“I here spent nearly all my life in the midst of slavery.  From being the son of a slaveholder, I descended to the condition of a slave, and from that condition I rose (if you please to call it so,) to the station of a ‘driver.’  I have lived in Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky; and I know the condition of the slaves to be that of unmixed wretchedness and degradation.  And on the part of slaveholders, there is cruelty untold.  The labor of the slave is constant toil, wrung out by fear.  Their food is scanty, and taken without comfort.  Their clothes answer the purposes neither of comfort nor decency.  They are not allowed to read or write.  Whether they may worship God or not, depends on the will of the master.  The young children, until they can work, often go naked during the warm weather.  I could spend months in detailing the sufferings, degradation and cruelty inflicted upon slaves.  But my soul sickens at the remembrance of these things.”

TESTIMONY OF MR. LEMUEL SAPINGTON, A NATIVE OF MARYLAND.

Mr. Sapington, is a repentant “soul driver” or slave trader, now a citizen of Lancaster, Pa.  He gives the following testimony in a letter dated, Jan. 21, 1839.

“I was born in Maryland, afterwards moved to Virginia, where I commenced the business of farming and trafficking in slaves.  In my neighborhood the slaves were ‘quartered.’  The description generally given of negro quarters is correct.  The quarters are without floors, and not sufficient to keep off the inclemency of the weather, they are uncomfortable both in summer and winter.  The food there consists of potatoes, pork, and corn, which were given to them daily, by weight and measure.  The sexes were huddled together promiscuously.  Their clothing is made by themselves after night, though sometimes assisted by the old women who are no longer able to do out door work, consequently it is harsh and uncomfortable.  I have frequently seen those of both sexes who have not attained the age of twelve years go naked.  Their punishments are invariably cruel.  For the slightest offence, such as taking a hen’s egg, I have seen them stripped and suspended by their hands, their feet tied together, a fence rail of ordinary size placed between their ankles, and then most cruelly whipped, until, from head to foot, they were completely lacerated, a pickle made for the purpose of salt and water, would then be applied by a fellow-slave, for the purpose of healing the wounds as well as giving pain.  Then taken down and without the least respite sent to work with their hoe.