sent to take the place of the first, and he followed in his footsteps. After be ing wrecked both in morals and mind, he was sent, as I heard, to the Insane Hospital, -- and I suppose ho was there at the time of my visit.
If the sons of his Excellency were as fine looking as any one of tho bright boys I saw about his house, he surely had good reason to lament their untimely end. I saw no young men on that river who appeared so in tellectual, and so highly endowed with natural qualities, as some of the mulatto servants in Governor Troup's family. They seemed devoted to his happiness, -- but I ascertained that they fully appreciated their liability to a worse fate after his death, -- as he was far advanced in years, and his only heirs were two maiden daughters, who would not be likely to keep the slaves together long after they should be left upon their hands.
Two of the whitest boys -walked at my side as I rode to the gate, about fifty rods from the old house, -- and I felt so deep an interest in their welfare that I took the liberty to converge with them in relation to their situa
tion.

PRIVATE AND rTJKiAC BUILDINGS.

117

"You have an easy life here, boys/' I remarked. "You are lucky to find a home so good as this."
" O, yes, master," replied 0110 of them sadly, -- "but we don't know how soon our master may die, and then we shall be sold away, and our lot may then bo much harder."
" Well, boys, I would not borrow trouble, but would rather be thankful for so many blessings. You fare so much better than the slaves generally do 7 that you ought to be happy."
" 1 know that, master," replied one of them, " but still we cannot help thinking what we may have to suffer by and by."
"Well, be good bo_ys, -- don't drink whiskey, -- take good care of your old ma&ter, -- always do right, and you will be sure to fare the better for it. Good even ing !"
" Good bye, master ! good bye ! " O, how my heart beat for these noble boys ? How I longed to speak to them of the blessings of freedom ! What multitudes, alas ! of these noble Doiiglasscs, Bibbs, Clarks, and Wards there are in the South,--sons of Gov ernors, Judges, and statesmen,--dragging out their weary lives in bondage! Jf some of "the best blood in Vir ginia" flows in the veins of the slaves, it is not less true of the other slave States.

THE PARTTNG SCENE.
" My God! can sucli tilings be ? Hast Thou not said that whatsoe'er is done Unto Thy weakest and Thy humblest one,
Is ever done to Theo ?
In that sad victim, then, Child of Thy pitying love, I see Thee stand -- Once more the jest-word of a mocking band,
liound, sold, and scourged again.
A heathen hand might deal Back ou your hends the gathered wrong of years, But her low, broken prayer, and nightly tears,
Ye neither heed nor feel." WHITTIEE.
THE cars wore coining- down from the country to the city, I was. sitting by the window, conversing1 with a wealthy, gentlemanly slaveholder, when our train stopped. Liooking out, I saw a group of twenty-four slaves near the car, -- some of them crying,-- some weeping silent ly.-- others rmining to and fro, as if in the excitement of incipient mania, or of approaching delirium,-- while otic sat unite in despair. The whole scone was so wilrl and unnatural that I did not comprehend it? and 1 asked the slaveholder what was going on there.

THE PARTING SCENE.

119

" Nothing, only some of these niggers are sold, I sup pose, and the others are making a fuss about it," lie replied, in a cold, formal manner, as ho raised up his chin and gave a stoical, stupid look, and then he attempted to resume conversation, with me.
Now had I been riding For pleasure, or traveling on business, I could not have written, the history of this family, as I was obliged to visit the place again, and spend seve^l days, to obtain the facts which rendered the scene at the cars intelligible. The whole family, in cluding three generations of slaves, way there. This family consisted of the old grand-parents, with their sis children, and eighteen grand children. None had been lost by death; and until now, none had been sold; and had I visited them at any former period of their lives, and proposed to offer them the boon of freedom, they would probably have refused to accept it, if by so doing they would have been compelled to leave their kind master, whom the afflicted grand-parents said they had always loved, as well as his father before him, -- "in whose house they were born." But their yo'img master had become intemperate, and a gambler. After losing all his money in the game, a few nights previous, lie had staked six slaves --- two boys and four girls -- on a game of billiards, and they were won by a Xew Orleans gambler. The latter was putting them into our train of cars to carry them to S., forty miles below, where they were to bo shipped for his own city, as I was in formed.
I first noticed the old grand-mother, seated near the

120

INSIDE VIEW OJ? SLAVERY.

car -- sitting on a short, round? pino log, that had been cut off for shingles. Her emaciated form, curved spine, and snow white hair, gave her the appearance of being' a. very old woman. Her Lead was bent forward and downward; rising and. falling as she inhaled the slow, full breath, and breathed, out the deep, long sigh, followed by neither words nor tears. I likened her at once to an aged mother iu a sick room, where a beloved daughter was lying upon a dying bed!
Her daughter was uttering- the last words of affection ate, fond farewell to that devoted mother, -- but she did not seem to hear the last words of her child. She was beyond tears -- as physicians say -- mute in despair ! Or in the thrilling words of Ida May -- ' her sorrow waa too .stem and crushing for outward demonstration. Tlie iron hand of slavery had seized her heart, and she seemed as if it were wringing the last drop of her life blood."
Xoxt in order was the grand-father, an old man, bent down with toil, and bowed down with years, standing with the Ici't hand resting on a long staff that ran above his head, and the right arm on the shoulder of one of his son?* who waa just to bo removed forever from his sight. It waa a vivid, life-like picture of an aged father, stand ing by the death bed of an only., idol son, on whom he had 1 eancd for support and comfort in his old ago, end upon whom he had depended to smooth his dying pillow I
A kind hearted slave girl in the neighborhood had taken the grand-children out a little way from the cars, where she was playing with them on the grass--just as

121
I have seen a kind neighbor's wife visit (he Louse of nick and dying parents and tak the children home, or to a remote room, to soothe cm! caress them, and thus divert their attention from the agonizing parent., and the death bed scene.
The doomed lathers and mothers were standing with their arms around the necks of their wives and lawbauds, from whom they were the next moment to be torn 1 T' -e mothers were, perhaps, to become the mothers of yet more unfortunate children in New Or leans. The wives and husbands of those that were leaving belonged on other plantations, and to different masters, who had kindly allowed them to come and take the final leave of their bosom companions 1
Slaves usually have wives on other plantations. If yon ask the slave the reason, bo give? yon this answer. "If I marry one of my mostcrV ;._-irl? hero at homo, I may never be permitted to lenvc tl-c plantation while I live ; bt if I ,e;o off ten or flfr< -en rife? an,! take a wife, every Saturday n'u.hl m- master will let me po to see her, nnd pi. :s iho Sablath. In rtc.imr ihis, I shall pass by other plantations, m! become accp:aintctl with other slaves, --and thus tin-re will be a little novelty, a little more variety to life." 'Hiis is one very good reason, and the only one the clave darn rive, why he prefers not to have his wife at home, where he can bo constantly present with her and his children, and where he can sympathize with them in their afflictions and sufferings,
i for this fact, which has few exccp-

122

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

families live together, irlicro they can witness the pnniylnueijtrf iiiilieted oil cacli other. It has a tendency to make them discontented. And the sanio reason induces the slaves to conform to this custom. TLcir feelings arc very strong, and if their relatives arc to be punished, they shrink from the sight. And besides, they fear that if they should be present on such an occasion, they might interfere, and thus expose themselves to the same fate. Very few slaves can stand by, and look on pas sively, and see a mother, or wife, or daughter, or sister, brutally treated, by a lawless woman-whippcr I
But the bell rings, and the slaves are ordered on board the cars. They break away from their wives and husbands at the sound of the whip -- and start for the " nigger " car. One of them -- whose name was Friday -- bounded back and gave his wife the " last kiss of af fection." Then the husband was pushed on board, and the wife was left,! Friday's wife had a present tied up in an old cotton handkerchief, which she designed to give her husband as the last token of her love for him. Hut in the more than mortal agony of parting she had forgotten, the present uivtil the cars had started; and then she ran--- screaming--as she tossed the bundle towards the car, '! Oh, here Friday! I meant to give you this I" But instead of reaching the car, it fell to the ground through the space between, the cars, and such shriek as that woman pave, when she paw that solitary emblem of the fidelity of her early vow and constant affection for her devoted husband fail to reach him. I never heard uttered by human voice. It thrilled my

THE PARTING SCENE.

123

soul, leaving impressions that will never be eilaccd till my dying' day. Her heart was breaking! Slio could no longer suppress her grief, and for some distance after the cars started, the air was rent with her bitter lament ations, bursting forth with the most frantic wails ever tittered in despair!
There were thirty-five passengers in that car, "but no sympathy was expressed for the wretched victims of the billiard table. Young ladies --- daughters of slavehold ers, well educated, connected with refined, families --wore in that car, but they did not seem to pity the poor, despairing slaves. They laughed at them, and ridiculed their expressions of grief. " Look out here ! " said one of the young ladies at a window, to a school mate opposite, "just sec those niggers I What a rumpus they arc mak ing I Just as if niggora cared anything about their babies I Sec CufTee kiss Dinah ! What a taking on I Likely as not ho will have another wife before another "week."
These ladies were returning from one of the female colleges in the interior, to their homes in the city. Bat sympathy for the slave is not taught in those colleges. I felt indignant, and so much did I pity the slaves, and so highly were my fcclincrs wrought np, that I would have sacrificed my life, if that would have prevented the separation of those husbands and wives, and parents and children. I had remained silent for sonic time after the cars started, when, the slaveholder said to mo,-- " "Wliat are yon thinking about ? -- those luggers ? "
"I will thank yon not to refer to that scene/' I replied

124

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

"lest I may say some-tiling that will endanger my own liberty."
" O well," lemarkcd tlio Major, seriously, ' they don't separate iamilies when they can he!]) it.''
" Where are the cliildren belonging to all the parents I saw in the droves recently?"
" Oj I know/' replied he, thoughtfully, '' they hare to sell sometimes; -- but I tell yon, my dear sir, that kind masters always avoid it as long as possible."
" Yes sir," I rejoined, sternly, ll I understand now how you try to avoid the necessity of tearing the parents from, the children. -- you ask for more territory to plant new fields in! ]STow sir, I will be most obliged if you will not mention this subject again, lest I might drop a word that yon would deem incendiary."
We performed the remainder of the journey in silence. I could not safely have given utterance to my feelings,

XII,
SLAVEHOLDERS AS BUSINESS MEN.
" These base mechanics never keep their word In anything they promise. 'T is their trade To swear and break.; -- they all grow rich by breaking More than their -words; -- tJicir honesties and credits Are still the first commodities they pass off.'"
BEN JOXSON.
THAT slavery has liad a disastrous influence upon business, and consequently upon business men, no one can deny. 2"To i'act has ever been more clearly demon strated than that slave labor docs not .earu enough to pay its cost. Impoverishment and insolvency are inher ent elements of it. And whenever we have had a gen eral bankrupt, law, the. tables of" mutual losses by bank ruptcy, as between the North and the Soutlij have riliown a ruinous balance against the latter.
I do not deny but that there are many excellent busineKS men in the South. It was my privilege to become acquainted with such. Many of these went from' the North -- but not all of thorn. And yet a regard for the truth compels mo to say that the standard of business morality in the, slave State-* is very far below what it is ia A'ew England. Uusiacss men are trail ty of practices,

126

IXSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

without losing reputation or credit, -winch in the free States would, prove their ruin. , As Georgia is a planting State, HO the law relating to contracts is made for the benefit of the planter. The statute of frauds is common to most, if riot all of the States. And yet in New lOiigiand no man would retain the confidence of the community who should refuse to deliver articles sold by a verbal contract merely because the law would not enforce it unless it was w?r^/ew. The .statute in Georgia requires all such contracts to be hi wrUiug, signed, and witnessed, -- and live dollars to be advanced by the purchaser. But even after the stipula tions of this law are complied with, where the party is not responsible, so that no redress can be had through the coin-is, written obligations are frequently violated by tho lawless Cracker. He will sell his corn for a cent more per bushel, or his cotton for a mill more per pound, to any man who makes the bid after the article arrives in the market. So common has this perfidious practice become, that, in. sonic of the cities the mcvcliantB do not send out their agents, but wait until the articles are brought to market, when, by bidding higher than the price at which they had been previously sold, they are sure to obtain them.
While traveling in the country, I purchased, two rafts of lumber on a river, to be delivered in port within a specified time, at a stipulated price. One of these rafts contained a hundred thousand feet of ship timber, square hewn, and it was purchased of a county commissioner, who enjoyed the reputation of being one of the most

SLAVE HOLD El IS AS BUSINESS MEN.

127

substantial men. in the country. I went to the port to await tlic rafting- clovrii of the timber. FrcvJouri to us arrival, a merchant In that city showed me a written ob ligation, which the same man had written, with his own. hand, by which lie promised to deliver that name lumber to him for less than I had offered him for it. When ho came wi.th the timber I said, to him that I was ready to take it, if he was under rio obligation to deliver it to any other mu.u. He said he was not. 1" then informed him that I had seen his written, contract, and I consented that lie should deliver it according to hi:; first promise. He "went out, -- but instead of fulfilling the hrst contract, he found a purchaser who offered more than I was to pay him. and he sold it to him,
J purchased a thousand bushels of corn of* E. I*. Ifolsteiii, in Eastern Tcnnesec. Mr, H". wrote the obliga tion; and signed it, promising to deliver the corn to my employers at Savannah, within four weeks, at fifty cents per bushel. I waited until 1 suspected that lie might fail to ful(ill the contract, and I then wrote to him twice, re questing him to inform me why the corn had not been delivered. N"o answers "were retnrned to my inquiries ; but ROOTI afterwards I learned that Mr. II. had been to the city of S., and had sold his corn for two cents more per bushel than I was to pay him.
I inquired of one of my employers, "who was a nativoGcorg'ian,-- and a son of a slaveholder, -- why it was that so Httle reliance could be placed upon the integrity of the Crackers.
<-'j[ know not/' replied the merchant, 4i except that it is

128
the habit of tho people. Any man will promise yon any thing you want, nncl crurna'c Co do any thine; you desire, without the least intention of fl tilling his word, unless it should lie for his own private interest to do so."
"A friend of mine." ho added, " who was intending to go into tho cotton business here as a commission mer chant, went nut into the buck part of Georgia, and a, part of Alabama, and obtained pledges from cotton planters to scud him eight or I en thousand bales of cotton. Bo came back much elated at hid prospects for business, hired a store -- went into it, and not down to await the promised consignment. Hut not u sip^Io ba!o of tlie whole amount was ever sent to hin:."
1 hav-a written many obligation.- for the delivery of cotton and hides, not only by tho Crackers, lint, by morch-uiL, in citij?, situa^d in ti.e interior, which were ibrfelted under siMij'Ji,.r circumstances. And I now have a letter from a liio-ij.-- a, commission merchant in one of tho old slave Slates---in which he writes to me that he went irto the country last season and purchased twentylive trio us tin ct poi.tini.ri oi ^vooi. niiCi tlitit. iii UTory purcuaso, ho paid live dollars, and secured the legal, written obli gation, lint after all his precaution ho lost more than two thousand pounds of the wool.
I wrote to another friend a slaveholder residing in tho country, expressing my surprise at tho general want of integrity in tho business men I had mot with, and tolling him of my disappointments and losses occa sioned by their faithlessness. In Ms reply, he states, "I am not at all surprised at your disappointments. I

SLAVEHOLDERS AS BUSINESS MICT.

129

have "been Lore nine years to-day, and am just uiirlv in itiated in taking- lessons about the reliability oi' this people. It is pcri'cetly agonizing to bo obliged to carry on business with tiie laboring classes in this country. My lessons have cost me at least four thousand dollars within tho last four years,--which id tolerably high tuition."
One great reason why business contracts arc not more promptly fullilled, is probably the i'act that slaveholders spend so mncli oi' their time in. ann'semerits. 'I'llesc, more than productive labor, constitute the clucf employ ment of that class,-- especially in the new fields, where the fertile lands afford them the means of idleness and dissipation. No business is so important at any time as to prevent them from attending tne horse race, the cock-right, or any other kind of sport.
1 am acquainted with a clergyman who took a machine to a blacksmith, in his parish, for repairs. While tho smith was at work, a shout was heard over a cock-iight on the outside, and he left his iron in the fire, and ran out to see how the game was going. When he returned, the minister remarked that he was in a. hrtrry for the work, to send away by the next train. Soon the shout was heard again, and the- smith left the job a second time, and was gone until the cars had left. In Ms absence, his little son came into the shop, and took up sonic pieces of wood belonging to the machine.
' What arc you going to do with those,- Johnny ? '' said the minister.

130

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

<*I am going to take them in for my mother to burn/' replied the boy.
" O no/' said the clergyman, " tliey arc parts of my little wltecl here/'
13ut the l.>oy, uuused to any restraint, started for the li.ou.so with, tlie pieces. The clergyman, caiiglrfc him by the arm, and shook him until he dropped them, when he ran to his mother, screaming, and crying out against " the man who had pinched him." The mother carried the complaint to the father, who returned to the shop, and without asking any questions, knocked the minister down.
As soon as the clergyman recovered from the blow, lie said, submissively, "I wish you had waited for an ex planation, pir."
"I don't want to hear any explanation from you/' said the smith, with a horrid oath. " I can flog my own boys."
The clergyman loft tho shop, with no prospect of ob taining the machine before another day.
When you complain of a slaveholder for not having a job finished at Ihe time agreed upon, he refers you, com placently, to the time unexpectedly spent in. amusements. A fox party came along, and he had to join that, -- or tho military paraded, which every body most sec. I was employed to superintend the building of a mi]l, and fouL'tccn hands were engaged six days iii raising it, after it was framed. The dimensions of the building were only 40 by 70 feet, and the same number of hsnds at the North would have raised, it in half a day; but the

SLAVEHOLDERS AS BUSINESS MSN.

131

master workman took two of the hands and went off fishing; a part of two days. The crew rested while they were absent. A squirrel ran by one day, and all the men left the mill, and chased him half a mile before they treed Mm. In this way was imich of the time spent. Some of the owners of the property were on the ground, but I hoard no complaint.
I attended the examination of au academy in Georgia. While a ,,l^ss of young ladies were reciting in Ensrliyh Grammar, two horses came up to the door, with a young gentleman on one, and a side-saddle on the other. The gallant dismounted, opened the door, and, bowing po litely, solicited the company of the dnuglitcr of Mrs. J. to ride, at her mother's request. Miss J. left her reci tation class, without asking permission of the teacher, and went to ride. Teachers at the Smith uniformly say that it is impossible to confine the boys to school KO constantly as to tench them any solid branch thoroughly because the parent a allow them to leave school at any tune to enjoy amusements, which arc so frequent that the? occasion almost daily interruption of their studies.
If you charge a slaveholder with vr?mt of honor when ho violates a promise, without any excuse, he retires behind the dignity of his fatal weapon, in shield liia con duct. I asked the keeper of a hotel if he would furnish. me with a conveyance to a county-seat, twenty-five miles distant, the next Monday morning, and he agreed to furnish me a team, and a boy to drive. As I had been frequently disappointed by this class of Southerners, I remarked to him, -- " it is now Saturday, and I do not

132
ri.lo on the S-ibhaih. 1 lira-elm e want you to be posi tive, sir; for L'j on cannot iiism e me a conveyance early 3ion.day inomiiig1, I must ,gc on farther to-night, as my bii.-iiiic.-is in urgent."
Vou may rest easy, sir," said lie, "you shall have the team Holiday morning."
I saw his horse and buggy start off the next day, hut I supposed they would return in season for my service. 1 waited patiently, therefore, until after breakfast on Monday, and then J said to the host, " L am now ready to be off with your team, sir."
"Well, father sent for my carriage yesterday," he re marked, carelessly, " and T had to let him have it."
" How is this ? " said T, impetuously. "I thought there wag a fair agreement between us, that you should furnish me with a team this morning to go to the city of I).,-- and 1 told you distinctly that 1 had business to transact there to-day which could not be delayed ?"
T admit that," replied the landlord, indifferently, "but when my father "ends after Ely horse and bnggy. of coin-so I have to let him lake it."
" Indeed 1 And do yot, ihiuk i nis is treating a stranger fairly and honorabh '> " par I I.
" Why, you talk to me W.-.o 1 was a nigger, sir," said he, defiantly, springing to his iuet and raising a hand to his pistol. Being a peace mail, and having no weapon but a penknife. I. did not utter another word of com plaint. Saucy Yankees have to be very civil in the ^outh, under such provocations.
The loose manner in which the public records arc kept,

SLAVEHOLDERS A3 BUSINESS JJEIT.

133

vmcthe1" they refer to titles of ".lauds, or private coivtiTicte;, 13 a great annoyance to persons who have legal rights to maintain, and are depending upon them,
A neighbor of mine in New England had a son who resided several years in the flourishing city of Albany, in South Western Georgia, -- but lie was taken sick, and he died there. Soon after his decease, a merchant by the name of H. wrote to his father, stating that his son, who uad died much lamented, had accumulated some property, and among Ins papers were found deeds of two lots of land in tlitst city, besides other descriptions of properly.
While I was in. Georgia, the father sent me a, power of attorney to settle the estate of his son.. I inquired lor the me reliant "who wrote the letter, and was informed that he was not Hving. But 1 found a brother of Mr. PI., a former partner in trade, ruid inquired of him where those lots wore located. lie replied, that lie was not aware that .Mr. Vnniey -- the name of my neigh bor -- owned any land there. I told him that his brother had so written to Air. ~Ws father, and I showed him tho letter.
"My brother never wrote that letter," said Mr. I!., "lor he couldn't write his name."
I made extensive iuquines of business men residing there for informs,tion relating to Vanicy's property, but no one professed to know anything about it I then re paired to the county scat, to examine the registry of deeds. But the name of Van icy was not upon the rec-
12

134

IXSEOE VlEt? OF SLAVERY.

ords. I showed the letter to the recorder, and inquired what it meant.
" No doubt as it reads," was the reply. " .Rut deeds are not always record eel here/' he added, " aa they are tit the Xorth. The State --- for instance -- when she sells her public lands to individuals, gives deed? io A., 33., and C., and those deeds are recorded hero. Hut TV hen. A., T. ? mid C., transfer their titles to D.. i^-, and JT., they do not make new deeds.--- but simply write their name a on the backs of the original deeds, thus en dorsing them as you do notes, and then pass them to the hands of the now owner;;."
In this manner arc the titles transferred many times in succession, and many valuable estates pass by no bet ter evidence of sale. Having learned these facts, L re turned to the city and employed the ablest lawyer I could find to assi.st me. But after a thorough investiga tion, ho said to mo, --" I have no doubt there is foul play in this matter. Your deeds have been passed a.roimd through the hands of men who are determined to swindle your client; and I firmly believe that if you should find the lots, and should undertake to dispossess the present occupants, and claimants, they would, shoot you."
Those lots arc worth three thousand dollars, at least, situated any where m the vicinity, -- but they could only "be recovered at the 1'iak of life. And I was obliged to report to n;v employer that ihe property of his eon could not bo recovered, and that any further attempt would be useless.

XIIT.
SOUTHERN SPORTS.
"Then wtifi alt jollity, Ffasting and mirth, K-lit ivaiiloimosa and laughter, Piping and playing, minstrelsies and masking, 'Till life fled from them like ail idle dream."
ROWE.
Tree slave States arc proverbial for their amusements. The families of wealthy slaveholders arc seldom taught to labor, or to engage in any kind of business. Life is to them but a play-day, and the question of every morn-; ing is -- how to kill time ? It hano-n like a dead weight upon their hands1 . An old proverb says -- ' an idle brain, is tlie devil's workshop." And the most prolific source of the drunkenness, licentiousness, and crime, which abound in the South, is in the idleness of the slaveholdmg class. Young; ivieu and young; women have nothing to do. -- and tlie theater, the billiard table, the drinking- saloon, the horso race, the cock ti^'ht, arc but HO many ways devised to banish ennui, and prevent life from bclii^ a burden.
One of the most frequent amusements in some parts of the South is ' Grander pulling.'* Two important branches of education in the "Peculiar Institution " --

136

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAT Ell Y.

gambling Mid fighting --- ore rapidly advanced in connec tion with lids amusement. Mure solid, personal instruc tion is often practically demonstrated to students in those sciences, at a single exhibition, than is obtained by a whole college corn-so in New England. And lltesc branches of education partake so much of the graceful, ornamental, and indispensably useful learning in -llie po lite, ciiiralrous South, that 1lic " Gnndi-T-pulling" is patronized by all who walk in tl.o fashionable circles.
I -was at Minctlgeville, the capital of Georgia. It is not a city of any great note, though it contemn some fine residences. It is situated on the Ocouce river, which below this point was once navigated by small steamers. The population in about ".000, and Hie inhab itants would consider it slanderous if 1 should say that any more polished or refined could be found in tlio Southern States.
Walking in the suburbs, I saw, nailed to the pine trees, large notices of the time and place for a Ganderpulling ; and circumstances favored my desire to witness it. Word had gone into the country, and out among llio Crackers, far and near. At the appointed time, rudewhisky tents, and festive seats, and shades, were pre pared around the "pn!Kii<f course;" anil thousands of spectators -- Indies as well as gentlemen, the elite as well as the vulgar -- assembled to engage in or witness the favorite sport.
The, gaudcr -- a noble, specimen of the wild goose species -- captured for the occasion -- had a very long nock, which was large as it rose above tho breast, but

SOCTHEUS SPORTS.

137

tapered gradually for luore than ba,lf the length, until It became small aad serpeut-Porui, ternuuauug in u long, slim head, ami peaked bill. The Lead mid neck were lubricated with oil. The legs \vore tied together by a small cord, and the gander was then, raised by the cord about ten feet from the earth, and suspended from the limb of a tree. In this pOri.it.ion, lie wan for a long time the hero, but at last the vicl,i>ri of the Mport.
Tickets were issued. l<y the proprietor of the gander-, at in\y ee a Us ea-;-]i, i-o all f.r cut let UGH- present who wished for them, and they entered tlieir names tis " ptillws." The pullers were to start aboi.it ton rods "from the gan der, on horseback, riding at full speed, and as they passed along under the ganrlor, they had the privilege of pulling off his Load -- which would entitle them to tho ad ditional privilege of eating him. A " iiigger." with alon^' whio In ha:id, ~\ras stationed on a ritump, about two rods from, the slander, with orders to strike the horse of the pullet- as lift passed by.
jN'ow it will be recollected that fifty cents was a fair priee for the gander after he waa killed, and picked, and ready for the cook. Bo that the owner could well afford to sell a single chance to pull off the head for the full value of the foiol. StiO, "pullers'* were plenty.
One entered the list -- a " gentleman of property and standing " -- and dashed orer the course. The poorold gander -- seeming quite resigned to his fate, or not OJBpro)iending his danger,, and not knowing how to "dodqe" -- had his neck seized by the fir^t rider; hut "Jjcmg well oilod; and his head so small, and his strength

138

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

not yet exhausted, ho slipped his head, through the pull er's hand vdthout suffering imich from the twist. But lie drew up liiri head -- as lie saw the nest puller corning -- looking wise raid shrewd, as much as to say--"you woii/t catcli this "bird napping again!" Still; unskilled in dodging, the gander's head was caught again, -- but ho pulled it out a occoiid time., a Tier a terrible wrench. After this he kc])t a sharp look out, and many pullers passed by without being-able to grapple his neck. The game went on, and the pullers increased, till the jaded gander could elude their grasp no longer. An old Cracker--with a sandpaper glove on -- pulled off his head at last, am id the shouts of a wondering host of in toxicated competitors.
This may bo called the introductory exercise. The whisky kegs on. the stumps -- the gaining tables under the shades -- (ho cock-fights in the pens -- the horse race out in the woods -- will amuse the crowd to-morrow. And the fox-chase, and perhaps a nigger-hunt; will close the festivities.
'In the morning of the second day. a luckless youth, who had lost his purse at billiards, brought the winner up before Judge "W. for gambling. The Judge said that so many prosecutions for graver offences were already entered for trial before him, that he must put over that case till, the next morning. That evening the Judge, dressed in disguise, passed through the gambling saloons, and swept the stakes, pocketing all the money in the crowd. The next morning ho advised the unfortunate complainant to dismiss his complaint against the person

SOUTHERN SPORTS.

139

charged, with gambling, as ho had ai> assurance that there would bo no more offences of the kind ; and. therefore ho thought it best to stop without farther proceedings.
That night; at two o'clock, the landlord came to my door and rapped, saying that hid house was full, and a gentleman who had often stopped there had called to lodge; but liia beds wcro all taken up. and he desired that I would allow his old friend to take lodgings with me in u/ "bed, as otherwise he wo kid bo under the un pleasant necessity of torning him off.
" If you know him to bo in reality a gentleman, sir/' said I, " I will consent, from a regard to your wishes and. feelings, that he may share the bed with me to-night, hoping that the favor will not bo solicited of me again while I remain at your house."
"Thank you, sir." added Mr, J. "Ton may be as sured, sir, that i would not ask you to take id a com panion, if I were not well acquainted with him, and did not know him in every respect to be an honorable gen tleman."
" Very well, sir/' said 1, "you may invite him up here on your own certificate."
I unbolted the door, and the stranger walked in with. a very graceful bow, and a bland " good evening, sir,''
" Good morning, sir," said I. "It is too early yet for me to say morning," he re plied, "as I usually make.later evenings than this." I remained si]ent after this remark while my chum threw off hia dress, from which ho detached a bowic knife and pistols, -- laying the knife and one pair of the

140

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAYERT,

pistols on the table, ant! placing' another pair under bis pillow". I sluuldei'ed---- having' never slept with pistols -- bnt I. composed my nerves with tlie landlord's assurance of a favorable acquaintance, and the Historical fact that Soiithwn " gentlemen' ; i~leep 'with pistols. The light was extinguished, and the stranger hi/id himself down at my side. At once he asked gevoral familiar questions, in quiring' where was. my residence, and what was iuv occupation, c., -- to which full and explicit answers were given; and to be as polite in return, I inquired what his profession was,-- -inferring from his style of expression ibat he was a literary gentleman, who was probably well read in some one of the learned profes sions-- when to my surprise lie ird'orr.iud me that he was ' a garnhler by profession.*'
Now. bv the win% ^nnbling1 is an open profession in that locality, and i.^ regarded as honora.ble and as respec table as the profession of law or medicine : but I had a different education, and was ap;ilsited a little with fear, biit Jiloro with uuliQ'nation, when my bed-fellow told me that he was a <rambler.
u The landlord assured me that yon were a gentleman, sir," said I to him, "but had he told me of your profes sion. T would not have consented for yon to share my bed."
""Why not?" asked tlie g-aml.)ler. complacently. And he entered into an elaborate arirumeirt to prove that his profession was as honest and honorable n.s that of the physician.
It is customary in the South., after a warm day, to

141
have speeches made in the evening under the awnings and piazzas, or on the walla and in the parka in the cities,and wherever men congregate at night around the taverns and liquor shops in the country.
In April, 1853, I was stopping, with a friend of mine, from Massaelmsets, in the old city of Darien --of which. I shall give porno account in the next chapter. It was a beautiful evening, and as a crowd was standing around the hotei, Capt. L., a Custom House officer in that port, having" some acquaintance with us, called for speeches " from the Yankees."
"My Mend here, Mr. A?.," said I, "is an abolitionist, so that it will not answer for him to make an abolition speech ; but if he will nuiko a temperance speech, I will give you an abolition speech."
" Good 1" ejaculated Capt. L., "let us have them I " My friend made ancat, appropriate temperance speech, in no respect offensive to the wine-bibbers and whiskysoo.ltcrs present, and then 1 gave them my abolition speech, stating pimply such facts as had come to my know ledge, mostly from personal observation. " Gentlemen !" said I, " the amount annually paid into the post-office department by the slave States is less by about half a million dollars than the cost of supporting it in these Plate*. This deficiency is principally paid by the North. I understand now, gentlemen, the causes which have rendered yon unable to sustain your own mails. 1 have been traveling among the Crackers, in the "old fields," where I find that the people cannot road mid write. Of course little matter passes through
I was at the post-office at D., up

142

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

hero in tlie valley of the Altamaha, -where slavery was first applied, and where it has nearly finished its work. I inquired of the post-master, on the seventh day of February, whether a letter would come to mo at that place from Jacksonville, Florida, across the country, sixty-five miles, or would bo carried around on the rail road, ard be brought down river by stage to that place.
* I tbmk/ said the post-master at J)., 'that your letter will come down from the railroad, -- Jbr the mail-carrier from Jacksonville has not been tip here since last fall."
' Siucc last fall ? ' said I. Ho afterwards confessed that the manner in which I put the second question, left the impression on his mind that the post-office department had sent mo 4here to in quire into the particulars in regard to that mail route, and he began to make explanations, and to apologize lor his friend, the mail-carrier. 'I remember/ said he, 'that he came np oiico or twice without a letter or a paper. He is a very faithful, honest man, air, and you may be aHsiired, that if there was any thing to bring, he would forward it promptly/ *I shonld like to know when ho was last here/ said I. *1 will inform yon, sir/ he replied. He looked at the books and showed me the record, giving the last date of the receipt of mail matter by that route, from Jacksonville, which was on the eleventh day of the October previous; making four months, wanting four days. ' Do you know what they pay him for carrying this mail ? ' paid I, 'Six hundred and fifty dollars, I believe/ he answered.

