Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1853 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER DC. SLAVES AS THEY AEE, ON TESTIMONY OF OWNERS. The investigation into the actual condition of the slave population at the South is beset with many difficulties. So many things are said pro and con, --so many said in one connection and denied in another, --that the effect is very confusing. Thus we are told that the state of the slaves is one of blissful contentment; that they would not take freedom as a gift; that their family relations are only now and then invaded; that they are a stupid race, almost sunk to the condition of animals; that generally they are kindly treated, &c. In reading over some two hundred Southern newspapers this fall, the author has been struck with the very graphic and circumstantial pictures, which occur in all of them, describing fugitive slaves. From these descriptions one may learn a vast many things. The author will here give an assortment of them, taken at random. It is a commentary on the contented state of the slave population that the writer finds two or three always, and often many more, in every one of the hundreds of Southern papers examined. In reading the following little sketches of " slaves as they are," let the reader notice: 1. The colour and complexion of the majority of them. 2. That it is customary either to describe slaves by some scar, or to say," No scars recollected." 3. The intelligence of the parties advertised. 4. The number that say they are free that are to be sold to pay jail-fees. Every one of these slaves has a history, --a history of woe and crime, degradation, endurance, and wrong. Let us open the chapter. South-side Democrat, October 28, 1852. Petersburgh, Virginia: -- Reward. Twenty-five dollars, with the payment of all necessary expenses, will be given for the...
