University of Virginia Library

LIFE IN EASTERN VIRGINIA.

In the foreground of the engraving illustrating the Home of the Planter, is a colored
woman strutting across the yard with a tub of water on her head. Near her is a group
of white and black miniature specimens of humanity, playing in great glee. In the
middle ground is the mansion of the planter, pleasantly embowered in a grove of locusts.
The mansion itself has the chimneys on the outside, a peculiar feature in the domestic
architecture of the southern states. Under the shade of the porch sits the planter, with
a pail of water by his side, from which, in warm weather, he is accustomed to take
frequent draughts. At the door are a gentleman and lady, about making a social visit.
On the right are the quarters of the blacks, where is seen the overseer, with some
servants. In the distance is shown a river; the finest plantations being generally on
the fertile banks of some calm, flowing stream. This completes the picture, which we
trust will prove a familiar one to most of our readers.

It is, perhaps, unnecessary to describe in detail the life of a planter, as it is incidentally
illustrated in several places in this volume. The term planter, originally applied in
this state to those who cultivated the tobacco-plant, is now an expression commonly
used in reference to all agriculturists of the lowlands. This class forms the great bulk
of the inhabitants, and from it have arisen most of the distinguished statesmen who
have shed such lustre upon the name of Virginia. Settled, as this portion of the state
was, by old English cavaliers, their descendants have many of the same traits of character.
The introduction of slaves has given them the leisure to cultivate the elegancies
of life, to mix much in social intercourse, and to become familiar with all current political
topics. From this, too, has arisen much of the hospitality for which the planter is
proverbial. Nowhere are the wishes and wants of the stranger guest more regarded,
and nowhere is the character of a true gentleman held more sacred. The planter is also

noted for his frankness and sincerity. And why should he not be? He does not engage
in the strife and turmoil of trade. He has no business secrets. His better nature
has not been shocked, and his feelings blunted, by familiarity with the devices of the
business world. Hence, his address is frank and free, and there is often a child-like
simplicity and ingenuousness of manner that charms the stranger, and wins his strongest
affections. The current of the planter's life runs smooth; and if possessed of a sufficiency,
none can live more independently, more free from the distracting cares which
often cut short the days of the man of business, and render his pilgrimage here one
constant scene of struggle and perplexity.

We herewith present a description of the condition of the slaves. It is from the
pen of a judge of one of the Virginia courts, and was published in a work a few years
since. It is in the form of answers to certain queries made by the author of that
work:

"I am not certain that I understand the scope of the first inquiry: `The laws for the
government of the master and the slave in Virginia.' Properly speaking, there are no
laws affecting this relation. Both are under the protection of the law to a certain extent.
The master would be punished for any mayhem or felony committed on the slave; but
it has been decided that no prosecution will lie against him, even for excessive beating,
not amounting to mayhem or felony. It has never been found necessary to enact laws
for the government of the master in his treatment of the slave, for reasons that will
appear hereafter.

"We have many laws respecting slaves, controlling them in certain particulars.
Thus, they are not allowed to keep or carry military weapons—nor to leave home without
a written permission—nor to assemble at any meeting-house or other place in the
night, under pretence of religious worship—nor at any school, for the purpose of being
taught to read or write—nor to trade and go at large as freemen—nor to hire themselves
out—nor to preach or exhort. Some of the penalties for a violation of these laws are
imposed upon the master, for permitting his slave to do certain acts; in other cases, the
slave is liable to be taken before a justice of the peace, and punished by stripes, never
exceeding thirty-nine.

"Slaves emancipated by their masters, are directed to leave the state within twelve
months from the date of their emancipation.

"These laws, and every other having the appearance of rigor towards the slave, are
nearly dead letters upon our statute book, unless during times of excitement, or since
the efforts of the abolitionists have reanimated them. I have, until lately, scarcely
known an instance in which they have been enforced.