SOUTHERN SPORTS.

14o

Again, gentlemen, I "was at Emmett, on the central railroad leading from Savannah to Macoii, when the mail was opened, and behold! t~.ro letters only were left at that office on that day. One of these was addressed to me, and the other to another Yankee, who was passing that way. I had no reason to complain, as I had half the mail.
They have post-offices at every station, ten miles apart, ---a that road, but so little matter is left at those offices, that the passenger train stops while the mail is as sorted. There arc twenty post-offices on that road of two hundred miles, but only ODG school house and one church to be seen as you ride over it. These post-offices are established for the accommodation of a few planters, who send their cotlon to the different stations.
A merchant belonging to South Carolina gave me an account of the burning1 of abolition papers in. tlic city of C. Some suspicions were entertained, that such docu ments were received at that post-office, and a select company of merchants went to the office and demanded the mail for an examination. The post-master would not consent to liave the mail taken out and examined for that purpose.
'If you don't give us the papers/ said one of the mer chants, ' we will burn the office down, sir.'
'I will be absent about three o'clock this evening, gentlemen,' responded the postmaster, timidly.
( W e went to the office at three o'clock,' said my in formant, -'and found the post-master absent -- but the key was in the door, a.nd we walked in. By a careful

144

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVEB.Y.

looking over, wo found a few abolition documents, and one newspaper, and some two or three letter's, that- we marked incendiary, and then wo took them out into the street. The pile wag too small to make a fire -worth looking at when the sun was si lining, and wo bought a Laic of poor cotton ---dog- tail ---for \vliick vre paid fifteen dollars, tied the inflammatory papers to it, and got up a respectable bonfire !'"
I tlm.s carried my remarks quite as far as was prudent, and continued speaking until I noticed that sonic of my auditors began to look excited and angry, -- querying whether I waa indeed one of the fanatics, and evidently surprised that I should dare to repeat tmch facts, with so much earnest sinccvitv and independence. Capt. L., however, came to my relief, by diverting the attention of the crowd. " Xow/' paid he, " 1 vrHl tell you. of a frolic wo had catching an abolitionist 1" And assrting the listeners that it was aafe to gi'-c me the facts, inasmuch o.,s they knew some of my IVjciids In that Slate who were true to the Sonfh, he proceeded to relate svbstantially the following amnsinp? story.
In the autumn of 1852, a gentleman From New York camo to Parien, and took lodgings nt the saire hotel ivhcre we were stopping, entering his name on the reg ister as a Mr. Smith. He TVII-? a very nno looking man, large, tall, handsome, and oLcganl:?y drowsed in black. He always appeared dignified and grave, did not drink or swear, or crea seem to bo light minded. After he had boarded there a, few days, Capt. L. asked him if ho was a clergyman. He replied, very politely, that he

SOUTHERN SPORTS.

145

was not. The nest morning1 lie put his trunks on the stage, directed to AI/ieon; and after taking breakfast., ho called for his "bill, paid it, and start'od off up rlvei' on foot, about an. hour after tlie stage had left.
Capt. L. then, inquired of the landlord wiry tliat gen tleman had loft in that manner, when he appeared as though he had the means of traveling respectably. The landlord said he knew nothing about the gentleman, or about bis business. Then they sent the niggers all around to the stores, and wharves, and lumber yards, to inquire what Mr. Smith's business had been in the city. But no information was obtained. They called on the landlord again, and inquired if Mr. Smith had brought with him any reference from any batik, or com mercial house, or testimonials from any reliable source.
'' He did not show me any papers of the kind/' replied the landlord. ' : His eon.ilnet, in my house, so far as I know, was perfectly correct and gentlemanly. I know nothing about him, except that ho ^ a.-; out kite at night. Tho niggers had to be up till two or three o'clock, some times, to let him in."
Out late nights ! What in tho world eoiild a gentle man be doing out so late afc night in that city? They once had a gambling house, but it had been run clown so low since the cotton trade fell off, that that haunt had been abandoned. This Mr. Smith, moreover, had exhib ited no characteristics of tlio gambler's profession in his deportment o.r conversation. So the inference was, that he must be an abolitionist. This at once explained his conduct. He was out to the nigger huts in tho night,
13

146

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

either planning an insurrection, or preparing to take gome of them JSTorth. The alarm ran through, tlic old city like wildfire. Bo much life liad not bo en seen, for years. A largo crowd soon, gathered to commence pro ceedings 111 tlie case. The city marshal, Mr. C., who was present, "was ordered to pursue Smith and bring him back to the city for public examination. The mar shal, however, said he would not go alone, but would go if the Custom House officer would accompany liim. Capt, TJ. was ready to go, but not without more attendants than the marshal, as ho was small, and the abolitionist was a large, stout man, witli a stalwart arm, and was no doubt well armed; but if a sufficient number of gentle men would volunteer to go to make it perfectly safe, they would start. Ten others at once volunteered. The horses were brought out, and, all armed, booted, and spurred, they dashed away in hot pursuit of tlie mysterious stranger. They overtook Smith, -who was walking very fast, within one mile of Fort Barrington, fourteen miles from the city.
They all rode by, dismounted, tied their horses, and then formed a solid phalanx across the road. As the abolitionist drew nigh, the marshal advanced a few steps towards him, and arrested him. Smith threw up his hands in. consternation, and exclaimed; "what docs this mean ? " looking as frightened as he -would, had he known that lie "was to be shot the next instant.
" You must go back to tlie city," said the marshal > "and you will find out there what it means."
' ( i3ut what have I done in tlie city, sir,'" asked Smith,

SOUTHERN SPORTS.

147

trembling in every joint; " that yon have come out against me in this manner ? "
" We hare no tune to parley with yon/' replied tlio marshal. "Fat about, sir I "
"Have you a warrant against mo ?" inquired Smith, looking as pale as death.
" No/' answered the marshal, "-we had not time for that; but our orders are, to take yon back; so we will bandy no more words about it."
" Grant me one favor," said Smith. " I have promised to bo at M.,-- which ia more than two hundred miles distant, -- in one week; and being about ont of money, I am obliged to travel on foot. And now, sir, will yon be so kind as to tell me what your suspicions are in relation to me ?"
After much persuasion, the marshal informed him that they suspected he was an abolitionist. Then, his face brightening np, and the load seeming to {all from his shoulders, he exclaimed, " Heaven knows, gentlemen, that I am no abolitionist! I am a gambler. I was ont late nights, looking for some chance to follow my pro fession ; but you have run down there so, that I could iind no gambling house, -- and as my pockets were nearly empty, I was obliged to leave in this manner."
" Fudge 1" rejoined the marshal, " yon can't deceive us in, that manner. Search him, boys.' "
And the volunteers took off his hat and coat, threw him down and pulled 06" Ms boots and pants, and searched every part of his dross to see if they could find any abolition documents on his person. But noth-

148

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

ing of the kind -was found. Still tko marshal insisted that Smith, must go back to the city, for such was the direction that ho had received from the a%//Aor*^es.
"Well, I will tell yon what I will do, gentlemen/* said Smith. " I have only nine shillings left; but if any of yon will risk a game with me, I can give yon ocular demonstration that I am what I profess to bo a gam bler."
" Now we were all gamblers," said Capt., L., " and, we thought, as shrewd as could bo found any where; and so wo readily accepted tlio challenge. Down we sat in the wood:?, and commenced the game. And in less than an hour, the abolitionist got every shilling of
money there was in the crowd! Tie was, however, a noble, generous, magnanimous fellow. JTu took us to the tavcm at 13., and gave us some good brandy, and a good dinner, aftor which wo came home, and let the stranger go on his way rejoicing. J?ut when we got back to the city, you never saw a pack of fellows so ashamed as wo were, to find the whole city paraded in the streets to receive us, and bear our report 1"
While Capt. L. was relating this story, I could not help thinking of niy own. condition at that time. My note book was in. my pocket, and in my trunk might have been found abundant evidence of my abolitionism. % confess I was not without my fears. And since my return to the North, especially when reading accounts of men being mobbed in the South for their anti-slavery sentiments, 1 have often wondered that I escaped. But I have no doubt the well known fact that I had relatives

SOUTHERN SPORTS.

149

who "were slaveholders, was a protection to me. And I think altio : as strange as it may appear, that the freedom with wMch I expressed my views allayed the suspicions of those with whom I conversed. Tluyy look ivpon a real abolitionist as a secret enemy--one who comes in dis guise, and endeavors to incite the slaves to Insurrection or desertion. 33at while I always frankly expressed my opinions, there was nothing' in my conduct which could lead them to suspect me of any such designs. I was at all times on intimate terms with slaveholders, and that class of persons who do the work of mobs --who seldom, own slaves themselves--were respectful" towards me, probably for that reason.

XIV.
TREATMENT OF SLAVES.
" Sad and weary -- all forlorn -- Slaves must work from early morn ; Drear the day, and dark the night, -- "Woes of slaves find 110 respite. Though 1 toil, I nothing gain, Joy ne'er comes to pay for pain."
NEGRO MELODY.
MY object in giving some account of the treatment of slaves, is not to draw from it an argument against tlie system. If slaves wore always treated kindly, it "would, "by no means justify the institution of slavery;--nor does the fact that they arc sometimes treated cruelly, necessarily prove it wrong. The child may be abused "by the parent, or lawful guardian,--while the kidnap per may sometimes manifest the kindest regard for the physical comfort of his victim. And yet the actual con dition of the slaves, as it respects their bodily necessities, and the treatment they receive from their masters and overseers, is a subject on which there is much interest; and the facts which came under my own observation were such as are well adapted to awaken our sympathies in their behalf.

TREATMENT OF SLAVES.

151

In the northern slave States,, where corn and "bacon are abundant and cheap; the slaves suffer little from, hunger compared with wLat they suffer farther South, where cotton, sugar, and rice, are more profitable crops. Th.e"3 slaves in. Virginia have twelve quarts of corn a week, besides a small allowance of fish, or meat. In tlio States farther South, the allowance is only eight quarts a week, and no more than this is allowed to those wlio have no meat. This is the quantity usually dealt out to about one fourth part of tite slaves in Georgia, so far as I could ascertain. There is no regular, uniform system adopted throughout the State, however. Neigh borhoods have their own conventional rules. In some parts of the State several contiguous plantations may "bo found where the slaves are not tasked or allowanced; wiiore they fare just as well in respect to food and cloth ing as the masters. Such masters go to the field, plan their own work, and, if need be, help do it, -- and they treat their slaves as kindly as they can. safely be treated. But if you pass-over a creek, or a river, into another neighborhood, you will find a different system. The task of " one acre a day," at hoeing, must be performed. The slave is put on allowance, and rigorously treated in every respect. And it is sufficient to say that there is the same difference among individuals and neighbor hoods, in the treatment of slaves, that there is in other respects. And men, and communities, differ in the South., as they do in the North, -- though not in the same de gree. ITor while freedom is the parent of life, which everywhere exhibits itself in "boundless variety, -- the

152

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

tendency of slavery is to depress everything to one com mon level.
Some mastery who have oak lands, provide meat for their slaves, three times a day, and as much as they want. Others give them meat twice a week only; -- others, none at all.
Slaves uniformly fare the hardest oil the larg-o planta tions. I suppose it is really impossible to furnish meat to a large number of hands, on tho rice and sugar fields, in the hot season. Salted meats soon become tainted, and. fresh cannot be obtained. Some of the rice plant ers informed rnc that they had substituted rice for corn, in feeding their hands, but they were not so healthy as when fed on corn-
I spent a few days near a large plantation in the country, whose owner had five hundred slaves ; and I had free access to their huts. They were never required to labor hard, as the master only desired to make the plantation support itself. His only profit was (he in crease of the slaves, which amounted sometimes to twent}r-fivc thousand dollars a year. But though the slaves were not overtasked, they were provided with only a peck of corn a week. His overseer was ordered to pro cure coarse waled cloth enough to mako eaoh of them two garments a year. Hats and shoes were provided in winter fur the wood-choppers arid fence-builders, but for no others. The whole expense for food and cloth ing, reckoning the price of the corn and cloth at the market value, could not have exceeded ten dollars to each slave.

TREATMENT OF SLAVES.

l&O

There was very little labor done on that plantation. One Northern man would perform as much as fire of those slaves. And yet I never saw a more miserable, degraded, despairing family of human beings. Debts, taxes, and expenses of all kinds were paid by the sale of slaves, and the (i soul driver" was an almost weekly visitor. There was not an unbroken family among tin '" --not even parents and children living together, excepting the mothers who were nursing their infants.
I frequently saw those mothers take their infants and their corn cake, at the sound of the horn at day break, and march in slow and solemn procession to the corn fields. When they reached the place where they had left their hoes tha evening before, a long distance from the huts, -- as the fields near by had been worn out'--they laid their infants down in the "gum cra dles"-- troughs cut in logs -- and each one hoed a long row out and back in season to nourish the infants and eat the dinner-cake at uooii. Then they hoed two more rows before returning to the cheerless huts, to rest their weary limbs at night. When they reached the huts, they took one quart of corn each, and putting it into a mortar -- made by themselves by burning a hole into the end of a pine log -- they pounded it into coarse meal with a wooden or iron pestle. After this they put one third of it into the kettle, and boiled it for supper, and then kneaded the remainder into a cake, and put it into the embers to be baked for breakfast and dinner the next day. They then laid down on the ground,, -- as the huts had no floors, -- and slept, some on a few filthy old

154

INSIDE VIEW OP SLAVERY.

rags, others, on a thin layer of rice straw, until the horn called them again to perform their daily round of cheer less toil. One look at those slaves -- and they had a kind master, if by kindness is only meant not to whip, or overtask--would have been, sufficient to convince any Xortliorn man that happiness is incompatible vrith such a condition.
"When, provisions are very scarce the slaves suffer much from hunger on some of the large plantations. " I have known slaves to suffer so much from hunger," said a gentleman to me residing in a place called < Cave Run,' S. Carolina, "that they were accustomed to cat unclean beasts, and birds, fish, insects, and reptiles. I have known them to cat alligators, crows, owls, &c. ? and other things that nobody would eat if sufficient wholesome food conld be obtained to keep them from starvation!"
" The dogs," lie added, " fare better than the slaves, with some masters, -- because whipping will not prevent the dog from stealing sheep, or fowls, when he is hungry." \. "When I -was a small boy," said a faithful slave be longing to J. H., of Cave Hun, "I "was set to cooking alligators for master's hounds, and an old slave woman frequently came to mo to beg some of the cooked alliga tor to cat. She would say she was hungry -- and I could not refuse her some dogs' meat."
"It was quite a largo business," he continued, "to cook for thirty dogs ; and it had to be done in style. I was often whipped for letting the dogs' dinner burn, or for letting them steal their food between meals -- al though I was not allowed to whip them -- or for not

TREATMENT OP SLATES.

155

Iiavlng enough cooked ready for tliem "when they would come home unexpectedly from a chase. And many a time ha/'-e I wished I had been made a dog, instead of a slave, when I saw how much better the dogs fared than the slaves, and felt how much more kind their masters were to them than to me, and how much better they were treated in every respect than I was. It may seem. str ov<>;o to you, mastcr? but I envied the clog' his con dition ! "
I have heard much said about the time allowed to slaves to work for themselves, in cultivating gardens, aiid corn-patches, raising poultry <fec. Those slaves who arc indulged with such privileges are left, generally, to pro vide themselves with hats, and shoes, ard tobacco, or any other little articles of luxury, -- for which they must spend the avails of their labors on the Sabbath, or in the night, when they need to rest. But the number that are permitted to labor at all for such purposes is very small. Indeed I must say that very little regard is had to the comfort of the great mass of the slave population. There arc many honorable individual, and a few neighborhood exceptions. But the great object of the master is to derive the greatest possible profit, at the least possible expense, provided that he does not endanger- the life, and health, and value of his slaves. This is all that is comprehended in the pecuniary idea of slave labor.
In relation to the punishments to which slaves are ex posed, and often subjected, it is not my purpose to give any detailed account. Occasional instances came under my notice, which I have narrated, in connection with

156

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

other incidents. In this manner the reader may 'learn the facts quite as eovrcctly; and much in ore agreeably to himself, than he could by perusing an entire chapter of sufferings and tortures. It is enough for any one who understands anything of human nature to "know that the slave is helpless, powerless, unprotected, in. the hands of his master. .Admitting that slaveholders are no worse than other men, -- it cannot be otherwise than ti-ue that their slaves often suffer terribly. The same number of Northern men, if they had the same power over their fellow creatures, if there were no restraints in society around them upon their passions -- their anger, malice, revenge, cupidity, lust--would exhibit a degree of de pravity of "which we have now no conception.
I will, however, give a brief description of the instru ments of torture which are in common use in the South. In this department the slaveholders exhibit more me chanical skill, and power of invention, than in their im plements of husbandry.

THE THUMB ECHEW,,

I wallicd nine miles over bottom. land, much of the way in -water ankle dee]), to sec a slave -who was -wear ing this instrument. The boy was riding- a nmlc, in tLc cotton field, drawing a plow which was held by his mother. I inquired his age --but neither the mother nor son could give it. I judged him to bo about sixteen. He had been wearing the screw two days. He said that it caused him but little pain at first; but after the swelling

TREATMENT OF SLATES.

157

commenced in the thumb, the pain continued to increase, and he was already suffering so much that he said ho would die before he would ever have it put on again.
The apparatus consists of a wristband of iron, with, an Iron stud or post about three inches long standing up in it opposite the thumb. A thin, strap of iron passes around the "ball of the thumb, attached to a piece of round iron,, --Men. runs back through a hole in the top of the post. Upon the end of this round iron is cut a screw, and behind the post a nut is put on. "When this nut is turned, the thumb is drawn back-ward. The instrument is strong enough to dislocate the thumb by this retrac tion. The greatest amount of suffering which man is able to endure can be inflicted upon the slave with this instrument, and no scar remains to reduce his value in. the market. Uy a long application the large nerves of the thumb become highly inflamed, and the most intense pain ensues.
The poor boy whom I saw wearing it. perished under the first application. The agony became so intense as to induce the lockjaw. As soon as it was known, the instrument was removed, and a physician employed; but Jiis aid afforded no relief. Death came to release the suffering slave from the tyrant's power.

THE STOCKS.
Two pine planks, about two inches in thickness, one foot in width, and two feet in length, have cadi two semilunar notches cut in the edges, near the middle, just large
14

158

INSIPE VIEW OF SLAVERY.
take in half of the ankle. One of these

THE BELT-.
The name docs not indicate that this is an instrument of much suffering, -- and yet the wearer finds it to bo so. An iron belt passes around the loins -- fastened over the spine "with a lock, and a socket about half an. inch in diameter. An iron collar is put around the neck, with an iron ring about an inch in diameter, fastened to the collar behind. A rod of round iron runs down through tho ring at the back of the neck,, and rests in the socket of the belt below. Above the neck this rod is split, and bent out in the shape of two horns, rising about a foot above tho head. A cross-piece of iron is fastened to -the top of the horns, and from the center of the cross-piece the " bell"-- a common cow-bell -- is sus pended. The collar on the neck is often nearly as wide as the neck is long', and the upper edge sometimes is ser rated -- like a saw. Whenever the wearer turns his head, the collar chafes his neck. The bell is put OR slaves that have been guilty of running away, so that

TREATMENT OF SLAVES.

lo'J

they may bo heard as they run, if they make another at tempt. Be Hides, the apparatus is so heavy, and the horns so high and broad, that little progress can be made 'with it on, iu the woods.
This instrument is not often applied, and I was obliged to travel fourteen miles to sec one in use. The slave who wore it was driving a nralc, in a cotton gin.. 'When ever ^"-fFee raised his hand to strike the mule, the bell would sound,, and the animal was thus warned of the impending blow.

The Crag is a piece of iron, about three inches in length, one inch in width at one end, half an inch at tho other, arid about one eighth of an inch in thickness. Tliis instrument is put into tho mouth, over the tongue, with the narrow end inside, while the wide end is left projecting through tlie lips. The outer end is inserted into a small strap of iron that passes over the mouth, the ends of winch extend around, to the back of tho nock, where they are fastened together 'by a rivet, or a pad lock. With tins long, wide piece of iron thus confined on the tongue, the slave is truly gagged, --- as lie is un able to utter a syllable.
I saw the gag on a slave preacher, who, contrary to Ms orders, had left his hut in the night, and gone out in to the woods to preach to some slaves, who had also left their huts without leave, to go and hear him. It was dangerous to allow such liberty to slaves. But

160

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

" Sambo" thought it Ills duty to preach in the night, even if lie became a martyr by it; as there was much reJigious interest excited among the slaves by his preaching. He had been punished severely in. various ways for his night preaching', -- until his master's patience had been ex hausted, and he told him that if he found him out again at midnight, lie would shoot him. But death, if met in, the path of duty; had no terrors for Sambo. "When the appointed hour came, his flambeau blazed on the stump, and words of earnest Christian counsel and consolation were dropping from his lips, "when Mr. B., his roaster, drew near to the devout worshippers, -with his loaded rifle. AYith a stealthy step, lie advanced slowly through the dark pine woods, until nearly within gun-shot of hia victim, when the crackling of some dry limbs under Ms feet startled the outer guard, and the alarm ran through the listening crowd, reaching Sambo's car. Mr. B. halt ed, and leaned against a tree, while waiting for the fears which his footsteps had created to pass away. Sambo continued to preach. The musical tones of his voice, the Christian heroism exhibited, in Lis resignation to his fate, the moral courage displayed in recognizing lus superior obligations to a higher power, the hearty re sponses which arose from his hearers, as he counseled obedience to their masters, and a patient endurance of sufferings for tliclr Heavenly Master's sake, touched the heart of Mr. !>.,--who -was himself a professor of the same faith -- and changed his purpose. He decided to retire silently, ami wait until morning before punishing the disobedient slave. In the morning Sambo was taken

TREATMENT OF SLATES.

1G1

to the blacksmith, to be gagged. After ilic rough, iron had been thrust into his mouth, and fastened there, it was useless for him to run off in the night to preach. again, for he could not speak a word. As I looked up on this preacher, thus compelled by his master to bo dumb, I could not avoid the reflection that, after all, his condition was not unlike that of many of his Northern brethren,-- though it doubtless causes less pain to be gagged "with cotton, than 'with iron. It is but just to say, however, that since the passage of the Nebraska bill, the proportion of Northern luinlstcrs that arc gag ged by the Slave Power is far less than it was before,

COTTON PLASTER'S WHIP.

This is called the " Cotton planter's whip/' because "the planters say that this whip "raises the cotton- Tho stock, is covered with green hide, about four feet long, and is loaded with lead at the butt. The lash is long and heavily wrought iuto hard knots towards the end, with wire. The staff is so heavy, and the lash is so long, that the whipping-master is obliged to twirl it skilfully in the air before he can command its full force. Hence the labor of using this whip is hard, and when several hun dred lashes are ordered, the whippcrs take turns.

THE PADDLE.
This is made of a board, and is about three feet long, and four inches wide. One end is shaved down for the

162

INSIDE VIEW OP SLAVERY.

handle, and tlio oilier end is "bored full of half inch anger liolos. The paddle is sometimes applied to the "back of a slave until all the skin is taken oft' by it, so that no scar will remain to reduce the value of the slave in the market.
GANG CHAIN".

This is a long chain, running the whole length between ilio pairs of .slaves marching in droves to the market. A.ud- the shore chains between cacli pair are fastened to the long gang chain, and to a strong iron collar, fastened l)y a padlock aroimd the neck of each slave.
There arc other means resorted to for punishing slaves, which 1 need not describe. They are confined in the " sugar lions es," -- made to walk the " tread-mill," -- and fastened together, or bound with "hand-cuffs." And aside from any regular instrument of torture, a master, or a mistress, or an overseer, in. a fit of rage, will seize whatever weapon is at Jiand, and use it for this purpose. And the occasions, or the frequency of such inflictions depend on a thousand, circumstances which cannot be foreseen, and winch, it would be useless for me to specify. I leave tho subject, as one of the most unpleasant that came under my observation during my Southern tour.

XV.
FOOTPRINTS OF SLAVERY.
" Come ! by whatever sacred name Oppression, come 1 and in t]iy ivories rejoice I Sec nature's richest plains to putrid fens Turned by thy fury. From tht/ir cheerful bounds See razed th1 enlivening Tillage, farm, and scat."
THOMPSON.
THE disastrous influence of slavery upon industrial pursuits, and its destructive effects upon the prosperity of communities, as "well as of individuals, are seen in the South in every department of life, and among all classes of society. Tlicy arc therefore incidentally traced in all the chapters of this narrative. But my object in this chapter is to group together some facts illustrating this truth more particularly, and exhibiting it in a stronger light.
All progress and all retrogression, arc perhaps relative, rather than absolute, and can best be shown by compar ison or contrast. But if I indulge in this, iay pictures may be colored, or at least some may suppose them to be, by my predilections for the North- I will, therefore, put into a frame of my own, -- surrounding thorn -with occasional views taken by myself during my various ex cursions, -- some pcucUhigs drawn by the slaveholders

164

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

themselves. 7%ey, certainly, will not be accused of prejudice against the South. And I will first copy fVoin a speech of Son. W. C. Preston, of South Carolina, as reported in the Columbia, Telescope. At the time of its delivery he had represented that State in the U. S. Senate for nearly sis years, and he continued a member of that body for more than six years afterwards. But not more on account of liis high position in the South, than of his power of graphic and life-like delineation, are his remarks "worthy of our careful attention.
"No Southern man can journey, -- as I hare lately done,--through the Northern States, and witness the prosperity, the industry, the ptiblie spirit which they exhibit -- the sedulous cultivation of all those arts by which life is rendered comfortable and respectable--with* out feelings of deep sadness and shame, as he remem bera his own neglected and desolate home. There, no dwelling is to be scon abandoned, no farm uncultivated. Every person, and every thing, performs a part toward the grand result, and the whole land is covered with fertile field?, with manufactories, and canals, and rail roads, and edifices, and towns, and cities. Along the route of the great New York canal (that glorious mon ument to the memory of Do Witt Clinton), a canal, a railroad, and a turnpike are to bo seen in the width of perhaps a hundred yards, each of them crowded. with travel, or overflowing with commerce. Throughout their course, lands that before their construction would scarcely command five dollars the acre, now sell for fifty, seventy-five, or a hundred. Passing along it, you sec



FOOTPRINTS OP SLAVERY,

1G5

no space of three miles without a town or Tillage, and you are never out of the sound of a church bull.
"Wo of the South arc mistaken in. the character of these people, when wo think of them only as peddlers in horn, flints and bark nutmegs. Their energy and en terprise are directed, to all objects, great and small, within their roach. At the fall of a scanty rivulet they set up their little manufactory of wooden buttons or combs -- they plant a barren hill-side with broom com, and make it into brooms at tlio bottom--and on its top they erect a wind-mil]. Thus at a single spot you may see the air, tlio earth, and the water, all working for them. But at the same time the ocean is whitened to its extremities with the pails of their ships, and the land is covered with their worbs of art and usefulness.
" "Massachusetts is perhaps one of.' the most fl.ourish.hig' of the Northern. Staler. Yet of natural productions she exports but two articles-- granite and ice. Abso lutely nothing- but rock and ice/ Everything else of her commerce, from which she derives so much, is arti ficial-- the work of her own hands.
'' All this is done, in a region with a bleak climate and sterile soil, by the energy and intelligence of the people. Every man knows that the public good is his individual advantage. The number of railroads and other modes of expeditious intercommunication, knita the whole coun try into a closely compacted mas a, through which the productions of commerce and of the press, the com fortg of liic and the means of knowledge, arc universally
; while the close intercourse of travel and bnaL

166

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

ness makes all neighbors, and promotes a common inter est and a common sympathy.
"In. a community thns connected, a single Gash of thougbt pei"vades the wholo laud, almost as rapidly as thought itself can fly. The population becomes, as it were, a single set of muscles, animated by one heart, and directed by a common sensoriuin.
"How different the condition of those things in the South ? Here, the face of the conntry wears the aspect of premature old age and decay. No improvement is seen going on -- nothing is done for posterity -- no man thinks of any tiling beyond the present moment* Oor lands are yearly tasked to their utmost capacity of prod action, and when exhausted, are abandoned for tbo youthful West. Because nature has been prodigal to n^ we seem to think it unnecessary to do any tiling for ourselves. The industry and skill that have converted the inclement and barren hills of Now England into a garden, of the climate and fertile soil of the South would create almost a paradise. Onr natural advan tages arc among the greatest with which Providence has blessed mankind, but we lack the spirit to improve and enjoy thorn. The rich ore is beneath our feet, yet wo dig not for it. The golden fruit hangs from the bough, and we lift not our hands to gather it. The cask of dcZicious liquor is before our eyes, but we aro too lazy oven to bi'oach it."
It is true tliat Senator Preston does not attribute the striking contrast between the North and the South; -which ho thus so skillfully pictures, to the existence of

FOOTPRINTS OF SLAVERY.

