Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1838-09-17


enu habi, that have seen hundreds OF black slaves
without sensation; but il struck rudey upon me
10 see white men slaves to an American.
MI Sontag told me that ho valued his farm, al
about six thousand dollars, on which he could lv,
well, have bottle of Crimca wine, and another
cry DAY ior friend, and lay up thousand dollafs
year but afterwards heard that he was com
pleto enthusiast on the subject Of his farm, bad
manager, and that he really knew nothing OF its
pensc or profit. Returning 10 the house. found
Madame Sontag ready to receive rs. She ~ an
authotcss of great literary regulations and of sue h
character that. whlle the emperor was prosecuting
the turkish war IN person, and the empress remain
Ell al odessh, the young archduchesscs were placed
under her charge. Al dinner shc talked with much
interest OF America, and expressed hope, though
not much expectation, OF day visiting IT, But
heherai Snniac himself surrounded ~ he is by Rus
san connexions, Is all American. Pointing To the
nbahd ON hls button hole, he said he was entitled
10 QUO order which he should value above all others
That ms father had been soldier of the revolution,
and member OF tho Ciucinnatl Society. and that
III knssIa tue decoration Of that order would be to
INN the proudcst badge of honor that an American
could wear. After dining retired into u lttlc
room htied fora library, which he calls America,
luinithed with all The standard American books,
living, fauldng, Cooper he. engravines Of distin
suishcd Americans m1ps, chats, canal and rail
road reports, &c. and his daughter, lovely luile
g'rl aud ony child. he has taught to speak her IA
TIERS tongue and love her fathers land.--ln honor
OF me she played on the piano Hail Columbia"
aud " Yankee DOODLE aud the day wore away
100 soon We took tea on tho piazza. and n pr
ing received from him letter TO his agent on
his estate Moscow, aud from Madame Sontng
one which carried into the imperial household,
being directed to Monsieur fIntcndan du Prince
hetltlcrc, Petcrsbu,gh. A few weeks ago | re
ceNed nom HIM letter IN which he says;" the
Vlst OF Que oi my countrymrn ~ s great u treat,
thai can assure you that YOU are never forgotten
by any OF my litte family and when NV daughter
wishes To make me SMILE she is To succeed Of
SHE s'tsdownto her piano and plays" Hail Colum-
bla' OF " Yankee Doodlc;" this brings to mud
Mr--' Mr., aud Nit, who have passed
through this city To me alone ii brings to mind
my county, parents, friends, youth. aud u world Of
things and ideas past never to return. Should any
OF our conntymen BIO coming tins way, do not for
get 10 inform them that in Odessa lives QUO who
viii be glad TO see them !; aud say now to any of
my countiymen whom chance may throw upon the
shores of the Black Sea- that il lie would receive SO
iai from home the welcome of tue hearted
American, General Sonlag will be glad TO render H.
THE SERFS OF RUSSIA.
The following extract from Mr.. Stcphcns's I'm
cidenls OF Travel IN Greece, Turkey. Russia and
Poland" describes the condition of the Ser(s of Rus.
sIa These arc represented to BIO not less degraded
than the slaves III our southern States in intellect,
character aud personal bearing. The marks Of
physical and personal degradation we,c glazing,
the author says he was compelled to abandon
tam theories SO common with his counrymcn IN re-
gaid to the intrinsic superiority Of the white race
over all Others:
4" The sefls OF Russia differ Fl ON slaves with us in
the important particular that they belong tho soil
and cannot be sold excerpt with the estate; they
may change masters, ban cannot be torn from their
connexions their bluh- place. One sixth OF the
whole pcasantiy OF Russia, amounting SIX or seven
millions, belong to the crown and inhabu the i'm.
prria demesne, and paw an annual tax. In paricu-
tspI md he
come lghers aud mefchants; aud The liberal and
enlightened policy OF the present emperor is dflu
sing more general system OF Moderation among
these subjects Of his vast empire. The rest Of the
sehs belong 10 The mobiles, aud the absolute pro-
perry and subject to the absolute control Of then
masters, as much the cattle their eslales.--
Some ol the sciRneuis possess from seventy 10
bundled thousand; aud Their wealth depends upon
the skill aud management with which the labor OF
these sc,ts is employed. Somtimcs the seigneur
sends the most intelligent to Petersburg Moscow
to learn SOME handicrali and then employs them on
his own estates, hires them ont, allows them
exercise their trade on Their own account, on pay
ment of an annual sum. Aud sometimes, too, he
gives the sell passport, under which he is protect
ed all over ussIa settles IN city, and engages IN
trade, aud very often accumnldcs enough to ran
som himself aud his family. Indeed, there are ma
ny instances OF sen's acquiring a aige proper
ty, aud even rising TO emurnce. But he is always
subject TO the control OF his master; and | saw NJ
NJ ostOW an Old m0npik VINO nau acquired very
large fortune but was still slave. HIS masters
price fof his freedom bad advanced with his grow
ing wealth, and the poor serI unable 10 bring hun
sell 10 part with his hard earnings, then rolling
in wealth, with collar round his neck struggling
with the Unborn sprIt OF freedom, aud hcsuatlng
whether TO die beggaf or a slave.
" The Russian seIl is obliged to work for his mas
ter but three days in the week the other three he
may work for himself on portion Of land assigned 10
linn by law on his masters estate. He isnever OBJ
Iiged to work on Sunday, End every saints day
lete day OF the church is holiday. This might
be supposed TO give him an opportunity OF elevaling
his character and conditions but wanting the spirit
OF free agent aud feeling himself the absolute
property OF another, he Lbors grudgipgly for his
MASTER aud for himself barely enough to supply the
ncur few rise above their condition, but millions
labor like beasts ofburden content with bread TO put
IN their mouths and never even think OF treed0m.-
A Russian nobleman told me that he believed, II
the serts all free, he could cultivate his estate
to better advantage by hired labor; and | have no
doubt dozen Connecticut men would cultivate
more ground Than hundred Russian seifs, allowing
their usual non working days and holydays They
have interest in the soil, aud the desoaie and I'M
cultivated wastes Of Russia show the truth OF the
judcious reflection of Catharine H., that aencu'-
ture flourish in that nation where the nus
bahdman possesses no property.
1t is from this great body Of peasanny. that Rus
STA recruits her immense standing army, or, IN case
Of invasion, raises in moment vast body OF SOL
diers. Every person in Russia entitled to hold land,
is known 10 the government, as well AS the number
of peasants on his aud upon receiving notice
of imperial order to that effect, the numbers re-
CURED BY the levy are marched forthwith from every
portion OF the empire the places Of rendezvous ap-