New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-16
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
COZ. NcKAYE,s REPORT ON SLAVERY.


sloaer. sve pp. %. New-iork
The condition Of the emancipated slave IN the
haley on the Lower Mississippi is the subject Of the
pesent Report. In the opinion of Col. MeKaye,
kEs region affords The most interesting field for the
sasarvatono of the slave system, aud Of the great
lAaages which are now everywhere taking place in
Awe society. The domestic and industrial ele-
nsnts there srein state Of transition and revolu-
eon. Facing the broad river ON each side, still
pazds The great white mansion of She planter,
while by its side are the long Of cabins called
The negro quarte4s. In many instances, the OLD
master and the negroes still occupy their respective
domains but under new and strange circumstances
The character Of the first settlers of Louisiana
bad al important influence In modifying many OF
sas features OF the slave system. For the most
part they were Of French, Spanish, and Portuguese"
sdgin, and without the rooted Snupathy to the
negro race which usually prevails among the whites
2Aere was much greater degree Of social equality
between the black and white races IN this region,
especially in the earlier days Of its settlement snd
tbere is found more general admixture of the two
ssees than is known elsewhere even in the slave
Breeding States. The babituel condition of the
aeEro was far better than in South Carolina and
greater amount of labor. He WAS not so strictly
foEbidden the use Of family name. His habits-
dor was more like that of other human beings.
MS cabin usually contained not less than two
rooms often four furnished with some sort OF beds
Aad bedding In their lodging, those who eonsid-
esed themselves man and vito we're separated from
sAs single. The young of different sexes slept in
SEPARATE apartments. They did not eat OF family
fshle, but received cooked rations which they
rsRght eat ss they chose. On the other hand, the
fours of labor on the sugar plantations we're from
sAeen 10 eighteen hours day, and st certain sea-
Sons Of the year included greater part Of henight
sUpon some plantations the women were worked
ss hard o. tho men, and in some instances were
kspt at labor in every stage Of pregnancy, even up
30 tAe moment Of delivery. Sometimes they were
pent into the field one week after confinement; but
ordinarily they were given oDs month in which to !
sseover. Mothers were usually permitted TO nurse
sheir children for half hour three times day for
The space Of three months"
With regard to the moral character of the slaves,
Usl. McKsye quotes the testimony Of Mr.. J. d.
Rsusanez, a free mulatto creole of New-OIleans,
naa Of great intelligence and probsy, who had
been employed as an engineer and mechanic upon
several sugar plantations, and of DR.. <. c. Hyde,
20 cid physician Of long experience in the Valley Of
NE Mississippi as follows:
AS 70 chastity says Mr. Roudanes mo s-ch |
shhg was known tho plantations In the fret place
tAe had the Of all the field women, nnf II
Of them refused, m occasion vas very soon tund
fm subleoting her 70 severe punishment" " have
knOvp- says another Trustworthy witness 4" women .
30 be severely whipped for not coming 20 tie eusTers
TIE OvsTsssr o. -; o tSr mp usually
ade their selections from the house servants. and the
Sosng masters generally preferred for tier
Aeir hslfssters. 1t WA the common custom. They /
were usually taken at the age OF thirteen CT fourteen
have known girls TO be mothers at that age ms /
was especially true Of French oreoles" q" Their own
sssprings ssys DR.. Hyde, were treated slaves
key we're frequently subjected TO forociOus treatment
rnd sold, 10 put them cut Of their sight. The prsc'
Soe Of indiscriminse sexual intercourse. continues
Mr. ROudsneg twas universal that chasie colOTod
HiFl at the ege of seventeen was almost unknown
The planters habit OF cohabtstion with Their slave
women a Of great suffering To these women
Frequently the jealous wife would procure them 70 be
whipped otherwise punished upon false charges end
stsn when their husbands were absent had than pan
nhed In their presence" The fortunes soBstimes
Afflicted upon those helpless fayoritos Of the husband
By abe Infatuated WIFE, IN order TO render them lees at
6aStve to the husband not TO be described. The
% Of the promisouous eOhabtation well knewn TO
- parents and children"
Nor were the punishments less severe than in the
Save region generally. whipping with the pad |
De; scourgng with the whip Of twisted bulrs hide |
o. knotted cordsi torturing with the heavy iron
hsrned collar and with heavy iron rings with chain
sAaached, worn Upon the ankle for months con-
8soment in the stocks in the dark cells Of the
plantation prisons, often without food, and hunt |
fng With bloodhounds, were all practiced here as
well as elsewhere"
In spite Of ell this, the degradation and suffering
a. the slave did not compare with the misery Of his
kfs on the shores of South Carolina. There were
other favorable circumstances beside those already
seferred 70, which had an influence on the charac-
Ger Of the population. The sugar culture required
certain degree of Judgment and skill for its sue
sossful prosecution. portion Of the hands on
every plantation had 10 be mechanics and artisans.
This raised the general standard Of intelligence.
"GeneIally," says Mr.. RoudaneE, "upon every
plantation there was at least one man who had
somehow learned 10 read httle aud in secret used
% read to the Others notwithstanding the severe
punishment always inflicted upon the detection Of
sueh offenses." "OR the day following that on
which the news Of the execution Of John Brown
Reached New-Orleans, started for plantation
70 miles up the river. Soon after my arrival there,
slave gave ne detailed account Of the execution.
That morning slave in the Sugar-house had asked
es his master piece Of paper TO wipe come portion
: Or the machinery. He handed him newspaper,
The greater part Of which he retained, and after
sard secretly read it 70 the whole force. 1t con-
tained an account of John Browns execution"
Another fact, as noted by Cod. AcKaye, was not |
without its influence.
IT. rrlou ~ n Valley Miaga- |