The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-12-14

home. If the slightest word of entreaty for
rest or complaint Of WEAKNESS escape them
they are roughly reminded that they are "a
long ways from white Then let our care
less traveller witness the constant recurring
scene of the separation of husbands and
wives, parents and children, sold from each
other never to meet again. How utterly
false is the plea that such relations are re.
spected by the master. They are not at all
regarded by the generality of slave owners.
l have seen and known of many, many sales,
and have never known case where such
considerations materially affected buyer or
seller. Yet the negroe himself is possessed
Of very warm domestic affection.
HOW PLANTATION SLAVES ARE TREATED.
Now let our complacent tourist spend a
few days or weeks on the plantations of Tex
as especially. On those cultivating sugar
and molasses he will hear midnight bell.
Compose yourself to sleep again. This bell
is for the black sleeper; he must now rouse
himself from his few hours of repose, almost
as unrefreshcd as the gang he goes to relieve,
and work on under the uplifted lash until the
next night. On the cotton plantations also,
he will find the slaves almost invariably over
worked, with no recreation whatever. They
are called from one to two hours before day,
prepare their own breakfast which consists
of meal and water baked into hard loaf,
and some bacon or salt beef and are in the
field before day breaks. Here they work ev-
cry instant until noon, when they take a cold
dinner OF the same materials which formed
their breakfast; mayhap they may have the
addition of beans or potatoes, if these are
very plenty; but coffee. tea. -four or sugar is
never given them. After taking dinner in
great haste, generally in the field, they i'm
medlatel y return to their forced labor until
too dark to pick, and then load aid haul
their cotton to the gin, and are otherwise at
work until about eigh, O'Clock when they are
allowed to cook their coarse supper, and Law
down on the ground Of their miserable how
els. When extra work is to be done. they
are usually kept up at night to perform it.
TIE SLAVES oyERWoEKEp.
NorthernerS are wont to console them
selves with the thought that the interest of
the planter will not allow him to overwork
his slave, as such wp:k would destroy his
health. All, the God of the Sabbath knows
shat his creatures may be worked very. very
hard, ere that wonderful machine, the human
frame, give way. He has given it reserve
force for emergencies. and that force is daily
tested on the poor negro. VINO among TIE
robust whites could endure the thought of
being worked just as hard as health would
permit? That, too, with no hope of reward ;
no Joys Of home; no consultations of love
with not even freedom to be good. How
often is the black woman compelled to take
new husband, when separated from one
she has loved--or even to receive the pollu-
ting embraces of vile master. Think of
women and men being given up body and
soul into the absolute authority of any white
who has money to buy them.
TREATMENT OF SLAVE CHILDREN.
Think Of the little children thus owed
How often do see them pinched, dashed and
pushed down by the white children OF the
family and if in the fresh young impulses
Of human nature they show resistance the
master or mistress interferes, and boxing the
little black offender, reiterates the question
| if he thinks he is white" The children are
often put to work from the time they are
three years old. They sweep, clean yards
and take care of baby while the mother is
in the field. Their tasks are increased faster
than any one would suppose their strength
would allow. have known children from
five to eight years of age worked all day, and
never allowed to play.