167

slavery in the latter. Nor will I make any such asser tion,-- but -will rather leave it for every one to come to whatever conclusion the facts will warrant. But forthis purpose I will ask the reader's attention to a com parison of individual States, drawn partly from my own observation, and partly from the census report of 185O.
There arc no two States in the Union so nearly equal in natural resources as Kentucky and Ohio, -- though if there is any difference, it is iu favor of the former. Kentucky has about the same area, and a somewhat milder climate than the northern part of Ohio, -- but both States have a very fertile soil. Kentucky was settled first, and in 17DO had a population of 60,000, while Ohio was still a wilderness. In 1815 the latter had overtaken the former in population, and far surpassed it in wealth. In 1850 the population of Kentucky was 982,405, while that of Ohio was 1,980,427 ! Both are agricultural States, and raise very nearly the same kinds of produce -- no rice or cotton of any consequence being cultivated in either. And though Kentucky had a million and a half acres of improved lands more than Ohio, the value of farm lands in the former was $ 154,330,202, -- in the latter it was $358,758,603! The value of farming implements and machinery in the Jirst was $ 5,169,037,--in the last, $ 12,750,585 ! If this astonish ing differen.ee in the prosperity and growth of these two Statey, during- the last fifty years, is not explained by the fact tliat one is a slave State, and the other free, how can we explain it ? What other cause can be as signed ?

168

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

As it is the turn of the South to give us tlie next pic ture* I will quote from, a pamphlet published in 1840 by Hon. Thomas F. ilarshal, a distinguished politician of Kentucky.
" In ITOO, Virginia, -with 70.000 square miles of ter ritory, contained, a population of 749,308. New York, upon a surface of 40,000 square miles, contained a pop ulation of 344,120. This statement exhibits in favor of Virginia a difference of 24; 000 square miles of terri tory, and 408,108 in population,--which is double that of New York and 08,000 more. In. 1830, after a race of forty years, Virginia is found to contain 1,211,405 souls, and New York 1,018,008. Virginia has increased in the ratio of 61 per cent, and New York in that of 566. per cent!" [In 1850 the population, of Virginia was 1,421,001, or less than double that of 1790, while that of New York way 3,09 7,394, being nine times its population in 1790 ! The value of farming lands in Vir ginia in 1850 was $210,401,441. In New York it was $554,540,042!]
Mr. Marshal continues : -- " Statesmen may differ about policy, or the means to be employed in. the promotion of the public good; but surely they ought to 'be agreed as to what prosperity means. I think there can be no dispute that Now York is a greater, richer, and move prosperous State than. Virginia. "What has occasioned the difference ? There is but one explanation of the facts I hare shown. The clog that has staid the march of her people, the incubus that lias "weighed down her enterprise, strangled her commerce, kept sealed her ex-

FOOTPRINTS OF SLAVERY.

169

haustlcss fountains of mineral wealth, and paralyzed her arts, manufactures, and Improvements, is negro slavery."
In confirmation of tins conclusion, i noticed wher ever I traveled in the South that the old counties, which were first settled, were uniformly inferior to the new counties in population and "wealth. I do not include in this statement those counties which contain large cities on the seaboard, as other causes contribute to their prosperity. But wherever the imluenee of slavery has been felt the longest, the soil is the most barren, the buildings the poorest or the most dilapidated, the schools and churches the fewest, and the people the most igno rant and degraded.
Virginia is the oldest of the States. In her produc tions, her harbors, and rivers, she is imequalcd in her advantages for commerce,--foreign as well as domestic. But her trade 'Is small, and is mostly carried on through the ports and the shipping of the North. No Northern State has equal natural advantages for manufactures, and yet they are almost entirely unimproved. The value of her cotton manufactures in 1850 was only $ 1,486,384.--- bciag a little more than half as ranch as those of ATaine, and less than one twelfth as much as Massachusetts.
One of the most beautiful cities in this country is Bichmond, the capital of Virginia; and it might have been one of the largest. Situated at the head of tide water on James Elver, it has a fme harbor, and is admir ably located for commerce. The foreign arrivals in 1852 were B5, and the clearances for foreign ports 71.
15

170

INSIDE VIEW OF

The foreign clearances from Boston the same year were 2S6G, and the arrivals 2974. Richmond., like ancient Ronej is built on several hills. The scenery of its en virons is unsurpassed for beauty and variety. Nor are its advantages linriled to the bearaiifui. The river here descends about 100 foot,, constituting one of the best waterpowers iii the country. This, however. Is but par tially improved. There arc some- noming, mills, and a few tobacco factories. 'With a. proper degree of en terprise, it would become one of the largest mnrmfacturlng citie-y in the iJnioii. But it Hcs weak and powerless in tho hands of slavery. In 1800 its population was 5,737, and that of Cincinnati was 750. Now, after a growth of fifty years, tho population of Cincinnati is 160.000 -- while that of Richmond is only 30,000,-- of whom 10,000 are colored!
The State of Georgia contains very nearly as much territory a# the whole of New England, and is divided into ninety-seven counties. In this State I could see more distinctly than in any other tho effects of slave ry on. the soil and the population. There are six coun ties on the sea coast, -- the earliest settled in the State, and the most fertile. If we except the city of Savannah, whoso prosperity depends on the interior, the whole number of whites in the six counties is less than ten thousand. Thore arc also six counties bordering on the northern line of the State, sonic three hundred miles in the interior, all of them TI&W, -- and yet they contain a free population, of forty-five thousand. A comparison of the six counties next in order; in each section of the

FOOTPRINTS OF SLAVERY".

171

State, shows the same result. The w^o counties, far back from the seaboard, contain. forty-seven thousand whites, while the old counties, though large in territory, contain only fourteen thousand.
Tlio city of Darien also furnishes an illustration of the same truth. It is one of the oldest cities in Georgia, having been settled "by some Scotch Highlanders in 173G. It was once in a flourishing condition, and before the lands in the lower count]us had been exhausted, it had an extensive trade in produce. Bat the country around It has become sterile and barren., and the trade of the northern part of the State has been diverted to Savan nah and Charleston by the construction of railroads. The result is that Darien has become like an old, de serted castle, dilapidated and decayed. Though a port of entry, its whole shipping in 1852 was 30G tons reg istered, and 859 enrolled. And during the same 3"car its foreign, arrivals wore only three !
Under a free labor system this would have been a, largo and prosperous city. It is situated at the mouth of the Altamaha river, which, with its tributaries, the Oconee and the Ocmulgce, furnishes more than three hundred miles of inland navigation, through a country all of it once, and much of it still fertile, abounding- in extensive forests of oak and pine. That an old city, surrounded with such advantages, should be reduced to a pitiable village, with only 550 inhabitants, is a prob lem that nothing "but slavery can solve !
The city of Charleston, S. C.. exhibits asiothcr illus tration, of a different kind, though not leas striking.

172

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

There are few cities that surpass this in beauty; and it has extensive advantages for business. Connected by railroad with the principal towns in North Carolina; the northern part of Georgia, and Tennessee, it has some permanent sources of prosperity. It exports more rice than any other city in the Union, and more cotton than any other except New Orleans and Mobile.
But though Charleston has been increasing, the larg;ee county of the same name, of which it is the center, conlaming 1900 square miles, once one of the most fertile and productive in the State, is decreasing in popula tion. In 1840 it was 82, 000, and 1850 only 72,000, though the city during that time increased from. 29,000 to 42,000. Thus it is seen that this county, exclusive of the city, contained in. 1840 a population of 53.000, and in 1850 only 30,000. A decrease of 23,000 in ten years 1 Such lias always been the history of slave conntries. Their temporary prosperity, sometimes dazzling and brilliant, is but a prelude to approaching decay and ruin. It soon

"Touches -the highest point of all Us greatness^ And from the full meridian of its glory, It hastens to its setting."

XVI.
NO SYMPATHY FOR SLAVES.

"Thou art come to answer

A stony adversary, an inhuman wretch,

Incapable of pity, void and empty

From every drachm of mercy."

SHAKESPEARE.

TITK slaveholders manifest little regard for the happi ness of the slaves. It may not bo evident to them all, but still it is true, that the family training', the intellect ual discipline, the circulating intelligence of the slave States, are not such as to open in the heart and mind, of the master a single well-spring of generous sympathy for them, even in times of bereavement, of deepest sorrow; or -when suffering the anguish of severe pun ishment, or even "when, in the agonies of death, in its most terrible forms ! This is not always apparent, ex cept where none but slaveholders arc present to witness the death-struggle of their victims, or "where the slave is made to suffer publicly, as a warning to others.
I left the hotel in M. after breakfast on a December morning, and "walked, a few miles along the bank of the Flint river. Ascending a small sand hill, I saw, after

174
reaching the top, a negro coming up on tlio other side, slowly, wearily, without a particle of clothing on. When ho ens? me. ho was frightened and ran out to a willow tree that lay bcut down, nearly horizontally, over the, stream; and turning about, he leaned against a limb, looking at me, and tossing np hi-; Lauds, lie exclaimed, imploringly, " O, G-oddy, master ':"
1 supposed lie intended to request mo not to betray him; and I said to him, "I Till not betray you, Cuffee 1" But before I had time to inquire into his history, two hounds came over another hill, half a mile distant, dis tinctly in view, on a straight road. Soon as the baying of the dogs reached the car of the fugitive, ho leaped from the willow into tho river -- swam a long distance under water towards the opposite bank, when lie arose to the surface. I was surprised Lo see how directly lie
strong. 1 aaw him emerge upon tho opposite side, climb an oak tree, and sent himself on a limb. The hounds come on slowly, following the track, -- and well they might, for tho blood of the clave was left in nearly every footstep -- keeping np a constant baying. I had heard of " the baying of hounds," but I had never conceived how appalling (ho blood-thirsty tones were, until they fell on my car, while I aaw their victim, weary and helpless, with no longer any hope of escape.
Tho dogs came np tho hill where I stood, followed tho track ont upon tho willow, plunged in wl'.ero tho :w.m did, swam across, and ran up to tho tree, baying Ljudly in tha triumph of success. I walked ont to the willow

and. sat down upon it in sadness ol heart at wnat n?y eyes had seen, and my cars heard. Soon two white men came over the farther hill on horse back, and when they saw the man in the tree, and heard the dogs baying be neath it, they set up a tremendous sliont, and rode on at full speed dawn to tlio tavern, three miles below. Think ing it might be unsafe for me to remain and watch the fate of the slave, whom 1 had no power to assist. I re turned to the tavern. Here I found a largo crowd of men who had gathered around the bar to receive a " treat" from the " nigger hunters," who always have that kind of glorification wlicn the man is captured alive. It was now about nine o'clock, yet they continued to drink un til four o'clock in the afternoon, before they went over the river to take the man down.
And what astonished me more than any thing else, was, that no ixuin suggested that it "was time to go an<i bring the slave in. 1 hoard no question asked as to how long ho had been without food, how far he had run, 01whether he was so famished and exhausted that he would be likely to fall from the tree and be rent m pieces by the dog's, rjiit the conversation ra.n mainly upon tno feats they had performed in the negro hunts, and trio pun ishments the runaways get when they are caught. Fin ally, after seven hours of rioting, they rode away. Yfhat became of their poor victim I never learned.
The hound is taught to regard the slave as his natural enemy. The slave is never allowed to chastize him. If the dog is stealing his dinner, he may push him away gently, or jpull his dinner away from luiii,-- bat ho niiist

176

INSIDE VIEW OF

not venture to pull Ills cars, or scold him, or strike him, 011 pain of being whipped himself by liis master.
I saw a slaveholder near M. teaching* puppies to hunt slaves. He was the owner of a slave .mother and her little boy, Harry, who was about four years old. The mother was a light quadroon, having- just enough of Af rican blood to wave the long "black hair, and gloss the full, black eye. There arc large numbers of such slave g-irls in the KoTith, and a foreigner has truly aaici that they are the most "beautiful specimens of American women. But her little Harry was not so light colored, and he had rou-;h ; hard, iealnres. lie was a very sensi ble boy, rogi:i.-;h and. feckless, and lie acted as though the bad blood of all lus auenstors ran in his veins. His "bump of destruct ivencss'' was very Inrgc, and it very often cost him a noting-. He killed all the kittens about house, all the chickens he conld catch, broke all the cgg-s he could find, destroyed all the crockery he could lay hold of, and left his mark on every piece of furniture in the house, and on every tool and carriage on the premises.
He had a peculiar dislike to tiirkics. Xo turkey could be raised, except in a yard with a fence KO high that Harry conld not climb it. A close, high fence was made around the turkey yard, and they were regarded as se cure from the eiicmy. But Tlm-ry ran a little pole up to the top of the fence, climbed up, jnmpcd in, and Jailed thirteen turkics -- a mother and twelve little ones. In his haste to kill the turkies, lie forgot to run tlie polo over on the inside, so that he could get out j and being

NO SYMPATHY FOR SLAVES.

17?

obliged to call for help, the ci murder was out." Sajnbo opened the door to release him, and seeing the turkies lulled, be ran into the house and told his master. Har ry had been indulged quite enough by Iris master, as ho was an idol, only son of his mother, " Hatty." And sho was the favorite slave of he? master, Col. V., who had. uniformly regarded the feelings of the tender-hearted, doting mother so far as not to ptmish Harry in her presence. But thia provocation threw him into a pas sion.
" Hatty ! " exclaimed the master, " go and bring the lit tle devil to me."
Hatty went out and led in Harry, who appeared quite self-possessed, and without fear of punishment- But his mother saw that her master was enraged? and imag ining some terrible thing was contemplated in the use. of the knife, which Col. V. held in one hand, while he readi ed out the other and exclaimed passionately, hand him to me I I'll fix him! " she ventured to say " don't master I don't cut him with the knife I "
" Hold your tongue ! " aaid the master, " and set the boy on my knee, and hold him still 1"
Grasping one ankle with the left hand, he commenced, cntiiig small gashes through the skin on the bottom of the foot. Harry strove like a hero, kicked and squirmed ; struck his master in the face, and pulled his hair; Imt he succeeded in cutting both feet till the blood ran freely I
Col. "\r. then told his 3on to lead Harry out around. the table, by a circuitous route, to a low, pine tree? to

178

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

which, ho pointed, about twenty rods distant. Hatty was OL-dercd to cut up a plate of raw beef in. small pieces; arid bring it to him.
The Col. took the plate of meat in his hand, wont to the kennel and imchanied the mother of seven blood hound puppies, and led her around on the track of Harry, with tho puppies following after. At every few steps ho dropped a piece of the meat, on the blood which was left in Harry's track, for iho puppies to cut, where they would receive the scent of the blood of the slave ! When ho arrived at the tree, he sent his son back with the mother of the puppies, while they remained to eat the meat given to them under the tree. Harry was taken, down from, the limb on which he sat. arid the little hounds were taught to bite his feet, around which pieces of meat were thrown, Hatty, in the meantime, was wring-ing her hands as if her heart were bursting-, and as though she had forgotten that she was a favorite house servant, and had a kind, indulgent master.
One clay while I was in the city of il.; there was a terrible outcry in the streets !
' What 'rf the matter ? " '' A negro in the creek ! " "Where?"
" Out over the railroad bridge." And all the city rushed into the street, and over the bridge. I followed on with the crowd. IScsidcs the reirro, two hounds "were in the creek also, endeavoring to catch him. He would dive and swim a long distance

MO SYMPATHY FOB. SLATES.

179

under water, so deep that the dogs could not see the di rection lie took; but when, he raised his head abovo water to breathe, the dogs swam towards liirn and seized his limbs and held on till ho jerked them away, leaving his flesh in their teeth. Soon his pursuers wore seen coming from the woods, and Lo perceived that farther attempts to elude them -were vain., and ho came out of the creek and gave himself up to tho hunters. Two of them dismounted, and took him, one by cither ainn, to lead him over the bridge into the city? In the midst of the vast, exulting multitude.
A friend of mine, an intelligent ><"ew England mer chant, was present. He expressed Lo me his astonish ment that no sympathy w.as manifested for the suffering slave, whose bare limbs wore horridly lacerated by the dogs. And what most shocked his feelings, as the men were leading him, was to hear the boys toll the dog to bite him -- saying, ' seek him ! take him ! "-- just as they would set dogs on s'vrhie in the street, and with f.s little Pity-
The negro pretended to bo so weak that lie CyJ1Tk_ hardly walk ; but when about on the center of the briu_ lie prostrated one. of the men wlio wore holding Ins arms -- broke away from, the grasp of the other -- rashecl through the crowd-- bounded, over the railing, and sank In. the rod waters of the river, to rise no more. jSTo word of pity was neard, -- no emotions of sympathy were witnessed, for the sufferings and fate of this iuaii? who had less fear of death than of his brother man f

180

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

But the air was filled with curses on "runaway niggers," and a grand chorus of invectives against abolitionists concluded the awful tragedy !

A WHITE JIO'IIIEB FOR SALE.
Mr. C,, a dry goods merchant of Boston, was with me at the little city of M., where he went to virdt a part ner in trade. He had not boon in a .slave State before, and was bitterly opposed to emancipation. Two mer chants -- slaveholders --had been in our company on the way to that city. "Whenever slavery was talked of. Mr. C. uniformly concurred with them. The next morn ing after we arrived., we saw a handbill in the bar-room in which forty-four female slaves were advertised for fiii'e. Stepping out into the street., we found lho.se girls foil tine? on the sidewalks. At the farther end of the row was a very beautiful girl, apparently perfectly white, and neatly dressed. The moment Mr. C. looked at her, he exclaimed, " lYhat do you think that "white girl is sitting
i with those negroes for ? "
tcrri presume she is a slave, -'ir," said I. " That can't be ! " replied ilr. C.,-- "just look at
her 1 "Why I never saw a prettier girl in my life." Now Mr. C. had heard that likely quadroons are held
as slaves and sold in the market: but he had never be lieved that a young lady., so entirely American, so ele gant in form and feature, so intellectual in appearance, with pure blue eyes, and the perfect red and white Caucassian complexion, was in tlio same degraded condition

NO SYMPATHY FOR SLATES.

181

as the African girl. And. hia fine sensibilities -were greatly shocked at the idea, that a white girl, so bounti ful, was doomed to such disgrace. His heart was steeled against sympathy for the blacks, but it was unshielded on the side towards the white race, to which his mother, wife, and daughter belonged. Hence he was unprepared to believe it, when I said to him, " she is a slave, sir ! "
Thorc was the precise number, including her, adsT ertlsed iii the lull. Still incredulous, 'Mr. G. stepped up to the drover and asked, " la that white girl a slave, &ir ? "
" That's not a white girl; she is a nigger, sir," replied the drover.
Mr. G. bit his lips with suppressed indignation, paused, and then cjaorJntcd, ''."Is it possible!"
" Docs she belong to you? 1 ' said he to the drover. "Yes, sir!" rep Lied the drover. "What do yon ask. for her? " inquired Mr. C. " I was offered 1800 dollars fur her last night. I want 2000 for her." " What do yon ask for that ono ? " said ilr. G., point" ing to a light quadroon sitting nest to the white girl. I will take $1,200 for her." "Well,--how much for the black onep, here at this end of the row ? " "I will take $800 apiece/' replied the slave-dealer. " Why can that white girl -- "That isn't a white girl; that's a nigger, sir, I tell yon," interrupted the drover, contcinptnonaly. At the same time Iio removed a woolen cap from her head,
16

182

IKSODE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

which exposed the light brown hair, and added, "yon sec her hair is waved.,"
This ia regarded aa evidence that African "blood is mingled with the "white. Atr. G. had now become excit ed, and ho exclaimed -- " "Well; then, can that white ni^ ger do more work than, one of your black niggers, that you ask so much more for her ? "
" Oh no;" replied the drover, -- and perceiving that Mr. C. did not comprehend the superior value of female beauty to physical ability in a slave, he added -- "bat yon know she is a high priced fancy girl."
" By heavens !" vociferated Mr. G., "'tis too bad!" and turning to mo with his clinched hands raised towards the heaveno, ho added, " I will never B%y another word. against the abolitionists, go long as God lets me lire !"
We inquired of those mothers, how many children they had left behind ; and the aggregate number -- as by them reported -- wan one iiinidrcd and twenty-four / They wore all enrolled as being between the ages of eighteen, and twenty- five, in the advertising catalogue. Forty -four young mothers severed from their husbands and all their children, at a single blow 1 ! \
I became acquainted with a good slave boy, "Bill," owned by A. S., in South Carolina. He was a cruel master, worked his slaves very hard, and gave them only a peck of corn a week. I asked Hill if ho ever kccw a slave to gel a whipping when he did not deserve it.
" TVell, master," replied 13 ill, " I will tell you the cause for which I had a terrible whipping, and I will let yon decide whether it was clever v?i.L Our driver's came

NO SVMPATIir FOR SLAVES.

183

was Monday,---a col ore a man. One day 1 hoard Mon day say that if master S. did not treat him better, ho meant to run. away. Now I loved Uncle Monday, -- as \vo called him-- and I ran up to him and said, thought lessly,-- without any more intention of running away than 1 had, of killing myself--' if you run away, I mean to run away too 1'
" The master was listening outside the !rnt -- as slaveholders often are, to hear what id said l>y the slaves -- and lie heard, me. Ho rushed into the lu.it in a terrible pas sion, caught me by the throat, kicked mo, and threw me down, and beat me, -- crying out at intervals, with ter rific oaths -- ' Ton want to run away, do you 1 I '11 giro you enough of running away I I '11 learn Old Monday better than to spoil all my young niggers 1'
"After he had beaten me awhile in the hut, he draggod mo out, and called a large man to come and help tie mo up to a timber that projected from the oaves oi the house. He then tied, my feet together, and thrusting a rail between them to keep me from svriughiir. lie climbed up, and with a rope fastened to my wrists, ho drew me up until my feet were raised from the earth. Every particle of my ragged garments had been stripped from my body, -- and he ordered one of the house girls to bring him the whip. When the girl came with it, ho told her to go back and bring a quart of salt. The salt was brought, and he dissolved it in water. Then ho took off his coat, rolled up his sleeve^ and seized the whip--the staff of which was Jour or jive Juot long, made of white oak, covered with raw hide, the butt

184

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

about two inches thick; loaded "with lead; and the lash at least siz feet long, with several inches of the end wrought into hard knots with catgut. With this instru ment I was whipped until the master became tired, when he commanded the slave to continue to n"og me until I had received one hundred lashes. Several times dur ing this flogging I fainted away. The whipping was sus pended, and cold water thrown upon me until I recovered, when it was resumed. I should judge they wore whip ping me nearly an hour. Tlio salt and water was then thrown upon, me, and coals of nre would not have given
me more unutterable torment." I became acquainted with another slave boy called
"Jack," in the State of S. Carolina, who was highly spoken of by every one that know him. Jack's master, J. R., wu.3 always kind when sober -- but never when in toxicated. One <luy he shipped Jack severely for run ning away.
"in a few days after this whipping," said Jack, as he was giving me a short history of hia lUb, " I told, a, slave, in confidence, that I meant to run away again. Ho be trayed me, and informed Master of my purpose. This greatly enraged him, and lie sent for a neighboring planter and his overseer to come and whip me. The nrst intimation. I had of it, the overseer rushed into the hut, and struck me over the lace with t?ie but of hij whip, cutting my check tlirough to the bone, -- and the scar is still a witness to the dccJ. Then they tied me, and carried me into the yard, and my master and the overseer both whipped mo at the same time.

NO SYMPATHY FOR SLATES.

185

" When slaves are whipped, they usually make a great ado, for the purpose of mitigating- the punishment. If they cry out piteously, saying ' do, pray Massa, forgive me, I '11 do work better/ &c.? -- they usually get a loss number of lashes. So at this time I said every thing I could think of. When I cried lond for forgiveness, they would tauntingly reply -- * yon 'vc learned to halloo at the night meetings, have you ? T----meaning religious meetings. A nd they crammed old rags into my mouth, BO that 1 could not be hoard across thu street.
"After the whipping was finished, the (laying paddle was applied, and I waa then taken to the burn-yard and chained to the sill of the barn, having the chain locked around my neck. They raked up some corn husks for me to lie on, but my back and side9 were so sore I could not lie down, bat was obliged to lean against the barn, in which miserable position. 1 passed the long, dreary, suffering, sleepless night I In the morning I was tied upon a horse, and driven four milos, to bo ironed. The blacksmith took some old ox shoes and beat them to gether, in the shape of two half moonsj and riveted them at the corners, so as to lit the ankle, stood me upon the anvil, and fastened them on. I was then set to hoeing cotton again; and ten rows were added to my daily task."

XVII.
SOUTHERN JURISPRUDENC
3 the judge, to nod ate
" Do not your juries give their verdict, As if they felt the cause, --not heard it P
able lawyers in the South, no one will also some eminent judges, whose legal
of justice go hand in hand. In this spect, however, there is a difference in 1hc Southern States. The northern slave States have a better system of jurisprudence than the southern, -- if we except Lou isiana, which stands far better than Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. But aside from any individual exceptions, the admimstratrtm of justice throughout the South is far more imperfect and partial than it is in the IVorih. The slaveholders are an aristocracy, holding the offices, enacting the laws, a>'d, as judges or slieriil's, controlling their execution. And so much docs the spirit of caste enter into all the institutions of the slave Slates, that

SOUTHERN JURISPRUDENCE.

187

favoritism is often a predominant principle, even, "within, the temples of justice. The trial and acquittal of "Ward in Kentucky is a prominent illustration; and no one can spend much time in tho South without observing numer ous incidents of a like character.
A Southern writer has recently boasted that there is less crime in the South than in tho Nortli,--appealing* to the number of convictions and imprisonments reported? as evidence of it. But no such inference can be drawn from this fact-- as I shall abundantly show,, Prisons in the South are indeed few and }>OOT, compared with those of the North; and tho inmates Jes3 in number; but this is not because crime is- not more frcQnent, but "because it goes unpunished.
The crimes of slaves are not often ma da a matter of trial and punishment in the Southern courty. The mas ter is the judge, the jury, and the executioner. That the slaves arc often guilty of crimes is just what we might expect. Aside from, the vicious examples of unbridled passion and Indulgence which are constantly before theni;, and of which they are often, the victims, -- their igno rance and degradation, the smothering of all the better feelings in their natures, the extinguishing of all those hopes and aspirations which tend to elevate inid purify tlie heart, while the baser elements arc left free and un checked, and often strengthened by the wrongs they suffer, all contribute to brutalize and degrade them. And when I hare learned of their comrrnitnig i-evolling crimes, instead of being surprised, I have wondered that the instances are not far more frequent.

188

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

The ceaseless, unremitting toil of the slaves undoubt edly tends to save them from the commission of crime. "While, on the other Land, the idleness and con sequent dissipation of the slaYcholdlng class are the source of that fearful catalogue of offences of which we sometimes catch a giimpne. And lest I might seem to exaggerate in the incidents "vrlvie.li I relate; I "will call the reader's attention to an extract from a recent lecture of Kcv. James A. Lyon, pastor of the Presbyterian chnrch in Columbus, Mississippi, published in the Jilag'lc, a newspaper of that city, June 1st, 1855.
' The reckless manner in which the sixth command ment, Tvhich forbids murder, id disregarded in this com munity, is truly alarming, and should escit e the well grounded fears of every friend of morality and good order. As proof that I am not exaggerating- the evil, I will refer you to the statistical tables on. this subject fur the last year, [1854.] In. the Daily Globe for Jan uary 2d, 1855, quoted by the New York Herald, the following startling facts arc brought to light, viz: That there have been in the United States, during- the last year, no less than six hundred and eighty-two murders 1 and only eighty-four executions; that is, about one in seven only ! Sere is a little army slain every year, by the hands of violence, in our country, boasting justly of more general intelligence, freedom, and civilization than any ollior upon the globe \ But let us examine a Tittle thia table of blood. We Gad Ihat, of the murdered host, only thirty-two fell ill the six New Kngland States, only one hundred and six others in the Middle States, induct-

JURISPRUDENCE.

189

ing the largest States and cities in the Union. The blood of all the rcst,^e A^m^'ed amf /b^Vy^/bur, was spilt in the South, and "West. Hut let us inspect still more closely this record of crime. Of this remaining army, Jtvc AumZrcd a<Z ybrfy^/bur strong, that have fallen hi the South and West, fArce A(?rc(/ <%</ /b?Vy-S2.r have been slaughtered in the jSouZA alone; that is, iu the Southern States proper, not including Missouri, there have fallen more than one half of the whole of the orig inal army 1 The South has the unenviable distinction of having slain, a greater number of thuir fellow men with murderous hands than all the other States, includ ing even California, put together! Of this number, 1 am sorry to say that as many as JA%rZ//-f?oo have been slaughtered in our own proud State of Mississippi;* that is, in the State of Mississippi alone, as many human beings have lallcn by the hand, of violence, as in all tho six l*Tcw England States put together -- States with an aggregate population five timed as great as that of Mis sissippi! Jf theXew England States had slain as many of their fulluw men in proportion to their population aa tho State of Mississippi has doue, instead of murdering only ZAzr^-Zi^o, they would have murdered five times that, number 1
"AVe have no great seaport towns as iho places of rcsoi't for felons of other lands; we have no foreign population amongst ns, except such as belong to tho

* The editor of the .EasrZe hero says, in a note, that he n. few years ago heard Go?. II. S. Footc say tliat some person hud been killed ^nthin. the Stato every day during his term uf oCice of two years!

190

INSIDE VIEW O? SLAVERY.

better classes of society ; we arc not a new and pioneer State ; and yet the anmial list of our murdered Is frightfill! --frightful not only on account of the compara tive numb or of the slain, but also oil account of tlio character and sta-ud-iitg of the slayers. If these mur ders Tvere committee! by vagabonds and the scum of society^ then it a prestige, its moral effect, would, not be so injurious to society. Hut what, think you, is the effect upon the minds of our children and youth, when men of fair standing in society, received and regarded as gen tlemen, arc the perpetrators of the butcheries 11
"111 view of this state of things, who is safe ? My enemy meets mo, insults me, and then nlioots mo down, professing to believe that I was i arincdj as a matter of course, and that his Z%/<? was in danger; tells his own story in a community where it is no strange thing for men to carry about their persons deadly weapons. Each one feels that he would have done the same thing under similar circumstances? so that in condemning him they would but condemn themselves. Consequently, the slayer is justified. -- o;ocs free; and a hundred others, our sons and half grovm lads amongst them, resolve in their hearts, that since every man may go armed, and every one ia therefore justifiable in slaying his enemy, they will do likewise.
"1 should like to deprecate the influence of money in setting aside the law. It is a shameful fact that no rich tnfin can. be /fanned for murder i'tt the $> outInvest / The man, therefore, who is able to pay a few thousand dollars, may indulge hie dire revenge with impunity.

SOUTHERN JURISPRUDENCE.

