Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-05-24
Rural ECONOMY.
From the Southern Agriculturist.

SdUt6S, y FIH ~ 1oSo'
Mr.. Editor,-I received your letter a
month since, requesting me to give you
"my system in the management Of MIR.
plantation" Your letter | would
have answered before this; but being
now somewhat advanced in age, and not
exactly in writing order, deferred doing
so until the present time. However, since
you think an account of my system of
mana cement might benefit oyerseers gem
orally, shall comply, even at this late
hour /; for | do assure you, that nothing
gives me greater pleasure than to have it
in my power to say or do any thing, how
ever little, that might improve overseers
in their regulation and management. Hav-
ing been an overscer myself for twenty
wears, think ought to know, how impor-
,ant il is to them 10 be well informed as to
their duties. But, Mr.. Editor, this is not
acting like Il good overseer; am not VII
ting TO the point in question: SO without
any more preface, ] snail give you AS the
best outline of my system, an account OF
what you desire.
1t was fifteen years ago, that was tlrst
employed to overlook, and supcrlntend
the plantation of Mr.. AS wise
and conscientious man, MIR. rcqul-
red of me testimonials as TO honesty and
activity of character. When satisfied
him as to these, he then, in very explicit
manner, told me, what would be required
Of me. Among an hundred other things,
he impressed upon my mind, that was TO
: be his representative; to regulate his slaves
IN their moral and general conduct; to
sustain my employers reputation among
merchants for the quality. Of his produc-
tons; and to make his plantation pattern
Of regularity aud order TO the neighbor-
hood around. When Mr.. began
20 talk 10 this way, at first thought be
was quizzins me. had before been all
oyerseer but had never been spoken to
IN this solemn sort of manner. With 9th
er planters, where I showed that | was
honest aud active, that was enough-l
was directed where was to live, and my
authority as overseer commenced, for evil
or for good, for one year from that date.
say that when MIR. first began TO
lecture me as to what he would expect Of
me, thought him quizziug; but l soon
changed my mind. soou discovered
that he meant every word he said and
moreover meant, that it should be atten-
lively listened to, and executed. lie told
me that there was no duty more difficult
than the one was about to assume; ac-
cordingIy, said he, We had better under
stand one another explicitly. lie then re-
counted every thing he would expect of
me bow should dcmean myself; how
l should manage his slaves nothing was
omitted which he could think Of.
Nor was Mr.. satisfied here.
Most Of my duties he had committed to
writing, ana was required to keep them
as n constant guide 10 me in the manage
msnt of his plantation. Whether they
were exceIlcu. or not shall appear, when
I.speak Of howl mauaged-his estate ; for
let me assure you, Mr.. Editor, that if
have been successful as an overscer, at
tribute all, 10 the advice of my employer.
When commenced my duties as over
seer with Mr.-,I was firmly impressed
with the belief, that "kuowiedge is power"
I felt that whether applied 10 the Sciences
or to the pursuits in which was embark
cd, that information of every kind was
useful TO me. Without being obtrusive,
therefore, determined to pick up from
every planter and overseer, what | could
learn as to his business. found that the
,uost ignorant man could teach me some
thing, which / had not known before.
What I learned, was submitted to my
employer, when could do so with con-
veuience. Sometimes he would dissent !
from what / proposed; and then was
never ashamed to argue the point with !
him, aud show him the reasons why /
thought myself correct. | pursued the
same plan with the driver. Whatever
was to do, always consulted him about it.
This gave him confidence and RESPONSE |
bility in himself; and character in the eyes |
Of those he had to superintend.
Speaking Of the driver, brings me to no.
tee my management Of him more particu-
luly. always required Of him, that he
s,ould dress himself better than the other
negroes. Caused him to maiutain pride
of character before them, which was high
" beneficial. Indeed, constantly endea-
youred, to do nothing which would cause
them 10 lose their respect for him. With
this view, made it rule never to scold
orlecture my driver before the other ne
groes for any inadvertencc or fault. lf
he did any thing which was out ofthe way
| took him by himself and lec,ured him