[Footnote 1:  This is based on an account given by his son.]

[Footnote 2:  The Crisis, vol. v., p. 119.]

[Footnote 3:  Drew, Refugee, p. 143.]

[Footnote 4:  Simmons, Men of Mark, p. 539.]

The very employment of slaves in business establishments accelerated their mental development.  Negroes working in stores often acquired a fair education by assisting clerks.  Some slaves were clerks themselves.  Under the observation of E.P.  Burke came the notable case of a young man belonging to one of the best families of Savannah.  He could read, write, cipher, and transact business so intelligently that his master often committed important trusts to his care.[1] B.K.  Bruce, while still a slave, educated himself when he was working at the printer’s trade in Brunswick, Missouri.  Even farther south where slavery assumed its worst form, we find that this condition obtained.  Addressing to the New Orleans Commercial Bulletin a letter on African colonization, John McDonogh stated that the work imposed on his slaves required some education for which he willingly provided.  In 1842 he had had no white man over his slaves for twenty years.  He had assigned this task to his intelligent colored manager who did his work so well that the master did not go in person once in six months to see what his slaves were doing.  He says, “They were, besides, my men of business, enjoyed my confidence, were my clerks, transacted all my affairs, made purchases of materials, collected my rents, leased my houses, took care of my property and effects of every kind, and that with an honesty and fidelity which was proof against every temptation."[2] Traveling in Mississippi in 1852, Olmsted found another such group of slaves all of whom could read, whereas the master himself was entirely illiterate.  He took much pride, however, in praising his loyal, capable, and intelligent Negroes.[3]

[Footnote 1:  Burke, Reminiscences of Georgia, p. 86.

Frances Anne Kemble gives in her journal an interesting account of her observations in Georgia.  She says:  “I must tell you that I have been delighted, surprised, and the very least perplexed, by the sudden petition on the part of our young waiter, Aleck, that I will teach him to read.  He is a very intelligent lad of about sixteen, and preferred his request with urgent humility that was very touching.  I will do it; and yet, it is simply breaking the laws of the government under which I am living.  Unrighteous laws are made to be broken—­perhaps—­but then you see, I am a woman, and Mr.——­ stands between me and the penalty—.  I certainly intend to teach Aleck to read; and I’ll teach every other creature that wants to learn.”  See Kemble, Journal, p. 34.]

[Footnote 2:  McDonogh, “Letter on African Colonization.”]

[Footnote 3:  Olmsted, Cotton Kingdom, vol. ii., p. 70.]