101

TUs frequency with which slaves, are killed, and the little attention paid to it by tlie officers of the law, is a crying evil, winch. I liad intended to dwell upon as its importance deserves."
In commenting upon this lector e? the editor of tlio Eagle says that
" The frequency of the open and violent murders com mitted hi the South and Southwest, and especially with in our own State, is the most remarkable, and at the same time the most disgraceful, characteristic of our section of the country. And it is equally strange and astonishing to us; that, in stead of diminishing, as the tone of our society improves and the standard of civili zation advances, this horrid and unnatural offence against humanity, good order. law, and morals, seems to be on the increase.
Ci Tljc pulpit haying led the way in the reform so loudly called for in regard to this matter, and called upon the press to follow in the noble and praiseworthy enterprise, we, for one, hesitate not a moment, but at once raise our voice and nerve our arm for the conflict against the hideous crime of murder, the almost daily commission oT which, in some part of our State, is brought to our knowledge by, arid aa regularly as, our exchanges arc received."
The fact stated by Mr. Lyoii, -- "that no rich man can be hanged for murder in the Southwest" -- may appear strango ; but the manner of organizing a court in the Southern States is almost sure to give impunity to oli'enders. Juries, in such cases, arc empannelcd

192

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

from the crowd of bystanders, instead of being selected beforehand by the municipal authorities, as they arc in the Norfh. How easy for a wealthy slaveholder to have a score of dependents, from among hia poor neighbors, standing around the court-room, where the Judge or the clerk win be likely to call thcin ! This, more than any thing else, makes the administration of justice in the criminal courts of the South a mere farce.
1 was in J3akcr county when Dr. J3yrdj of Albany, killed a man by the name of Jones. Sometimes, when a free white man has become obnoxious to a neighbor hood by constantly provoking quarrels and going about to do evil, piiduig himself on being a fighter, the slave holders will bo glad of an opportunity to arraign him, and cither punish bnn or drive him ofT. Such a man was Dr. JByrd. Me and Jones had it, Jailing out, and Byrd demanded of Jones a card in the Albany Patriot, acknowledging that he had slandered him. Jones took the paper in which the card was published, and. went to the tavern whcro Hyrd boarded, and showed him the card. Byrd called for brandy,-- a custom after such aflairs are amicably adjusted. While Ripping the liq uor-- as the landlord assured me -- Jones patted Byrd on the shoulder and remarked, JhcctiouHly,
" The biggest lie I ever told in my life, Byrd, was when 1 said here in this card that I lied about you; for you know every word that I bad said was true."
" ^Tou arc a liar and a villain I" said 33yrd, seizing his pistol.
Jones drew his knife, and cut Byrd severely in several

SOUTHERN JURISPRUDENCE.

193

places. But Byrcl shot him through the heart. He made one bound from the bar-room into the street, and expired.
Byrd was arrested and taken to Newton jail. It way reported in the papers that ho had poisoned himself in the jail. But instead of that, ho returned to Albany the next day, and in a short time he was established in the practice of his profession in Alabama.
Having business with K. K. Hincs, Esq.; a popular lawyer in the city of Albany,. I inquired of him, after Byrd was carried to the jail, if he would be hung.
" Hung ! my dear sir ? "' >:al<l ~vlr, I f. "' \Yc; have more cases on rhe tlujket in Uus county now, for inurclerj than can be tried during the nest tun yearns. So that all Byz'd's lawyer would Lave to do- in order to postpone a trial, would bo to call up former cases before this."
i; Is that possible, Mr. Hincs ? " said I. "Why, let me tell yon," replied My. IL, "while wo were trying a man for murder at the last court at Starkvillo, the nest county scat above, two murders were committed within gun-shot of that court house." Soon after this, I was in. the stage, passing through. Slarkville. A young- man stepped out of the coach when it stopped. "That was John Soss," remarked a passenger* as the coach wheeled around to start again. " Top/' said another, " John Ross that killed his father here! " "And was never complained of!' 1 responded a third. "John Rosa/' said Col. Ij. ; "wanted to marry one of
17

194

IXSIPE VIBW OF SLAVERY.

his father's negro girls." And he proceeded to relate the facts as they had occurred.
John was an only child of a rich slaveholder. His father was bitterly opposed to this freak of his sonf and he told mm that ho "would not consent to have tho blood corruptod in this manner, But John replied that he loved tho "black girl, and intended to many her.
Now John was not peculiar in this fancy. Slavehold ers very frequently marry tlie quadroon girls,-- and some of them select the full blooded Africans for their wives. Mr, A. 3 tlic city surveyor in X).; lost a white wife, and he then emancipated his black feriale cook, and married her. So (lu.it Jolva "E,OB3 was not ilie first white man. who had desired such a- connubial relation. .But his father was in.Yinci.bly opposed to his wishes; and lie informed Iiis son that if ho persisted in his foolish pur pose to marry that "nigger," lie would disown and dis inherit him. And -when all arguments had failed, and John finally assured the old gentleman that his purpose was fixed to marry that girl, the father banished him from his house.
John took lodgings in a public house, near by. His mother had been dead several years, and now the father sat solitary and alone, without an heir. He had great possessions, and ho knew lie must shortly leave them. And to wlioni ? " .Poor JoJtii ! I^oollsJi son / " he said to himself. "I will call him home, and make one more attempt to bring him back to regard the honor of tho family, for his blessed mother's sake," And the father sent Ms son"anotc? statizig that he desired to have an

SOUTHERN JURISPRUDENCE.

195

interview with him, that lie might, if possible, dissuade him from his ri\sh purpose; but at all events to have a reconciliation.
"John. HQSS," said Col. L., "loaded his rifle, put in that kind letter, received from his father, for wadding, and the first time the father stepped over the threshold of Ins own door, he was shot dead by that unnatural son!"
John was a chivalrous, " dead sJiot " Southron. K"obody dared enter a complaint agaiiint liiiu for the mur der of his father. Besides, young John, --now made solo proprietor of a large estate by this heroic deed,--gave valuable presents to the slaveholding neighbors, and public opinion made no other or higher demand.
Throughout the slave States, a light value is set upon, human life. The murderer has no fear of punishment, if he has wealth and rank to protect him. Slaveholders risk their lives on the most fantastic whim of honor. We know it to be a false notion of honor, but the South ron regards it as the highest ambition of his life to maintain it. Hence the cold blooded, fatal rencounters RO frequent in the South, This is illustrated by the following facts, which were stated in my presence by Col. L. of Alabama.
''I was sitting at a dinner table in Texas/' said Col. L., " when two young gentlemen, came in from a hunt ing excursion. They walked up to the sideboard, took a glass of whisky, and then seated themselves at the table. A. sat next to me. and 15. directly opposite to him, A. called for some meat, but B, .sat mute. I no-

196

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

tiecd there was a rnaliciotis, dcsigninpr, murtlerous look in liis countenance, mid I suspected that tlierc was trouble near. In a few moments A. said to J3.,
"I HOW ask you, sir, in the presence of these gentle men, if you will publicly retract tlio malicious slanders you have put in circulation.; seriously affecting my repu tation as an honorable man and a genUcman ? "
'No I" said jB. "You arc a dishonest villain, and I will never perjure myself to save your reputation!"
A. drew out a brace of pistols, threw them down on the table, and exclaimed,
(l Take your choice of them, sir ! " B. arose, took a white handkerchief from his pocket, -wound one corner of it around the little nngcr of his left hand, tossed tlic other end to his antagonist, who rose up, wound that end around the little linger of liis hand, like the other, bringing their left hands within KIX inches of each other. Then each took a pistol in the right hand, pointed it directly at tlic other's heart, and at the word '?-eady' they commenced to count the usual number in. sueu cases. Both counted, slowly, dis tinctly, simultaneously, c OT\.Q---two--three,' and so on up to 'ten.* Both pronounced tlie last number just as pi amp ly and firmly as the first. T^hcn the 'ten' was uttered, the pistols were fired, and both fell! There were about sixty gentlemen, at dinner, but t\vo of them only--the landlord, and another man who was brotlier-in-law to one of the murdered men--'left the table. The serv ants dragged tlie hunters out into the barroom; and when we wont out, after dinner, they were both dead ! '*

107
"Now thai iv:is pi-tity oeoL idl ar:rai;d" Sfiid tho Colonel to a. Aikois.Oppiun with who;;; be wa;, taiU;:g.
No Northern man, who has never seen men who li;rve been brought up in places where they cannot read and write can imagine how vacant-minded and stupid such men appear. Occasionally we see a man at the, North who cannot read, though very seldom among the farmers. But, \vlicu we do find one. so ignorant, he lias been as sociated with men who can read, and. he has consequent ly obtained a good deal, of information from them, and he seems mnch. more intelligent than s.iavciio.dcrs do who cannot read themselves, and who liave not enjoyed the society of those who can read. I can give 110 better idea of the impression made on the mind of a Yankee when looking upon a jury made up of such men, than by describing an amusing scene thai transpired in court,, in the city of D.
A learned physician from Massachusetts.. Dr. W., and a shipmaster from Maine, Capt. V., wi.!li. whom I had a favorable acquaintance during a few weeks stay at I)., will excuse this reference to them.
The court house a.t I)., is divided in the center by a rai'iiig. three feet hiuli. In ore end of the room the court is convened, and the other end is reserved for spectators. There is no seat in the half assigned to the latter, except a narrow seat, around the outside of the area. The court was in session at the tiinp of our visit. One of the lawyers was addressing the jury. I was standing near the passage-way in the railing, iu. the con-

198

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

tor of DIG bouse, and Dr. TV", stood near the door, look ing upon the court, and listening to the argument of tie attorney, when Cn.pt. F. -- a stout, rough, sensible; clown cast sea captain-- entered the room, and took a stand Tby the door near to him. Pcrcciting there were va cant peats on the court side of the railing, and 110110 very uea.r on our side, the Capt. said to Dr. AY.,
" Why can't we go inside, and take a seat ? " " Those Keats belong to the jury," replied the Dr. They were rough, long sea1,.?, without backs or desks. ''But that is not the jury," said Capt. -F., pointing to the pale, puny looking fellows that occupied those scats. "Yes it is, Capt./' said Dr. W~. Don't you sec? The lawyer is talking to thorn now/'
"I know better than that," said Capt. F., casting a " look for breakers " over them a second time.
He saw that the jury paid little attention to what the lawyer was saying to them. They were talking with each other in little squads of two or three together, in whispers so loud, that we could sometimes distinguish the half smothered oath, followed by a copious expec toration of tobacco juice. Capt. F. stepped along to the place where I was standing, and said to me,
" Why can't we go in there and sit down ? " pointing to a chaiico for two on the jury seat.
"Those scats belong to the jury/* I replied, "and I suppose the court would object to our taking scats with the jury while the trial is going on."
The Capt. was now compelled to believe that this

SOUTHERN JURISPRUDENCE.

199

was really the jury, though lie could not coTnpz-clicrid "why men v;-lio scorned, so ignorant and dli-sipatccl, Lad been selected for such an important trust*
"I would be hraig or I would be shot/* lie exclaimed, " before I would bo tried for any thing great by such a looking set of fellows as that 1"
Tills was uttered in a whisper so 3oad that the sheriff, who was at the further end of the room, near the judge, came along and. said to us, " You disturb the court, gen tlemen I Please retire out there and. take a seat," pointing to the scat by the wall.
"Look hero, Capt.!" said Capt. F. to the officer, with a peering look, and a thrust of his fnigor towarda the face of the sheriff, " I'll tell you what I will do: I will give yon fifty dollars for a true daguerreotype of your jury there!" The officer laughed, and returned to his Beat, while Dr. "W. and myself started suddenly for the outside, where a hearty laugh would nob disturb the court.
I visited a court in L., in March, 1853. Two men were on the jury by the name of Smith -- George and Joseph. They were brothers. George Smith was a temperance man--- a rare specimen in that locality--but "Joe" was a notorious drunkard. One of the lawyers said to the judge in the morning that Joe Smith was too drunk to perform the duties of a juror, and another must be called to take his place.
" Very well, I will take care of that," replied tlio judge.
The judge calls the names of the jurors, in some of

200

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY,

the Southern courts, instead of their "bc'ing called by tho clerk, ay in the conns of Sew England. Xow George Smith had agreed wiUi Joe to help him into live court house,, and JOG was not to attempt to speak when, tlio Hidive called his name,-- as he -was orvo of Ihc-t-c nui'ortnuate inebriates who cannot speak distinctly when "in toxicated,-- "bat George wa^ to answer for him. with the hope that the judge would not .suspect that Joe was not responding himself. "When the judge came to the name of Smith, he repeated, in. a low, respectful voice,
George Smith ! " "Here, sii'/' responded G-eorp:e Smith, modestly. "Joe fS-mithf" vociferated the judge, la a thrilling tone, as if preparing' for a stern rebuke. "Here, sir," answered his proxy, George, in a firm voice. "Joe Smith" said the jud<re, "I understand that you are drunk, and are not fit to be in the scats with tho jury to-day, flow is it ? '' t( '1*is a lie, sir !''' answered G-eor&'e, quickly, with an oath. "1 haven't drunk a drop to-day!" " Oh, 'tis a mistake, I suppose/' said the judg-e, not noticing- that Joe did not .speak for hmiself. 'I pre sume it is a mistake, sir, and I hope you will excuse mef Mr. Smith ! " Joe Smith retained his .seat with the other jurors, and an indictment against a Mr. W,. for nn assault with in tent to kill, was called up for Uial. The evidence was soon "all out/' from which it appeared that Mr, AY. had for some time a standing quarrel with a neighbor of his.

SOUTHERN JUIUSPJftUDENCE.

201

and. that during the light which had brought him into coiu'tj ho had knocked, Ms neighbor down and cut liis threat, though the wound did not prove fatal.
Tlio counsel for the accused pleaded in justification that his client was provoked to the deed by the com plainant, by insulting and abusive language.
e~ And now"; gentlemen of the jury/' he said, " I ptit the question, to you, as honorable, high minded men, if such a rascal as this complainant had come up to you, as be did. to my client, and called yon all sorts of iiisuit ing names and opprobrious epithets, wo-idd you -not have knocked fiint, down ? "
" Yes / yes / '' responded the jury, all around. Satisfied with what I had seen, I went on my way, without waiting- for the case to be submitted to them by the judge. A citizen of Tennessee removed to Georgia, and pur chased one hundred acres of land near the residence of a wealthy slaveholder, lie fenced in his little farm, which was surrounded on all sides by the lands of the slaveholders; and he worked in his Acid himself, and his sons with him.. Tims a free labor system was estabIIshed, in the midst of slaveholders, for this man owned no slaves. The rich planter who was his neighbor, soon found, out that he was setting a dangerous example. A work ing free man, who sympathized with slaves, who took the liberty to talk with them and ask them if they had enongh to ent, and if not, would give them com from his own crib, affording them lit tie comforts, and exprc

203

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

ing grief for their afflict ions, could not bo endured. The slaveholder became deeply enraged, and watched long for au opportunity to bring some charge against him, tliai would take- away liis property and drive him out of the place. At length this poor many wife was taken, sick with a fever, and the neighborhood physician wag called.
The slaveholder now conceived a plan to banish his obnoxious neighbor. ITc went to tlic physician, Di\ H., and persuaded him to charge tho husband of the sick woman several hundred dollars for each visit he should make during the course of that fever, -- the common con gestive fever of the climate, which tianally lasts from seven to ten days. Dr. II. ia this way made up a bill of some thirty-Jive huudrcd dollars. Payment was re fused, and Dr. li. sncd tho account. The case went to the jury -- sucn a jury as the slaveholders had succeeded in packing -- and their verdict was for tho whole amount. TIio defendant was obliged, to give up his farm to pay it. and leave his homo, penniless, a victim of an institu tion that makes courts and juries the instruments of its purposes.
Tho above facts arc stated on the authority of two native Georgians, who resided in the same county with the parties, and one of them, a worthy pastor of an evangelical church, attended tho court.

XVIII.
SLAVERY HARDENS THE HEART.
"That face of hist, the hungry cannibal;! Would nut have touelicd, would not have stained "With blood; -- But you ore more mliunuin, more inexorable?, Oh ! tea times more than tigers of Hyrcania.'*
PERHAPS the darkest feature, after all, in the system of slavery, is its influence upon, the slaveholder, and. up on all who become familiar with it. Its sore tendency to harden the heart, to dry u[> all the fountains of human. sympathy, to make one callous to the wrongs and tlio woes of Oiose around him. is stamped upon tlio very sur face of society throughout the South. One can hardly spend a day there -- unless in the luxury of &OTIIO slave holder s hospitality he forgets every thing but his own present ease -- without being forced to exclaim.
"There is no flc^h in man's obdurate heart, -- It does not feui fur man."
And yet slaveholders UieniHolvcs are hardly conscious of this. If they arc natives of the South, the}- have <?_!-

204
ways been trained t.o witness tlie cruellies incident to the sl:'.vc system, and they seem to liavc no conception of any better state of society. If they are emigrants IVcm U>e North, so gradually has the system gained its control over them, --winding its fatal cords arormd tlieir hearts, deadening their sensibilities, and familiarr/ing them to deeds of wrong, and erica of distress, -- that they are unconscious of its influence. Northern men who become slaveholders-- who once, like Ilnxael, would have been indignant if aome prophet had foretold their deeds -- arc quite as likely to become cruel masters as those who have been brought up in ths slave States.
Sometimes the Xorthern mind is shocked by an account of some horrid transaction iu the South, in which the actors seem more like devils than like men. The story seams so incredible that those who are determined to maintain a good opinion of slaveholders affect to disbe lieve it; --while others doubt it not, because they know that often, where slavery exists,
And yet these tiir.js a,io not do.-bted or denied in the South. On tie coQt.-u--tlioj arc related with a non chalance and an indifference that are surprising. The slaveholders seem to glory in their shame.
An illustration of this may lie seen in ilie recent burn ing of a slave in Sumi.s1.er county, Alabama, and the manner in which the slaveholders -- even those who do not justify it -- relate the facts. "Dave," a slave of James D. Thornton, accused of the murder of the

SLAVERY HARDENS THE HEART.

205

daughter of his mistress, was arrested, and confessed his guilt. Mr. Thornton and. his friends assemble rL to tho number of one liandred men, well urined? got into the jail by a stratagem, seized, ths slave, and bore him off 5n triumph. What followed,, I will give in the language of the Sum-pter Whig :
" They Itft in high, glee IGU/I tlie prisoner, whom they felicitated themselves they had captured, by a cowp d'etai, and without a resort to the formidable weapons with which they were armed.
" Jost before leaving, Home ono in the crowd extended an invitation to the Sheriff and the good people of Liv ings ton to appear near the residence of James %). Thornton, (the place of the horrid murder,,) at 1 o'clock P. M., on Friday following, to witness the bnming of the mur derer. Injustice to our Sheriff, we will state hero, that he and one of his deputies had gone to Wetumpka, to carry Robinson to tho penitentiary, who had been sen tenced at our last Circuit Court. Indeed, if he had been at homo on the occasion, he could not have arrested this unlawful procedure; for tho rescue was effected so quick, and with so little noise, that many of our citizens living immediately on the square knew nothing of this affair until next morning. Two of the Sheriff's deputies afterwards demanded the prisoner, and remonstrated against this proceeding, but it was? like talking to the winds. Some of our citizens, who wont down at the ap pointed place to witness tho burning of the murderer, have related to us that the negro was tied to a stake, "with fat light wood piled around him, and that the torch
18

206

INSIDE VIEW OP

was applied in the presence of two thousand persons, who lutd met there to -witness the novel scene. The ru mors which got afloat; that tlie negro was tortured, arc entirely untrue."
Not long before I visited Georgia iliero was a tragedy very much like this in that Stale, though the details were more shocking. I visited tlie place where it occurred, and heard it repeated by different persons,-- though the story was related to mo in. all its particulars, as I give it hero, by 3Irs. A., tlio wife of a slaveholder, who was compelled by her husband to witness the scene. She was an intelligent, Christian, lady. -- a native of Augusta, in that State. Like very many Southern women, she was opposed to slavery, and sympathized with the slaves in their sufferings, -- aud for this reason her harsh, nilfeeling husband required her to go with him to sec the terrible deed.
A punismeiit had been inflicted upon this slave by his mistress, which I will not name, or describe. In revenge for it lie seized a hatchet, and struck her twice upon the licafl, inflicting wormdji that lie supposed would cause instaiit death, -- though she afterwards recovered. If there were any possible justification of the law of retal iation -- if revenge ever could bo right -- he would have been justified in taking the life of Ins mistress. Had ho not been a slave, public sentiment would have pronounced him guiltless. So he felt. Instead of trying to escape, he ran immediately to the court house -- where the court was then in session -- told the officers what he had done, and expressed. Lis willingness to suffer the penalty.

SLAVERY IIAKDENS THE HEART,,

207

of the law. Thai, like those who tako Tiro without any excuse, lie -would, in due course of law, suffer tipoii the gallows, was what ho anticipated. He wished not to avoid the doom. He desired not to live.
But the slaveholders in tliat region decided that lie should suffer a different fato. They determined that ho should bo burned alive ! And they offered him up -- a sacrifice -- upon the bloody altar of slavery !
They raised money, by subscription, to pay his mis tress for her loss. Several persons admitted to me that they contributed for that purpose. The slave was given up to tlicnij and for five days lie received fifty lashes each day, upon his naked, back, with the heavy " cotton planter's whip." So was his Ileavcnly Master scourged before his cruel death I
The appointed day,--which some said "was Saturday, others Monday, but which, my informant said was the Sabbath, -- at length arrived, and the multitude assem bled. There is a sparse population in that and the adJoining counties, -- not over five thousand within a space of thirty miles square;--and yet the number present was variously estimated at from ten to fifteen thousand. All the slaves 5ri all that region were compelled to at tend. The slave who was to be executed was the hus band of a young1 wife, and the father of two little daugh ters, who were also forced to bo present! The victim was led. out from the j>lace of his confinement to an oak tree, near the court house, where he was surrounded by a vast crowd of beholders, clamoring fo;* i:l e coii^uminiJ fire 3 The single garment he had 011 "was trJ-'CJi r-i\ a cord

208

INSIDE TIEW OP SLAVERY.

was fastened to the hands, and thus naked, he was drawn up several feet from the earth, and hung suspended upon a largo limb.
A slow fire, made of hard pine shavings, was then kindled beneath him. At fU-st Ihu pmoko arose and en veloped liim, and then tlvo clear, bright flames qiiickly a^cciitledj coiling about the limbs, encircling the body, scorching the nerves, crisping the fibres, charring the ficsh, -- and, in mortal anguish, he wag, (to nso the lady's own language,) " sweating, as it were, great drops of blood / :J But, before life was entirely extinguished,
when he was in the last convulsive agonies of death, the executioners applied their knives, which they had pre pared, fastened upon poles, cutting open the thorax and abdomen I Then, one of the fiends thrust in a houk, pre pared in like manner, and dragged out the heart I An other tore out the Ever I A third wrenched out iho lungs ! And with those vital organs, elevated above their heads on tho poles, they ran through the crowd screaming, " So shall it bo done to the slave that 'mur ders his mistress ! "
Then, tho heart was thrown upon tho ground -- and tho crowd rushed over it, forward and backward, stamp ing upon it) crushing out the life blood, treading it in the dust* Then, in like manner, the hrngs, and the liver were disposed of, amid tho deafening shouts of the savago throng. "Such a fiendish, devilish yell," said my informant, "was never heard this side of Satan's king dom I"
I know that this story is too shocking, almost, for"

SLATEUT IIAU-DENS TJfE HEART.

209

belief, And yet, after careful inquiry, on the very ground whore it transpired, I 'was fully satisfied of its truth. Without any coloring of my own, i: I tell it as it wa told to me- " by one who was an unwilling witness of it all. How terrible the lesson it teaches of tho .influence of slavery upon those who are connected with it!
" The slaves/' says the Kentucky Synod of the Fresbyteriaii church, " suffer all that can. be inflicted upon them by -insane anger." There is much meaning in this expression. To fully understand the influence of slavery on the slaveholder, \ve must sco Mm at home -- see how excitable, how changeful, how impulsive, how irritable h.e is.
I never met an individual who seemed to abhor slavery more profoundly, than Mrs. A., -- the lady whom I have already mentioned. Nor did I become acquainted with any slaveholder who hated tho anti-slavery cause more deeply than her proud, but generous, and high-spirited husband, I passed several days with that family. As soon as 3frs. A. ascertained rrjy views of slavery, slio freely told me her own bitter experience.
" Slavery destroys tho temper of every body connect ed with it," said this lady. " Slaveholders' children, in stead of being taught to govern their tempers, are en couraged to indulge their passions; and, thus educated, they become the slaves of passion. Those masters who arc the most kind and benevolent when free from the in fluence of anger, often become the most cruel and mer ciless when under its control."
This fact was forcibly exemplified in that family. I

210
was riding in tho stage one day in company witlx Mr. A. While passing a slave hut, which was a few rods from the road, 3Ir. A. requested the driver to stop a few min utes. As ho was descending from tho carriage, I saw Iiim put a five dollar note in his vest pocket. He ran towards the hut, but before ha reached it, an old, grey headed iiegress came out and walked rapidly to meet him. When they met, ho threw bis arms around her neck, and kissed her, -- and she locked her arms about his neck, and kissed Urn 1 They talked together a few minute?, when he gave nor tho five dollar bill, and hast ened back to llio coach. Tho good, old; black slave mother followed after him, invoking tho blessings of I_~i CtiYGn upon liini.
" I suppose you think," snid Mr. A. to me, laughing, as ho was resuming his scat in the coach, "that yon have Boon something strange this time, sir? "
"Ido,indeed,"!replied; andladdcd,playfully, -- Imt I hare often heard of such things among slaveholders."
" Let mo explain, sir," said 31 r. A. The manifesta tion of attachment you have witnessed between that good woman and myself, is rcallj the affection between a par ent and child. Not that I am her son. But my own mother was an unnatural mother. She used to whip mo terribly, and she treated mo with great cruelty in every respect. This slave mother nursed me when I was an infant; and whenever she saw my own mother abuse me, she would take mo up in her arms, and carry mo away to her little hut, to soothe me, and caress me. I soon loved nor more than 1 did my own mother. 1 have always

SLAVERY HARDENS THE HEART.

211

continued to love her better than my own mother ! And she says that I Iiavc always treated her so kindly, and affectionately, that she lores me as much as she docs either of her own sons. Slie says she means to kiss me every time we meek as long as she lives, unless I forbid it; and. I tell yon, sir, that I shall never have it in my heart to do so; for I know I shall want to kins her every time I see her, as long as she lives."
A few days afterwards, I mentioned Ihis occurrence to Mrs. A., and expressed my surprise to see such signs of affection between her husband and that old slave.
** You. may be assured," remarked the lady, with evident delight at the fact, "that there was nothing feigned in that matter. I know my husband loves that good woman truly, and that she merits it justly. I have been with him many a time to see her, and he always gives her money and other presents. She will never suffer for any comfort while he lives. She is kindly treated where she is, and she has her kindred about her."
" But these slaveholders are strange men 1" she added, mournfully -- " so kind one moment -- so cruel the next. Ton would infer that my husband, judging only from what you have seen, is one of the best hearted men in the world, -- and that he would never treat a slave cruelly, would you not, sir ? "
" Most certainly," I replied. " Is he not so ? " "Very tender hearted and benevolent; indulgent to a faulty sir, except when hia anger is excited. J3ut then, he seems to be beaide himself, he is so cruel and merci less. His passions ran away with him. They were ncv-

212

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

er restrained whi.Ie lie "was young, mid now they con trol Jiim. I will allow you. the proof of his inhumanity When in a passion.
She culled an, from the kitchen, an old slave girl by the name of ' Sylra." She was so old that she recol lected scene a in the Revolutionary -war. She was the Cook for Mr. A.'s father, had. "been for his grandfather before him, and was still the cook in the family of the third generation.
"Take off your shoes, Sylva/' said Mrs. A., "and lot this gentleman see your feet."
" I don't want to," said Sylva. " But I want you to/' said her mistress. "I don't care if you do," replied Sylva, sullenly.
" "You must" said the mistress, firmly.
The fear of punishment impelled, her to remove the shoes. Four goes on one foot; and Ztco on the other, wore wanting!
"There !" said the mistress; "my husband, who learned the blacksmith's trade for the purpose of teaching it to liia slaves, to increase 1hcir market value, has, with his own hands, pounded off, and wrung off all those toes, .v-hen insane with passion. And it was only last week
.t ho thought 8ylva was sancy to me, and he gave her t*..-rty lashes with the horse whip. She was so old that I could not bear to see it, and I left the house."
"Sylva sayp," Mrs. A. continued, " that she has been t?iO mother of thirteen childrcu, every ono of whom she
jstroyed with her own hands, in their infancy, rather Uaii have them suffer in slavery I "

SLAVERY HARDENS TIIE HEART.

213

It so happened, that before the day passed, I had an opportunity to see the effects of the system upon the temper of Mrs. A. herself. I had a temperance lecture announced at the Tillage, two miles distant, at six o'clock that evening. Sylva- was the only cook, at that time, in the kitchen. A little past four o'clock, Mrs. A. stepped to the door and told her that 1 was going to the village at sunset, and wanted an early supper. But Sylva was " sulky,'' after the talk about her toes had opened her wounds afresh, and she did not feel disposed to gratify her mistress. Mrs. A. continued to caJl to her more frequently, and more earnestly, until the time drew near for me to leave. I began to suspect that the cook was intending to disappoint us. and, at a quarter before six, I said to the lady,--
" 1 think I will prefer to go down to tho lecture, mad am, and take supper al'tcr I return."
li O that will be too bad," replied Mrs. A. "You will be famished and exhausted."
She went to the door again, and in a nervous, earnest, impatient tone, she said --
" Sylva ! Wont the cake do to bring in now? " " Not quite done yet, mistress ! I'll bring it in by and by,"'--was the provoking reply. And now, even this amiable lady, with all her dignity and self respect, lost the control, of her temper, and screamed out at the top of her voice -- " I sometimes wish thunder and lightning would come down that chimney, and seo if that would not stir you up a littlo ! "

214 "

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

I laughed immoderately. Mrs. A. turned towards me, clenched hot: hands, the tears rolling' down her cheeks, --
" O doai-! " she exclaimed, " you don't know "what prov ocations we have !"
" Yes I do know, madam! for I have seen them," I replied; "and I have wondered at your patience,"
"So you sec, now, it is aw I told you," said 3Irs- A., sadly. "Slavery ruins the temper of everybody connect ed with it."
" The slaveholder's wife and daughters suffer most," she continued, after becoming' composed, " and if the women of the Xorlli only knew what we arc compelled to sufferj they woidd all be Airs. Stowcs."
"If the women of Georgia had the privilege of de ciding Die question of slavery/' said Mrs. A. to me, at another time, " I am certain that it would not live until sun.set."
" Yet I suppose, madam/' said I, " that few of them would dare publicly express their hatred of the sys tem ? "
" By no means, sir," she answered quickly, il for we scarcely venture to speak om* thoughts, even to our hus bands."
She then spoke of the poverty and wretchedness of the poor white people in the South.
" Arc the whites so poor and destitute that they fre quently suffer from, hunger?" 1 inquired.
"No one lias any idea," she replied, " of the poverty of this class; and nobody seems to care for them."
"I have always hcar'd/' said I, -'that slaveholders arc.

SLAVERY IIAHDEXS THE HEART.

