Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-08-27
From the Columbia South CarOlnian.
A NUT FOR NORTHERN FANATICS TO

A NUT FOR NORTHERN FANATICS TO
CRACK.
Last week we had the pleasure of meeting
DR.. w. C. Bennett, of Spartanburgh, s. c.,
who was returning from the North, and had
under his protection, Peter Poole, a negro man
who voluntarily returned to slavery rather
than enioy freedom in New York. Pc
ter Poole was blacksmith, who was owned
by our friend, the Hon. H. H. Thompson, Sena-
tor from Spartenburgh and having been faith
full and earned for his master a large sum of
money, he was by his liberality, only nomi-
nalIy slave, and Col. Thompson paid him
large wages Under the laws of South Caro-
lima, he could not manumit him, and as he
might have fallen into the hands of less lib
eral master in the event of Col. Thompson's
death, he gave Peter permission to depart for
a q Free State,' and furnished him with pro-
per papers TO 60 wherever he chose. Some
time last year he proceeded to Charleston, but
could not get passage in any ship to New
York, although he was vouched for by Mr..
Bomar, who resides in that city and who
knew all the circumstances connected with
his leaving. Mr.. Bomar wrote TO Col.
Thompson, who promptly forwarded to him a
proper power of attorney, by which he cleared
him at the Custom House, and he found easy
transit to New York. Peter had several hun
dred dollars, the fruit of his industry here,
which, after his arrival in New York, he de-
deposited with Mr. Kelsey, brokerin Wall
street He set about procuring work at his,
trade, which he found difficulty in getting
He was Immediately taken by the hand by the
Abolitionsts, 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 l..
He waited patiently, listening to their p!omi-
ses, 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. -
Mr.. Kelsey was his good friend, and at last
gaining confidence in Peter, proposed to give
$500 towards the purchase of his wife, provi-
ded the Aboitionists who had volunteered to
do so, would make up the balance required /;
and in order to test their sincerity, went round
with him to see what they intended to do
They, however, declined, and gave as an ex-
cuse ethat 1t 1ras against their creed to pur-
chase human fesh" Even charity and their
boasted principles of humanity could not in
duce them to depart from their principles, al
though they had promised this honest negro
~ tCutciii HIS Nllc HUN oldNeiy
Peter then decided TO return home, and risk
| the inevitable consequence of being made a
slave again. The Abolitionists endeavored
to dissnade him from this, as they said SIT
acould be against their cause," and he believes
they would not have allowed him to depart, if
he had not kept his further intentions secret.
This he did, and meeting with DR.. Bennett, de-
sired to return home under his protection.
Dr. Bennett Informed him of all the con.
sequences, and put him in possession
of all the information in his power, al
the same time warning him that he would
become slave the moment he reached
South Carolina. With this knowledge he de.
termined to return, and reached here last week
on his way to his master. He says che was
slave thirty-four years, and freeman one
and decides in favor OF slavery in South Caro-
lima, He also says. ''hc could not make .
support for himself and wife in New York