"It is equally rare to witness the trial of a slave for any except very serious crimes.
There are many offences committed by them, for which a freeman would be sent to the
penitentiary, that are not noticed at all, or punished by a few stripes under the directions
of the master.

"When tried for a crime, it is before a court of at least five magistrates, who must
be unanimous to convict. They are not entitled to a trial by jury, but it is acknowledged
on all hands that this is a benefit, and not a disadvantage. The magistrates are
more respectable than common jurors; and, being generally slave-holders themselves,
they feel a certain sympathy with the prisoner, or, at all events, an absence of that prejudice
to which common jurors are very subject.

"Slaves may be taught, and many of them are taught, in their owner's family. They
are allowed to attend religious worship conducted by white ministers, and to receive
from them religious instruction. In point of fact, they go where they please on Sundays,
and at all other times when they are not engaged in labor.

"2. `The rights and duties of slaves,' as a distinct class, are not defined by law.
They depend upon usage or custom, which controls the will of the master. Thus, the
law does not recognise their right to hold property, but no instance is known of the
master's interfering with their little acquisitions; and it often happens, that they are
considerable enough to purchase themselves and family. In such cases I have never
known the master to exact from the slave the full price that he might have obtained
from others. In the same manner, the quantity and quality of food and clothing, the
hours of labor and rest, the holidays, the privileges, &c., of the slave, are regulated by
custom, to depart materially from which, would disgrace the master in public opinion.

"3. `The domestic relations of the master and slave.' On this subject the grossest
misrepresentations have been made. It seems to be imagined at the North that our
society is divided horizontally. All above the line, tyrants—all below it, trembling,
crouching slaves. Nothing can be more unlike the real picture. The intercourse between

the master and slave is kind, respectful, and approaching to intimacy. It must
be recollected, that they have been brought up together, and often form attachments
that are never broken. The servants about the house are treated rather as humble
friends than otherwise. Those employed differently have less intercourse with the
white family; but, when they meet, there is a civil, and often cordial greeting on both
sides. The slaves generally look upon their masters and mistresses as their protectors
and friends. Born slaves, and familiarized with their condition, they have no wish to
change it when left to themselves. When they compare it with that of the poor laboring
whites in their own neighborhood, no envy is excited, but an opposite sentiment.
The slave of a gentleman, universally considers himself a superior being to `poor white
folks.' They take pride in their master's prosperity; identify his interest with their
own; frequently assume his name, and even his title, and speak of his farm, his crops,
and other possessions, as their own; and well, indeed, may they employ this language,
for they know that the greater part of the profits is liberally devoted to their use.

"In their nature the slaves are generally affectionate; and particularly so to the
children of the family, which lays the foundation of the attachments I have spoken of,
continuing through life. The children are always favorites, and the feeling is reciprocated.
It is a great mistake to suppose that the children are permitted to tyrannize over the
slaves, young or old; and that they learn in this way domineering habits. Some may,
but more frequently there is rather too much familiarity between the white females and
children of a family, and the slaves of the same description. The children play together
on terms of great equality; and if the white child gives a blow, he is apt to have it returned
with interest. At many tables you will find the white children rising from them, with
their little hands full of the best of every thing, to carry to their nurses or playmates;
and I have often known them to deny themselves for the sake of their favorites. These
propensities are encouraged, and every thing like violence or tyranny strictly prohibited.
The consequence is, that when the young master (or mistress) is installed into his full
rights of property, he finds around him no alien hirelings, ready to quit his service upon
the slightest provocation, but attached and faithful friends, known to him from his infancy,
and willing to share his fortunes, wherever they may carry him. The connection
is more that of the Scottish clansman, than of the English serf in times past;
and it influences all their future intercourse. The old gray-headed servants are addressed
by almost every member of the white family as uncles or aunts. The others are
treated with at least as much respectful familiarity as if they were white laborers, and
I should say with more. Fully aware of their standing and consequence, they never
hesitate to apply to their masters and mistresses in every difficulty. If they have any
want, they expect to be relieved—if they are maltreated, they ask redress at their
hands. Seldom or never are appeals of this kind made in vain. Injury to the slave
from any quarter, is regarded as an injury to the master. On no subject is a Virginian
more sensitive; for he considers himself bound, by every moral obligation, to protect
and defend his slave. If he is carried before a justice for any offence, the master accompanies
him; if he is arraigned before the courts, the master employs counsel, and
does every thing in his power to see that he has justice. In fact, the disposition is to
screen the slave by every possible means, even when his guilt is apparent, and I have
known this carried to very unjustifiable lengths. In short, as far as my observation has
extended, and I have been in free as well as slave states, I do not hesitate to affirm,
that the domestic relations of the master and slave are of a more familiar, confidential,
and even respectful character, than those of the employer and hireling elsewhere.