215

proverbially benevolent and hospitable, even to stran gers j and therefore I supposed that they would not let their neighbors suffer from any want in their power to supply."
" They are hospitable to each other, and to strangers," said Mrs. A. "But the poor at their own doors, if not slaveholders, are left unnoticed, and uncared for."
The prevailing habit of mtcmpci/ancc in the South is another source of much cruel treatment. Men whose passions, oven when they arc sober, are ever ready to kindle to a name, are like maniacs, when intoxicated. And slaveholders, as a class, are addicted to the excess ive use of Intoxicating liqi,.ors.
A slaveholder by the name of Austin -- a very kind man when he was sober --when, in a drunken fit, killed a favorite slave- by the name of''Alexander."
When intoxicated, every object had, to Ms view, an Illusory aspect. lie would, fancy, at such time 3, that hi a children were not his own. And his neighbors' slaves, in his diseased imagination, took the places of his own. This state of mind is peculiar to a certain class of ine briates.
His neighbor TV. owned a slave boy, "Joe," who was very vicious. Austin had notified Joe's master to keep him at home, but lie neglected to do it. Joe afterwards committed a crime on. Austin's plantation. Austin went to the master, and informed him of it, -- and he told him that if ho ever again found that slave on Ms prem ises he would shoot him. In a short time after this Austin came home from the tavern intoxicated. And

216

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVttKY.

seeing bis own 'faithful slave, "Alexander/' coming in at his gate, he thought it way the culprit, ' Joe," whom he had banished from his premises.
' JOG/' exclaimed Austin, "what are you in here for again, you scoundrel?"
i; lt Is not Joe, master," replied Alexander, "it is I. JJo-n't you know 'AHck,' master?"
(l I know Aliek ; he 's a good boy," paid Austin ; " and J know you; J'oo ! you black villain ! "
" Look here, master Austin ! strange you t! on't IUIOY/"-- "Didn't I tell you I would kill yon if I found you hi Lore a^ain?" persisted Austin: -- and he ran towards tUo slave, staggering; as he went, and drawing- Jus long knife. The slave not daring to resist, ned to his cabin. The master pursued, mailed in, aiirl commonceel cultic.p; liim witJi the knife., until Alexander, to save his life, wrencliod it from his hand. Austin then went to his house, seized his gun? and returning to Alexander's cab in, shot Mm 1 I came from Darien up to Savannah on Friday, in the ppring of 1853, and took lodgings at my former home, the "Alarshall House. On Saturday I walked about the city -- renewing old acquaintances -- visiting the mark et, ihe post-o0k:e; tho reading rooms, stores, commission houses, &c.j --but I received no intimation that a mur der had been committed in that city a day or two pre vious. At the Marshall House I found many of the old boarders with whom I was acquainted. I attended church with them, tho next Sabbath,---tut 1 heard no one speak of any murder. On Monday morning I step-

SLAVEHT HARDENS THE HEART.

21?

ped. into the oFG.cc of a gentleman, of high standing, who went from Massachusetts, and lio gave me a cordial greet ing.
"I suppose/' remarked my friend, "that you have heard, of th.e murder of ' Cuifee," by Wilson?-1 '
"I have not, sir," said I. " Why I When did you come into the city ? " " Last Friday." -Well, where have you beon ii\ the mean time, that you Iiavc not heard, of that terrible murder ? " I informed him of my facilities to obtain news -- stat ing where I had becu and whom I had seen. " Now tins is astonisliiujA,'' said my friend, u that a man can "be killed in one of our public streets., in broad day light, and the fact not be knowr. wt the market, or the reading rooms, or the hotels '. " " Don't- your papers publish such accounts ?" I in quired. " No sir. I looked in the, dfnly papers Friday an3 Hatiit'day, and I was surprised to sec no mention of it there.''
'' Can you give me the facts, sir ? " said I. " O, yes," replied the merchairi,, promptly. And he added, "1 suppose you know \Vilso3i? '' "J. do not, sir. I liavo merely seen him,--but liave no acquaintance with him." "Did you know Cuneo?" he asked, " I did not." " Cuffce was ahoi!r>e caiTenti3 :1 , a very smart, mgcmoup industrioas workman. He hired his time of his master,
19

213
for which ho paid Lira two hundred and seventy-five dolkrs a j-ear. .lie did job-work, and by constant, hard iaber, could cam a little more than the amount paid his master, and thus have the means of affording a few com forts to his wife and family, v.-hich they would not other wise enjoy. "You BOO that window, sir ! "--pointing to a large window in }iiu office. -- CalToe put in that window a few days since. lie made the sash, and the frame, and put up those neat litUo fixtures yon see at the sides."
"About six months &*(>, omiinued Air. ------. " CnfTeo did some work for Wit-on which was worth at least ten dollars. lie waited scr.io time for his pay, but Wilson neglected it. Cu.Teo asked him two or three times lor it, and "SYiisoii refused as often lo pay him. Last week Cnfiee met him in the street and demanded payment.
'I hare been sick lately, Air. Wilson,' said Cnfiec, 'and I have not collected quite enough to pay the amount duo to my master; and if you ever intend to pay me for the work i did for you I will thank you to do it now."
'The work was not haif done/ replied Wilson; 'and I thought I shouldn't pay you any thing for it.'
Two gentlemen were Btaudiug on the side-walk, who saw and heard il all.
'Well,' said Cufiee, ' remember that I shall never aak you for it again, so you will decide it finally this time.'
Wilson took a half dollar from Ids pocket, and held it ont towards Cuffoe, in his open hand.
Is that all you mean to pay me, Sir. Wilson?' ex-
' Yes/replied Wilson, angriiy,-- 'take that, or no thing.'

SLAVERY HARDENS THE IIEA11T.

219

* Why Mr. Wilson 1 that is not naif as imicli as I paid a boy who helped mo do the job.'
c I don't care for that/ said Wilson j ' that is all I shall pay you.'
( Mr. Wilson/ said Cuffoc, much excited, ' if we were a little nearer the river, I would throw this half dollar into it, just to let you know that I can livo "without it; and that I despise your meanness and dishonesty.'
Now it does not answer for a slave to call a slavehold er mean and dishonest. No matter how mean and dis honest he may be, the slave must not remind him of it. Wilson commenced beating, kicking, and cursing the slave. The spectators did not interfere --perhaps they dared not provoke the murderer's wrath. Cuft'ee was able to defend himself, if public opinion would have sus tained him; -- he could have run from the assassin, but he feared the bullet would overtake 3um.
The blows continued to fall upon him so thick and heavy,, that, under a consciousness of his innocence, hav ing more moral courage than if he had not been making his own contracts, and thinking, probably, that he could fall back on his kind master for protection, he straight ened himself up, stepped hack, stretched out liis stalwart arm, and exclaimed --
' I tell you now, Mr. Wilson, that if I "was not a slave, I would not endure such treatment as this from you for a moment!'
J3chold /iMn lift/in^ his hrntd a.gai'iist a white incti't ! Unpardonable ojj'ense I Aity man m-ay kill hinit

220

F^-.r VIL-W OF SLAVERY.

impunity f

" -. ,..-.-<-.*- i,] s double oarrelied pistol,

and shot tlie noble hearted slave dead 011 the spot!

The Supreme Court was la session in that city at tho

time. CmTee's master felt indignant that his faithful

servant had been stricken down under such circumstan

ces, and he entered a complaint against Wilson for tho

murder. But on receiving a thousand dollars as a com

pensation for his value, lie abandoned the prosecution;

and the murderer still goes abroad, unpunished !

While I was in Georgia a shocking murder was com

mitted in Clark county. The following account of it is

from the Savanna?!, Morning- Ncivs, of the 26th of Jan

uary, 1853.

" On Thursday last, James Clark, a well known citi

zen of Clark county, made an assault upon his negro

woman, for a cause which we have not heard stated. He

then ordered her into the corner, and commenced pitch

ing his knife at her, point foremost. As the knife would

enter her flesh, he would compel the victim to draw it

out, and rotum it to Mm. This demoniacal amusement

was continued until tho slave was covered with about

fifty bleeding gashes. The same clay lie whipped his

wife, cut her all over the head with hi;-; knife, not dan

gerously, wo understand, but in a mass of cruel and

painful punctures. He also cut off her eyelids. This

drama wound up, on Friday last, by the commission of

a murder. Clark on that day ordered his wife to go

and call Lewis, (a negro belonging' to the family.) SIio

obeyed, -- but the slave refused to come, through dread

SLAVERY HARDENS THE HEART.

221

of liis enraged master, we suppose. Mrs. Clark re turned, and was whipped by her husband, for not bring ing the negro ! Five times was she sent upon this ca pricious mission, five times was it fruitless, and each time was she whipped for her failure. Clark then called to the slave, informing him that he would shoot him the next morning. The negro, it seems, did not heed the warning, for while splitting rails the next day, ho was deliberately shot by his master. The wound was fatal j the negro ran about three hundred yards, and fell in mortal agony. Tims terminated one of the most bar barous transactions that it has ever been our painful and repugnant duty to record."
One day while conversing with Mr. C., the city mar shal of Darien, upon matters of this kind, ho related to me the following thrilling story. The facts were within his own personal knowledge.
Charles Pclob owned a slave -- i! C&to," --the best pilot in that port. Every shipmaster who visited Darien, felt peri'cctly safe in entering the harbor, however thick tlie fog, or violent the storm, if Cato was at the helm. He was remarkably intelligent, and faithful; and of course he was valuable to his master for that reason. Everybody knew him, and had perfect confidence in him. His master owned no other slave, -- and lie indulged Cato, giving him privileges which were not granted to other slaves. Though it was not allowed by law, Cato was permitted to take a gun, and go out among the islands in. pursuit of game. His services as pilot were often in demand, at a high price, -- so that lie almost or quite supported Ins master's family.

222

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

Gate's family belonged to a master residing in that city, who neglected properly to supply their wants. lie was, thercibre, generously permitted to visit them often, carry them food, and clothing, and take care of them in sickness.
It so happened that Mr. Pclot wold his property in Daricn, with the intention of removing to Jacksonville, in Florida. Slaveholders never consult their slaves in business matters, 110 matter how intelligent they may "be. Cato, therefore, remained in ignorance of his master's pur-nose, until the evening before he was expecting to leave tlio city.
Sir. C. told me that lie happened to foe present when Cato'a raaslci1 informed him of his contemplated re moval.
" Cato ! " said he, " I have sold, my property here, and am going down to Jacksonville."
" When are yon going, master ?" inquired the slave, his voice trembling, as if all the fears of a lifetime were crowding upon him. in this single moment.
"I am going to-morrow," replied Mr. P. " Do you want me to go with you, master ? " inquired the already wretched slave. -" Yes, Cato ! " said, the master. " You know I depend upon your labor for the support of ray family. I want you for a pilot at Jacksonville." "Are you going to buy my wife and children; mas ter ? " Cato's emotions were so strong, and his anxiety so in tense, that he could hardly ask the question. A moment of awful silence passed -- the master could not speak,

SLAVERY HARDENS THE HEART.

223

and the slave, as if encouraged "by his delay to reply, added --
"Now if you will buy jMelly and the children, master Pelot, I should like to go with you j for you have always been good to me? and I don't want to leave you! "
" I. wish for your sake, Cato. that I could buy Nelly and the little girls, -- but I am not able," replied Felot} sadly, and with evident sorrow of heart for the wretch ed family.
" Well, then. I can't go with you, master," said Cato. "You must go, Cato," replied the master; "yon arc all my dependence for a living." " I tell you I can't go, master, and leave my wife and children in the hands of that man ! You know, master I " said Cato, pointing- towards the defenceless hut where his unprotected family lived. "I do know, Cato," said the sympathizing master, "and I pity you! But I cannot buy your family, and I cannot part with you. "you. must be ready to start with, us in the morning," -- The slave folded his arms upon his breast, raised his eyes to Heaven, as if imploring Divine assistance, and then lie said to his master1, firmly.-- "You. have always been kind to me; i: ~ter Pelot. I love you, and would like to go with you, -- but I will nev er go away from Darien, and leave my wife and children in the hands of that mnn ! I have resolved to die first! " This seeming defiance of lii-j authority enraged the master, and anger took the place of pity. "You will go with me, to-morrow morning!" lie ex claimed.

224

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

Cato loaded Ms old rusty rifle, and fled that night to fho woods. In the morning, Mf. O., the city marshal, was ordered to pursue him.. Ho told me that ho kept hounds for that purpose. He went out behind the court house,-----which stands outside of the city, near the pine woods, -- and Cato called to him. from the top of a tree --
"Don't you come to take me, Mr. C. ! Yon know I told master Pelot that I would die before I would leave Darien, and let my wife and children suffer as they would- I knew it was no use to run away, for the dogs would catch me ; and I don't want to hurt you, Mr. C.; but I will shoot the first man that comes to take ine ! "
Mr. C. returned, and told. Pclol that ho would have nothing to do with taking Cato, -- not even if he should be removed from his office for ihiy decision. But there were two desperados in that city, who volunteered to go and take hirn. The name of ouo of them was Sam. Blunt.
" Bring; him in? dead or alive 1" said Pelot, when they started.
Blunt had a longer ride than Cato had. The two man-hunters went out around the court house, when Ca to admonished them, of their danger if they advanced farther. Blunt raised his rifle, and fired! Cato fell to the ground. They took him up, -- but he was dead !!!
B. S-, of F. PI., in South Carolina, owned a giant slave whose name was Dread. This slave was represented to

SLAVERY HARDENS THE HEAHT.

225

me by one of the neighbors as a man of superior strcriglli, both of body and niiad, being nearly seven feet in height. There were forty slaves at work on the plantation of B. S., before Oread was added to the number; and this name was gi"en him by the new master on account of "his uncommon pbrriicJil strength.
The next year .Dread, was made overseer of Ihe gang, and the management of Ihe plantation was wholly left to his care. The farm was well conducted under Iiia supervision, and every thing went on smooliiiy and pros perously for several years. The task of every hand was always well and. seasonably performed, without whipping. If a feeble woman was sick, or unable to accomplish her task aloiic, her husband or brother was allowed, to assist Iior. Or if a woafc; feeble man could not keep up with the gang, his friend was permitted to help him. This is a, privilego not customaiily granted to slaves.
The fields of B. S. were now so much more produc tive than those of others around him; that the neighbor ing planters frequently sought advice oC his colored overseer, in relation to the management of their farms; thus deferring; to his opinion, and admitting that he pos sessed more practical knowledge of agricultural matters than either themselves or their white overseers.
A gentleman, well acquainted with Dread, told me that he regarded him not only as much the stoutest, but tue moat intellectual man he ever saw.
"Dread had the largest head/' he remarked, "I have over secii,---and I have seen Daniel Webster; and his

226

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY,

natural abilities were not inferior to those of that states man/'
Placed in a condition less humble than most slaves, ho had never appeared so menial and timid. He felt and acted more like a free man. He clid not always take off his cap and put it under his arm whenever ho met a white man in the street, or entered his dwelling.
It was natural that the white overseers on the sur rounding plantations should be jealous of his success. And soon it began to be whispered around the neighbor hood that, if Dread were so disposed, he might become a leader in an insurrection.
The slaveholders held a conference, and decided that it was necessary for B. S, to make an experiment that would test the manhood of the giant slave, and ascer tain whether he could be made as submissive as all slaves should be made, to insure the safety of the mas ters. Among the plans that were suggested to B. S., one was to obtain another overseer, and put Dread to work under him in the gang; and if ho expressed the least objection to the change, to whip him severely, and " break him in"
A large, tall, stout Yankee was secured for a driver, and Dread was ordered to take his boe, and perform his task with the other hands. Without expressing the least surprise or regret at the loss of his place, or even presuming to inquire why lie was to be no longer over seer, he went to work with as much apparent cheerful ness as usual.
This was so unexpected, that the masters were greatly

SLAVERY HARDENS THE HEART

22?

perplexed. They could really find no fault in tlio slave on winch to predicate a cliargo anl inflict n, puiiiihrnont. His noble, fearless bearing and stalely step, were unluistak cable signs tliat lie felt altogether loo manly and independent for alvnmble slave; but how to devolopc iiis feelings and prove tlio fact, was the difficult question. Tliere was no tiling in his character or conduct that de served the slightest reproof, much less a, punishment sufficiently severe io crush L'is nianliood and bi-cak 3ns invincible spirit. Still all agreed that something imist bo doj3e.
'^ in ally 7 they ^oncJudedto prefer false charges against him, and punish, him if he complained of suijering -wrong fully. The master treated him "with unusual severity. One, among numerous complaints brought against him, was that he did not hoc Ins corn so well as tiie other hands. To remove tills, Dread performed a double task,-- liocing two I-OAYS to each of the others one. Tom, who hoed next to Dread ? told nie that Dread rensovecl every Treed, hoed it as neat as a garden, deter mined to remove every cause for complaint ~, for he saw that a terrible storm was arising upon him.
Dread and Torn occupied the same hut aftci- the new overseer had come j and they had always been mutual iriecids'.
Master S.," said Tom, who related the story to me, "came into our hut one evening, soon after we had fiu^ islicd TS'Orkj looking so pale that he frig-litcned me ; and he said,
" ' Dread I I say you don/t hoe your corn so well as the other hands.'

228

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

'How do you know that; master 1 * "replied, the in trepid slave, rising up respectfully from bis low stool; and looking tho master calmly in tlio eye."
"Now I know/' said Tom, " that master S. had not been iuto the field that day. Nor had he seen the over seer, as liia quarters were beyond our hot, and further from, the house. Besides, had ho consulted the overseer, he would have been informed that, instead of not doing his work ' as well/ Dread had done his work better, and twice as much, ay cither of tbe other hands. But the moment ho questioned his master's knowledge, he had exceeded the prerogative of a slave, and this threw his master into a violent nt of auger."
* Ah I you have got above yourself, boy/ ho vocifera ted, raging and foaming with passion. ' I must have you taken down a notc/i! You shall be iiog'gecl, yon impu dent, black rascal!'
< I shall not rsccivfi ajiogging, sir ! ' " replied the in* dignant slave, firmly and fearlessly,"
li Mr. S. then ran out to tho overseer, and told him to call out all tho hands."
' Now take him and tie him/ " said Mr. 8., when tho whole gang had assembled in front of Dread's liut, and he was standing in the door. TItis," said Tom, " they attempted to do, in a scuffle which lasted nearly an hour; but they wore not able for a moment to confine one of his limbs; for with Ms hands and feet he dung them on the ground as fast as tlioy came near him. He evidently avoided injuring the slaves more than was absolutely

SLAVERY HARDENS THE HEAHT.

229

necessary, in defending himself; for he knew they all loved him."
Soon after this fruitless effort to subdue Dread, the master and overseer of another plantation were employed to come and help bind and wliip Iiim. In the mean time, Dread furnished himself with a long- butcher-knife, with which Lo felfc secure. When he saw them coming- into the field to take him, he dropped his hoe, drew the rndo weapon fi'om. his side, advanced a few steps towards them, and. "brandished tlio knife, as he stood in an atti tude of conscious innocence, moral conrapcc, physical strength, and bold defiance of his foes !
" No man/' said Tom, " dared lay a finger on Lira ! " Now a crisis had. conic.--A slave had successfully resisted Ms muster. This must not bo tolerated. Such an insurrectionary spirit must bo crushed -- cost what It may. The deadly purpose was formed in tlio heart of the master,, a The gun was loaded/' said Torn, a and I was ordered to take the ammunition, and accompany my master." '"What are you going- to do noio ?' " said Mrs. S. to her husband, as he was passing out of the house." f l am going out on a squirrel limit/ "replied Mr. &.} with apparent composure/"' " Had mistress known his intention to kill Dread," said Torn, "I think she would have dissuaded lii.ru from his bloody purpose, -- for she was a Christian woman, But we started off before she had time to say more. Passing around behind the house, we came in sight of
20

230

INSIDE TIEW OF SLAVERY.

the slaves at work in a plmu orchard, in the valley be hind the hill. Master raised his gun--held it steady to his eye, until the vie 1:1 m was 'selected from the other liands, ---- and then ho fired ! f '
A heavy charge- of "buck shot was lodged in the tlii^li of the great-hearted, unconquerable Dread. The large artery "was divided. The blood poured from, the wound. Dread ran out a few rods to the bill -side, crying to Heaven for vengeance on his murderer, and uttering, in deep, thunder tones, that seemed to make the earth trem ble bencai,b him,
I 'm killed 1 I 'm killed ! ! T 'm killed Ml" His devoted wife, who, a moment before, stood labor ing faithfully at his side, was the first to reach him, cry ing in a "wild, frantic voice -- " Dread is dead! DREAD is DEAD ! ! DREAD IS DEAD!!! ''Hold your tongue !" commanded the murderer. " Still she screamed," said Tom, (' louder than I ever before heard from woman--'Dread id dead! -- Dread Is dead 1' " The master ran up to the fence, pulled off a rail, and struck that woman with it on the head, repeating -- with a horrid oath ---- ' Hold your tongue, I say / ' " This is the "moderate correction" which the laws of the slave States allow! So docs slavery harden the heart, until the man is made -- not a brute, but -- a fiend ! So has many a moral hero in the South fallen a victim. to its cruclj insatiable spirit!

SLAVERY HARDENS THE HEART.

231

Tlio body of I>read was carried to its rest, b}' his rn.oiirTiii.it>' companions. Tlio darkness of rtiglit could not cover their sorrow. His heart-stricken wife? broken down with grief which 110 tongue can describe, was sold a few days afterwards to a " soul-driver " from Kentucky !

SIX.
SLAVERY AjSTD EDUCATION.
Lv the census report of 1 SCO tlio disastrous influences of slavery arc visible on almost every page. It is (rue tliat there are mauy features not to be i'ouiid ilierc. The relative amount of manufactures and of eojrsmerec have to be sought for from otiicr sources, mid, when found, show that the Scuih. will, far greater resources, 5 3 vastly inferior to the North. Snt the statistics of the
candid mind of the dangers that impend over our nation. From the general fact that the slave States, ivith much the larger territory, far surpassing the North in fertility of soil, ill mildness of climate, with abundance of har bors, and rivers, and waterfalls, for commerce, naviga tion, and manufactureSjhavenot half so great a free white population as the free States, down to the minutest details

SLAVERY AND EDUCATION.

233

of educational institutions, tlio premature decay of the one, and the rapid, growth and prosperity of the other, are written in lines that cannot be overlooked.
In the 15 free States, excluding California, there were 4,742,000 white children bet,we en 5 and 20 years of age. Of these, 3,111,000 were returned as scholars attending the various primary schools. In. the glare States the number of free white children between 5 and 20 years of ago was 2,450,000, and only 974,000 of these were reported as scholars attending any of the schools. There were more scholars in Massachusetts, than in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, There were move in Maine, than, in Virginia, South Carolina, and Mississippi. There were more in either two of {New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, than in all the slave States put together.
Convpu.uo Maine with Georgia and North Carolina. In 7kfa??te. the white population in 1850 was 58],SIS. Of these, 31,695 wore foreigners. The adult popula tion, over 20 years old, wa,s 293,422. OC those, orJy 6,282 were unable to read and write, and 4,148 of these were foreigners, only 2,134 bellig native bom.
In Georgia^ the free white population waa :'r.",572j of which only 8,452 wore foreigners. There wore 217,774 over 20 years old, of whom 41,667 were not, able to read or write; and only 406 of those were for eigners, 41,261 being native bom.
In North Carolina the free white population was 653,028, only 2,56a of whom were foreigners. The

234

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

number over 20 years old -was 241,022, of whom 80,423 could neiiher read nor write. And. of these only 340 were foreigners, 80,83 being native born.
Compare Massachusetts and Virginia. In Massaclviisetts tlie white population was 085,450. Foreign ers, 165.598. The number of adults over 20 years of age, 568,533. Of these, the number not able to read. and write was 28,345", of whom. 2G,484were foreigners, only 1,801 being native "born!
While in 'Virginia, the free "white population was 894,800, -with only 22,593 foreigners. The number over 20 years old was 413,418, of whom 88,520 could not read or write. And of these only 1,137 "were foreign ers, 87.383, being native born !
The nmTibev of do.ili/ newspapers returned, not incKitling the District of Columbia or California, was 245. Of these, 173 were published in the free States, and 72 In the slave States. The iiumbei* of "weekly newspapers was 1,888, -- in the North 1,351, in. the South 537 ! The number in MassacJnisctis was 12G, in Virginia 55. The number in New York was 308, and in Pennsyl vania- 261, being 32 more In these two States, than in all the slave States.
The annual income of the public schools in the thirty States, excluding California and the District of Colum bia, from taxation and all other sources, was S 9,561,859. Of this, $6,840,488 is put to the credit of the free States, and only $2,721,371 to the slave States. The amount in Massae-Jvusetis was $ 1,006,795, in Virginia,

SLAVERY AND EDUCATION.

235

$314,625. In New "York it wag $1,472,657, and In Pennsylvania $ 1,414,530, being- g 165,816 more in those two States than in all the slave States !!!
Before relotiug any of my own personal observations, I will allude to some of the reasons that have been given for this disparity between, the North and the South. It has been, said that they cannot sustain schools in the slave States, on account of the " sparscncss of the pop ulation. 7 ' But Maine stands ahead of every other Slate in the proportion of her children attending school, and only one other State equals it in the proportion of her population who can read and write. But there arc a less number of inhabitants to the square mile in this State than In Georgia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, or either of the Caroliuas. And a comparison of either of these States with Vermont or New Hampshire shows the same result.
And though, as I shall show, the sparsely settled dis tricts in the South are generally the most noted foi' the ignorance of the people, it is far otherwise in. the North. In the rural districts of New England, among the farm ers, the schools are uniformly the best, and the number of ignorant men less than in the cities and the large seaboard towns. I believe the conviction at the North is, that slaveholders themselves are generally educated; and that those who cannot read and write are found among the poor non-slaveholding whites and blacks. But it is not so. The non-slaveholders are Ignorant and degraded, but not more so than the Crackers. So far as I observed., the slaveholders in the planting districts

236

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

are quite as destitute of learning as the poor whites; and I have seen a private letter from a colporteur, in which he affirms that he traveled 20 miles in------ county, called on 21 families of slaveholders., and found only two---a man and his wife--- who could read.
The slave States are divided into counties only, and not into towns like the free States. Near the center of each county, usually, is the "county seat/' where are the court house, jail, church, and school. When other villages spring up, in other parts of the county, they receive adventitious names, until they add a few hundred inhabitants, to enable them to maintain a municipal gov ernment, and they then become cities. Some of these cities have less than five hundred inhabitants.
At most of the county seats, schools--called acade mies-- have been established. The standard of educa tion in these academics has always been far below that of the common schools in the New England States. I visited several academics, and in none of them were reading, writing, and arithmetic so thoroughly taught as they aro in the common schools of Maine and New Hampshire.
Within a few years the slaveholders themselves, es pecially those who went from, the North, have lost all confidence in the old academy as a suitable school for their children; and hence the recent establishment of four male and eight female colleges, in the cities of Georgia, -which are mainly sustained by these Northern men, and instructed by teachers from the North. The standard of education in these colleges is about the same

SLAVERY AND EDUCATION.

23?

as in the common schools in Now England. The orna mental branches are bettor taught; but the solid, not so Troll.
The slaveholders are evidently discouraged by the unsuccessful efforts to educate their sons. Hence the number of female colleges id double that of male. Three of those colleges are under the any])ices of the Baptist, three of the Methodist, and two of the Presby terian denomination. There are from one to two hund red young la.di.G3 in these schools. Somo of them are from the Arorth ; but a large proportion of them are Southern ladies, though the daughters of parents who wont from the free States. Moat of these young ladies, as well as their teachers, a largo proportion of whom are directly from the free Slates, become the wives of the must wealth? and the best educated slaveholders. The class of literary slaveholders is very small; but they often seek Northern ladies for wives, appreciating their superior Liiora.ry and intellectual endowments, and. their domestic qualifications.
The young -men who go South to teach, or to engage in the practice of any literary profession, often become connected by marriage with the families of wealthy slaveholder3, and then they are generally advocates of slavery.
It is impossible to maintain as good government in the schools in the slave States as we have in the free States. There ia not that substantial family discipline maintained, and the salutary home influence in the South, that are every where seen in New England. The slave-

208

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY,

holder docs not return home from his haunts of dissipa tion, or his amusements, and gather his family around the fireside, to converse "with them about their welfare, and the interests of society, like the Northern farmer, merchant, or mechanic, when the labors of the day are finished.
It is a proverb iri Xew England, that where the chil dren are not governed at home, they cannot, without trouble, be made to mind, in school. This is lamentably verified in the schools of the South. The child of the slaveholder is taught to resist every insult, every ag gression upon his rights, with physical force, and, if need be, with a fatal weapon. He is instructed to regard a "coward" as tlio meanest, most odious character in the world, and he slums no danger to avoid such an oppro brious epithet. Tims the son is often first sent to the pistol gallery, before he is taught to read.
I was in company with a learned physician from Mass achusetts, sitting under a tree near an academy in Georgia, when five boys, just dismissed from, school, commenced pitching knives at a tree. Two of these boys, whose names were George and. John, had a falling out. G-eorge took up a piece of limestone, as large as his fist, and threw it with great violence towards John, who was standing near a large oak tree. When John saw the stone coining directly towards him, he sprang behind the tree.
" There John ! you mean coward ! " said G-eorge, con temptuously 5 u dodge behind a tree, eh! You mean dog! Til have nothing more to say to you!"

SLAVERY AND EDUCATION.

239

George turned and walked off the play ground, with that air peculiar to a slaveholder, as though the earth were too mean for such a hero to tread. The other three boys repeated George's words, exclaiming sinmU
tancously, " You are a mean coward, John! Dodge behind a
tree ! Afraid of a little stoiie; are you? We'll never play with you again."
And they all started off after the hero George, and left poor disconsolate Johnny standing "behind the tree, speechless, motionless, disgraced.
Let that scene be repeated the next day, and Johnny would not dodge the stone. He would not endure another frown of public opinion like that, and thus lose the confidence and compaiiioiisL.jp of all his little com rades. ITe will " stand his ground " the next time--and then, as he advances la years, lie will take the knife, and, at last, the bullet, preferring cUaili to the name and
disgrace of a coward. These habits of resistance are carried Into the schools,
and oppose wholesome restraint there. One of the female teachers in a slave State informed me that she had a boy lu her school only eight years of age, who had transgressed an important rule of the school, and she ordered him to conic up to the desk. The little follow drew his knife, and defied her to punish him. She waited sometime, until the boy was off his guard, when, slie caught him by the arm, dragged him out of his seat, and inflicted the punishment.
Immediately after this, a brother of this lad, only ten

240

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

years of age, openly violated the same law, and she commanded him to come forward. She said that she did not suspect there was a pistol in her school, until this boy thrust his hand over behind his head, and pulled out a pistol from under the neck of his jacket, cocked it, pointed it towards her, and exclaimed,
fi Now ferule ?/7/ej if you dare t" In the evening this teacher visited the family, and in quired of the father of those boys how he wished her to manage them. I can beat my boys enough at home, madam," was his insulting reply. A friend of mine from Maine--a graduate of Bowdoin College--is teaching in Tennessee. I recently saw a letter which this youno7 gentleman wrote to his father, in which he stated that twice during; the last term, \vhcn lie attempted to punish boys belonging* to his academy, they had drawn pistols upon him, and lie was unable to inflict the punishment. The murder of Mr. Butler, in Kentucky, by Ward, whose acquittal 1 have already alluded to as illustrating; the administration of justice in the South, shows how difficult it is for a teacher, in the slave States, to main tain that discipline without which no school is of much value. The facts arc so well known that I need not re peat them. A similar case has lately occurred in another slave State, an account of which I copy from the Nash ville "Whig of Juno 18th, '- We learn, from a gemtlemail who was an eye-witness, the following particulars of a most horrible and tragical

SLAVERY AND EDUCATION.

