The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-08-25
From the South Caroliiuiau.
Il Nut for Northern Fanatics TO Crack

ing DIR. w. G.. Bennett, of Spartanburph,
>. T., who was returning from the North,
and had under his protection, Peter Poole.
negro man who voluntarily returned to
slavery rather than enjoy freedom IN New
York. Peter Poole was blacksmith,
who was owned by our friend, the Hon.
II. Thompson, Senator from Spartanburu;
and having been faithful and earned for
his master large sum of money, he was
by his libcrality, only nominalIy slave,
and Col. Thompson paid him large wages.
Under the laws OF South Carolina he
could not manumit him, and as he might
have fallen into the hands OF less liberal
master in the event of Colonel Thompson's
death he gave Peter permission to depart
for Free State" and furnished him with
proper papers to go wherever he choose
Some time last year he proceeded to
Charleston, but could not get passage in
any ship 10 New York, although he was
vouched for by Mr.. Bomar, who resides
IN that city and who knew all the circum-
stances connected with his leaving. Mr..
l5omar wrote to Colonel Thompson, who
promptly forwarded to him proper power
of attorney, by which he cleared him at the
custom House, and he found easy transit to
New York. Peter had several hundred
dollars, the fruits of his industry here, which
after his arrival in New York, he deposited
with MIR. Kelsey Il broker in Wall Street.
Tie set about procuring work at his trade,
which he found difficulty in gcl,ing.-
tic was mmcdlatcly ly taken by the hand by
the Aboilionsts, who promised him to buy
his wife and child, who remained here
They frequently urged him to proceed to
Canada, stating they would send his wife
on after him. He waited patiently, listen
ing to their promises, and losing daily by
lack OF work, low wages, and high board,
until patience itself was exhausted. In his
own words "They were the best hands at
talking ever heard" NH. Kelsey was his
good friend, and at last gaining confidence
in Peter, proposed to give 5000 90 towards
the purchase of his wife, provided the Abo-
lnionists who had volunteered to do so would
make up the balance required; and in or
der TO test their secerity, went round with
him to see what they intended todo. They,
however, declined and gave as an excuse
"that 1t qcaS against their creed 10 purchase
hom0n .fesh" Even charity and their
boasted principles of humanity could not
induce them to depart from their principles,
although they had promised this honest ne
gro to redeem his wife from slavery!!!
Peter then decided TO return home, and
risk the inevitable consequence Of being
made slave again. The Abolitionists
endeavorcd to dissuade him from this, as
they said "I wouM be against their cause,"
and he believes they would not have allow
ed him 10 depart, if he had not kept his fur
ther intentions secret. This he did and
meeting with DR.. Bennett, desired 10 return
home under his protection. DIR. Bennett
informed him Of all the consequences, and
put him in possession of all the information
in his power; at the same time warning
him that he would become a slave the mo-
ment he would reach South Carolna.-
With this knowledge, he determined to re-
turn, and reached here last week on his
way to his master. He says "he was a
slave thirty-four years, and freeman one,
and decides in favor of slavery In South
Carolina" He also says, "he could not
make support for himseIfand wife in New
York, and could not enjoy life as well there
freeman, as here slave" "That he was
in hurry to get off home, for fear he would
become as degraded as the free negroes of
the North, who, he says, "resort to roguery
and drinking when they are out Of employ
ment." 1t is his opinion "that slave in
any situation here, is better off. and has
cause to be happier, than free negro in
free State; and says that not only the free
negroes IN the vicinity of New York,but
thousands of whites arc worsesof than the
slaves of South Carolina" He worked in
the village ofIslip, in which he said, "there
lived about two hundred free negroes. Out
of this number. there are few who. are able
to gainsa decent a support, but are poverty
stricken and roguish set.p Such is the cha
racter of most of the free negroes of the
North We have no comments to make.
'lhssest tatements are taken down from the
lips Ian honest and unsophisticated man,
hosstestimony we give for the benefit Of
our slaveaat home and the fanatics abroad.
There arrived az York, during tho
month mo II July, l9, ,oso immigrants. Then.
York Herald says
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