The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-08-18

clning.
PETER PooLE's RETURN TO sLA-
VERY.
Last week, says the Columbia, S. c.,
Carolnin, we had the pleasure of seeing
Dr.. w. G. Bennett, Of Spartanburg, S. c.,
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. ii.
Thompson, Senator from Spartanburg; and
having been faithful and earned for lis mas
Ter large sum of money, he was by his
liberality, only nominaly a 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 Col. Thompson's death he
gave Peter permission to depart for a"Free
State" and furnished him with proper
papers to 60 wherever he chose. Some
time last year he proceeded to Charlestown,
but could not get passage in any ship to
New York, although he was vouched for
by MIR. 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 10
him proper power of Attorney, 10y 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 Mr.. Kel-
sey, a broker in Wall street He set about
procuring work at his trade, which he
found difficulty in getting. He was mme-
diateIy taken by the hand by the Abolition
lists, who promised him TO buy his wife and
child, whoremainod here. They frequent
~ urged him to proceed 10 Canada, stating
they would send his wife on after him. lie
waited patiently, listening 10 their promises,
and losing daily by lack Of work, low wages,
and high board, until patience itself was
exhausted. In his own words ''Fhey were
the best hands at talking ever heard, >
MI. Kelsey was his good friend, and at last
gaining confidence in Peter, proposed TO
give 5000 towards the purchase Of his
wife, provided the Abolilonists who had
volunteered to do so, would make up the
balance required and in orderto test their
sincerity, went round with him to see what
they intended to do, They, however, de-
clined, and gave as an excuse shat IL was
ayainst thtH creed TO purchase human fesh."
Even charity and their boosted principles
of humanity could not induce them TO de-
part from their principles, although they
had promised this honest negro TO redeem
his wife from slavery =! q
Peter then decided to return home, and
risk the inevitable consequence Of being
made slave again. The Abolitionists en-
deavored TO dissuade him from this, as they
said ''it would be aga nst their cause" and
he believes they would not have allowed
him to depart, if lie had not KEEP, his further
intentions secret. This he did, and meet.
ing with DR.. Bennett, desired to return home
under his protection. DR.. Bennett, inform
ed him Of all the consequences, and put hin
in possession of all the information in his
power, at the sumo time warning him tba
he would become slave the moment he
reached South Carolina. With this know
ledge he determined to return, and reached
here last week on his way to his MASTER
He says Che was a slave lhiry-four years,
and freeman one, and decides in favor Of
slavery in South Carolina" He also says,
che could not make support for himself
: and wife in New York, and could not en-
Joy life as well there freeman, as here Il
slave" "That he was in a hurry to get
+ off home, for fear he would become as de-
graded 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 of and has
cause 10 be happier, than a free negro in
free State and says 'sthat not only the free
negroes in lhe>yiciniy Of New Y ork, but
thousands of whites are worse off than the
slaves of South Carolina. He worked in
the village of Isis, in which he said, ''there
lived about two hundred free negroes. Out
of this number, there are few who are able
to gain decent support, but poverty
stricken and roguish set" Such is the
character Of most Of the fres negroes Of the
North. We have no comments to make.
I These statements are taken down from the
lips of an honest and unsophisticated man,
whose testimony we give for the benefit Of
our slaves at home and the fanatics abroad
,1gcncy. for The National Wing, IN Georgetown.
The citizens Of Georgetown are respectfully
informed that ta.
,IoHN w. BRoNAuGH, Esq, Broker, &c.,
on Fridge street. a few doors west of the Union
tavern, is agent for the National Wing. Per.
sous DESTROYS of being served with the National
Wing, in Georgetown, will please leave their
names and residences with Mr.. Bronaugh.
TEL EnR ApuIG