“Various are the instruments of torture devised to keep the slave in subjection.  The stocks are sometimes used.  Sometimes blocks are filled with pegs and nails, and the slave compelled to stand upon them.

“While stopping on the plantation of a Mr. C. I saw a whip with a knotted lash lying on the table, and inquired of my companion, who was also an acquaintance of Mr. C’s, if he used that to whip his negroes?  “Oh,” says he, “Mr. C. is not severe with his hands.  He never whips very hard.  The knots in the lash are so large that he does not usually draw blood in whipping them.”

“It was principally from hearing the conversation of southern men on the subject, that I judge of the cruelty that is generally practiced toward slaves.  They will deny that slaves are generally ill treated; but ask them if they are not whipped for certain offences, which either a freeman would have no temptation to commit, or which would not be an offence in any but a slave, and for non-performance of tasks, they will answer promptly in the affirmative.  And frequently have I heard them excuse their cruelty by citing Mr. A. or Mr. B. who is a Christian, or Mr. C. a preacher, or Mr. D. from the north, who “drives his hands tighter, and whips them harder, than we ever do.”  Driving negroes to the utmost extent of their ability, with occasionally a hundred lashes or more, and a few switchings in the field if they hang back in the driving seasons, viz:  in the hoing and picking months, is perfectly consistent with good treatment!

“While traveling across the Peninsula in a stage, in company with a northern gentleman, and southern lady, of great worth and piety, a dispute arose respecting the general treatment of slaves, the gentleman contending that their treatment was generally good—­’O, no!’ interrupted the lady, ’you can know nothing of the treatment they receive on the plantations.  People here do whip the poor negroes most cruelly, and many half starve them.  You have neither of you had opportunity to know scarcely anything of the cruelties that are practiced in this country,’ and more to the same effect.  I met with several others, besides this lady, who appeared to feel for the sins of the land, but they are few and scattered, and not usually of sufficiently stern mould to withstand the popular wave.

“Masters are not forward to publish their “domestic regulations,” and as neighbors are usually several miles apart, one’s observation must be limited.  Hence the few instances of cruelty which break out can be but a fraction of what is practised.  A planter, a professor of religion, in conversation upon the universality of whipping, remarked that a planter in G—­, who had whipped a great deal, at length got tired of it, and invented the following excellent method of punishment, which I saw practised while I was paying him a visit.  The negro was placed in a sitting position, with his hands made fast above his head, and feet in the stocks, so that he could not move any part of the body.