Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-08-08

enfy or clSnty negroes Oh anu ABOUT thV
place. The largest part Of his negroes
are in Alabama, where Mr.. Calhoun owns
a large plantation, and which is under the
management of bis son Andrew. (alluded
to as his eldest son. who has the rePuta-
ton Of being one ofthe best cotton plant
crs in Alabama.
Towards sunset Mr.. Calhoun gave me
an invitation to walk over his farm.
gladly accepted. After leaving the man
sion. we proceeded towards the valley a,
the south Of it, We descended to The
valley. passing by the negro quarter
Here MIR. Calhoun stopped few moments.
making inquiries in regard TO some who
were sick: among them, seated under
cherry tree. was an aged negro man. who
was, as he informed me, the oldest on the
place, and enjoyed some particular priv
leees lie was allowed 10 cultivate some
four or five acres Of land for cotton and
other things; the proceeds Of which be-
came his property, and sometimes pro-
duccd $50 or 800 a season. This is a
privilege, however. that Mr.. Calhoun al.
lows his slaves, and all have patch con-
tanning more or less acres OF cotton
These patches are near the negro quarter
for their convenience. The negroes cul-
iivatc the cotton at their leisure. Mr.
Calhoun has it ploughed for them by his
horses and ploughs. and they hoe it in
their spare time These darkies arc as
shrcwd in getting the highest price for
their little crops as white planters. aud
are rs perfectly conversant with the luc-
tuatotIs in the cotton market in Liverpool
and New York as a cotton broker. Mr.
Calhoun has no drivers. lie has an over
seer. Mr. Fredcricks, who superintends
his planting intcrcst-a very intelligent
and faithful man Leaving the quarter.
we passed down TO mill at the foot Of a
hill on which the negro houses are built.
From the mill we passed into a large
field Of Indian corn, and | assure you
do not cxaggeratc when ] say ! never
saw such a splendid agricultural sight in
my lie The field is in the low ground
or bottom. and covers 100 acres. The
average height is ~ or II ieci!-a sea Of
dark green, waving with tassels and CLOS
sy silk Of every hue and color, and is
grand beyond description. From this we
passed into cotton field, which is as
large or larger, covering over 100 acres.
and extending over hill ami fiat. high and
low ground. TWAS the first time | had
ever seen cotton growing. and 1t was a
new and novel sight to me. Mr. Calhoun
explained to me the process OF lis cuitiva-
ton. II is planted like Indian corn, and
cultivated with even greater care; it is
hood four times. lie pointed out to me
the blossoms; the first day after the bios
som appears the flower is white; the next
day red; and the third it drops of, and the
cotton ball begins to form. Ii was in this
stage saw it. It is pleasant mode Of
farming. There is nothing wanting on
the farm; fields of oats, of wheat, OF pota
toes, and rice. and all in forward state.
The rice field occupies part Of the low
land. near the Seneca river, and its pale
green was in striking contrast with the
dark green Of the corn. The farm is
model farm. Ii consists of about 1000
acres, $50 of which are in cultivation
Mr.. Calhoun's striking method and ar
engagements are seen everywhere.
We returned to the mansion about
dark. Soon after, tea was served to the
family, on the piazza. Afterwards, we
adjourned TO the drawing room. Mrs.
Calhoun played several favoritc tunes on
the piano, and at 10 T. NJ all separated
for the night. and | retired to bed, and
dreamed of the extraordinary individual
whose guest was for the time being.
The next day arose at daybreak, and
found that Mr.. Calhoun was up before me.
and had rode on to the plantation. He
was absent about an hour. When he re-
turned breakfast was served in the dining
room. After breakfast he retired TO his
library. and left me TO amuse myself as
pleased. His habits are very regular
and presume they are the same one day
as another, when al home. lie rises at
four TO five o'clock; exercises on horse
back or in Il long walk over the farm for
an hour; he then returns and writes until
breakfast, which is about 8 o'clock: he
then retires again to his library. and writes
or reads until one or two O'Clock. Dim
ner is then served After dinner he con-
verses until towards sunset. when he goes
on the farm and remains until dark. At
ter te a, he spends the evening in CONVEX
sation with his family or friends.
Not death has occurred on the place
in four years. and | should Judge that it
was the healthicst location in the State
| went down to the slave quarter. and saw
them at work also in the iild. had hoard
SO much said in regard to Mr.. Calhoun
and his slaves. that was anxious to sec
them will, my own eyes. The slaves are
certainly as contented and happy as il is
possible for them to be. They love their
master. and he is kind To them. On Sun
day they 60 10 church. or do as they
please. They have their holidays. There
appears TO be as much arisiocracy among
the negroes of Mr.. Calhoun as among
white folks. The marriage of his young
male or female slaves with a slave OF an
other planfafipn >rrafeS aS nuch excita-
ment as marriage in isior Place would
do. The matter requires great deal OF
These matches are generally made up
between parties residing on different plan
,ations. a very intelligent house servant
of Mr.. Calhoun was married (the second
night was at his house1 TO a female slave
on an adjoining plantation. | listened TO