The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-03-23

ems the conviction already expressed by us, tha
the border difficulties will be adjusted without
resort to arms
The 9TH of May is assigned by the Executive
meeting of the Am. A. S. Society. See notice
Letter from Rev. VIM. Scales, of Lyndon.
Mr.. KNAPP:
Dear Sri have just received the following
which was obtained originally for the use of the
American A. S. Sin making up their Tracts
on slavery. For the same reason that recently
sent you the testimony of Mr.. Chaplin, Inow trans
nit this, adding the consideration, that as our
knowledge of the system of slavery must be the
knowledge Of testimony, so the testimony of those
with whom we are the most intimately acquainted
our immediate friends, other things being equal,
will be most weighty. This is a principle of hu-
man nature. In every community the testimony
of weak neighbor is weightier than that of a
powerful stranger Hence, as diamond alone will
cut diamond, let Vermonters alone convince YER
monters. The following statements are obtained
by request, from JOSEPH IDE, Esq. of Sheffield
Mr.. lde was also Postmaster at the time, and is an
unexceptionable Brother of the Baptist church.
On account Of pulmonary complaints he resided
in Georgia during the season of 1878 and
writes ain answering the proposed inquiries, |
will say FIRST that, although there are various 9TH
er modes resorted to, whipping with the cowskin
is the usual mode of inficting punishment on the
poor slave. have never actually witnessed a
whipping scene, for they are usually taken into
some back place for that purpose; but have often
heard their groans and screams while writhing
under the lash; and have seen the blood flow from
their torn and lacerated skins after the vengeance
of the inhuman master or mistress had been glutted
You ask if the woman where boarded whipped
a slave to death. can give you the particulars
of the transaction as they were related to me. My
informant was a genteman-a member of the
Presbyterian church in MISUNDERSTANDING the
winter before boarded where + did. He said that
whip numerically, and on one occasion, she whip
ped her as long as she had strength, and after the
poor creature was suffered to go, she crawled off
into cellar. AS she did not Immediately return,
search was made and she was found dead in the
cellar, and the horrid deed was kept a secret in
the family, and it was reported that she died of
sickness. This wretch at the same time was
member of Presbyterian church. Towards her
slaves she was certainly the most cruel wretch of
any woman with whom was ever acquainted
yet she was nothing more than a STAKEHOLDER. She
would deplore slavery as much as did, and often
told me she was as much of an abolitionist as
was. She was constant in the declaration that her
kind treatment to her slaves was proverbal.
Thought |, then the Lord have mercy on the rest.
She has often told me Of the cruel treatment of
the slaves on plantation adjoining her fathers in
the low country of South Carolina. She says she
has often seen them driven to the necessity of
eating frogs and lizards to sustain life. AS to mode
of living generally, my information is rather lin
tied, being with few exceptions confined to the
different families where have boarded. My stop
ping places a, the South have mostly been in cit
les In them the slaves are better fed and clothed
than on plantations. The house servants are fed
on what the families leave. But they are kept
short and think are oftener whipped for stealing
something to eat than any other crime. On the
plantations their food is principally hominy, as the
Southencrs call it. 1t is simply cracked corn
boiled. This probably constitutes seven-eighths
of their living. The house servants in cities are