“We make no distinction between the colors-some are as white as you are; but the grades are so complex that it would be impossible to make a sliding-scale law for any fixed complexions.  The law which governs them is distinctive and comprehensive-made in order to shield the white population from their ignorance of law and evidence.  We never could govern them in their respective spheres, unless the laws were made stringent in their effect.  As for the free niggers, they’re the greatest nuisance we have; it is our policy to get rid of them, and to that end we tax them severely.  The riddance of this class of niggers would be an essential benefit to our slaves, as upon account of their influence our negro-laws are made more stringent.  And the worst of it is that they increase faster.  But we make it a principal point to get all the free men we can married to slaves, and the free women run off.  You, that are accustomed to the free institutions of your country, may think some of these things singular at first; but you would soon become accustomed to them, and would really admire them when you saw how beautifully they worked.”

“Is there no discretionary power left?” inquired the Captain.  “It must be oppressive, if carried out; Good men-whether they be white or black-are entitled to the advantages due them; but where laws such as you describe are carried out, a good man’s evidence being black, the intention could not be made white.  Now, according to my idea of the law of nature, a man’s merits are in his moral integrity and behaviour; therefore I should establish the rule that a good black man was better than a bad white man, and was as much entitled to the respect and government of law.”

“Hi!—­oh!  Captain; it won’t do to talk so in South Carolina.  Just let a nigger imagine himself as good as a white man, and all the seven codes in Christendom wouldn’t keep ’em under.  Ah! you’ve got to learn a thing or two about niggers yet,” interrupted Master George, before the Colonel had time to speak.

“I only speak from my observation of human nature; but I may become better acquainted with your laws, if I remain among you,” said the Captain.

“As I have said before sir,” replied the Colonel, “our nigger-laws are such as to require a strict enforcement.  If we allowed the prerogative of a discretionary power, it would open the way to an endless system of favoritism, just at the mercy and feelings of those exercising it.  As it is now, the white or black nigger, male or female, gets the same law and the same penalty.  We make no distinction even at the paddle-gallows.  The paddle-gallows is a frame with two uprights, and a wrench screw at the top.  The negro’s hands are secured in iron wristlets-similar to handcuffs; a rope is then attached to an eye in these, and passing over the wrench, which being turned, the negro is raised in an agonizing position until the tips of his toes scarcely touch the floor.  Thus suspended, with