Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-12-02


ample, because il is w ell calculated to give YOU
confidence in your success, and more especially as
It my good fortune, for such esteem il, TO
have brought forward and advocated With nv fee
Die, but with my whole strength this bill, which
created the head spring, scarcely perceptble in the
beginning, whose waters have already become
mighty current destined would fondly hope to
bear its blessing to every part Of my native State,
till time shall be more.
pass to another subject of no less interest,"
The treatment and management Of our slaves. They
form large, hnot the principal part of our lsbour-
lng class--snch class whether bond free, white
or black must exist in every community, they
are the indispensable foundation OF the social fabric
every mtSaon oftheir condition consistent with the
end OF their existence is therefore solemn obliga-
zion on those, to whose comfort they contribute
IL has pleased providence to permit with us a large
share OF this useful class be slaves. l esteem il
fortunate a. true that their good treatment is re-
commended no less by interest than humanity, and
that their being subjected proper discipline and
made to perform reasonable share of labour is
equally beneficial 10 themselves and their owners
When well treated, by which mean abun,lantIy
fed, well clothed, and in sickness due attention aud
every COMFORT thrr condition requires and in the
power OF the owner 10 administer they are enabled
TO perform, and do perform in most instances with
aiacrity, so much more labor than when otherwise
used, as most completely to indemnify their en-
us when proper authority is not exercised that their
owners are unable to provide for them comfortably.
that such slaves become entirely insubortlinae and
are generally pest to the peighbourhood. And
hence permitting them 10 do nothing. which by
some Is termed humanity, is attended alike with the
INJURY oithe slave, and the speedy ruin OF the own
er, who surrenders himself TO this misguided ndulg
ence. Their diet should be bread without limi, "a
daily (ft he small one) allowance of meat (bacop
II practicaoie) milk in thesummer, and autumn anG
cider, with those who have orchards IN the winter
and spring to supply the absence of milk. Add 10
this on proper occasions small quantity of whis-
key--six or seven gallons To a labourinr hand dur
ing the year. The advantage is beliey ed to be far
beyond the cost. Their clothing should be three
siits--a good warm for winter, and two linen
for summer and there should be on an estate of
extent hand to cook and wash for the labourers
ne humane attention oil the master is particularly
appealed 10 IN sickness or when they become old
and lnhrm In the former situation they are enti-
tied not only to medical aid / but to the immediat.
attention OF the master. He should give of hi.
stores at that time with sparing hand In raising
children one place of rendezy Gus under the super-
lntendence OF some elderly woman, who unites
Kindness with authority, and who is responsible for
their comfort and safety, is productive Of the hes,
resuits.S 10 this kind of treatment | have added
rewards TO the most deserving The cost is triflng,
and the effect manitestly beneficial Ii inspires
SNNOAiicS a.
good conduct.
The relation of master and slave thus maintain
su' Is deprived oil It's otherwise harsh and unfrend
~ character, produces the consoling reflection thai
every thing has been accomplished which the actin
nj posture oil our situation admits; leaves no re-
s'e'' except what results from uncomfortable cir
cumstances, and in its practical operation on the
slaves themselves is attended with content with
comfort, and degree of happiness far bevond
what their coan.rymen enjoy in their native land
ana challenging without fear, a comparison with
ne idoourihS classes IN some of he civilized conn
uies OF Europe Any effort forcibly TO dist,r,
tner relation with view TO change of their con-
e'''o"' which can he attempted only by those who
40 not ioresee, or seeing reckless of the conse
quences, cannot fail make worse the condition of
the slaves For our own daily experience teaches
us that the condition of the slaves when well trea
cd, - Infinitely preferable to that of free peonIe Of
colour We know that they are ignorant. insoIen,
ana demoralized, having ostensible means OF
acquiring their subsistence, wreched az it L. so az
10 ieaVe no doubt that II is derived from prostitu-
Ion, IRON theft and from begging and 10 be rid of
whom IS an object of our first desire Our slaves
Drought amongst Us by other generations, not only
under the sanction OF, but by the existing sove-
reign authority; mixed with in such numbers az
TO be unmanageable except in their present condi
tion; guaranteed as property to US by the funda
mental principles OF society, both implied and en-
IL
nue. exclusively under our controul--and such be-
lieve is the settled conviction of vast proDor,ion
OF the American people to whatever section we
refer The croakings of the distempered ,yho
seek 10 establish character for philanthropy at the
expense oil others, whose specuations are indulg-
ed wIthont scrupe at the hazard of the future peace
ana happiness OF great nation, who encounter
neither risk nor sacrifice in the projects they pro
pose VIII soon be consigned TO the obi, ion thew
merit Every man OF observation is sensible that
ths IS chord of great sensbility, which when
rudely touched by strange aud unskilful hand vi
bTates in terrible discord through large portion of
this Union. He, therefore, who looks to this u
mon no moter where accident may have placed
hini' w;ll uniie heart and hand in scowling into
contempt those wild or incendiary projects
From the treatment OF our slaves naturally am
led to the treatment of gers, or overseers
ms Is one OF the most difficult as well as perplex-
ing objects on which we have act. From the
almost universal complaints on this subject and the
eo'tniai changes that taking place among
them, there must be something radically wrong in
this part oil our administration. have endeavored
10 explore the causes, and will proceed to give
you tie result of my reflections Undue preiudi-
ces are INDUCED against this class of people. That
such class IS necessary 10 the stale Of Society
their existence and employment unquestionably
prove. A prejudice against that which is indispen-
sable canaot he defended rational grounds. That
there are vicious in this class is unquesiionahe
bu' are there not vicious enp!oJ too; and it is
very wei worth the enquiry whether this very pre-
Judice and rs consequent Ill treatment is not cal
eul1ted 10 produce the causes of complain, on
whose existence this prejudice seeks TO Justify
itself. Penuriols salaries suspcioh--harsh treat
ment, tend 20 degradation. and debasement Add
60 this, continual restlessness aud disposition TO
an annual change; and you have summed up the
general treatment to which they are exposed Thus
you move on in one continued circle and not IN