power of such men, in whom, by the long-continued practise of the most heart-rending cruelties, every feeling of humanity has been obliterated?  But it may be asked, cannot the slaves have redress by appealing to their masters?  In many instances it is impossible, as their masters live hundreds of miles off.  There are perhaps thousands in the northern slave states, [and many in the free states,] who own plantations in the southern slave states, and many more spend their summers at the north, or at the various watering places.  But what would the slaves gain, if they should appeal to the master?  He has placed the overseer over them, with the understanding that he will make as large a crop as possible, and that he is to have entire control, and manage them according to his own judgment.  Now suppose that in the midst of the season, the slaves make complaint of cruel treatment.  The master cannot get along without an overseer—­it is perhaps very sickly on the plantation he dare not risk his own life there.  Overseers are all enraged at that season, and if he takes part with his slave against the overseer, he would destroy his authority, and very likely provoke him to leave his service—­which would of course be a very great injury to him.  Thus, in nineteen cases out of twenty, self-interest would prevent the master from paying any attention to the complaints of his slaves.  And, if any should complain, it would of course come to the ears of the overseer, and the complainant would be inhumanly punished for it.”

CLOTHING.

“The rule, where slaves are hired out, is two suits of clothes per year, one pair of shoes, and one blanket; but as it relates to the great body of the slaves, this cannot be called a general rule.  On many plantations, the children under ten or twelve years old, go entirely naked—­or, it clothed at all, they have nothing more than a shirt.  The cloth is of the coarsest kind, far from being durable or warm; and their shoes frequently come to pieces in a few weeks.  I have never known any provision made, or time allowed for the washing of clothes.  If they wish to wash, as they have generally but one suit, they go after their day’s toil to some stream, build a fire, pull off their clothes and wash them in the stream, and dry them by the fire; and in some instances they wear their clothes until they are worn off; without washing.  I have never known an instance of a slaveholder putting himself to any expense, that his slaves might have decent clothes for the Sabbath.  If by making baskets, brooms, mats, &c. at night or on Sundays, the slaves can get money enough to buy a Sunday suit, very well.  I have never known an instance of a slaveholder furnishing his slaves with stockings or mittens.  I know that the slaves suffer much, and no doubt many die in consequence of not being well clothed.”

FOOD.