"4. `The usual duration of the labor of the slave,' is from sunrise to sunset, with the
exception of about one hour and a half allowed for breakfast, and from 12 to 2 o'clock
for dinner. In harvest-time they get out somewhat earlier. But any extraordinary diligence
during this period is more than made up by their being allowed, at its termination,
a few days to labor for themselves, or for others who have not finished, and from whom
they receive wages. The women in this part of the state do very little field-work.
They are engaged in spinning, cooking for the out-hands, and taking care of the children.
Few women are worth their victuals and clothes. Their labors are very light
and profitless. A white laboring woman will do double as much.

"5. `The liberty usually allowed him, his holidays and amusements, the manner in
which they usually pass their evenings and holidays.' Under these heads may be classed
various privileges enjoyed by the slave. When he is not at work he is under no
restriction or surveillance. He goes where he pleases, seldom taking the trouble to ask
for a pass; and if he is on the farm at the appointed hours, no inquiry is made how he
has employed the interval. The regular holidays are two at Easter, two at Whitsuntide,

and a week at Christmas. These he enjoys by prescription; and others, such as
Saturday evenings, by the indulgence of his master. He passes them in any way he
pleases. Generally, they are spent in visiting from house to house, and in various
amusements. His favorite one, if he can raise a violin, is dancing. But this, unfortunately,
is going out of fashion, both with whites and blacks, and no good substitute
has been found for it. They, however, assemble at their cabins to laugh, chat, sing,
and tell stories, with all imaginable glee. No present care seems to annoy, no anticipated
sorrow to deject them, but they surrender themselves fully and entirely to the enjoyment
of the passing moments. They know that, under all circumstances, their
masters must provide for them. Of course they have no anxiety about their families,
or the failure of crops, or the course of the seasons, or the horrors of debt, or any other
of the many circumstances which embitter the life of the freeman, and render sad or
thoughtful the gayest disposition.

"Other of the slaves, who are more provident, employ a portion of their holidays and evenings in
working for themselves. Each head of a family, or married man or woman, has a cabin allotted for his
or her accommodation. These cabins are usually made of logs, chinked and plastered, with plank or
dirt floors. Some proprietors build them of brick or stone, or framed wood, but I do not believe the
slaves generally prefer them. They like the large, open fireplace of the cabin, where a dozen or more
can sit round the blazing hearth, filled with as much wood as would supply a patent stove for ten days.
Stoves they abominate, and small Rumfordized fireplaces. Near their cabins they have ground allotted
for their garden and patch of corn. In their gardens they have every vegetable they choose to cultivate,
besides raising pumpkins, broom-corn, &c. in their masters' corn-fields. Most of them are permitted to
raise a hog, to dispose of as they please; and these hogs are invariably the largest and fattest on the
farm. They also raise fowls of every description, and sell them for the most part to their owners, at a
fair price. Their allowance of food is never diminished on these accounts. Their hog, their fowls, their
vegetables, their brooms, and baskets, and flag-chairs, and many other articles, they are allowed to sell,
for the purpose of purchasing Sunday clothes and finery, to show off at meetings and other public occasions.
In this way, those who are at all industrious, are enabled to appear as well dressed as any peasantry
in the world.

