Telfair, Fowler and Hammond authorized the assignment of gardens and patches to such slaves as wanted to cultivate them at leisure times.  To prevent these from becoming a cloak for thefts from the planter’s crops, Telfair and Fowler forbade the growing of cotton in the slaves’ private patches, and Hammond forbade both cotton and corn.  Fowler specifically gave his negroes the privilege of marketing their produce and poultry “at suitable leisure times.”  Hammond had a rule permitting each work hand to go to Augusta on some Sunday after harvest; but for some reason he noted in pencil below it:  “This is objectionable and must be altered.”  Telfair and Weston directed that their slaves be given passes on application, authorizing them to go at proper times to places in the neighborhood.  The negroes, however, were to be at home by the time of the curfew horn about nine o’clock each night.  Mating with slaves on other plantations was discouraged as giving occasion for too much journeying.

“Marriage is to be encouraged,” wrote Hammond, “as it adds to the comfort, happiness and health of those who enter upon it, besides insuring a greater increase.  Permission must always be obtained from the master before marriage, but no marriage will be allowed with negroes not belonging to the master.  When sufficient cause can be shewn on either side, a marriage may be annulled; but the offending party must be severely punished.  Where both are in wrong, both must be punished, and if they insist on separating must have a hundred lashes apiece.  After such a separation, neither can marry again for three years.  For first marriage a bounty of $5.00, to be invested in household articles, or an equivalent of articles, shall be given.  If either has been married before, the bounty shall be $2.50.  A third marriage shall be not allowed but in extreme cases, and in such cases, or where both have been married before, no bounty will be given.”

“Christianity, humanity and order elevate all, injure none,” wrote Fowler, “whilst infidelity, selfishness and disorder curse some, delude others and degrade all.  I therefore want all of my people encouraged to cultivate religious feeling and morality, and punished for inhumanity to their children or stock, for profanity, lying and stealing.”  And again:  “I would that every human being have the gospel preached to them in its original purity and simplicity.  It therefore devolves upon me to have these dependants properly instructed in all that pertains to the salvation of their souls.  To this end whenever the services of a suitable person can be secured, have them instructed in these things.  In view of the fanaticism of the age, it behooves the master or overseer to be present on all such occasions.  They should be instructed on Sundays in the day time if practicable; if not, then on Sunday night.”  Acklen wrote in his usual peremptory tone:  “No negro preachers but my own will be permitted to preach or remain on any of my places.  The regularly appointed