Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-11-26

Mr.. BARBOUR, the Secretary Vi WAT, 10 e"'
Agricultural Society of Albermarle county, il
Virginia, of which he is President We cop,
from the National lntelligencer. Tile Editors
introduce it by remarking, in substance, that,
considering the official position of the writer,
it has mucl. point in it, and win satisfy the
People of the South that there is not the
slightest foundation for the suspicion, which
some have entertained, of 4 design, on the
part ofthe General Government, to interfere
with their peculiar property and rights II
would seem as if Mr.. Barbour had penned
this passage on purpose to dispel whatever
misconception may exist, in any quarter, OH
that subject:
Ipass to another subject of no less
interest. The treatment and manage
ment of our slaves. They form large,
if not the principal part of our labor
ing class, Such aclass, whether bond
or free, white or black, must exist in
every community, as they are the in
dispensable foundation Of the social
fabric. Every mitigation Of their con-
dition consistent with the end Of their
existence is therefore solemn o5liga
ton on those to whose comfort they
contribute. 1t has pleased Providence
10 permit with us large share of this
useful class to be slaves. | esteem it
fortunate as true that their good treat.
msn' is recommended no less by inter-
est than humanity, and that their being
subjected to proper discipline, and
made to perform reasonable share OF
labor, is equally beneficial to them
selves and their owners. When well
treated, by which mean abundantly
fed, well clothed, and in sickness due
attention and every comfort their con-
dilion requires and in the power of the
owner to administer, they are enabled
TO perform. and do perform in most in
stances with alacrity, so much more
labor than when otherwise used, as
most completely to indemnifysiheir
employer. And every days observa-
ton ascertains to us, when proper au-
thority is not exercised, that their own
ers are unable 10 provide for them COM
fortably, that such slaves become en-
tirely insubordinate, and are generally
pest to the neighborhood; and hence
permitting them TO do nothing, which
BY some is termed humanity, is attend
ed alike with the injury Of the slave,
and the speedy ruin Of the owner. who
surrcnders himself to this misguided
Indulgence. Their diet should be
bread without limit--a daily Gift be a
small one) allowance Of meat, (bacon il
prao ticable}-inilk in the summer and
autumn--and cider, with those who
have orchards, in the winter and spring
10 supply The absence OF milk. Add
to this on proper occasions a small
quantity o. whiskey-six or seven gal
Ions to laboring hand .lring the year.
The advantage is believed 10 be far be-
yond the cost. Their clothing should
be three suits--a good warm one for
winter and two linnen for summer; and
there should be on an estate Of any ex-
tent hand to cook and wash for the
laborers. The humane attention OF
the master is particularly appealed TO
in sickness, or when they become old
and iufrm. In the former situation,
THEY are entitled not only to medical
aid. bat to theimmediate attention OF
the master. He should give of his
stores at that time with no sparing
hand. In raising children, one place
of RENDEZVOUS under the superintend-
encc Of some elderly woman, who u
mites kindness with authority, and who
is responsible for their comfort and
safety, is productive Of the best results.t
TO this kind of treatment | have added
rewards TO the most deserving. The
cost is trifling, and the effect manifest
" beneficial Itinspires gratitude to
the master, and becomes stimulus to
good conduct.
The relation of master and slave,
thus maintained, is deprived Of its 9th
erwise harsh and unfriendly character,
produces the consoling reflection, that
every thing has been accomplished
which the actual posture Of our sltua-
ton admits, leaves no regret, except
what results from uncomfortable Cir
cul.stances, and in its practical opera
ton on the slaves themselves is atten-
ded with content, with comfort, and a
degree Of happiness far beyond what
their countrymen enjoy in their native
land, and challenging without fear a
comparison with the laborlng classes
in some of the civilized countries oil
Europe. An effort lorcibly to disturb
their relation with view TO change
of their condition, which Can be at
tempted only by those who do not
foresee, or seeing are reckless Of the
consequences, cannot fail to make worse
the condition of the slaves For our
own daily experience teaches us that
the condition OF the slaves, when well
treated, is infinitely preferable TO that
of free neonle of color We know that