"6. `The provision made for their food and clothing, for those who are too young or too old to labor.'
The slaves always prefer Indian corn-meal to flour. Of this, the old and young, in this part of Virginia,
are allowed just as much as they can eat or destroy. They have, besides, a certain quantity of bacon
given out every week, amounting to about half a pound a day for each laborer or grown person. When
they have beef or fish, the allowance of bacon is less; but, as it is the food they love best, they have
always a portion of it. Besides this, they have milk and vegetables on most farms in abundance, without
touching their own stores. The old and infirm fare like the rest, unless their situation requires
coffee, sugar, &c., which are always provided. The young slaves have also their meats, but less
in quantity, and they depend more upon bread, milk, and vegetables. To look at them, you would see at
once they are well fed. On small farms the slaves fare better than on large ones, there being little difference
in the food of the whites and blacks, except in articles of mere luxury. But, on the largest,
their usual allowance is that which I have mentioned. They have three meals a day, and it is rare to
see them eating what they call dry bread at any one.

"Their allowance of clothing is quite uniform; and consists of a hat, a blanket, two suits of clothes,
three shirts or shifts, and two pairs of shoes, a year. The winter suit is of strong linsey cloth; the summer,
of linen for the men, and striped cotton for the women. The men's cloth is dressed and fulled.
The children have linsey and cotton garments, but no shoes or hat, until they are ten or eleven years
old, and begin to do something. Their beds are sometimes of feather, generally of straw, and are well
furnished; some prefer to lie like the Indians, on their blankets.

"Comparing their situation with respect to food and clothing with our own white laborers, I would say
that it is generally preferable. In each case, much depends on the industry and management of the
party; but there is this difference, that the slave, however lazy or improvident, is furnished with food
and clothing at regular periods, which the white man of the same temperament is unable to procure.
When the white man, too, is so old and infirm that he can no longer labor, his situation is truly deplorable,
if he has laid up nothing for support. Bt the old and infirm slave is still supported by his master,
with the same care and attention as before. He cannot even set him free without providing for his
maintenance, for our law makes his estate liable.

"7. `Their treatment when sick.' Being considered as valuable property, it might naturally be concluded
that they would be properly attended to when sick. But better feelings than any connected with
their value as property, prompt the white family to pay every attention to the sick slave. If it is deemed
at all necessary, a physician is immediately called in. On large farms he is frequently employed by the
year; but, if not, he is sent for whenever there is occasion for his services. If the slave is a hireling,
our law compels the owner, not the hirer, to pay the physician's fees, so that the latter has every motive
of interest to send for a physician, without being liable for the expense. Where there are many slaves
together, the proprietor sometimes erects an hospital, provided with nurses and the usual accommodations.
In all cases coming under my observation, whatever is necessary for the comfort of the sick is
furnished, as far as the master has means. They are frequently visited by the white family, and whatever
they wish to have is supplied. Such indulgence, and even tenderness, is extended to them on these
occasions, that it sometimes induces the lazy to feign sickness; but I have never known them, in these
suspected cases, to be hurried to their work until their deception became manifest, or the report of the
physician justified it. It is my decided conviction, that the poor laborers of no country under heaven are
better taken care of than the sick slaves in Virginia. There may be, and no doubt are, exceptions to
many of these observations; but I speak of their general treatment as I have known it, or heard it
reported.

"8. `Their rewards and punishments.' Of rewards, properly speaking, the slaves have few—of indulgences
they have many; but they are not employed as rewards, for all usually partake in them without
discrimination. The system of rewards has not, to my knowledge, been fairly tried. Sometimes
slaves who have conducted themselves well, or labored diligently, are allowed more time than others to
attend to their own affairs, or permitted to trade on their own account, paying some small sum; and they
are treated, of course, with greater respect and confidence than the idle and worthless. But I know of

no instance in which specific rewards have been offered for specific acts of good conduct. In this respect
they are treated much like soldiers and sailors.

