The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-07-18

tuition, told them to I" Go to He'll"
From DR.. Pgsons' Work on Southern Lifs.
INSIDE VIEW OF SLAVERY.
B. S. of F. II. in South Carolina, owne
a giant slave whose name was Dread. Thi
slave was represented to me by one of tn
neighbors as man Of superior strength
both of body and mind, being nearly sevel
feet in height, There were forty slaves a
work on the plantation Of s. before DrcaC
was added to the number, and this nam
was given him by the new master on accoun
Of his uncommon physical strength.
The next year Dread was made oversees
of the gang, and the management Of tn
plantation was wholly left to his care. Th,
farm was well conducted under his contro
and every thing went on smoothly and pros
perously for several years. The task o
every hand was always well and seasonabl.
performed, without whipping. If a feeble
woman was sick, or unable to perform hcl
task alone, her husband or brother was al
lowed to assist her; or If weak, feeble
man could not keep up with the gang, hi
friend was permitted to help him. This il
u privilege not customarily granted to slaves
The fields Of B. S. were now 30 much
more productive than those of Others arount
him, that the neighboring planters frequent
ly sought advice Of his colored oyerseer, in
relation to the management Of their farms
thus deierring to his opinion, and admitting
that he possessed more practical knowledge
of agricultural matters than either them
selves or their white overseers.
A gentleman we'll acquainted with Dread
told me that he regarded him not only III
much the stoutest, but the most intellectual
man he ever saw.
Dread had tho largest head" he re.
marked, al have ever seen and have seen
Daniel Webster; and his natural abilities
were not inferior to those Of that states
man."
Placed in condition less humble than
most slaves, he had never appeared so men
ial and timid. He felt and acted moro like
free man. He did not always take of hi
cap and put it unde his arm whenever hi
met white man in the streets, or entered
his dwelling.
1t was natural that the white overseers or
the surrounding plantations should be jeal
Gus of his success. And soon 1t began Il
be whispered around the neishborhood tina
if Dread were so disposed he might becom,
leader in an instruction.
The Shareholders held conference, ant
decided that it was necessary for B. S. Il
make an experiment that would test tn
manhood Of the giant slave, and ascertain
whether he could be made as submissive q
all slaves should be made, to insure the safe
ty Of the masters. Among the plans tina
were suggested to B. s. one was to obtail
another oversccr, and put Dread to work un
der him in tho gang; and If he cxpresse'
the least objection to the change to whil
him severely and break him in"
A large, tall, stout Yankee was secures
for driver. and Dread was ordered to tax
his hoo and perform his task with the othc
hands. Without expressing the least sur
prise or regret at the loss of his place, o
even presumins to inquire why he was to h
no longer oversccr, he went to work with a
much apparent chccrfulness as usual.
This was so unexpected that the master
were pcrplexcd. They could really find n
fault in the slave on which to predicate
charge and inact punishment. His noble
fearless bearing, and stately step, were un
mistakable signs that he felt altogether to-
manly and independent for humble slave
but how to develope his feelings and prov
} the fact, was the difficult question. Ther
. was nothing in his character or conduct tina
, deserved the slightest reproof, much less
punishment sufficiently severe to crush h
manhood and break his lnvincible spirit
! Still all agreed that something must bc done
Finally, they concluded to prefer fal'
charges against him, and punish him If b
complained Of suffering wrongfully. Th
) master treated him with unusual severity
One, among numerous complaints brougf
against him, WIS that he did not hoe hi
corn as we'll as the other hands. To remov
this, Dread performed double task-ho'
ing two rows to each Of the others one
Tom, who hoed next to Dread, told me ths
Dread removed every weed, hoed It as ne'
I as a garden, determined to remove ever
{ cause Of complaint for he saw that teri
{ bic storm was arising upon him. F.
1 Dread and Tom occupied the same HI
r after the new overscer had come and the
: had always been mutual friends.
o "Master S." said Tom, who related u
story to me, .. came into our hut one ever
3 ing, soon after we had finished work, loo'
: ing so pale that he frightened me; and
: said, -ss f asi.r ll lt'a..
q dread I say you don't hoe your Col
8 20 well as the other hands,"
d How do you know that, masterf"