241

affair that occurred at Fontotoc, Miss., on Monday last. It appears that Mr. Brown, the principal of the male academy at Pontotoe, had punished one of his pupils about a week since. A brother of the boy that was whipped, by the name of Wray, made threats against Mr. Brown for the aforesaid punishment, to which but little attention, was paid. On JMonday, young Wray, a youth some seventeen, or eighteen yearn old, took a. position where Mr. Brown, would, pass on his way home from school, and waited until he came along, when Wray at tacked him.
The two clinched. Brown only acting in self defense, and those who saw it thought it only to be a scuffle be tween them, until they saw Brown run a few yards, his hands upon Ins abdomen- and fall down lifeless. "While they were clinched, Wray had inflicted two wounds upon Brown with a large bowic knife, which killed him almost instantly."
Will the murderer be punished for his crime ? We shall see.
I have already spoken of my surprise to find the houses of slaveholders so generally destitute of books. Even wealthy men. of this class,, who can read themselves, are frequently found "without more than half a dozen books in their families. In conversation upon this sub ject with a slaveholder, who was a native of New "Eng land,-- a gentleman of fine talents and great learning, and for many years devoted to improvements in systems of education,---he cor.fcs^od his a-^onishment at finding
21

242

INSIDE VIEW OJi1 SLAVERY.

so few literary men and so great a paucity of "books in the South. He said he had been hi every State in the Union, except California, on "business that gave him an acquaintance with educated men -- that he was "well ac quainted in Maine---and that lie had no doubt there "were more books, and more moil of liberal education, and more business talent in the city of Portland, with its twenty-five thousand inhabitants, than in the whole State of Georgia, -- and more in the State of Maine, with her half a million inhabitants, than in all the slave States ! No gentleman in the countiy was better qualified to make the comparison, as lie had no motive to make one unfavorable to the South, being identified with all its interests and Institutions.
I visited the academy in the city of D-, Georgia. Sixteen pupils only "were present on examination day. Long seats, without backs or writing desks, and a small black-board, composed the whole inventory of accom modations, fixtures, and apparatus. This school was in operation only during the winter term.
While the teacher was demonstrating a sum on the board, two lads had a misunderstanding, and one of them knocked the other down. The noise attracted the attention of the teacher, who looked around before the boy had time to get up; but he took no notice of it. The recitations in reading and arithmetic--writing was inadmissible for want of writing desks -- were far infe rior to those in the common schools of New England.
I visited a school in M. county, where there were four-

SLAVERY AND EDUCATION.

243

teen, scholars, a\id oivly six books. The teacher was a native of that county, and the only native teacher in. all the Oconee valley.
In the academy located in the county of L., I found a good teacher from New Hampshire. He assured me that he could not confine the boys at school long enough, withoiit interrupt ion, to teach them any thing thoroughly.
" There," said he, pointing to a lad ten years of age, who appeared to be bright, " is a boy that has been here the most of a whole term, -- but he has not learned all his letters. His father will permit no restraint upon him when ho wishes for any amusement, -- such as gam ing and fishing, -- and it is useless for me to try to teach Mm to read."
I spent the night with a slaveholder in one of the planting districts, and I inquired if he could read. Ho said he could not, nor could any of his family, except his son Henry. A Yankee schoolmaster had visited that place, and imposed upon the ignorant parents by assuring them that he could teach their children to read. in a few days, on an improved method of teaching that art, for which he charged a high price, as it was " a great saving' of time.' 7 Henry and several other boys in the place were sent to the Yankee's "patent " school, where they were simply taught to repeat two of Watts' hymns, while looking on the liymn. book. This fact had pre viously come to my knowledge, and I remarked to the father that I would like to hear Henry read.
The old psalm book, the only book in the house, was brought out, and Henry opened at the right place,

244

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

and read Ms two hymns. But I noticed the absence of the tone and emphasis peculiar to an intelligent reader. I opened at another place, and requested Henry to read,
there. " I have not learned to read that hymn, sir/' he re
plied. Jlis father "was wealth}-, owned much land, and large
flocks and herds ; but neither he, nor his wife, nor either of his six children, could read the alphabet.
A slaveholder in the interior, who owned forty slaves, and a large landed property,, went to the market with, ship timber. I purchased a raft of pine timber of him, and when I took a receipt for it, he made his mark. He had nine sons -- all men grown -- neither of whom could write his name. I said to the father,--
" Why in the "world have you not expended a few thou sand dollars of your property, to have your sons taught to read and write ? "
The old gentleman had no idea that any advantage whatever was derived from such knowledge, except that it qualified its possessor to cheat his neighbor. For, said he, --
"I have always been cheated most by men who could write. Send my sons to school to learn to read and write ? Not I! It would make just such devils of them as you Yankees are !
" I never make my mark, when I can help it," ho add ed. " I bought a clock once of a man from Connecticut, warranted to last ninety-nine years. The price agreed upon was ten dollars. I had no money by me, and 1

SLAVERY AND EDUCATION.

245

gave tlic pcdlcr an order on a merchant for that amount, as I supposed. But when the order came back, forty dollars were demanded of me. I refused to pay more than ten, and was sued. I went into court, and told the judge that the order was just ten dollars, and all my family were ready to swear to it. But the judge said that the writing' was forty : and I? and all my boys couldn't swear a dollar off from that.
'Well judge,' said I, * if there is so much deviltry in writing as that, I don't want my boys to learn to write. But look here, judge ! there is a warrant the rascal gave me to keep the clock going, fie was to pay back the ten dollars if it stopped in ninety-nine years, -- and it stopped wi fhin a -week.'
" The judge took the paper, and looked at it, and then laughed, as he read it aloud -- ( warranted' to last ninetynine years.' And all the lawyers laughed right smart. The judge then said to me,
( This writing, Capt. B. ; does not warrant the clock to keep time, but only to last ninety-nine years j -- which means, I suppose, that if you keep your house well shin gled, the clock will not rot during all that time. 1
" Now do you suppose I am fool enough, since that," said Capt. B., with, a significant turn of the head, "to beliflvc there is any benefit iri learning to write?''
A description of the guide-posts, now in use in some districts of the South may be of some interest. There is a general trail through the woods, and across the old plantations, from one county seat to another, which en ables the traveler to keep the right direction. But mile-

24:6

INSIDE VIEW OP SLAVERY.

posts arc erected, having as many notches cut in them as there are miles between, each post and the next coun ty scat. These posts arc hard pine, hewn, six inches square, and standing several feet out of the ground. Four grooves are cut half way across the post, for the first four numerals; then one entirely across for the fiTth, -- then four more half lines for the nest four num bers, and another whole line for the tenth.
I was much amused while riding with a slaveholder in an old mule-cart one very dark, rainy evening, with, his slave, "Pompey," for a driver. The master discovered the top of a mile-post, on a hill; and he told Pompcy to jump out and see how far they were from home. Pom pcy alighted, and counted up, " one, two -three, four; " but when Ins finger reached the fifth groove, in tracing it out, he found it was no longer than either of the first four, and he was perplexed ; for he had no idea of Ci Ji-vc," except that it was twice as long as cither of the other numerals.
As I returned the next day, I perceived what had bothered him. Some roguish boy had cut off tha long end of the five, making it equal in length to all above and below it -- as the distance was nine miles.
After fumbling over the notches awhile, and stuttering in loud whispers, with the rain pelting his bare head severely, he exclaimed, --
" Master, what devilish fool made this guide-post! !N"o five here! All one, two; three, four--one, two three, four ! "
Following the line of these guide-posts, I was dropped

SLAVERY AND EDUCATION.

247

down at a log-house tavern. After supper, I inquired of tlie landlord, whose father was from New England, if there was any thing going on in that village of a literary nature, to interest a stranger.
Nothing, sir," said he, " except a singing school. We have a very good singing school this winter. They arc singing now, right out there at the school house."
I started at once for the school house, wondering how music could, be taught, where so many of the people could not read. When I arrived at the bnilcling, I saw it was an old, black, log house, built by the pioneers. There was a largo opening in one end, too wide to be closed by a door ; and as the music was in progress, and others were passing in, I mingled with the crowd, and entering in, took a stand in the corner. There was no light in tl:.c room except what came from, the pitch-wood in the rock fireplace. There was no book in the school. All were taught by rote. Sixty pupils, three of whom, were colored, were singing all on one part -- the treble. Oc casionally the colored boys -- who have better ears, put in the harmony.
Soon as the choir came to a period, I said to the teach er that I hoped ho -would excuse my intrusion there, as I was fond of good music. He was very polite, and said that " no apology was necessary, as he was gratified to have me present." He seemed conscious of ability to teach music, and asked me if they did not sing well.
" Remarkably -well/' I replied, -- for I was indeed sur prised to hear them sing so well. ".But do you not use books, sir, in teaching music?" I asked, with a little

248

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

" O, no, sir," lie replied quickly, in a tone of decided prejudice against book knowledge. ""We don't believe in this blind note-singing', here."
The next morning a member of that school, a young man twenty-two vcars of acre, the son of a slaveholder, came to the tavoi' vi. fid do^irod me to inform him '' what kind of a thing a singing book was/' -- assuring me that he had never seen one.
Ex-Governor G-iliner, of Georgia, in an address be fore the members of the legislature of that State, on the subject of temperance, is reported to have said --
"I hope the time is rapidly passing- away, when the old may lead the young to dram shops ; when daily fights between neighbors, in cups, make delightful amusement for the crowd ; -- and when members of the legislature cannot read the laws they help to pass ! "
In the early history of our country, when books were scarce and expensive, our fathers were in the habit of singing at church wit ho at hymn books, -- the minister reading aloud one lino at a time, and then the congrega tion joining to sing it. Since the multiplication of books, this practice is discontinued. But it still prevails in the South. I noticed it in live different counties in Georgia. In such cases there arc no books except the one used by the clergyman. Aud in one case, a Presbyterian minis ter, preaching in the city where I spent the Sabbath, find ing no hymn book in the church, was obliged to wait un til a boy went out to hrmt one up.
About five thousand, of the nearly four Ltmdrcd thou sand slaves in Georgia, have been taught to read and

SLAVERY AND EDUCATION.

249

write. These arc generally owned by wealthy slave holders, who have them taught in spite of the laws for bidding it, when it will "better serve their own interest and convenience. It is a fine of thirty dollars and thirtynine lashes to teach a slave to read in the city of Savan nah. But wealthy slaveholders are above all law, ex cept the conventional code of their o"wn caste , and when they want servants to go to market to transact business, to pass letters and papers from family to family, they learn them to read names, and to write simple direc tions, and reckon small sums.
Sometimes also, the children of clergymen are encour aged to instruct young slaves, and it is winked at,---as an indulgence to the clerical office. But the poor slave holders---and the mass are poor -- never venture to learn their slaves to read. They are opposed to such instruction. And only a few slaves, therefore, -- the fa vored house servants of the wealthy, -- are taught to read. Though, occasionally, an intelligent slave, thirst ing for knowledge, secretly learns the art without any assistance.
It is a fact often overlooked, that the free colored people of this country nearly all remain in the South. This is not because they have any privileges there which they prize, -- but mainly on account of the climate. In the four States of Virginia, Georgia, and the two Carolinas, in 1850 the free colored population was 93,000. If any Northern men have feared that the slaves, iu case of emancipation, would emigrate in large numbers to the free States, a glance at the census tables will ahow them.

250

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

how groundless arc their fears. The slaves, if set free, will always be wanted in the South. All the difference emancipation will make, will be the restoration of their rights, and free, voluntary labor, for a just compensa tion, instead of compulsory, unpaid toil. The fact that the great body of free colored men now prefer to live In the South, where they arc denied all rights as citi zens,-- where it is a criminal ofTense to teach them the alphabet, is sufficient proof that the South is tlieir natu ral home. My present inquiry, however, is how far this large class of the population of this country enjoy the blessings of education. In this respect the laws of the slave States rank them with the slaves. All instruction is forbidden under heavy penalties.
I have frequently alluded to the fact that slavery, in "Virginia, is divested of many of its harshest features. In that State there is a free colored population of some sixty thousand. The Governor has for several years gravely recommended that they all bo driven from the State ! This inhuman and barbarous scheme has been discussed in the legislature, but has so far failed. Still, in Virginia, as in other slave States, the laws prohibit any instruction of these persons. The following narra tive will show the state of public opinion there, and in the light of it we may see the condition of the free col ored population of the South.
About two years ago, a Mrs. Douglas, of Norfolk, and her daughter, were arrested, and she was imprisoned in that city, for teaching colored children to read. After she had suffered the penalty provided by law, and was

SLAVERY AND EDUCATION.

2t>l

set at liberty, slie published a little volume, giving an, account of tlic circumstances. Her story is one of much interest. She is a native of the South., having been "born in the city of "Washington. She states that in. 1845 she removed to Norfolk, "where, "with an only daughter, she lived a quiet and unobtrusive life, until Dec., 1853. She supported herself and child by vest making, and was at last induced, by the force of circum stances, to engage in the religious and moral instruction of a few free colored children. Her first pupils "were three girls and two boys, the children of a barber, all of whose family wore free. The circumstances of the arrest are thus stated :
"All was going on as peaceable as usual, and I had taken my seat to commence my daily toil, when a loud knock was made at my front door. I answered it my self, when the face of an officer presented itself, who in quired who lived up stairs. I replied that I alone occupied tlic house. He then asked if Mrs. Douglas lived there. I told him that I was Mrs. Douglas.
He said, "You keep a school ? " " Yes, sir," "was my reply. "A school for colored, children ? " I answered, "yes." "I must see those children," said he. I then demanded what business he had "with them, or anything in my house. He replied, that he had been sent by the mayor. "Very good," said I; "walk in, and you shall see them." And, without giving my daughter or the chil-

252

INSIDE VIEW OP SLAVERY.

dren any notice, I invited him up into the school room. Never will I forget the frightened state of those chil dren, and the countenance of their young teacher. My daughter sat paralyzed, covering her face with her hands ; and it was some time before I could restore order in the room. Some were crying, some exclaiming, " Oh my I oh my I " and some clinging around me in their ter ror j but during the excitement I never lost my presence of mind.
A^> ^oon as I had restored quiet in the room, I in quired of Mr. Cherry, the city constable, what he wanted with those children. He replied that he must take them before the mayor.
''Very well/' said I, "my daughter and myself will accompany them."
To my astonishment, he went to the head of the stairs and gave a loud rap with his club, when another officer made his appearance, entering from the back door. For a moment I thought my house was surrounded by officers, who perhaps fancied they had found a nest of thieves. They then noted down, the names of all the children, as
well as those of their parents- When they had finished, I politely informed Mr. Cherry that they were all free children, and all, or nearly all, members of the Christ's Church Sunday School,
"It makes no difference, madam," replied lie ; "it is a violation of the law to teach any person of color to read or write, slave or free ; and an act punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary."
^Very well," I replied, "if they send me to the pen*

SLAVERY AND EDUCATION.

253

itentiary, it will bo in a good cause, and not a disgrace ful one."
" Even this information, -which was the most profound news to me, did not "unnerve me at all; for 1 remem bered that our Savior was persecuted for d.oiu^ good, and why should I not be ? This thought strengthened me to bear my own persecution for ten long months afterwards."

XX.
SLAVERY AND THE SABBATH.

"Oh! welcome to the wearied Earth

The Sabbath resting comes,

Gathering the sons of toil and. care

Hack to their peaceful homes ;

And, like a portal to the sides,

Opens the House of Gorl,

Where all who seek may come and learn

The way the Savior trod."

Mils. HALE.

OXE of the strangest sights to a New England man, on visiting the Southern States, is the desecration of the Sabbath. In some of the cities, especially if a good number of the business men. are from the North, the churches are tolerably "well attended, -- there being: but one service for the day. But even here the afternoon and evening; are much devoted to amusements. And, in fact, throughout the entire South, with not very numer ous exceptions, the Sabbath, instead of being a day of rest, or of "worship, is a holiday -- occupied mainly in pleasure and sport.
The first sounds that salute the ear, not only in the country, but in many of the cities of the South, on Sab bath morning; are the firing of guiis, the beating of drums,

SLAVERY AND THE SABBATH.

255

and the noise of the hunting horn. They have boat partics, riding parties, hunting parties, fishing parties, drink ing parties, gaining parties, and dancing parties. And the Sabbath is almost invariably the day for horse races, and military parades. A colporteur of the American Tract Society, writing to the Maine Christian Mirror, under date of May 9, 1854, says --
"In Mississippi, where I am laboring1, drinking-, gam ing, and hox'se racing are common on the Sabbalh-- and the Sabbath is distinguished from, other days by the firing of guns."
There is more travel in the South on the Sabbath, than on any other day of the week. To ascertain this fact I examined the registers at the boat offices, hotels, and public boarding houses; and I uniformly found that a larger number of names was entered by travelers on the Sabbath than on any other day. The Sabbalh is spent by travelers not only in. visiting friends, but in traveling long distances on business. The passenger trains on the railroads run for this purpose. The boats on tlio rivers are employed in this service. And clergymen, except when their duties confine them at home, are quite as likely to travel on the Sabbath as others. I was told by a delegate from a New England Conference to the Presbj^tcrian General Assembly, that a large part of the Southern ministers who were there, traveled on the Sab bath before that body convened.
Sabbath evening in the South is a time of unusual dis sipation. Theaters and other like places of amusement are open, and thronged more than any other evening j

256

INSIDE VIEW OP SLAVERY.

while tlie drinking saloons, billiard rooms, and other dens of infamy, are frequented by the riotous and noisy crowd.
A large majority of the slaves labor on the Sabbath, almost from necessity. In some of the cities most of them rest; but in the planting districts many of them labor more or less --not usually at tlio daily task --but they "wash and iron, make and mend their garments, cut wood, and -work in their gardens.
But the slaves do not labor for themselves alone. In the planting districts, especially during the busy season of the year, the slaves are not permitted to make the Sab bath even, a holiday. Instances are by no means rare, even among masters professing to be Christians, in which the slaves are compelled to labor on the Sabbath as on other days.
Rev. H. B. Abbott, pastor of the M. E. Church at Augusta, Me., was formerly a counselor at law in Mis sissippi. In a letter to me dated April 10, 1854, he says --
" I am acquainted with a Baptist preacher in Missis sippi who compelled his slaves to labor on the Sabbath, and justified, himself under the plea that, if they -were not at work, they would be sporting, and roving about the fields and woods, thereby desecrating the Sabbath more than by laboring under an overseer."
I "was spending a Sabbath in the city of A. Early in the day I noticed the planters from the surrounding country, coming in to attend the morning service. Many of them were members of the city churches. They re-

SLAVERY AND THE SABBATH.

257

maincd in the city after the meetings "were closed, and about noon, or a little later, their slaves began to arrive, -with mule teams, loaded with cotton, and other kinds of produce. In tlic afternoon the stores were opened, and these Christian slaveholders exchanged their produce for groceries, and other commodities, with -which they sent their slaves home, while they remained, drinking whisky and cracking jokes, until the cool of the even ing.
The Sabbath before the State election, is denominated "free liquor day," in Georgia,-- a strange title for that day, in a Christian land. It is so called, from the cus tom of those who are candidates for office to invite all who propose to vote for them, to their " head quarters," on that day, to partake of spirituous liquors at their ex pense.
In the old city of Augusta. Georgia, it seemed more like home to me on the Sabbath, than at any place I vis ited in the South. The people generally attended church, and refrained from labor, and from amusements.
At Savannah the Independent Presbyterian church was well filled, Tlie Episcopal church also, in that city, had no vacant scats. But few were present at the "Pres byterian and Unitarian churches. In the latter, 1-f.ev. Mr. Pierpont, the pastor, was honored with only fortytwo auditors, on a pleasant Sabbath. I heard a clergy man state at a temperance meeting in Savannah, that there were fourteen hundred members of evangelical clvurehes in that city, and the average attendance upon divine worship was not more than sixteen hundred. The

258

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

free population was about fifteen thousand. One reason lie ga\7 e for this, was, that many of the. people were, ac customed to be intoxicated Saturday night; and there fore, were unable to attend church on the Sabbath.
A respectable number were present at some of the churches in Macon, Lag-range, and other places where schools are kept in operation. But in the planting dis tricts,-- "where nin.e-tcn.ths of tlio -white population re side,-- there is seldom a congregation, of more than fifty persons collected in a church, and these are few and far between.
I passed a beautiful Christmas Sabbath at Albany, the county seat of Baker county. This city contains some twenty stores, and exports annually about 12,000 bales of cotton. Tlio Baptist clergyman was sick, -- the Pres byterian clergyman had gone away discouraged, --- and the Methodist church was the only one opened on. that day. Thirty-nlye persons only were present at that church, three of whom were colored. There were three thousand souls within sound of a church-going bell, had there -been one. Where were they ?
At Oglethorpe, a smart young city at the termination of the South-western railroad, where there was a pop ulation of over three thousand, there was no church ser vice during the Sabbath I spent there.
At Dublin, an old city, Rev, Mr. Parsons, Presbyteri an, preached to a congregation of forty-eight,--two of whom were slaves, -- on a pleasant Sabbath. There was no other church in that city. The population was two thousand.

SLAVERY AND THE SABBATH.

259

All over the planting districts, as I have before said, very few attend church, and very few of the elmrelics have constant preaching. There was not a settled min ister of the gospel, of any denomination, who preached constantly at the same place, for more than two hundred miles, on the stage road leading from the coast to the capital; and yctj in each of those comities, from six to thirteen churches are returned in the census. Traveling ministers preach at several different stations, and the number of sermons delivered at each church will not average more than one a month.
A colporteur of the American Tract Society, in 1 854, reports of one of the counties of North Carolina, that "three-fourths of the people are destitute of public ser vices 011 the Sabbath; and that about one-third of the parents can read and write, cast accounts, and guagc a barrel of brandy."
Another says, " I visited 60 families, numbering 221 souls over ten. years of age; only 23 could read, and 17 write ; 41 were destitute of the Bible; the average of their going to church was once in 7 years. Several be tween 30 and 45 years old had heard but one or two sermons in their lives. Some grown, up youths had nev er heard a sermon or a prayer until my visit, and did not know of such a being as a Savior ; and girls and boys from ten to fifteen did not know who made them. All of one family rushed away when I knelt to pray, to a neighbor's, begging them to tell what I meant by it."
I have already given a brief description of the church es in the planting districts of the Soiith. Like the abodes

260

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY".

of the planters, they arc rough, and rude, throughout. They arc often made of logs, are destitute of windows, without pews, or pulpits, Instead of these, there are rough seats, without backs or benches, where the preach er and the "crowd" sit together on a common level. These rude buildings arc not kept sacred as temples of worship. The wild, uncultivated habits of the people are inconsistent with such an idea. Hence the church is free for any other exercise, or for any kind of amuse ments.
I attended church in M-------- county, one Sabbath, where more than half the young men who came to attend the meeting, remained out of doors. They kept pass ing in and out in little squads of two -or three at a time, and very little attention was paid to the services. It was a log church, with no windows, and only one narrow door, which was kept open; and from my seat I noticed some young men drinking on the outside. A little dis tance beyond were some gaming tables, -- and further out into the woods they were trotting horses.
In another county I attended church where "both the house and the people were equally coarse and repulsive. Being invited, "with the clergyman, after the close of ser vice, to pass the evening- and night in the family of a Christian slaveholder, I accepted the invitation. I had previously been informed by the clergyman that our host, Mr. D., was one of the best men in tlie world, -- always looking up objects of charity,-- giving bread to the hun gry, bestowing kind attentions upon the sick, the bereaved, and the distressed-

SLAVERY AKD TIIE SABBATH,

261

Mr. D. was one of three members, in. a church of forty, who had embraced temperance principles. He had heartily espoused the cause, was fully convinced that total abstinence was the only remedy for intemperance, and nothing could induce him to take a drop of any thing containing alcohol, unless he believed it absolutely necessary for his health. I had previously addressed a temperance meeting in that place, and Mr. D. had ex pressed much gratitude for the apparently good impres sion made, and a hope that it might influence cliurch members, at least, to become sober men.
Mr. D. owned a large real estate, numerous flocks, and herds, and swine, all roaming at large in the forests. He and his excellent wife were about fifty years of age. They had both sons and daughters of age, and they owned one slave girl -- Nelly -- a bright, smart quad roon. But Mrs. D. and her daughters worked in the kitchen with Nelly, and the sons labored with Mr. D. on the farm.
When we arrived at their house, after the morning exercises at the church, I noticed that the sons and daxightcrs did not come home; and I asked the father "where his children were.
" O, they have stopped at the meeting house, I sup pose," replied he.
"For what purpose?" I asked. "There is no meet ing this afternoon-"
" I know that," said he ; "but the young folks always stop to have a talk, or a frolic, after meeting is out.'*
" What kind of a frolic ? "

2G2

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVT3RY.

"Why, -V:;.- sometimes dance, and sing, and do any thing I.-I-M pljuao."
"I want to know, Mr. I).,'' said I, "if you have danc ing in. youv church on the Sabbath? "
" Oh, yes," he answered, sadly, " and we always shall have, as long as church members drink whisky,"
"Do yon know of any other church, Mr. D,, where they have such amusements on the Sabbath?"
"I know of none where they do not/' he answered. "Do you know this because you have seen it? Or have you only heard it was so ? '* "Well," said he, "I will tell you what I lately saw myself. I was down to the county seat at the last court. "We had a murder case there from this neighborhood, and nearly all the people went down, some on foot, some on horseback. We started to come home Satur day evening, and just as wo came to the Methodist church, about dark, a terrible thunder shower came down upon us. One of them, a lawyer, said we had better go into the meeting-house, and stay all night, as there was no other house near the church- Soon after we entered the church, they sent a nigger off after a fiddler, and some whisky. When the fiddler and the whisky came, I told the lawyer -- the only man who had a watch -- that I would thank him to let me know when midnight had como. He did so; and I went out into the woods and lay there until daylight. 1 had little sleep, for the noise and dancing in the church kept me awake; but I would not stay in the House of God, "when there was drinking and dancing there on the Sabbath day."

SLAVERY AND THE SABBATH

263

After I had secured the confidence of Mr. D., as lie certainly had secured mine, I informed him that I was as much opposed to slavery as lie possibly could be to intemperance; that it was no part of my mission in ihat place to talk, as I had done, on the subject of tem perance j but that I was traveling to obtain facts in rela tion to the treatment of slaves, and the effects of slavery on the masters and their families, and upon the interests and institutions of the South.
""What good do you think that will do youl" he asked.
"It will enable me to inform the people of the North what slavery is," I replied; " for we wish to have it abolished."
"What for?" he inquired, with a look and tone indieating great surprise, as if he knew not what it meant.
" Can you read, Mr. D. ? " I inquired. "No, sir." "Can Mrs. D. read?" " She cannot. None of my family can read, except Henry." These inquiries may seem abrupt and impertinent to Northern minds; but such questions arc often asked in the South. And it is truly astonishing that such men as Mr. D., who had the means to educate himself and family, should neglect it. "Don't your ministers say anything about slavery, in the pulpit, Mr. D. ? " I asked. "Not very often," he replied. "I never heard any of them say anything against it."

264

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY

'' Save you never heard a minister say it was wrong ? " '' I have heard them say it was wicked to abuse the slaves, -- Imt nothing more."
" Have you never heard a minister say that the slaves ought to have their liberty ? "
" I never have, sir! "Why should the ministers say the ruggers ought to be free, wh.cn most of them own some themselves ? "
" You own one slave, do you not, Mr. D. ? " " Yes ! I have one here -- Nelly -- that you have seen come in from the kitchen.."
"May I ask you, then," said I, "if you have everthought whether it was -wrong- for you to hold that girl as a slave ? "
" No ! If I thought it was wrong, I would give her her liberty at once."
" Why did not Nelly go to meeting? And why don't she come in to prayers ? I notice all your children do," I remarked.
" We don't think it of much consequence for niggers to go to meeting," lie replied.
Why not ? " I asked.
{i "Why not ? Because the ministers say there is some doubt about niggers having souls !"
l ' No souls / " I exclaimed. " Why ! What kind of be ings do you think they are, Mr. D. ? "
" Oh, I have heard folks say they are a kind of crea ture between men and monkics, connecting men with other animals."
Nelly, I have said, was a quadroon, -- a bright, sciisi-

SLAVERY AND THE SABBATH.

265

Tblc girl of seventeen. She possessed more knowledge, and had, apparently, more good common sense than the whole family of her new master.
"Where did you get that slave, Mr. D. ? " "I bought her out of a drove." " How long have you owned her ? "
" Four years."
" Where was she raised ? " " She came from Virginia, I believe," he replied. 11 Do you know who was her former owner ? " " I do not, exactly; but I heard her say, when I first bought her; that her mother told her he was a minister." " Was she living with her motlier ? IJ (L Yes, I believe she was." " Do you know whether she had a father, or any broth ers and sisters, living at that time ? " "No, sir," lie replied; "we never ask these niggers anything about their folks." I had previously learned that purchasers of slaves sel dom, if eves', inquire of them whether they have left friends behind them. It would keep alive sympathies in the heart of the slave that the masters wish to smother, Hence I asked the question. And it did not surprise me that neither Mr. D., nor his wife, nor either of his daughters had ever inquired of Nelly, during tlie four years she had resided in the family, whether she had any relatives living. " Arc you willing, Mr. I).," said I, " to have Nelly called in, and let me inquire of her about her friends in Vir ginia ? "
23

266

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

He did not "wait to answer me, but stepped to the door and called the girl? who was at work in the kitchen, about forty yards from tlio house. Nelly ran through the yard, and entering the house, inquired what her mas ter wanted.
"Here is a friend of mine from the North, Nelly/' said Mr. D., "who wants to talk with you about your folks up in Virginia."
I can assure the reader that Nelly appeared entirely free from embarrassment in the presence of her master. She knew him to be an upright, truthful man, -- that what he promised he would perform, -- and she believed and trusted him.
" Will you tell me, Nelly/' said I, " where you were raised ? "
She darted towards Mr, D. ; and whispered anxiously, " Does the gentleman wish to buy me, master ? "
" Oh no, Nelly," replied the master, "I will not sell yon to anybody as long as I live."
"No, no, Nelly!" said I. "You need not be afraid of that; for I wouldn't take you as a gift, unless your master wanted to send you to the North., where you could be free."
" Well, I don't want to go anywhere to be free ! " " So I suppose, Nelly. But we have no slaves where I live. I don't "want to buy you, nor take you away. I am your friend, and only asked your master to call you in, that I might ask you about the slaves where you was raised. ' f "Very Trell^master," she replied.

