The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-03-28
From the Baltimore Post.

rev persons nave any concePtlon OF the
wretchedness and suffering among the
free black population of this city at the
present time. We wish some of the ia
natic readers of the northern abolitonlsts
could witness some of the scenes of mise
ry that daily come under the notice of the
distributing committees for the poor. If
it did not forever seal their lips on the SUBJ
ject of slavery, it would at least soften
the asperities of their warfare against it.
A gentleman engaged as one of the dis
tributing committee in seeking out objects
requiring relief, mentioned to us the fol-
lowing, as fair representation of almost
innumerable cases In the lanes and alleys
of the city.
On the first floor of small tenement,
about ten feet square, he found family
of eight blacks, comprising man, two
women and five children. The adults
were partially covered with few misera-
BILE rags, but the children were entirely
naked. They were without fire, without
food, without a bed, or any thing to keep
them from freezing, but a quantity of
straw and a few rags in one corner of the
room.
On the second floor of the same hovel
was another family of three persons; a
man, his wife and child. The wife was
laying sick upon a few shavings on the
floor, covered only with a piece Of an old
carpet. In other respects the condition
of the inmates was the same as those in
the room below, with the exception that
they had the luxury of few dying en-
bers, the remains of handful of tan beg
ged from tan yard. But these were not
sufficient to protect their feet from being
frost bitten.
In the cellar was another family Of Sc
ven persons, in condition equally desti-
tute, and with the additional inconven-
ience that more than half the cellar bot
tom was covered with water. In par
TALLY dry corner these seven persons live
and sleep, emerging from their whole on
ly to beg or steal such scanty provisions
as will sustain life.
Such is one picture among hundreds
that might be drawn of the starvation,
wretchedness, and misery amongst the
free blacks. whilst there is not slave in
the city that is not well fed, well clothed,
well lodged, and every way comfortably
provided for. The abolitionists are no
friends to the slaves when they urge their
immediate emancipation.
The followingierqutsite, interesting and
very passionate blllet-doux was written by
a person who has for some time figured as
a poet: and is dedicated to all the admi-
rers of chivalry throughout The globe. 1t
81 recommended particularly to those
whose fair mistresses are disposed TO Re-
Iect the offerings of Cuwd-and never
know that
In Hymen's sweet endearing lot
They may improve the scene,
That some may be when they ore not,
To tell that they have been.'
Dearest Miss:
1t is with pleasure that as
sume the wonderful task of private adj
dress to your honor. Notwithstanding the
many bars of obstruction which traverse
the course of my mind by other studies it
is impossible to impede the pure stream
of affection which flows like an irresista-
bic torrent from its native fountain. Dear
ests minion Of inte, Tor deligM!!! were |
appnsed of an equivalent blaze of con-
slant partiality burning in the breast of
inimitable beauty, it would surpass the
power of human utterance to develope
the mystic animation fluttering in the ca
binet of transport! But alas! in my pre-
sent condition of mind / can but sadly
languish into gloomy anticipation of un-
favorable success, having no manner oral
ly to express my fond regard for one in
whose breast feel willing to repose the
trust cf my life. Consequently | sit as
one retired and a one, in desert of Sc
questration with mind encircled by the
twilight of suspence meditating those IA
vorite beauties buried in the gloom of
distance. Hence on he pinion of thought.
by the light of fancy my heart steals away,
drawn by the magnet of affection to So