The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-08-24

The institution of Slavery, as it exists in the
Southern States, has too frequently been Judged
only through the medium ofthe legislative enact
ments that regulate and control it, Men have
made themselves familiar with the letter of the
statutes, but have taken no account of the
spirit in which those statutes are executed, nor
of the manners and customs which modify or
supersede them. Thousands of people in the
North, and more especially in Europe, have in
this way learned TO regard it as system of which
harsh coercion and brutal violence are the charac-
teristic features. They are slow to believe that
any consideration is ever shown TO the negro, and
still less that legal ard equitable rights are con-
coded 10 him, in The enjoyment Of which he is
protected by law. They would be surprised to
learn that even in Louisiana "officia acts'1 may
be awaited of TO shield him from imposition, or to
ensure to him his freedom whenever he may be-
come entitled to it. We quote, therefore, para
graph from the report of the Agents of the McDoN-
OCH estate for this city, detailing the disposition
made of certain negroes belonging TO the estate,
who, by the will of the testator, had been origin
ally destined for Liberia. 1t shows how the city
ofNew Orleans assisted in placing under the sane
for their present comfort and their future proec-
ton. Speaking of the negroes in question, the
Agents say:
The report Of the experts in 1857 recommended that
some OF these slaves should be allowed here
Accordingly in conformity with the spirit of our ordi-
nance, and the laws of Louisiana do not allow us to
manumit them absolutely in this State, have deter
mined to leave the following named in New Orleans I'M
der the safeguards that will be thrown around them by
our counsel through official and recorded acts First
George Coquhoun, faithful man, married a COL
ored woman and formerly the personal servant of Mr..
McDonogh He has served the estate with great fidelity
since the death of his master and by his Industrious
habits is regarded worthy the favor he requested
ond Ellen, respectable woman, wife of Jules Dupeyre
free colored man of Algers opposite this city Her hus
band is well able to take she was re-
commended by the experts, did consider proper
to separate her from her husband, who unwilling
go. Third: Two orphan children, very young, without
protectors parents among the other slaves sent to
Africa, who would be entirely without the guardianship
suitable their wears either on the VOYAGE in Africa
Ihelr mother was blind woman who wandered off two
or three years ago. and has been heard Of though
every proper effort has been made to gain
hgence OF her. Fourth: Fanny wife of James Thornton
free man of color who had been manumitted by Mr. Nc
Donogh. Her five children left with her. and her
husband is of ample and ability
Of her and them Still will be had protect the in
dvdua rights which each the family derives from the
hberaty of the cities. Fifth: Caroline and her three
children, also recommended to the cities by experts
as persons with ties binding them this locality which
it would be gross inhumanity to rend. asunder' We
concurred with the experts and allowed them remain
Sixth: Three very aged men, old and faithful servants
OF Mr. McDonogh too feeble for life of adventure
Africa and too decrept even for work in louisiana
New Orleans has united in sanctionng suggestion
put fund aside for their comfortable support during
short time they have probably to live
by vote of the Joint Board il resolved that such
arrangements should be made with the persons whom it is
proposed shall become the quasi of the time and
services of these colored people, until the 2Sh of October
1860 when their term of servitude expires under the
WILL as will not only maintain the Stau l6eri which is
their present right under that document and their
present protection and liberation in 1866 either in Africa
or in free State this Unon but also assure to each the
wages they may have earned by virtue of these
ments as means of starting in the world when released
from servtude All these agreements their behalf are
to be made before Notary this city, so as to become
recorded acts
We doubt not that the humane consideration
shown to these faithful servants will be considered as
rare exception to the general treatment accorded
to negroes in the South, by those whose informa-
ton respecting the institution of slavery is derived
only from the books which have been written TO
describe it, But they would err equally with those
who have, for the same purpose, digesed the writ
ten codes of the Southern States. Travellers tales
when true, are themselves the exceptions In
cidents selected for publication are precisely such
as are most unusual, startling and exciting, and,
therefore, most likely to interest readers The in
stitution is peculiar -pre-eminently so in one
respect, and that is in regard to the difference be-
tween its actual and its theoretical condition 1t
is impossible that men can adequately comprehend
the nature ofsavery, or fairly weigh its advantages
and evils unless they have dwelt for time in the
section of country where it exists. Those who have
never seen it in its practical working universally
approach the subject with the preconceived notion
that slavery is and the same thing all the world
over The sickening horrors of the slave trade and
the Middle Passage, and the barbarities of the
Spanish Main, are remembered, and through a
general confusion of time place, and history, the
South is called upon to bear share of the odium,
whichjusty attaches to unhumanites for which
we are in no way responsible. We venture TO say
that comparatively few Northern people know how
wide and rreconcilable is the difference between
slavery as it exists in their imaginations and in
Maryland or Georgia. We do not say that if the
institution was better understood all objections to
it would be Withdrawn. This we do not expect,
for it presents questions upon which men may and
will seriously and honestly differ But it is to be
regretted that ignorance and Misrepresentation
should have so far msled the minds of any portion
of the people of the North, that they are unwilling
to believe the indisputable fact, that humanity
and kindness the laws that govern Southern
masters, and that comfort and happiness are gen.
orally the portion Of the Southern laborers.