The North-Carolina standard., 1847-08-18
A Nut for. .Norther1i Fanatics TO CRACK

A Nut for Northern Fanatics to Crack.
Last week We had the pleasure OF meeting Dr.
W. c. Benneti, OF Sparlansburg, s. O., no was
returning from the North, and had under his pro-
lection Peter Poole, a negro man who voluntarl-
" returned to slavery rather than enjoy freedom
in New York Peter Poole was q blacksmith,
who was owned by our friend, the Hon. Fl. Il.
Thompson, Senator from Spartansburg; and hay.
ing been faithful and earned for his master large
sum Of money, he was by his liberality, only
nominally slave, and Col Thompson paid him
large wages. Under the laws ofSouth 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 dcpar, for Free State" and furn-
ished him with proper papers to 60 where ne chose
Some time last year he proceeded to Charles
ton, 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
oil the circumstances connected with his leaving.
Mr. Bomar wrote to Col Thompson. who prompt
ly 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 indus
try here, which, after his arrival in New York,
he deposited with Mr.. Kelsey, a broker in 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 Abolition
lists, who promised to buy his wife and child, who
remained here. They frequently urged him 10
proceed to Canada, stating they would send his
wife on after him. He waited patiently, listening
to their promises, and losing daily by lack ol
work, low wages, and high board, until patience
itself was exhausted In bis owns words They
were the best hands at talking | ever heard. !"
Mr. Kelsey was his good friend and at last gain
ing confidence in Peter, he proposed to give $500
towards the purchase of his wife, provided the
Abolitionists who had volunteered TO do so, would
make UP the balance required and in order to
test their sincerity, went round with him 10 see
what they intended 10 do They, however, de-
clined and gave as an excuse "that IL loas against
the;g creed TO purchase human fesh" Even chari-
~ and their boasted principles of humanity could
not induce them 10 depart from their principals,
although they had promised this honest negro to
redeem his wife from slavery!ll ....,..
Peter then decided to return home, and risk the
inevitable consequence of being made slave
again. The Abolitionisis endeavored to dissuade
him from Ibis, as they said "it a0ouLd be against
their cause" and he believes they would not have
allowed him to depart, it he had not kept his fur
ther intentions secret. This he did, and meeting
with Dr. Bennett, desired to return home under
his protection DR.. 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 slave the
moment he reached South Carolina. With this
knowledge, he determined to return, and reached
here last week on his way to his muster He
says " he was slave thirty-four years. and free
man one and decides in favor Of slavery in s. Caro-
lima" He also says "he could not make q sup
port for himself and wife in New York, and could
not enjoy life as well there freeman, as here a
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
rogucry and drinking when they are out Of en-
ployment."' 1t is his opinion "thnt slave in
any situation here, is better of and has more cause
to be happier, than 4 free negro in free
State" and says "lhat not only the free negroes
in the vicinity Of New York, but thousands Of
whites worse off than the slaves OF South Caro-
lima. He worked in the village Of lslip. in which
he said, there live about three hund red free ne
groes Out OF this number, there are few who
are able to gain decent support, bn, are power
ty.strickrn and roguish sci" Such is the charac-
ter Of most of the free negroes Of the North. We
have no comments to make. These statements
are taken down from the lips Of an honest and
man, whose testimony we give for
the benefit of our slaves at home and the fanatics
abroad South Carolinian.