SLAVERY AND THE SABBATH.

26T

K Where was you raised, Nelly? " "I was loom in Richmond; "but our family moved out into a place in the country; on James river." " Was your master a minister ? " "Yes, sir." le How do you know that ? Did you go to meeting ? " " No, sir ! But my mother told me lie was a minis ter; and besides, I used to put his books in place, and clean up his room when he was gone to church." " Then you had a mother living ? " " Oh, yes, sir I My mother was living when I was gold." ".And was your father living, Nelly? " "Yes, sir ! My father was alive too, and I had one little brother, and ------ " Here she paused, as if struck with the thought that she was exceeding the bounds of her liberty, by speak ing of a brother or sisters before she was inquired of respecting them. "One brother, you say, Nelly; and how many sis ters ? " " I had five sisters, master; and one little brother, just beginning to run about the kitchen, and to speak little words." a ^Vcre any of them sold before you, Nelly ? " " No, sir 1 I was the first one that had to be sold." "How came you to be sold ? " "Well,---just before I was sold, my mistress died, and master had his rooms dressed in mourning'. He had crape hung all around in the parlor, and Hie sitting-

268

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

room, and oven in. his study; and when, the merchant sent in the bill for the crap^, my mother told me " ------
Here the words choked her utterance. The word mother revived in her memory the old home affec tions, the family sympathies, the instinctive attach ments, -- strongest in the African race, -- and they all came thronging back upon her mind, and she could not speak.
" Why don't you tell him, and be done with it? " said her master, not seeming to comprehend the load of an guish that was crushing her heart. After waiting until a flood of tears had brought a little relief, she contin ued--
" My mother told me -- that-- the merchant's bill -- for the crape -- was several hundred dollars,-- and -- that I -- was sold to pay it f "
And she sank down on the floor, as exhausted, and helpless as though she had been stricken down, with paralysis ! Her master went to the back part of the room, sat down, and wept like a child! !

XXI,
SLAVERY AND CHRISTIANITY.
" The theme divine at cards she '11 not forgot, But tals.es in texts of scripture at piquet; In those licentious meetings acts the prucle, And thanks her Maker that her cards are good."
YOUNG.
THE typo of morality, in any country, is seldom much higher in the church than it is in respectable society out of it. It is not within, the range of my design to explain this, -- though, to my miad, it shows the great influence and the corresponding; responsibility of the churches. In 110 civilized countries do men of good standing in society justify themselves in any practices which are not countenanced by professors of Christianity. This was true in the most corrupt days of the Romish Chuvch. It is no less true now. It way, therefore, no mere rhe torical flourish, but the utterance of a great truth, founded in the nature of man, and based on the power of the Christian faith, "when Hev. Albert Bariies declared that slavery could not live an hour out of the church, if it were not sustained within it.

270

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

With this principle in v.'cw, we may know, without visiting the South, how the Christian churches have been corrupted. We need not expect to imd a higher stand ard of morality within, than without. II' men of high social position out of the church own slaves, so will church members. And so is the fact. There are more than six hundred thousand slaves held in bondage in the South by men. professing to be Christians. Is it a com mon practice in the South, among respectable men, to visit theaters and horse-races on the Sabbath, -- - to drink intoxicating liquors to excess, -- to play cards, and gamble, -- to make the Sabbath a day of sport and pleasure seeking ? These practices obtain as well in the churches, as out of them. And just as a slaveholder who is known to own, and buy, and sell his own children as slaves, suffers nothing at all in his reputation on that account,--so, if such a slaveholder belongs to the church., these facts do not affect his standing there. The thing is so common throughout the South,-- among men call ing themselves Christians, as "well as others,---as hardly to attract attention.
I have already alluded to the alarming extent to which intemperance prevails in the South. There are some noble men there, who see this evil, and are using all the influence 111 their power to provide a proper remedy. But not in our day can we hope for the Maine Law to triumph in the slave States.
Some of the clergymen in Georgia are true temper ance men, and they are persecuted as bitterly as were the early anti-slavery ministers iu Xcw England. Ilenco

SLAVERY AND CHRISTIANITY.

271

they seldom, speak of the subject except at temper ance meeting's, and tlierc catttiously and timidly. The churches will not tolerate it in the pulpit.
I was pleased to hear Mr. K., one of the speakers in a, temperance meeting at Savannah, -- a gentleman who was afterwards President of the Georgia State Tem perance Convention, -- speak of the Constitution of the United States in a, manner that showed his manly inde pendence. Slaveholders arc not afraid to speak ! There are no cringing doughfaces in the South. And no men more Ueartily despise such creatures than do the slave holders,-- even when using them for their purposes.
"We are told," said Mr. K., "that the Constitution of these States so guarantees and guards the commerce of tlie country that it legalizes the trade in spirits; and tliivfc a law prohibiting the sale of intoxicating drinks would be unconstitutional. If such be the fact, let the people get together again and amend it. Or if we find it cannot be amended so as to stop rumsclling, let us tear it in pieces, and make a -new and better one ! "
.In the city of Savannah the slaves are allowed a free indulgence in the use of wine at the communion table, as aa inducement, probably, for them to enter the church, and to make them better contented with their condition as slaves. A gentleman of the first respectability, re siding in that city, informed me that he saw a ten gallon demijohn filled with wine in a store on Sabbath morning-, and he followed the man* who took it to the colored church, where there "was a meeting of the colored churches for the communion. And he said that they drank nearlv the whole of it.

272

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY,

" Did they drink more," I asked, "than is generally used for that purpose by other churches ? "
"O yes," he replied. "I never saw such drinking wine in my life ! "
The number that partook at that time was estimated to be about eighty, which would afford them about a pint each.
It is worthy of remark that this is the church where the author of the " South Side View of Slavery" saw such remarkable evidences of piety while he was "wor shipping there. And the old slave preacher, the pastoi of that church, to whom Dr. Adams alludes, is notori ously dishonest, as I was informed by a merchant of that city. But he succeeded so -well in preaching:, that a few prayerless slaveholders aided him. to purchase some slaves -- three in number, T believe-- so that he might be able to give, in his own person, an example of a slavcholding minister of the gospel preaching that gos pel to his own race !
The subject of intemperance in the colored churches was a topic of conversation in a store at Darien; and F stated some facts which had come to my knowledge, showing the intemperate habits of members in those churches in the cities. And 1 freely expressed my opin ion, that slaveholders encouraged their slaves to unite with the churches mainly to enhance their market value. A clergyman present, who participated in the discussion, attempted to defend these eh arches.
"You must have been misinformed," said ho j "for I know the slaves to be as good christians as the masters who are members of churches."

SLAVERY AND CHRISTIANITY.

273

"I have no desire to draw a comparison between tlio slaves and their masters/' I replied ; "but I believe, of course, what I bare seen myself."
There was in thut store a gentleman formerly from Brooklyn, N". Y., where, for several years, lie attended tlie ministry of EOF. II. "W. Ucechcr. He was a iirm friend of free principles, and lie exhibited an indepen dence of thought and. speech in maintaining tliem. He was at that time connected with a business firm, in that city.
"You are correctly informed, sir," said he, addressing himself to inc. " This business of getting slaves into the clmrch is all a humbug. And now I will tell you what took place here last autumn.
'' The overseer from Butler's Island," -- on which there are several hundred slaves, on a beautiful rice plantation, out in. the arms of the Allamaha, all in. sight, and within fifty rods of the store in which we stood,---" came over here one Saturday night, and inquired of a minister if he would baptize some slaves belonging to that island the next day. The clergyman replied that he would, if they seemed to be worthy subjects of baptism. Sabbath afternoon, a large number of the slaves came clown to the bank of the river. The preacher asked those who were proposed for baptism a few questions', such, as, whether they believed in. a God ? a state of future hap, piness and misery ? the necessity of repentance and faith? to every one of ^vhich they all answered, ' yes, master,' ' yes, master.' Not a question was put to them that required a negative answer. The ordinance had

274

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

"been administered to about forty, when the minister said tlic -praters were so cold, and ho was so tired, that they would adjourn to the next day. Atonclay afternoon the exercises "were resumed, and the solemn ceremonies went on until some seventy-five were baptized.
' Xow I have never heard that a gospel sermon was ever preached on Butler's Inland. I have been all over it, and I never saw a .Bible there. Those slaves had, evidently, no more idea of the solemn obligations they were taking tmon them in mating a religious profession than the brutes. And as proof of this, after the sv'emn farce was ended some of those slaves who had been, baptized came over here and staid, a long- time that after noon, drinking whisky to intoxication. One of them absolutely stole a bundle of wet clothes that a brother had just been baptized in. I saw him, detected him, challenged him with it, and he confessed it! And yet I think an account of this baptism was published in some Northern papers as a great revival of religion on JSxitIcr^s Island!"
The colored churches in the South, of course, have no pastors, in any proper sense of that term. Sometimes the pastor of the church to which their masters "belong condescends to address them. But their meetings, if they have any speaker at all, are usually addressed by colored preachers. The tenor of their sermons has been so often described, that I will not repeat any of them. If these preachers are Jionest, they counsel obe dience and submission, because otherwise they would not be permitted to speak. If they are dishonest, as

SLAVERY AND CHRISTIANITY.

2j5

some of them are, they preach to please the masters, just as time-sciwi rig ministers do in the ]STorth.
Dr. Nelson--'author of the able work on infidelity published by the American Tract Society--after a resi dence of more than forty years in North Carolina, and an Intimate acquaintance with slavery, says,
"I say what I know when I speak in relation to this matter. I have been Intimately acquainted with the re ligious opportunities of the slaves, -- in the constant habit of hearing the sermons which are preached to them. And I solemnly affirm that, daring the forty years of my residence and observation in this line, I never heard a single one of these sermons but what was taken up with the obligations and duties of slaves to their masters. Indeed, I never heard a sermon to slaves but what made obedience to masters by the slaves the 'fundamental arid supreme law of religion. Any candid and intelligent man can decide whether such preaching is not, as to religions purposes, worse than none at all."
It is not strange, therefore, thai; the slaves are de graded. The Synod of South Carolina and Georgia only declared- what was the natural, inevitable result of the slave system, when they said that the slaves were "in the condition of heathen, -- and in some respects, a worse condition. Their moral and religious condition is such, that they may justly be considered the hcaihcn of {.his Christian country ! "
And yet I should be doing the slaves injustice to deny that there are many sincere Christians among1 them. With all tlich: darkness and ignorance, there arc doubt-

276

INSIDE VIEW OF

leas many devout worshipers, living' up to the dim light they have. I became acquainted with many such, who, like " Uncle Tom," and " Amit Chloe," while they suffer all things for Christ's sake here, and seem to us go benighted, in the sight of Him who looketh on the heart, are, it may be, far in advance of many Christians who now assume to look down on them with as much of contempt a.sof pi fy= Man} of a;?, perhaps, who think we are first shall be last, and the last shall bo first.
I have just read, with much interest, a letter from a lady who is spending the present summer (1855) in tL"* South, published in the Hartford Rcpriblican.
ci I have just been to visit a plantation, l Bottcn Garden' is the name of it. The owner is a very rich, man and resides in the town. Sis plantation consists of sixteen hundred acres of black prairie land. Six hundred acres were in cotton in one field, and three hundred in corn. The fields look beautifully at this season of the year. Not a weed is to be seen, and the rows are very straight and extend as far as the eye can reach. Mr. It. let the slaves leave their work for tho remainder of the day, that we might see them together. I should think there were fifty children too young to work at all, playing in the yard. I called them all together and they sung for me;-- all slug. They took hold of hands, forming a circle, and wont round a tree, singing, ' I'm gwine away Tip yonder/ ' Sec God, feedm on de Iambs !' and ' Whoa [ get ober Jordan, I'll be a here don/
- I a.sked the women to King. There l:a,"' been a ^>.rcat revival on the plantation, and all are very pious. They

SLAVERY AND CHRISTIANITY.

277

sing nothing but hymns. They sung a very Toiler hymn. This was the chorus : ' Oli sifter, watch clat heart, dat 'ceitful, 'ceitful heart, for I'm gwine homo.' 1 could hardly keep back t!io tears, they seemed so solemn, and looked up so earnestly in my face. I went round to their houses alone and made calls. They all talked constantly upon religion, and I could not get in a word. Indeed I had rather listen, for I knew that the Spirit takes of the things of Jesus, and shows it unto them, and the way of salvation is made clear to them in this way, though they are denied the privilege of reading God's blessed word.
" I know but little of the horrors of slavery. I see but the best side, and that is none too good. Some slaves are just as white as I am. The other day I met a little slave girl. She certainly was the most beautiful child I ever saw. She was wading in a muddy creek and as I passed by, she looked up through her beautiful brown curls and said, 'I love the beautiful fishes.' I want to buy her, and make her a free and noble woman. I told a gentleman, so. Ho said she could not bo bought. It seems dreadful that oue so beautiful should be so de graded. And what a life i,s before her! Her beauty will only make her more miserable. I cannot bear to think of it."
Slavery is inherently in direct antagonism to Chris tianity, -- not only in matters of practice, but of doctriiie. In its very nature it donies the authority of God to oomraand the obedience and the worship of his crea tures. Tlic slave inustj at his peril, obey his master
24

278

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

in all things. Deny the master this claim, and you

strike at the very foundation of the system. The slave

lias no power to protect or provide for his family. If

his wife is sold away, lie must cohabit with a stranger,

to raise up children for the market.* God requires Mm

to remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. But the

master claims the right, and often exercises it, to abro

gate God's law, and compel him to labor on the Sabbath.

Slavery, therefore, not only denies the inalienable rights

of man,-- but it usurps the place of the Creator, and

I

denies to the Almighty the right to rulo over lilj crea

tures ! And yet, religious bodies that have always had

as keen a scent for heresy as the bloodhound has for

his victim., have not yet found out whether it is heretical

to deny the supremacy of God, and the manhood of

those whom He has created in hio own image 1

"A few days since/' says a late writer in the Boston

Congregationalist, u a most affecting fact was stated to

* The Savannah River Baptist Association, in reply to the question, " "\Viie tlier, in a case of involuntary Reparation, of such a character as to preclude all prospect of future interccurpe, the parties ought to be allowed to marry again ? " returned the following answer : " That such separation among persons situated as our slaves arc, is; civilly a separa tion by death, and they believe that, in the eight of God, it would be so viewed. To forbid second marriages in such cases, would be to expose the parties, not only to stronger hardships and strong temptation, but to church censure, for acting in obedience to their masters, who cannot be expected to acquiesce in a regulation at variance with justice to the sluves, and to the spirit of that command wliich regulates marriage among Christians. The slaves are not free agents, and a dissolution by death is not more entirely without their consent, and beyond their con trol,'than by such separation."

SLAVERY AND CHRISTIANITY.

279

us by the Rev. Mr. Alvord. During a residence of sev eral months in Florida, for his health, he "was often vroiit to take excreiso by "working with the slaves on the plantation where he -was; and having gained their con fidence thus, they freely opened their hearts to him as a fVieiid; -- a thing which slaves do not do to every man, ancl especially to chance visitors, whom they judge to be i*-. the interest of their masters,
"In one case he called to see a slave wLo was in con finement for endeavoring to follow his conscience, in keeping holy the Sabbath day in the worship of God. By working nights, he actually performed the labor as signed for .seven clays, and then spent the Sabbath in worship. PI is master discovered it, and imprisoned him, and cnt and mangled his body with scourges, to subdue his will, and compel hini to work on the Sabbath. After the wounds began to heal, he cut them open from time to time "by repeated scourgings,- Mr. Alvord saw his wounds, and gazed with painful sympathy upon his honest face, wet with tears, as lie told the severity of his trial. At last, after repeated scourgings, his spirit failed, and he submitted to his master's impious will."
Church discipline is almost unknown in the Southern churches, especially for anything relating to slaves. No matter how cruelly a master treats bis servants, or how severely he punishes them -- even unto death; if he does not violate the law -- which it is hardly possible for him to do--the church will not censure him. I

280

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

could relate many facts illustrating this subject, but ono or two Incident;* will be sufficient.
The following story "was related to mo by Mr. I)., the owner of Nell}", of whom I have given, some account in the preceding chapter.
Mr. D. had a neighbor, -- a member of the same church, -- by the name of 31. lie "was a wealthy, though an ignorant man, owning many slaves; and besides a plantation, with cattle, and mules, and sheep, he owned mills in that neighborhood. Among his slaves there was a house servant by the name of Nancy. One even ing her master told her to go up to Mr. D.'s on some errand. It was a bright moonlight evening, but Nancy was afraid to go. Mr. D.'s son, Henry, had been bitten by a rattlesnake, though the wound was not fatal. He had not fully recovered when I was there. These snakes arc supposed to be out in the moonlight evenings, and as they cannot be seen so distinctly as in the day time, they are the more dreaded. Under these circumstances, Nancy's fears were not strange. She therefore told her master that she was afraid to go. But ho was em-aged at her unwillingness to obey,, and he commanded her to start at once. She still refused to go saying that the snakes would kill her, and that she would rather be whipped to death than go.
Mr. M. then, commenced whipping her and he applied the lash again and a<rain, until he sow that it was in vain. lie was filled wuh ra:e, and takinir a cpiart dish, ho lillcd it- fn]J of iiltliy liquid from the barn vard, and

SLAVERY AND CHRISTIANITY.

281

put it to her Hps; and after compelling- her to drink a part of it, lie asked lier if she would then go.
" No, master ; I will die first! I cannot go. I know the snakes will kill me if I go !"
And he whipped her until ho made her drink it all. The next morning the poor girl was dead!
"Did you see the body after hce death, Mr. D. ? " I
asked him. "Yea, I went down to see her, and I never saw such
a sight!" " Was Nancy a Christian, Mr. D. ? " "She was a right good girl," he replied, with a deep
sigli ', and he added, "She wets a 'member of our church I"1 "Did your church discipline your brother M. for kill
ing her ? " "Discipline f "What do you mean by that ? " inquired
Mi.-. D., not knowing the meaning of the word.
" Did you call him to account ? " " Oh no ! How could we ? He had not violated the
law." I became acquainted with a young lady from Maine,
'who had been teaching school in the South a few years. She belongs to a family of the highest respectability in the city of ------, and at the time of her first going South, none of the family had any sympathy with the anti-slavery movement. The following incident was re lated to me by heir, all the facts being "within her own personal knowledge.
Mrs. C.,-- where this teacher was boarding, --owned a mulatto girl named " CUloe," who was expecting soon

282

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAYERT.

to be married to a slave boy named "Jok/' who lived about live miles distant. I ought, perhaps, to have men tioned before this, that slaves, no matter how old. are always boys and girls. They never become men or women,
Jok went to IMS master on Saturday night, to obtain a paris to viriifc Cliloo. His master was intoxicated, and therefore he could not write a pass. No other person in the neighborhood could write ; and Jok's mistress told him it would not be safe for him to go without a pass, as it was contrary to law. Jok waited lu-til morning1. Chloe sat up all night, watching for him "with deep anxiety, lest some evil had befallen him, fearing that ho had been whipped, or sold away. Slaves are very faithful in fulfilling promises to visit friends, in or der to remove such fears.
In the morning Jolt's mistress told him that his mas ter was still sick, and not able to -write ; but that he had been up to Mrs. C.'s so many times, she would run the risk to let him go without a pass.,
''You tell Mrs. C.,7 ' said she, "that your master is sick, and that I sent you up there without a pass; and she will excuse it."
When. Jok came up to the gate, the overseer went out, as his custom was, and demanded his pass- The slave informed him that his master was so sick he could not write one, that he waited all night for it, and his mis tress told him to come without one.
" Go Iioaic, you scoundrel! " said the overseer, "and get your pass 1 "

SLAVERY AXD CHRISTIANITY.

283

Jok started back towards liis homo. CMoc, who had overheard the- conversation, ran Into the room of her mistress, and informed her that the overseer had driven Jok homo after his pass, and she supposed, as it was early in the morning, tliat he came away "before break fast. Mrs. C. stepped to the back door and called Jim,---a young slave boy belonging to her, -- and told him to run and overtake Jok and tell him to come back, and see her before he went home to get his pass; not intending to countermand the order of the overseer. Jim ran to bring back Jok. In the meantime, the over seer went out to the stable. Just as the boys returned to the gate, he came in from the stable, and demanded of Jok again "why he was there without a pass ? "
"Mrs. C. sent for mo to como back," answered Jok. "I don't care if she did/' said the overseer; "you shan't go in." "I tell you I must," urged Jok. "Not a step!" forbade the overseer. Now what should the poor boy do? Two slavehold ers, equal in authority, commanding him to go in oppo site directions. He thought he would press his way through the gate, by the overseer, and run to the door and ascertain what Mrs, C. wanted, and then go homo for his pass. In attempting to do this, the- overseer clinched him; but Jok proved to be the stronger man, atul he threw him down. The overseer tried to choke him and strike him in the face. Mrs, C. ran out, and taking hold of Jok's arm, she exclaimed, "Why, Jok7 you don't know what you are doing! I am afraid they will kill you! Now you. give right up,

284

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY".

Jok, and take a little whipping, and then go for your pass !"
Jok arose instantly, at the request of Mrs. C. As soon as the overseer was able to do so, ho sprang up, rushed into the house, and seized a gun which he had loaded with shot the night previous. My informant, who was present, screamed out, u Jte is going to shoot Jok!" Mrs. C. caught hold of the gun, as he was leav ing the house, exclaiming,
"You shan't kill Jok ! " "Yes I will shoot the nigger ! " "Remember my command, sir! Don't you kill that slave 1 You may whip him." "May T whip him, madam, as much as I please ? 1T "You may whip him. severely, but spare his life," re plied Mrs. C., sternly. "Do you give up, Jok ? " said the overseer. "Yes, master/' was the submissive reply. His coarse frock, which, was all his clothing, was taken off; his thumbs tied together with a line; and the over seer, with a heavy green hide in his hand, led him out to the gin-house to flog him. Chloe went out around the stable, and came up behind the gin-house, where she could look in through the spaces bet-ween the logs, and see the pxmishmcnt inflicted. The overseer was angry with the slave, and he whipped him with terrible sever ity, until, from suffering and loss of blood, he fainted and fell. Chloc ran to the house, and screamed, "Mistress ! I wish you would go out, for I believe the overseer has killed Jok ! " Mrs. C. hastened out, and finding him cut up shock,

SLAVERY AND OHEISTIAKITY.

285

ingly, she told the overseer to desist. She called some other slaves to convey Jok into the house, and then scut for a physician.
When the physician came, he said the slave could not live. He remained with him several hours, during- which time he was constantly spitting blood, and uttering groans, as if in the agonies of death. Towards evening, however, his sufferings abated, and he finally recovered.
That mistress, and the overseer, and that slave boy and gii'lj wore all members of the same church. And the overseer was superintendent of the Sabbath School connected with that church.
" He came into the house," said the lady "who related the facts to me? "after "whipping Jok, and "washed his hands with as much composure as though nothing had occurred, and went off to church to take charge of the Sabbath School that Sabbath morning."
"Did the church discipline him for that act ? " 1 in quired.
l' This question "was asked that mistress," said the teacher to ino, "and she replied that the church could not do anything with the overseer, as he had not violated the law."
"She was also asked, how she could commune with that overseer ? ;?
'How can I refuse to do it," she replied, "unless the church censure him? And that I know they will not do 1' "

XXII.
WAYSIDE NOTES.
" Rest, darlings, rest! Never more "with toil opprest Shall we watch the western light Slowly wane o'er fields of white. -- Daughter ! wpoii limb of thine Gilded chains shall never shine. All thy mother's -wrong and woe, T>earest ones '. ye ne'er shall know. To my heart, exulting, pressed,
Hest, darlings, rest."
MY note-book still contains a variety of incidents that can hardly be arranged into any particular class. The most of them I shall omit. But I have gathered up a few of them., that illustrate different phases of the slave system, and have thrown them together in this chapter.
THE SLAVE WIFE.
In the city of ------, there was a lumber merchant, who had several partners residing in Massachusetts. Mr. L. -- for that was his name -- went to a slave broker to hire a cook. Ifc is not easy in the South to hire domes-

WAYSIDE NOTES.

287

tic help without hiring slaves. The broker informed Mr. L. that he had no slaves to lot.-- but that he had a fine quadroon girl that he would like to sell.
"I do not wish to buy, sir/' replied Mr. L., "for my partners in Boston would not consent to purchase slaves."
" Well, I want you to look at her," said he. " She is a good girl, and will keep your boys straight at the mill; and I offer her so low that you had better buy than hire."
" Oh, I can't buy a slave ; but I will look at her," said Mr. L.j " if you desire it."
"Nancy!" said the broker, as he opened the door of a back room, into which no ray of light was admitted when the door was closed.
" "When N~aiicy stepped into the room/' said Mr. L., as he related the story to me, "I was never so shocked in my life; for I never saw a more beautiful female, ap parently perfectly white, elegant, and, as I afterwards learned, highly accomplished.
"I wish you would buy me, sir," she exclaimed, with deep emotion;--for she saw at once that he would be a kind master. No one can read the countenance at a glanco better than slaves^ More than in the heavens, BUD shine and storm, arc seen approaching in the glance of the master's eye. They study the human face as the sailors do the sky. iSTo Northern man has failed to be surprised to see how his wants arc often known by an intelligent slave before he has time to express them.
But Mr. L. had no idea of buying a slave. He hardly

288

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

knew wiry he liad consented to look at this one. And when, In her "beauty as well as sorrow, she stood "before him, pleading for him to buy her, to save her from a worse fate, lie hardly knew what to do. It is at this point that many a generous hearted man from the North has yielded, and become a slaveholder. But men who buy their first slave from motives of benevolence, per haps with the intention of giving the boon of freedom at some future time, soon, become familiarized to the system, -- they forget the purpose to give their slaves their liberty, and finally they "will buy and sell their fellowmen with as little compunction as those who have been educated under the influences of slavery. The only safe rule for any Northern man who may become a resident in the slave States Is, never to buy a slave, un der any circumstances, unless he can make the slave free at once. So thought Mr, LJ..;; and therefore, as much as he pitied Naucy, and as indignant as he was that such a woman, in this Christian land, should be offered for sale, like the brutes,-- he turned away; sorrowful, and left her to her fate.
The next day, --while Mr. L, was walking over one of the public malls, ---Nancy, who had determined, if possible, to have an interview "with him, and had obtained a pass for that purpose, ran up to him quickly, and ex claimed --
"I wish you woxild buy me, kind sir ! " "O don't say anything to me about that, here! " said Mr. L., thinking it "was not safe for him to be seen talk ing with a slave, where so many were passing. But the

289
second thought was that she was so white no one would suspect she wag a slave, and ho said to her --
" I pity you, Xancy, but I cannot buy you ! " ""Will you stay, then, and listen to me?" implored the girl. "A moment/' replied Mr. L. "I>ut say on. quickly." < ! I was raised over here in South Carolina," said Nancy, pointing over the river. "My master was my father. It was always known in his family, and I lived as one of its members. He prou.us-cd mo. often, that he would give me free papers before he died. But he neg lected to do it, and he was taken away suddenly. Two of liis sons were dissipated, and the property had been so much diminished that they refused to give me my freedom. But they consented to let me have sis years time, and if I could pay six hundred dollars to the administrator, then I should lae free. I worked four years, at various kinds of sowing, and during that time I paid four hundred dollars. I was acquainted with a young slaveholder wlio was brought up in tho same neighborhood where I was, in whom I had great confi dence. He came forward and proposed to pay the other two hundred dollars, and make me his wife. I accepted the offer. He went to tho admiristrator, paid over the money, and took a deed of me in his own name. I did not inquire how the matter was adjusted, as I had no suspicion that any future trouble would arise from it. "After -we had lived together several years, and 1 had become the mother of two beautiful daughters -- now five and six years of ago -- a family quarrel arose be-
25

290

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVEEY.

tween us, for which no virtuous wife and mother could blame me; and, as the result, my cruel husband has sent me here to be sold. "Oh! can you not save me and my little children from such u fate ? "
Mr, L. made further inquiries, and found that her story was true. Her happiness was but a dream, and it had vanished. Her home "was desolate. Under that inexorable law of slavery---partus sequiter ventrcm--her darling daughters, like herself, were liable to all the terrible contingencies of the slave's lot. And as human affection, and plighted faith, had failed to save her, so I"might be with them. For them, as well as for herself, was she in agony and despair.
I will not prolong the story, except to say that by the noble efforts of Mr. L, this family were rescued from a fate worse than death. I met her afterwards in the cars, on her "way to a city in the interior, to reside in the family of a clergyman. She had received her free papers, and the cup of her joy was full. A shade of sorrow would occasionally flit across her countenance,'--for ties sacred to her had been severed, -- "but iu the greatness of her deliverance slio forgot all things besides. It was meet that such a flood of joy should sweep away, for a time, at least, all the traces of her sorrow. How many like her are there still in bondage, upon whose cheer less, weary lives no ray of hope has ever shone ! He7 only, who knowcth all things, can tell!
BEADING TJKCLT3 TOM'S CABIN.
X had the pleasure of hearing Uncle Tom's Cabin read to a company in one of the planting districts. It

WAYSIDE NOTES.

291

"was reported in. tlio place tliat a man was coming1 to fiinish reading that " wonderful novel " to all -- " ex cept slaves"--who would assemble at K. N.'s long mule stable on a certain night. After the crowd had gathered, and the reading had commenced, I entered the room silently, to witness the scone. The reader was Seated on a stack of corn in. the middle of the long, nar row stable, reading by a small oil lamp. There was no other light in the room, and I felt very happy to en joy the privilege of a seat on the sill, in a corner so dark that I was not seen. I counted nearly sixty heads Tbetwcen me and the light. How many there were on tho other side, I could not see. But the noisy cheers gave me the impression that the ship was well balanced. I remained until one o'clock in the morning, and then left before any others came away. I had previously read the book, aud therefore concluded to retire and sleep a little; but I was subsequently informed that no others left until the volume was finished.
The reader was frequently interrupted by remarks from his auditors, who took the liberty, as he went along, to compare the characters described in the book with their own acquaintances. There was a slaveholder in the place by the name of Yopp, who owned a slave girl called Nancy. It seemed that Nancy answered most accurately the description of Topsy; for when the reading had fully developed Topsy's peculiar character istics, a slaveholder's wife cried out,
"Now wasn't that girl just like old Yopp's Nancy? " And they had their St. Clares, and Legrecs, and all

292

INSIDE YIEW OP &LAYERY.

the other persons and. things of which the " Cabin '' was constructed. There was no intimation from any one present that the picture was overwrought.
"While I was at Athens, Georgia, I learned that sev eral boxes of the " Cabin" were destroyed in that city, while on their way to Alabama. But the merchant who ordered them, whom I afterwards met, told me that all tliG masters gained by that bonfire, "was the sale of ay many more ; for he was determined that his family and his neighbors should read it.
"If there "was not a syllable of truth in it," saiu he, " still I would have it read, as it is the best novel that was ever written ! "
AXD CASTE.

