of criminals confined in it, arise, I must think, from the reports of bad prisoners.  I have never been in it.  Our people are opposed to vice, and seldom visit such a place; but the sheriff tells me it is comfortable enough for anybody.  If this be so, and I have no reason to doubt his word, we can exercise our sympathy and kindness for his shipwrecked circumstances, and make him as comfortable there as we could anywhere else.  There are many different opinions, I admit, touching the effect of this law; but I’m among those who support stringent measures for better protection.  His color can form no excuse, Captain, so long as there is symptoms of the negro about him.  We might open a wide field for metaphysical investigation, if we admitted exceptions upon grades of complexion; for many of our own slaves are as white ar the brightest woman.  Consequently, when we shut the gates entirely, we save ourselves boundless perplexity.  Nor would it be safe to grant an issue upon the score of intelligence, for experience has taught us that the most intelligent ’bright fellows’ are the worst scamps in creating discontent among the slaves.  I only speak of these things, Captain, in a general sense.  Your man may be very good, noble, generous, and intelligent; and, more than all, not inclined to meddle with our peculiar institution,—­but it would be a false principle to make him an exception, setting an example that would be entirely incompatible with our greatest interests.  So far as my word will affect the sheriff, and enlist his better feelings in making him comfortable, I will use it,” said the ‘old man,’ again adjusting his specs.

Little George seemed dumbfounded with mortification, and the Captain felt as though he would give a guinea to be on board his brig.  It was no use for him to enter into the extenuating circumstance of his voyage, or the character of the man, Manuel.  The same cold opinions about the law, and the faith and importance of South Carolina and her peculiar institutions, met his ears wherever he went.  The Captain arose, took his hat, and bidding the old gentleman good morning, again left for his brig.

“Don’t be worried about it-I’ll do what I can for you,” said the old man, as the Captain was leaving.  George followed him into the street, and made a great many apologies for his father’s opinions and seeming indifference, promising to do himself what his father did not seem inclined to undertake.  The Captain saw no more of him during his stay in Charleston, and if his influence was exerted in Manuel’s behalf, he did not feel its benefits.

Business had so occupied the Captain’s attention during the day, that he had no time to visit Manuel at the jail; and when he returned to the vessel, a message awaited him from the British consul.  One of the seamen had been detailed to fill Manuel’s place, who, with his dinner all prepared, reminded the Captain that it was awaiting him.  He sat down, took dinner, and left to answer the consul’s