"The worst feature in our society, and the most revolting, is the purchase and sale of slaves; and it is this which renders their situations precarious and uncomfortable, and occasions them more uneasiness than all other causes combined. On this subject I will submit a few observations before I close this letter. So far as the traffic is confined to the neighbourhood, it is of little consequence, and is often done for the accommodation of the slave. It breaks no ties of kindred, and occasions only a momentary pang, by transferring the slave from the master who perhaps is no longer able to keep him, to one as good who is able, or who purchases because he owns his wife or child, &c. It is the sale to negro-buyers by profession which is in general so odious to the slave, although there are instances in which these artful men prevail with them to apply to their owners to be sold. Such sales, except in the rare instance just alluded to, are never voluntarily made of slaves whose conduct and character are good. Masters will not part with their slaves but from sheer necessity, or for flagrant delinquencies, which in other countries would be punished by deportation at least. Thousands retain them when they know full well that their pecuniary condition would be greatly improved by selling, or even giving them away. It is the last property the master can be induced to part with. Nothing but the dread of a jail will prevail with him. Negro-traders, although there are many among us, are universally despised by the master, and detested by the body of the slaves. Their trade is supported by the misfortunes of the master, and the crimes or misconduct of the slave, and not by the will of either party, except in a few instances. Sometimes the slave, after committing a theft or other crime, will abscond, for fear of detection; or will be enticed away from his master's service by holding out to him false hopes; and perhaps the negro-buyer himself is the decoy. If caught, he is generally sold, for the sake of the example to other slaves. From these sources the negro-buyers are supplied; but it does not happen, in one case out of a thousand, that the master willingly sells an honest, faithful slave. The man doing so would be looked upon as a sordid, inhuman wretch; and be shunned by his neighbours and countrymen of respectable standing.
"I believe, if any plan could be fallen upon to remove our slaves to a place where they would be willing to go, and where their condition would be probably improved, that many, very many masters would be ready to manumit them. An opinion is entertained by increasing numbers, that slave labour is too expensive to be continued in a grain-growing state, if its place can be supplied by freemen. In other words, that the free labourer would cost less, and work harder, than the slave. But the slaves themselves are unwilling to go to Liberia, and very few would accept their freedom on that condition.! Some, already emancipated, remain in the state, incurring the constant risk of being sold as slaves. To send them to any part of our own country without worldly knowledge or capital, is deemed by most masters false humanity; and to retain them here in the condition of free negroes is impossible.
"Until some plan can be suggested to remove these difficulties, under the guidance and direction of the constituted authorities, we are averse to all agitation of the subject. We know it will be attended with danger to one class, and will increase the burdens and privations of the other. Hence our indignation at the movements of the Northern abolitionists, who are meddling with a subject they know nothing about. Let them come among us, and see the actual condition of the slaves, as well as of the whites, and I am persuaded all whose intentions are really good, would, on their return, advise their deluded co-operators to desist from agitation.
"I have thus endeavoured to answer your inquiries; but I know that the sketch is imperfect. I have had but a part of a day to do it in, and I have been obliged to omit many pertinent observations. But, if you wish fuller information on any particular point, I shall be happy to communicate with you further, and in a few more days shall be at greater leisure.
" Very respectfully, I am, sir,The abolitionists are" accustomed to ascribe the kind treatment of the master to his slave to a mere interested feeling. It is his interest to treat him well, that he may derive the greater benefit from his services. Admitting, for the sake of argument, that this is the case, it may be asked, what more effectual security can be offered against cruelty and oppression, or one more extensive in its operation, than that universal principle which more or less influences the conduct of all mankind? It were well if we all had the same direct and palpable interest in doing good, for the world would be the better for it in every respect. But is it true that the mere pecuniary interest of the master in his slave constitutes the sole security for his kind treatment? The preceding letters indicate that the best impulses of humanity operate in behalf of the slave, and that their social and domestic relations naturally tend to produce feelings of benevolence on one hand, gratitude on the other.
"Your obedient servant."
The statements in these letters are corroborated by the author of a late excellent work, entitled "The South-West; By a Yankee," who is understood to be Professor Ingraham. Speaking of the different deportment of Northern and native Southern planters towards their slaves, he observes :
"Northerners are entirely unaccustomed to their habits, which are perfectly understood and appreciated by Southerners, who have been familiar with Africans from childhood ; whom they have had for their nurses, playmates, and 'bearers;' and between whom and themselves a reciprocal and very natural attachment exists, which, on the gentleman's part, involuntarily extends to the whole coloured race, exhibited in a kindly feeling and condescending familiarity, for which he receives gratitude in return. On the part of the slave, this attachment is manifested by an affection and faithfulness which only cease with life. Of this state of feeling, which a Southern life and education can only give, the Northerner knows nothing."— "The slave always prefers a Southern master, because he knows he will be understood by him. His kindly feelings towards, and his sympathies with slaves, as such, are as honourable to his heart as gratifying to the subjects of them. He treats with suitable allowance those peculiarities of the race, which the unpracticed Northerner will construe into idleness, obstinacy, revenge, or hatred."Here follows another picture of the horrors of slavery, by the same hand. The author, after describing some not very agreeable peculiarities in the mode of keeping the Sabbath at Natchez, on the Mississippi, adds:
"But this unpleasing picture of a Sabbath morning has brighter teints to redeem the graver character of its moral shades. Of all that picturesque multitude of holyday slaves, two thirds, the majority of whom are women, are on their way to church, into whose galleries they congregate at the hour of divine service in great numbers, and worship with an apparent devoutness and attention, which beings, who boast intellects of a higher order, might not disdain to imitate. The female slaves very generally attend church in this country; but whether to display their tawdry finery, of which they are fond to a proverb, or for a better purpose I will not undertake to determine. The males prefer collecting in little knots in the streets, where, imitating the manners, bearing, and language of their masters, they commence, with grave faces and in pompous language, selecting hard, high-sounding words, which are almost always misapplied, and distorted from their original sound as well as sense, to a most ridiculous degree; astounding their gaping auditors 'ob de field-nigger class who cannot boast such enviable accomplishments.
