Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-04-05

other more potent than the -Christianty-
are some of the agencies which are quietly i'm
proving the condition of slaves and may be safely
confded in for their ultimate though distant eman-
cipaton, if the whole matter be left with their
masters. The ancient fable of the goose which
laid golden eggs, is not inappicable to this subject
Many desirable and proper end is lost by the i'm
patience of excited feeling We should realize
that great changes cannot be accomplished in
moment; and that all important national reforms
TO be harmless and permanent, must be made slow
ly. 1t is sufficient to know that they in pro-
gress--to perceive that the causes which are in
operation are of the right kind, and not temporary
in their duration: all Of which is, obviously, true
of those to which have referred. Again, there
fore, say let us rely those causes for the i'm.
mediate and Ultimate relief Of the slave, and not
attempt, unauthorized either by God or man, to
cut asunder his letters; or by irritating, without
controlling his MASTER to reard their falling off.
Bat have dwelt on this branch ofmy subject
longer than intended and must proceed TO es-
tablish the proposition with which set out, by
the citation of facts, calculated to show forth the
existing, and, as far as possible, the past charac-
ter of slavery ia the States which have enume-
rated. In doing this, am bound to admit that
there is much diversity in the treatment Of slaves,
and that many masters, not excepting those born
and educated in the free States fall far below the
standard which public opinion in the slave States
is setting up. This comes from difference in
personal character, corresponding to that among
among ourselves, wherever the demand for do
mestics is less than the supply; and those who
seek places are at the mercy of the employers
A man of this character is condemned by his neigh
bors in the North; and in the South, hard mas
ter is equally condemned by his neghbors; who
haye indeed not unfrequently had him indicted
for n to in loS
the treatment of slaves, shall begin with
/. LODGINGS in WeAern Virginia. Kentucky Ten
nessee and Missouri, where the slaves any single
plantation are not very numerous, and the majority of
masters own but lew, they generally lodge 10 the same
house with the family. or in cabins adjoining it, and
furnished with sufficient bed covering. In the South,
that is, In the cotton and sugar regions they collect
ed IN large numbers on single plantation; and then
their caolns or frame cottages commonly arranged
into villa or quarters at distance from the family
dwelling. They mostly provided with floors raised
from the ground; many have glass windows not few
are built with considerable taste painted white
washed, and, having gardens attached them, display
on the whole, an air of comfort which often compares
favoraby with that of the cottages around the great
manufacturing establishments of the North In gene
RAIL- each family has cabin to ITSELF lifts inmates lie
hard 1t no hardship them; for having been accus-
Toned to it from childhood, they do not suffer- while in
a warm climate hard beds are healthier and give great.
er lirnness OF constitution than softer lodgings.
= CLoTHING.--Over all the Northern slave States,
The clothing OF slaves is far superior what for
~ thirty or even twenty years ago. and may be said,
on the whole, to be comfortable Masters have at
length discovered that in the higher ATTITUDES insufficient
clothing is OF disease. But if this be an int.
rested motive is the result of better knowledge; and
IT. experience lead to ameoraton it is the the
slave as it higher motive prompted the change. Ia
the South but thin clothing for the greater part of the
year required and all that is necessary health and
comfort, ls In general supplied. OF This, the North
sh oud be convinced as she for many years. has been
the Chief manufacturer OF the negro clothing at the
South.
nrr,r
the diet OF the blacks, in its substantial elemeats u.s.
nearly the same with that of their masters By no
means restricted to lew articles, nor with few ex-
ceptons, ever reduced below the proper quantity. This
was lar from BENG the case in former times. In the
South, the Diet is more simple and uniform always
excepting, however, that of the domestic slaves, who
participate more or less in the varieties ofthe family
table. Fifty or sixty years since, in MARYLAND Virgin
Ia the Carollnas, and Georgia the diet OF ,he field
slaves was generally little else than rice or unground
Indian corn, with such fish as they might happen to
eaten The States OF the Southwest did not then exist
Louisiana and Florida were at that time European colo.
MES. and their slaves fed still worse tan those
at the States Just enumerated Al this time, the diet
the States of Mississippi Alabama, Louisiana. and
Florida, 10 say nothing Of Kentucky, Tennessee and
Missouri, is better sill. Ifany planter in those States
De known TO withhold meat from his slaves he is not
only despsed by has neighhors, but runs the risk of
being indicted. Alter extensive and careful par
sona Eluqulry, and the comparison of a multitude
OF statements, | nave ascertained that the prac-
slave from three to three and half pounds of sailed
pork week ii some fall below that amount. others
rise above it. Ot corn bread they have any quantity
they desire. But these staples by no means make the
whole of their diet. Those who live near the rivers or
the shores OF the gulf eat frequent meals of fish, and al
most every cabin has, o. may have, its pouty yard,
from which ample supplies of eggs and chickens are
obtained On many plantations this branch OF rural
economy s indeed SO monopollzed by the slaves thai
the mistress Obliged purchase her eggs and poultry
from them. Sill further when the annual nori .nack
he la H nd &
hog which are not Int tor ling smok ing, fall to
the siave and these both augment and diversity his
animal food he also has the privilege of raising his
own pig, and thus enjoying, whenever he chooses
cherished luxury; for he is not like the Irish peasant
under the necessity OF paying landlords rent bill with
Inc lated shoa vi culinary vegetables such as cab
bage and the common and sweet potato he has or may
have In general, an abundant supply for with some
exceptions both ground and time furnished for their
CULTIVATION vi luxuries he is not altogether destitute
Noasses IN general the plantations and makes
an important part OF the chdrens food Coffee and
sugar have OF late been extensively supplied and the
praetlc Is every day becoming general. Masters
are seeking by the use OF coffee, to diminish The
clandestlne resort to ardent spirits 1t is moreover
regarded as OF sanitary influence on health and
on many plantations Is served TO those who in sum-
ner ana autumn; are exposed early in the mora
ing to the chilling dews which drip from the tall cot
son plants. Coffee, tea, sugar, alspce and wheaton
Hour, are, moreover occasional uxnes with which the
slave may supply hmself and the planter considered
hard master vino will not afford his slave the oppor-
NIFTY OF earning the means OF making an annual pur-
chase OF those articles One of the resources for this
purpose Is the poultry yard; but the chief is certain
participation in the profits of the cotton CROP or the
privilege OF cutvating spot of land potatoes In
dan corn, or cotton for his benefit or laborinp
beyond his task tor which he is paid in money. The
two former he sells in The neghborhood the latter goes
to market with the general crop and ii is considered
point OF honor for he master manage the sale and
Inc appropriation oil The proceeds with fidelity And
n n W Ieale two Illustrative iacls James Speed,
Esq, oil Louisville, the executor OF tie will of his
iather, hemp grower OF Kentucky. Among the pa
pers OF the estate he found MEMORANDUM book in
winch were entered the earned by the slaves of the
deceased IN breaking out the crop Of hemp through the
preceding winter each OF them having worked beyond
ms task. The amount thus entered asthree hundred
dolars MIR. Speed paid il, and in closing his execu-
torsl1p before Chancellor Bib, of Washington,
the Judge allowed the account and all the heirs ac-
guessed 10 the decision. OF course the slaves had no
legal claim on their masters estate. When in South
Alabama ia TIE year 1913 spent day on the plana.