"While I was spending a few days at G-., where several young men were employed in hewing timber, one of them cut his foot badly. I sewed up and dressed the wound, and gave him a pair of stockings and a pair of rubber?, as he had none of his own. His name was William Hardison. He expressed much gratitude for my kind ness, aa! 'afterwards he gave me a full history of his fam ily. He was a steady, industrious, intelligent young man.
" My lather/' said lie, " was a Northern man. My mother was a native of this State, and owned slaves when my father married her. Once we were wealthy, and our family moved in the best circles. But my father became dissipated, wasted all the property, and sold all the slaves except one, an old man, who ran away. Two hounds followed him. One of them was an old dog,

WAYSIDE NOTES.

293

that had caught ,, great many negroes; but the slave killed him with v club. The other dog forced Mm. into a tree.
"When my father came up, and found the slave had killed his favorite dog, ho ordered him to come down from the tree. After ho had come down, he pointed his rifle towards the slave, and commanded, him to cut up a hind quarter of the old dog, and eat it raw, with, tho hide and hair. Fompcy was forced to obey, but he died before the next morning. By this fatal calamity, our family wore cut loose from the society of slavehold ers, with whom we had always associated on terms of equality. My miserable father died soon after, and left us in a truly deplorable condition, without food, with out friends! I went to a slaveholder- one day, -- a neighbor who was always kind and obliging, while ire wore slaveholders, -- and informed him that we had nothing to eat; and I asked him if he would give my mother and tho children some bread.
' K~o,' said he, ' I don't want you around here, troubling me; I have niggers enough to cat my corn.'
"I then asked, with great importunity,""if he would permit me to go to the corn crib, and take home a few cars of corn to boil for supper. This favor also was denied me. This family always exchanged visits with us in our prosperous days, and nothing ever occurred to create the least disaffection, or occasion, tho slightest neglect, until wo lost caste by becoming poor and losing our slaves."
" Instead of showing favor to aon-slavcholding white,-:,"

294

INSIDE VIEW OP SLAVERY.

said ]Vfr. IT.., "the s1o.vchold.ers oppress them in every possible manner, without regard, to their legal rights. If they want to drive a poor niau out of the neighbor hood., they will buy the land on which his shanty sets, and then "burn it. Sometimes, poor people build log houses on lands of which 110 owner can be found at tho time, and thus these houses aro left at the mercy of who ever may subsequently obtain possession of tho lands."
" Is there no law in. this State against such things, Mr. H. ? And will not public opinion prevent a man from burning his neighbor's house ? " I inquired.
" I know not what the law is," answered Mr. H.; " but I know that slaveholders do as they please with the property of nouslavelioldcrs, who have, in any way, dis pleased them. And I state the fact, as within, my own knowledge, that the poor are sometimes compelled to leave a neighborhood after their dwellings have thus been destroyed by fire. And often, even when the poor man has a good claim to the land on which his house stands, a slaveholder will set up a false claim to it, and drive him. away. The fact is so generally understood that the courts favor the slaveholders, and there is so little hope of obtaining redress by law, that the nonslaveholdcrs usually submit rather than contend with them."
The degradation of "women is a mark of heathenism the -world over. It is one of the boasted triumphs of Christianity--justly so -- that it lias always tended to elevate and improve the condition of women. And though there is a kind of refinement aiid elegance among the females of slaveholdiiig families, -- the tendency of

WAYSIDE NOTES.

295

the system is to degrade them. Especially is this the case among the slaves, and the non.sla~ehold.ers.
Of the former I hardly need to ppcak. The female
slaves cannot be otherwise than degraded. Subjected at all times to the passions of the whites, chastity and refinement arc out of the question. They are stripped entirely naked to be punished, not only on the planta tions, but by the city marshals in the cities, to whom the masters send them for this purpose. And often they are exposed in public for sale, in the same condition.
Let the Northern tourist visit the slave market, or the whipping- post, and lie will frequently behold scones at which the most degraded African, just imported, would Iiang Ms head in shame ! A slave woman, entirely na ked, .surrounded by a profane and vulgar crowd, while she writhes under the lash, or is offered, for purposes of prostitution, to the highest bidder ! Such is the " Chris tianizing influence" of which the advocates of the slave trade so loudly boast!
JVor do tlio slave women suffer alone in this respect. Among the poor, ignorant, degraded, intemperate 11011slavcholders, the condition of the females is wretched beyond description. Especially is this the case in those families that have been owners of slaves. The father and the sons arc cither so dissipated that they make no provision for their families, or they arc already in drunk ards' graves. Often have I seen women who have been brought up in luxury, all iniuscd to labor, thus compelled by reverse of fortune to work In the field. Their for-

296

INSIDE VIEW OP SLAVERY.

mer acquaintances, among slaveholders, neither know nor care any thing about their condition.
In Wilkinson county, (.a., t saw two young- Is dies at work in the iield. They told me that the year before, 1852, they performed all the labor, -- plowing, planting, hoohig, ttc., and raided throe bales of cotton. Tucy lived in >jiiimct; near the Central railroad. This cotton was worth there about forty dollars a bale. They had a widowed mother, and this was their only means of sup port.
In another county on the Ocoiicc river I saw an agca grand-mother, a daughter, and three grand-daughters, all at work in the same field, hoeing cotton. They had been slaveholders j but the father of the three youngest had squandered his property in dissipation, and dying in poverty, the family were compelled to labor in this way to keep themselves from starvation. Such instances are common throughout tlie whole South.

PREJUDICE AGAINST C'OLQB.

The anti-slavery cattse has encountered no greater ob stacle in. the free States, than prejudice against color. As absurd and wicked as it is, it has been almost uni versal, -- excluding the colored race not only from so cial position, but from, churches and schools, --- from hotels, steamboats, and railroad cars. This unchristian prejudice is wearing away, -- and yet, during the present year, one of the most accomplished ladies in the country

WAYSIDE NOTES-

297

lias ofi cii been put to serious inconvenience, even in oS'ew England, by certain, brainless puppets of fashion, who affected to look down upon, her with contempt, -- un conscious that they thus exposed themselves to the con tempt of all those whose good opinion is of any conse quence.
This prejudice against color lias not only had a ten dency to check all sympathy for the .slaves, -- hut it has been the source of many foolish objections to emancipa tion. Men and -women, who carry on their bodies the unwashed filth of years--covered, perhaps, with purple and Hue linen -- turnup their noses with horror at the idea of having a "nigger" around them. And at the thought of emancipation they picture to themselves an innumerable company of slaves, "turned loose " to ovei'run the North, as terrible as the locusts of Egypt!
It is somewhat surprising to a Northern man to find 110no of this prejudice in the South. If the slaves could be set at liberty to-day, there would, be nothing of this kind to exclude them, from genteel society. The whites are accustomed now to associate with them as intimately, though not 011 the same terms of equality, as with each other. You find none of that exquisite, rose-water sen sitiveness iu the South which some men, and I am sorry to say, some 'women, even, in the free States, are so fond of exhibiting. If a colored man owns slaves, -- and I reg-ret to say that there are a few such in the South, --he is treated as courteously, and with as much respect, -wherever he travels, as any thin skinned white dandy who may chance to be in his company. I have always

298

INSIDE VIEW OP SLAVERY.

regarded the Korthern apologist for slavery as infinitely more worthy of condemnation than the slaveholdo* r ;- : nsolf,, trained up from his youth with Southern \icws and feelings. So this prejudice against color is a type of meanness beyond anything which the South can produce. The Southron would scorn it, in any such sense as it prevails in the free States.
We had in our company of passengers; on the "way from Georgia to Pennsylvania, a middle aged slaveholder, with a black woman and her infant child. This gentle man uniformly occupied the same seat in the cars with the colored lady, whom he treated with constant atten tion. He conversed with her freely and politely, -- dan dled her baby on his knee, and for ought that I knew, was her husband. Nor did. I hear any intimation, from any one in the company, that it was in the least degree improper or offensive to have a colored person iu the car or coach, "until we reached Philadelphia.
Soon after the train left that city for the North, a great stir was made in the ear in which 1 was seated, because a colored gentleman had taken, a seat there. Tins gen tleman was a Mr. Moore, formerly a slave. Tie' had re sided a few years in Philadelphia, where he had married an intelligent colored lady, and had accumulated a proper ty worth some two thousand dollars. The fugitive slave l.siU had passed, and his master had come to that city to arrest him. He had only time to fly, after notice of his danger, without taking any measures to secure his prop erty. He was a line looking, gentlemanly man.; and when he came into the cars, he was neatly dressed.

WAYSIDE NOTES.

299

I was sitting on the front seat, facing the passengers, when the conductor went to Mr. Moore, and informed him that the passengers objected to his occupying a scat In that car, and that ho must therefore take a seat in one of another class. Mr. M. followed the conductor for ward to the door. I rose up, and said to the conductor that I had just traveled hundreds of miles in tho slave States, -- that I had heard 110 one complain because col ored persons were allowed to sit in the sarac cars with us, -- and that I felt indignant and ashamed to see a distinction made as soon as we came into a free State. And I told him that if any individual must leave that ear on that account, I would give up my seat to the col ored passenger, and leave, myself. !>r. Bailey, of the National Era, who was sitting near, also interceded ; and Mr. Moore was allowed to remain. How long will the people of the North cherish a feeling so repugnant to all tbc dictates not only of humanity, bat of common sense ?

XXIII.
THE GIANT SLAVE.
" But slaves '-vho once conceive the glowing thought Of freedom, in th-'t hope it=ulf posposs All t'hsrc th'-i onntert e.:!ls for --^'"r't, strength, The scorn ..>'," uar.^v, the undying hope.. The surest presage of the good they seek."
CoWPER.
MUCH lias been gaid of the equality of races. The discussion generally is profitless. Races, like individu als, are unlike; and therefore the question of equality can never be settled. Each, in some qualities, excels the others. With all the boasting of our Anglo-Saxon stock, it is undeniable that the African race, under equal advantages, would excel us in music and poetry. And who shall say tliat the fine arts are not quite as impor tant as the more solid endowments which, perhaps, the Creator has given in greater measure to us ? The rights of man are dependent on neither. These God has given alike to all, of every nation, of every degree of culture.
It is a curious fact that, even among barbarous tribes of men, \vo find occasionally ouc whom, the All-wise has rarely endowed, --one who pooscr-ises powers cud abil ities far above his fellows. Such was Black Hawk.

TUB GIANT SLAVE.

301

among the Indians. And in tlio South there may be loan.3 here and there a slave of remarkable strength, both of body and mind. They appear to be exceptions to the general rule, standing forth among their oppressed and degraded brethren,
" above the rest In shape and. gesture proudly emmmeiit."
Such, undoubtedly, was "Dread," whose terrible death I have already recorded. It was not my fortune to see hinij -- as he fell a sacrifice to the slave system before I visited the neighborhood where he lived, and suffered, and died. But I gathered up what little could be learned of his history, and leave it in. this volume, a feeble trib ute to his memory.
" The best temperance lecturer I ever heard,1 ' said a Southern merchant to me, " was a giant negro up river, whom I once heard speak on that subject." This was "Hannibal/"' the subject of this sketch.
I had occasion to cross the ------ river. It was a dark, stormy day, and the waters were swollen by the freshet. The river was deep, and wide, and the ferry boat was drawn across by means of a rope, fastened to a tree on cither side. I noticed, as I entered the boat, that the ferryman -- a slave -- was a man of giant stat ure, and prodigious muscular development. He was about six and a half feet high, of admirable proportions., and though not by any means corpulent, he weighed, as I afterwards learned, over three hundred pounds. Though the current was strong, he held the boat steady by the rope, and rapidly drew it across the river. Like all
26

302

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

slaves who mingle in good society, ho was affable and polite in his manners; "but unlike most slaves., instead of that cringing look -which nothing "but a consciousness of degradation can produce, there was a native dignity and manliness in his bearing, which even Ins condition could not conceal; -- a divinity that not even slavery could tarnish or degrade. As he assisted me to the shore, he asked,
"Are you not from the North, sir ? " " Why do yon think so ? " I asked, with some surprise. "O," said he, " I have been across the river with so many persons, not only from all parts of this country, but from, foreign countries, that I can generally tell where any one is from." ""Well," said I, "you have guessed right in my caseI am from the North." I then left the ferryman alone, and walked to the village, half a mile distant. During the night, a large cypress tree, which the waters had brought down from its native "bank, was carried against Hannibal's ferry rope, uprooting the trees to whfcli it was fastened on either side. The next morning I came down to the river, intending to recross. The fact was known in the village that the rope had been, carried away, and that no one could cross until the waters had abated BO that another guide rope could be stretched over. ITeiice no one, -- except myself, who had not heard that the rope was gone, -- came down to the ferry house. This was a little log hut, of which Hannibal, was the only occu pant ; although he had iuid a wife aud two children, nine

THE GIANT SLAVE.

SOS

miles above, on the river, until within a few -weeks. As I stepped into .his lowly cabin, which had neither win dow nor door, Hannibal arose, and repeating my name, ho addresser! nie freely and cordially, as if I had been an old school mate. He said that he desired me to ex cuse this familiarity, as ho had "been np to the tavern, and had learned my name; and he earnestly requested me to inform him how the free colored people were get ting along in my State.
I saw., at a glance, that I was in the presence of no ordinary man. He had a broad, high forehead, a very large head, containing a massive brain, active and power ful; and, although apparently sincere and friendly, yet he looked so metaphysical, dark, and mysterious withal, that I feared to express any sympathy for him or for his race, lest he should betray me to his master.
" I know but little about the colored people/-' 1 replied. " I never saw a negro in. the town where I was brought up : and I advise a slave who has a kind master to bo contented where lie is."
Hannibal looked sad and dejected at my reply, but I was afraid to trust him. I left him abruptly, and strolled up the river a mile or two, looking at the magnificent forests of oak and pine that covered the banks. A few hours passed, and I came back again. When I walked softly and slowly up to Hannibal's hat, and looked in upon him, I just had a glimpse of a small, dingy book, as it- was (lung from his Viand iindev a "board, by the side of the rock chimney.
" Hannibal! can you road ? " said I,

304

INSIDE VIEW OP SLAVERY.

JTo sat motionless so long "before speaking, tliat I be gan to fear 'I had either troubled him, or that ho 'was intending to trouble me, when he sprang up from his stool, looked me firmly in the face., and asked, earnestly,
ei Wont you betray me, master ? " "Betray you ? Hannibal! Ko ; I am your friend." "My friend?" said ho, with deep emotion. ""What am I to understand by that ? " " Why, that I am not only your friend, but the friend of yonr Tace,' said I. "Indeed, sir!" ejaculated the slave. "And in what way are you the friend of my race ? " I now saw plainly that he wanted a friend, and I re plied, "I wish that you all enjoyed the same liberty that I enjoy." He turned to the chimney, raised the board, and took out the book. It was .Robinson Crusoe ! This was the first time 3:e had read it; and he was so deeply absorbed in the story, -- not expecting any one down from the village to cross tlio river, -- that I had surprised him. ci 'Inhere, " said he, handing me the book with a trem bling; hand, " is what i was reading. Rid you ever read that book, master ? " " Oh, yes, Hannibal! That was one of the first books I ever read when I was a little boy. It is a beautiful stoi-y, too." "A story, master ! I thought it was real. I am sorry it was made tip; for I \Yfistbinkino; how fiappy I ^houll be on such au island, where 1 could be waiter awhile.'' <J But how carne you to be able to read it, Hannibal ? "

TUB GIANT SLATE

305

Ho wont to the hiding place, and took out Garrison's work 011 colonization, two copies of Jjeavitt's Emanci pator, and a mutilated, copy of the .New Testament, saying,
"I liavo begged these of Northern, men, -- promising them that after they were gone., I would drop them where the slaveholders would find them. Now, master, I will tell you ; only one man in the world, besides you, has ever known that I can read a word. That was my young master John. My mother nursed him at the same time she nursed me. Wo were just about the same age. When master John was sent to the academy here, and learned his letters, he taught them to me. As soon as my old master found out that John was teaching me, he forbade it. But t loved John, and he loved me also. I always had considerable influence over him, and could persuade or hire him to do anything for me. I told him that I would never reveal the fact, if he would teach me all that he learned himself. John had confidence in me, and whatever ho was taught at school, he taught me. When he began to read Latin, he called me mas ter ; for he left his grammar with aie nights, and I learned faster than he did by day. Sometimes he came to out- hut Sundays, and he said I gave him. better in struction than he got at the academy.
"And now, master, I will tell you why I asked you about the free colored, people at the North. My young master used, to tell me that he meant to make me free; but he died suddenly, and nothing was done about It. My old master has always been kind to mo, and I have

306

INSIDE VIEW OF SLATER*.

always tried to be contented with ray fate, although my labors have been very hard, and my comforts few. I had a wife, Init she teas taken from rue two weeks ago! She belonged to another man, nine miles above here. I never let her know that I could read; for I knew that she was liable at any time to be sold, and in many ways the fact "would become known. She had a crnel master,, and did not have enough corn to cat. I used to carry food and other thing's to her and. to my two little boys. My master knew it, and did not forbid it. I complained of the treatment which my wife received from her mas ter ; for I loved Nelly, and always shall! Her master hated inc. after he found out that I talked about his be ing a hard master to my wife ; and to punish me, ho sold her to be carried off two hundred miles up river. .My master offered seven hundred dollars more for Nei'y than she was sold for; but her master would not have me gratified so much as to have her live with me. An other man, -- whoso wife lives in this place, -- was sold by Nelly's master at the same time, and taken to the same plantation where she is. He ran away and came back here to see his wife, and he told me that Nelly wanted him to let me know where she was.
''Now/' he continued, (i l am resolved to run away. I have three hundred dollars by me that my master has no knowledge of; and I shall either go up to the neigh borhood where Nelly is, find a hiding place in the woods, get her with me, hire the slaves to bring- us provisions, and so live together as long as we can, and suffer what ever may come upon us;-- or I will make the attempt

TJ3E GIANT SLAVE.

307

to reach the North, where I can be free. I am now forty years old. I have often cursed. God for my fate ! Death, to me, would always Lave been a welcome relief ! I pre fer it noiv to the prospect of living longer in. my present condition.. And while I have the strength, and the ivillt I am resolved on one effort for a change, come "what may 1 Can I get to a free State ? "
"How? " said I. "Across the country?" " O, no ! " he replied, quickly. " It is a long way; and I am so much larger than most slaves, every one who sees me would demand a pass. All the hounds, and half the devils who own them, would chase me. I should probably be taken, or killed, in a short time j both if cither, I tell you / But can't I go down river in a light bafeait, in the night, arid find some friend in the city, who will help me on. board a vessel bound Xorth, and so escape ? " " Oh, no ! " said I. "There would not be one chance in a thousand for you to reach a free State in that way. 23ut I can plan to make you free in a single day, after I arrive at Kcw "S ork." "How ? How ? " he asked, with great earnestness. "I can raise the money," I replied, "to purchase your freedom." "Ah, sir ! " said the despairing slave, "the man would be shot, who should come here, with any sum of money, proposing to buy me and carry tne North. The slave holders here know that 1 know all about slavery, and that I could tell what I know; and never shall I be al lowed to go to a free State "with tlicir consent. "

308

INSIDE VIEW OF

"I used to talk on the subject of temperance;. The slaves were very intemperate here, and my master told me that I might hold meetings, and talk to them. Soon after I commenced talking' publicly, the slaves began to quit drinking-. They came a great distance to hear me. Not only the slaves, but their masters also came in crowds. The latter expressed great astonishment that I could use so good language, and they said it must be inspiration, ----not knowing that I went to the academy with John, and that he taught me much of what little he learned at college, after he came home from the North."
I suggested several plans for his escape, but no one that was feasible, in his opinion. I asked him if it was a common thing in that neighborhood, where there were five hundred slaves, for them to separate Imsband and wife. He said,
"I and Scipio, my half brother,".whose "wife has just been sold, were reckoning up last night, how many we know who have been separated since we "were married, six years ago ; and we reckoned up thirty !"
I remained there several days, and during that time had several interviews with this remarkable slave. Arid the more I saw him, the more strongly -was I impressed with his natural greatness and power, -- not, indeed, en tirely destitute of cultivation. What would I not have given, to deliver him from the terrible load that pressed him down ! "We often conversed on the subject of his escape, and I left Inni, not without some hope of soon meeting Mm in a land where ' the slave would be a man/'
About the time I was ready to start, the waters of the

THE GIANT SLAVE.

oO\)

river liad partially subsided, and Hannibal's mastery "with Scipio, came down to stretch across another rope. I concluded to take the same boat with them. The cur rent was still strong as the river had not yet settled within its banks ; and it was therefore necessary to ro\v up stream farther than usual before crossing, or the cur rent would carry us down below the landing 011 the op posite shore. Below this landing there was an alder swamp, through which wo njust wade if we fell below the wharf. Before we had gone-} up far enough to insure a sate landing, the master ordered the boat to be headed across. Hannibal remonstrated,, and said that we should certainly fall below tho wharf. But the master said, -- ''head her about/' -- not regarding the opinion of the slave, who bad a life-long acquaintance with the river.
He soon perceived, however, that the current was stronger than he ..Had anticipated, and that wo TV ere in danger of being carried below the wharf; and he said to Hannibal, "you don't pull, boy." The next dip, tho oar fell deep in the waters, and the "boy ; ' pulled so hard, that he shivered it In. pieces ! It was made of sound hard pine, and was about four inches in diameter. I expected to hear ihe master scold when he heard the eras]i of the oar, and saw that we should fail to reach the wharf; but he laughed, and exclaimed,
" It is a gone case with us now, boys ! We have got to wade."
Arid so it "was. Instead of being landed at the wharf, we were run into the swamp below. The master jumped out where the cold water--for it was win-

310

INSIDE VIEW OF SLA\:E:RY,

ter--- was up to his waist. But the boys said the pas senger was not to blame, and they pulled the boat over and through, the alders, about forty rods, where I stepped out in water so shallow as not to rim over my boots.
Hero I left Hannibal -- receiving in sadness his parting1 blessing. And his last words to me were, -- u I shall start -within a fortnight.''

XXIV.
THE ETHIOPIAN" SOCRATES-
"Yes, dark-soulcd chieftain! -- if the light Of mild Religion's heavenly ray
Unveiled not to thy mental sight The lowlier and the purer way, --
Let not the favored white man name Thy stern appeal, with words of "blame."
"WHTTTIER.
FEW Northern men, probably, have ever had a better view of slavery than I had. It may seem to those who have read the preceding pages that I have portrayed only its darker features. To some extent this is true. An inside -view of slavery could not be otherwise. What ever fairer and better aspects it presents, they are all external, and have so often been presented to the pub lic that it lias been no part of my purpose to reproduce them. And while I do not deny the truth of such rep resentations, as exhibiting simply the outside of the sys tem, I claim for that which is less exposed, and less noticed, at least an equal importance, in order fully to understand the subject.
I cannot bring- this volume to a close more appropri ately than with the following story, from a recent number

32

lA'SIDJ? VIEW OJ? SLAVERY.

of the yV. Y". Itidependt-mt. It is from the pen of that beautiful and popular writer, who, I believe, is only kiiov.ni to the public by her nomrne dc plume, "Minnie llyrtlc." Slse assures me that the narrative may bo relied upon us correct in. every particular, even in tlio language used by the poor slave. It was related to her by a citi zen of Baltimore, a distinguished member of the Society of Friends., who received it from the J udge who presided at the trial. J\ro one can read it without feeling that there are powers and capacities, both of doing- and suf fering1 , in the African race, far above what he lias been accustomed to believe. And if, in view of such facts, there are any who are willing- to volunteer with their apologies for .slaveholders, to debauch the public heart -with "South-Side Views," and Scriptural defenses, 1 am fully pursuaclcd that the only way such men could bo convinced of the enormities of slavery -would be to ap ply the iron to their own limbs, and the lash to their own backs, until they conlcl " remember those in bonds as bound with them."
Many years a^o, said aix aged gentleman to^ me, I was traveling among Iho mo-mi tains of Virginia, when on.e of those terrible stonns arose winch are knovm only among the mountains ; -when the raiu falla iu Rliccts, and tlie thunder roars in one continuous crash raid peal, seem ing as if the hills would be shaken from their founda tions, and tho heavens gleam, like a mass of fire which the clconohiiig waters cannot quench- We were a Icmg distance from any village, and for a long time looked in vain for a temporary shelter, but at length came in sight

THE ETHIOPIAN SOCRATES.

313

of a small inn, wluch our little party filled to overflow ing. So oil another party arrived, which the pitiless storm had driven to the same shelter. But the landlord was more pitiless still, and rudely told them that lie had no room for more. But as we were all of one family, wo offered to share 'with our new comers half our own accommodations, and were soon on such terms of ac quaintanceship with a cultivated gentleman and his intel ligent daughters, as a storm and the close proximity of a country inn know best how to produce.
Before dark the storm had ceased, and the moon arose in. all her queenly beauty, inviting us to sit upon the broad piazza and enjoy the evening air. Our new friends were from a more southern clime, and commenced con versation by asking if we had heard of a sad instance of wrong and crime which occurred not long; ago in a neighboring county. As things of that kind did not then so frequently find their way into the public prints as in these days, wo had seen no allusion to the matter, and listened with unspeakable emotion whilst the gentleman related to us the following story:
" A Southern trader had been commissioned to pur chase a blacksmith, aud to pay any price for one of su perior skill and qualifications, wherever he might be found. In his rearnings about the country he heard of one belonging to a rich lady, but doubted about being able to obtain him, as necessity would not compel her to part with him, and lie had been long a faithful servant in, her family. She "was sick, too? and would not, as a
27

314

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

dying act, wish, to sell from his wife arid children one who had proved of such invaluable service to her.
" But a thousand dollars proved a temptation which even a dying woman could not resist, and the bargain -was finished, and the soul and body of a noble man con signed as property to a heartless trader, without a word of consultation with him on the subject. On being called and informed of the transfer,, he exclaimed in bitter ag ony, e What have, I done to deserve this ? Have I not been a faithful servant, laboring night and day for my mistress, without ever in a single instance refusing to obey her orders?' Hero his voice choked so that lie could not speak, as he seemed overwhelmed with a sense of the wrong which had been done him, and of his help lessness ; but ho soon added, < "Well, I know I am a poor slave, and must submit to my fate, but it is hard.'
u The trader was neither moved to compassion nor kindness, and he approached to place upon his limbs the galling fetters, which were only the symbols of a more galling servitude, when the negro ventured again to remonstrate. He did not ask for freedom, or to be re turned to his mistress- Alas ! the thought of her must have been bitterness indeed to him now-- but he asked the one little boon of being permitted to see liis "wife and children before lie was separated from them for ever.
" 1 1 know,' ho said, ' I am your slave. You have bought me and paid for me, and I am bound to obey you This I will not refuse to do. But I have a wife and lit-

THE ETHIOPIAN SOCRATES-

315

tie children two miles from hero, -with whom I have lived very happy. "Will you not permit me to see them once more before I go ? I promise solemnly I will return to-morrow morning, and go with you and do your bid ding without a murmur.'
'No,1 said the trader, 'you cannot go.' ' But oh? it is very hard that I caunot see my wife and children before I go, and bid them farewell. I am a man of truth, and I promise faithfully to return to morrow morning if you will let me go.' " ' No,' was the indignant answer; ' you cannot go ; and you may as well come along without any more fuss.' " l Well/ answered the honest and injured husband and father, ' I must submit. I cannot help myself. But I toll you plainly I will never serve you,- I will never perform a single act for your benefit.' " ' Oh, I am not troubled about that,' said the trader; ' I know how to deal with such as you, and have no fears about your obeying my commands.' And ho placed tho manacles upon his wrists and ankles, gave him a blow from his whip, and he was driven away. " How the proud spirit chafed and writhed in. the fet ters .- But, as he said, there was no help. For several days he was detained at a station-house, till a large gang was collected, when they were marched off towards their Southern destination. There was no further remon strance, and no attempt at escape; till with feet sore and bleeding from days and nights of constant tramping upon thorny paths and burning sands, they encamped upon the borders of a running stream for a little rest.

316

INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.

The men reclined in their chains upon the ground, and the women "were strewed in heaps among' the baggage of the wagons. Xlie moon slioiic clear and bright, and scarcely a breath of air stirred the leaves of the trees above their heads, and all were asleep. It was not a night to favor crime ; yet revenge burned so hotly in the bosom of the outraged negro that he could not longer delay. His trade had made him familiar with iron links, and with a little application of his skill his bonds were loosened, and lie was free. But he did not attempt to fry. Ho crept stealthily to the tent of the trader, and with one blow of the axe severed his head from his body! -- then returned to his resting place and slept soundly till morning!
*' The break of day revealed the terrible deed, and the excitement soon spread from the negro camp to the neighboring settlements, and crowds gathered in eager curiosity to learn the particulars of the crime. Several were put to the torture in attempts to make them con fess, but the guilty one not wishing others to suffer for what he had done, came forward and gave himself up to justice. Double manacles were put upon his limbs, and he was confined in jail until the day of trial. On being told by the judge that he "would have the benefit of coun sel and every advantage which the law could give, not withstanding his confession, he again disclaimed all pre tensions to innocence, and expressed no desire to live. ( I killed the man,' said he, ' and I did it after deliberate reflection, and still think his hard-hearted cruelty justified the act. 1 am not sorry,'

v THE ETHIOPIAN SOCRATES.

317

" There was a sort of mock trial, at the end of which the verdict of ' Guilty,' was solemnly rendered, and the accused was asked if he had anything to say to the court"Witb great dignity, and no visible emotion he arose and said:
" 1 1 am grateful for your kindness, and for the oppor tunity you gave me of escaping death; but I have no wish to live. I am cruelly separated from all that is most dear to me, and life is no longer of any value. I do not wish to live, and I am not afraid to die, and I have only one favor to ask of earthly friends. I would like to know that the day of my execution is fixed on the 4th of July, which will soon be here. It is the day you celebrate as the anniversary of your emancipation from the slavery of a foreign despotism. If you grant me this request, the day will be the anniversary of my emancipation from a bondage much more galling than was ever inflicted upon you. From that day I shall be as free as you !'
"He who spoke was of Ethiop blackness, but his manner was as calm as that of the Athenian philosopher when, the hemlock was presented to his lips, and his whole demeanor as dignified and respectful, Among the audience there was a breathless stillness, which for a long time was not interrupted, and all departed under the influence of deep and impressive solemnity.
"Neither in the prison nor on the scaffold was there any change in the guilty man, and nothing could wring from him anything like a confession that he had sinned in taking the life of one so inhuman. He had rid the

318

INSIDE VIEW OB'

earth of a monster, and was willing to die for the deed. " His mind was in the darkness of heathenism, and we
leave him for God to judge. And we also leave Him to judge those who keep in darkness millions of immortal souls, and so imbrutalize and degrade them that cooscience is without life, and deliberate crime without hor ror.
" But it is pleasant to add that there were accounts immediately of the liberation of many who had been kept in bondage in that region, proving that the dying words of a negro could affect the heart,"

** Oh, "wheie's the tnan so lowly, Condemned to things unholy,
"Who, could he burst His chains at first, "Would pine beneath them slowly ?
What soul whose wrongs degrade it, "Would wait till time decayed it,
"When thus its wing At once may spring To the throne of Him who made it ?"