Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-01-24
.Ghe Obio 9tatesmnm
correspohdence Of the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser
The Slaves at the South 10 these Secession Times.
NATcHEu, Miss., Jan. 4, 1861. &.

have spent few days on the plantations
may speak of them in some detail before gel
through with this letter; but let me seize the
present moment to point to salient facts, con-
nected with the present excitement-which have
passed under my own eyes, and, from good
sources, into my ears.
Although patrol 10 kept up, still thenegroes
hereabouts, as ten to one, are loyal TO their mas
ters, and inveterate against the North. HOW
this has been brought about, may be fair mat
ter for speculation; but that the Tact 30 exists
know from personal observation and CONVERSE
ton with the blacks. Freedom would be ac-
ceptabe to them, say the more Intelligent, but
they feel that they are safer at TIE South.
have heard very many speak tbis-and lt means
an expression of the dependent sentiment upon
the protection of their masters in the event OF
war or any trouble. The more enlightened of
these servants speak freely, and, cunning though
the negro is, he could hardly deceive me in the
expression with which ho or che ntters what
have digested. few anecdotes:
At breakfast, this morning, master speaks:
"Yes, yes, the negroes, l suppose, must be
free! Here now is Emene Ia neat wsitress) she
is perfectly delighted with the prospect; and Ed
Ia smart coachman) he will make fortune in
the North" Emeline-"Not l, indeed I'm az
free as / want to be. ] wants TO stay, I does,
where knows de folks, and where am sure OF
somebody to take care of me-" Ed-"For my
part, sir, Use no faith in the Abolitoners -
Niggers freezes and starves in the North"-
After breakfast the writer corners Ed in the
coach house "Ed, you didn't mean word you
said at breakfast this morning. IL was fear OF
your master You would jump with joy to be
free, Ed" ono, indeed, you are much mista-
ken am happy, Will supported, and love my
nj Nv far vuan Co.
and could not suppont even myself half as
we'll" ia the substance of his reply. "Ed, il
the North comes here to attack your master what
will you dot" Precise reply-"Give me gun
sir, and den you'd see. Ia die a thousand
times over master, for mistress, for any OBJ de
iamily-and no body but id rascally Niger
or mean white trash, would do anything else.'
His mannsr was vehement.
Negroes are in the habit here of setting traps
| to catch prowlDg Abolition undergrounders.
have seen several irresistibly proven cases oi
this sort, presented by masters to my notice
| The field negroes, as one hundred to one (on di
rect appeals made to them) have declared them.
selves II speak altogether of Mississippi and oi
this vicinity in favor of their homes and con-
dition in the South, to the freedom which, they
ina gine, Mr.. Lincoln is to procure for them by
war, and the slaughter of their masters That
LuS plHnIeTo DelleVe luis, lS GVluenI from the
unprotected manner in which they sleep among
them; their reliance on the patrol being esti-
mated by it's scanty numbers, makes it apparent
that this has only reference to tho suspected
few among the blacks, who, a strange fact-ars
never of the ostinteligent.
One Of the largest and most respectable plan
tere here told me that some Of his negroes said
to him, "Are we free2 II go, we want wages
His reply was, ~ don't know. I'll drum up the
hands (some IT'S in number) and we will go to
| Matches and oonsuls he'lawyers and see about
it." He did 90, and but seven of the whole mum
expressed wish even to investigate the sub
jecs. They discussed the matter (says my re
spectabe informant) in his presence, and such
arguments were used as this: "Suppose we are
| free. The lazy negroes who wont work will
steal our truck, and we'll have them TO take
care of, or murder" There is no doub. of the
truth of this anecdote, viz Mr.. G I, of this coun
ty, is seriously troubled for money, He works
over q xty blacks.
He summoned them and said, "Boys and
girls, you'll have to be free. l can't afford to
| buy meat for you. The North makes 80 much
trouble, and are such good friends to you, you'd
better go up there" Their reply was, "We
eau live very well on bread and vegetables till
times change; if we 60 North who is to take
care of us2" "But then, boys, | owe you mon
ey (for extra services and delcacies raised and
sold by the slaves to their masters) how about
that; can't pay" ooh, you don't owe us
much; that's nothing" The information on
which the above is based is indisputabe.
And yet the negro is neither affectionate nor
generous, He seems to have the fidelity of the
dog--if you will allow an illustrative express
sion-for it is all "Master" with him, even
though he is whipped once week for evident
faults. The other night pert house servant
was engaged in keeping savage dog from q
white man who came to stay, if he could, over
night in the plantation house, Gas is often done
by way-iarers.) When the hound was control
led, Pompey thus majestically and patronizing-
ly addressed the plebeian: "Seryed you right
What business have you in gentleman's
yard 2" Although this much amused the fam
lily, still Pompey was cufed severely for hii
insolence.
Such appears to be the tone of the Southern
negro in these secession times. How actua
hostlities, long protracted, aud with varying
fortunes, might affect him, one can hardly judge
but on the slightest evidence of revolt, undoubt
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