The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-05-16
AN ALABAM A PLAN TER.


in Alabama may be interesting to the good people
of my native town. take the liberty to forward you
meagre sketch, pcncilled on the plantation Of Capt.
J. A. T, Of Wilcox County.
Ofthe Captain himsefand his most estimable Lady,
delicacy forbds particularly to speak Suffice it,
that connected with the family Of JEFFERSON on the
one side and of Henry Clay OH the other; literally
educated, pious, benevolent, blessed with wealth,
they are equally honored and beloved. Would pro-
prety permit, would gladly advert to the docilc,
obedent, and moral habits, the gentle, modest and
unassunng department of all their nine children, from
the Oldest son who is a Surgeon in the Navy, to the
youngest daughter some five or six years of age. This
would show that there families at least,
in the far South in which good family government is
maintained. But must content myself with less in
teresiing topics, and give you my statistics.
The whole amount Of land owned by
Capt T. is 1000 acres, divided into three plantations
About 500 cultivated, producing annually
45O bags of cotton, ,O00 bushels Of coE OATS
wheat, and 500 bushels Of sweet potatoes The cot
ton cropn good times, sells for about $4,000 The
whole number of blacks belonging to Mr. T. is 250, of
which so are working hands. These living in
some rs comfortable log cabins The stock on the
mules, 400 hogs, SO sheep, 20 goats, 1000 head Of
poultry, embracing hens, ducks, turkeys, guinea
fowls. pea fowls, geese, SC. On the premises are
five ginning establishments, two blacksmith shops,
tannery, a mill, carpenters shop, several weaving
houses, sc. About $500 yards Of cloth are annually
required for clothing, Of which 1000 are made at
home. Blankets, quilts, sc, are bought in Mobile.
But of my good friends will be anxious to
know how the "operatves'' on these plantations are
treated. They shares, and You have been fire.
quently shocked by details Of cruelty, practsed by
the southern master land doubtless in instances,
you have had TO feel. But could easily see,
these servants were treated with the utmost kindness.
During stay Of several days,I never heard the Mas
ter or Mistress employ harsh word in addressing
servant and there was air Of kind paternal interest
on the part, and Of respect and affection the
other which proved that the relation subsisting be-
tw cen the parties a source of mutual Pleasure
AS to the labor performed by the slaves they have
tasks which they often finish by noon, and then they
work for themselves, remain idle. They live in
comfortable houses. Seven or eight old women de-
all their time to cooking and TO nursing the sick
Besides an abundant supply of wholesome food pro-
vded by the MASTER they raise hogs fowls, and veg
eables, and catch plenty Of fish, Every man has
half an friver bottom, the richest soil in the
world or Of upland, on which he raises cot
ton With the proceeds, he supplies himself with
tea coffee, sugar, moiasses, and other Injuries
Milk and butter constantly their tables. They
carry on many kinds of busness,oa their oton account
making horse collars chairs, tubs, brooms, trays,
baskets, Shoes spinning wheels, SC. Besides arti
Giles Of clothing purchased by themselves, they are
furnished with two full suits year. Thus much for
their temporal welfare.
To promote their spiritual interests, there three
churches within convenient distance, where they en-
10y equal privileges with the whites, and they have
several preachers among themselves who conduct
meetings for prayer and exho,tation Erery night,
while was there, the sounds of prayer and praise
were heard from the negro cabins till nearly twelve
O'Clock, and on conversng with the blacks on the fol-
lowing day, was assured they had exceedingly in
teresng meetings, and very happy in the pres
ence and the love Of the Savior might add, these
religious privileges are enjoyed by colored popu-
lation in almost every section of the State
From these statements, meagre as they are, you
perceive the magnitude and Importance Of the farm
ing interest in the South. You also aUhat slavery
is under a humane and benevolent master, and you
will acknowledge it to be far less oppressive and
odons than Is often represented IN the gross Garcia
lures drawn by the pen of some well meaning, but
mistaken individuals at the North.
might proceed at length to interest your readers
in some accounts Of southern manners and customs
empoymeuts, education, SC, but have neither time
nor space, at command. In the study of the young
ladies' discovered curiosity What do you guess
it wasl A live alligator No, that would be no Gu
riosity here 1t spinning acheet, kept there t'
afford exercise to the fair occupants of the room
when the weather forbids rambling out Of doors-
And well could these delicate maidens make 1t 6uSs
It was music to my ears, and joy to my old eyes
to greet again this companion of childhood; hap
by hours now alas! forever banshed from my love-
New England But must close.
Yours, SIC. PASSUMPSlC.
One of the most important movements OF the Mex
NJ Lotto ia m order 70 hermit Tho in