Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1846-10-31

Too apt, those moments to beguie.
Feyeite. Oct. 46, ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
Messrs. Benson & GREEN:-The pro.
verb, "give an inch and an ell will be TAKEN"
cannot be more fully illustrated than in
the conduct and carriage Of the Slave pop.
ulation of this portion of our State, in
common with others. In the city of St.
Louis the Republican" not long since, re-
marked, and justly, that something must
soon be done or the value of this descrp-
ton of property will be materially less
ened."
Notice it whenever and wherever we
will, il cannot but be apparent to the OBJ
server that the best and most orderly of
the Slaves of our community are owned by
those persons who are most particular and
strenuous in their requirements and gen.
eral treatment, and the most worthless by
those who grant them the greatest and
most liberties, and permit the most latitude
in their conduct and general demeanor.
Experience has convinced me that the
practice of INDUCING our Slaves with lib
critics Of various kinds, such as visiting
each otber-saving holidays periodically
allowed thcm-land of their own to cult
vate, horse to ride, &C., is rather an
injury than blessing to them. The "Christ-
mas week" and election days are oftener
spent in dissipation than otherwise, render
ing the Slave dissatisfied during his en-
ployment at home and keeping him busy
in planning ways and means of gratifying
himself next holiday or making little or
something for himself"
There may be exceptions TO this posi-
ton, and some Slaves, if time be given to
them to work their own "patches," will do
80, in good faith, but generally such time
is loitered away or slept out in a fence
corner and weeds are all that flourish for
their benefit.
Sundays-one seventh part ofthe time
is Of course allowed TO all Slaves, when
they should be encouraged to attend
Church, where the service is performed
bv white Minister-but no negro preach
ing should be tolerated under any circum-
stances. An appointment for negro preach
ing collects together all the Slaves in the
vicinity-yes, even for ten or twenty miles
around in many cases-for the purpose, as
is often undoubtedly the case, of devising
ways and means Of "raising the wind" or
carrying out their plans of robbing the
poultry roosts or gardens of their owners,
that the markets of Fayette and Glasgow
may be supplied with provisions and their
pockets with money; for it is notorious
fact tina. the negro trading on Sundays, al
some of our stores, yields no small revenue
to their proprietors. Negroes should mol
be permitted TO congregate in our towns
on Sundays either with, or without "pass
es'-nor should they be allowed to attend
preaching (ostensibly) by negro at all
1t is not long since one of the congrega'
ton of Jupiter Qhe black) had his eyes
pulled out in general fight that happened
during the service.
Unless some plan is generally adopted
by the owners of Slaves, in this vicinity
or county at least, for keeping them a
home (where the more they are kept The
better they are satisfed) we must not bt
surprised to see the Virginia Tragedy re
enacted in Missouri, at the head of which
stood the negroes who were called preach
ers.
Our Slaves are far better off with stric
masters than the majority of the poor pop
ulation of the Eastern cities, Gas l know
from actual observatory and all that w
ought 10 do is 10 keep them in their place
But one--nor a few--cannot well do this
The movement must be general 10 produc
the result desired. Trading with negroe
without permit from their masters mus
cease. Many Slaves have more none
than their masters. Where do they get il
Should these observations wake up tn
community, I hope that some membe
thereof will second them, by calling upo
the citizens to take such measures as we
tend to their being carried out in full fore
and effect ABEL.