Amongst those I had occasion to call on at St. Louis, was a Major ——.  He had formerly been engaged in Indian warfare, and, having received a wound from a rifle-ball, that incapacitated him for active military duty, he was living as a retired citizen—­his wife’s jointure, and an allowance from Government, allowing him to keep up a tolerably good establishment.  He was the owner of several slaves, and, amongst the rest, a young woman who was employed as nursemaid in the family.  The first time I called at his residence, I thought him a man of superior manners and education, and was much pleased with the visit, which was concluded with a promise to renew it on a future day.  When, however, I repeated my visit soon after, I found him alone in his study, and his constrained manner soon led me to perceive that something unusual perturbed his mind.  The cause was soon after explained, for, the negress, before mentioned, coming into the room on some trifling errand, to my surprise accosted him rather freely.  Her master suddenly broke out in a paroxysm of rage, swore at her awfully, and accused her in a ruffianly way of being insolent to her mistress.  Then, violently ringing a bell which stood on the table, he summoned a negro lad into the room, and at once despatched him to a neighbour’s house to borrow a new raw-hide whip, threatening all the while to flay her alive.  In vain the terrified creature pleaded innocence; he would take no excuse, and, although I begged earnestly for him to pass over the offence, and the poor slave fell on her knees in the greatest terror, he vowed vengeance with dreadful imprecations.  At last the whip came, and, disregarding alike the presence of a stranger, and the entreaties of a woman, he began the flagellation with murderous earnest.  My interference only added to his ungovernable rage.  The raw-hide was new, and the major being a strong, muscular man, every stroke told.  The blood soon flowed from the back, neck, and breasts, of the poor victim, whose cries, as she writhed under the savage infliction, entered my soul.  They, however, made no impression on her brutal tormentor, who kept vociferating with all his energy to keep her quiet.  It was with some difficulty I stood by and witnessed the assault, but I well know my life would be in jeopardy if I attempted to interfere.  I, however, screwed up my courage to stay, in the hope that some sense of shame might induce the fellow to hold his hand.  This was, however, a delusive hope, for he continued to lay on the whip until he was exhausted.

The girl was now on the floor of the room, moaning piteously, and a stream of blood was flowing from her lacerated person, which soaked the matting that covered the floor.  Her dress was hanging in tatters, and the blood trickling down her cheeks had a horrifying effect.  As soon as the ruffian was tired, he bid the woman get down stairs and wash herself.  The miserable creature arose with difficulty, and picking up her apron and turban, which were in different parts