Pointe Coupee Democrat. [volume] (False River [i.e. New Roads], Parish of Pointe Coupee [La.]) 1858-1862, 1860-09-01
1COMMUNICATED.

and Stealing-Working Negroes on the Task
System Without Feeding Them, &c, DC.
Editor Democrat:
will attempt, through the columns
Of the Democrat, which finds it's way to
nearly every house in the parish, to
arouse public attention,to the necessity
of promptly enforcing all needful police
regulations that apply to our black pop
%ulation, both slave and free.
The latter class should have many
liberties, heretofore tolerated, abridged;
and among them l would name the pri-
vilege of keeping guns and other de-
scriptions of fire arms. Also, the prlvl-
lege of purchasing powder and lead,
which has heretofore been permitted,
should be forbidden by positive enact
ment, accompanied by severe penalties.
1t is generally admitted that there
exists in this parish not less than fifty
rendezvous (they deserve a worse nancy
where whisky is sold al Hbitum to ne
groes, and where they can dispose OF
their stolen plunder Of any and every
description.
If a chemical analysis were made Of
this whisky. the fact would be demon
strated that its poisonous properties are
calculated to madden the brain and pre-
pare the black man who drinks itfor the
preparation of the most horrid crimes.
Any one who has occasion to travel
our roads at night, will invariably meet
negroes at every step, going to these
dens of iniquity, loaded with stolen
meal, pork, chickens, &c, &C., and re-
turning with this s%tricEnine and red
pepper whisky, which they distribute
through the different quarters, and thus
spread the contagion far and wide.
Again, negro preaching has become
an intolerablc nuisance and a fruitful
source of danger to the peace and quiet
of the community. Not only do the ne
groes assemble in the day time unlaw-
fully, but they often meet at night,
gathering from half a dozen plantations.
full of fanaticism, to concoct their plans
of rascality and pillage.
Again, that wretched system Of work.
ing by task and receiving no provisions
+ but one barrel Of corn per month, is still
practiced on many plantations. and par
ticular7y those owned by free negroes.
Where this task system prevails, the
: negroes are dismissed at any hour Of the
dav when their task is completed, and
are turned loose to steal a %precarious
! living. This evil deserves immediate
, correction, for those who work their ne
groes Systematically and feed them plen-
' tifully, have suffered long enough by
this unlicensed robbery.
: Again, it is true that Captains of Pa
trolls arc annually appointed, but when
and to whom do they eve report? Who
I exercises authority to see that they per
. form their duty? | venture the assertion
+ that throughout the length and breadth
of the parish the patrol duty is either
e not performed, or if so, very inefficient
ly.
In view of all this, l submit to every
+ reasonable man., if this alarming state
of affairs does not call for prompt anc
energetic action on the part of the Police
Jury, who should be the watchful guard
ans Of the peoples interest? Task,
= in view of all this, this parish does no
c offer a broad and clear field for fanatics
to introduce their heritical plots? l
' negro outrages are perpetrated, if the
a quiet of society is disturbed, if the pub
lie safety becomes insecure, can we at
= tach blame to any save ourselves!
When we look to Texas and seeth,
e scenes that arc daily enacted and re
d enacted there, it should rouse up theen
\ tire community to the danger which
threatenes our W homes and fresldes
C | do hope this communication will in
s duce the Police Jury to give a portion
of their valuable time to the true inter
5 ests Of the people, and not fritter ava.
all their sittings with leyee Legislation
N It can not be denied that the question
Q of police regulations for our black popr
~lation, including slaves and free blacks
= is of vital Importance, and overrides a.
else. In the name, then, of the people
n | call on our parish Legislature to b
t. active, vigilant and brave in guardin
against the incendiarism which ha
:, swept over Texas, and which will assn
I'll eddy follow the further tolerance of til
evils herein pressed upon the a%ttentio
.r of the Police Jury. P. G..
IN PARISH SUB-ELECroRs.-The Hon. B.
I'd SHINES, Democratic Presidential Ele
We tor for this District, has appointed tt