"As to their punishments, they are rare, and seldom disproportioned to the offence. Our laws are
mild, and make little discrimination between slaves and free whites, except in a few political offences.
The punishments inflicted by the master partake of the same character. The moral sense of the community
would not tolerate cruelty in a master. I know of nothing that would bring him more surely
into disgrace. On a farm where there may be one hundred slaves, there will not, perhaps, be one punished
on account of his work during the year, although it is often done in a careless, slovenly manner,
and not half as much as a white laborer would do. For insolent and unruly conduct to their overseers,
for quarrelling and fighting with each other, for theft and other offences, which would send the white
man to the whipping-post or penitentiary, they are punished more frequently, but always with moderation.
Very often they escape altogether, when the white man would certainly be punished. I have lived
in different parts of Virginia for more than 30 years, since my attention has been directed to such subjects;
and I do not recollect half a dozen instances in which I ever saw a grown slave stripped and
whipped. Such a spectacle is almost as rare as to see a similar punishment inflicted on a white man.
When it is considered that, except for the highest grade of crimes, the punishment of the slave is left
pretty much (practically) to his master's discretion, I am persuaded it will be found that they are in this
respect in no worse condition than laborers elsewhere. No other punishment is inflicted except stripes
or blows. They are not unprisoned, or placed upon short allowance, or condemned to any cruel or unusual
punishments from which white persons are exempted.

"The worst feature in our society, and the most revolting, is the purchase and sale of slaves; and it
is this which renders their situations precarious and uncomfortable, and occasions them more uneasiness
than all other causes combined. On this subject I will submit a few observations before I close this letter.
So far as the traffic is confined to the neighborhood, it is of little consequence, and is often done for
the accommodation of the slave. It breaks no ties of kindred, and occasions only a momentary pang,
by transferring the slave from the master who, perhaps, is no longer able to keep him, to one as good,
who is able, or who purchases because he owns his wife or child, &c. It is the sale to negro-buyers by
profession, which is in general so odious to the slave, although there are instances in which these artful
men prevail with them to apply to their owners to be sold. Such sales, except in the rare instance just
alluded to, are never voluntarily made of slaves whose conduct and character are good. Masters will not
part with their slaves but from sheer necessity, or for flagrant delinquencies, which in other countries
would be punished by deportation at least. Thousands retain them when they know full well that their
pecuniary condition would be greatly improved by selling, or even giving them away. It is the last property
the master can be induced to part with. Nothing but the dread of a jail will prevail with him.
Negro-traders although there are many among us, are universally despised by the master, and detested
by the body of the slaves. Their trade is supported by the misfortunes of the master, and the crimes or
misconduct of the slave, and not by the will of either party, except in a few instances. Sometimes the
slave, after committing a theft or other crime, will abscond, for fear of detection; or will be enticed away
from his master's service by holding out to him false hopes; and perhaps the negro-buyer himself is the
decoy. If caught, he is generally sold, for the sake of the example to other slaves. From these sources
the negro-buyers are supplied; but it does not happen, in one case out of a thousand, that the master
willingly sells an honest, faithful slave. The man doing so would be looked upon as a sordid, inhuman
wretch; and be shunned by his neighbors and countrymen of respectable standing.

"I believe, if any plan could be fallen upon to remove our slaves to a place where they would be
willing to go, and where their condition would be probably improved, that many, very many masters
would be ready to manumit them. An opinion is entertained by increasing numbers, that slave labor is
too expensive to be continued in a grain-growing state, if its place can be supplied by freemen. In other
words, that the free laborer would cost less, and work harder, than the slave. But the slaves themselves
are unwilling to go to Liberia, and very few would accept their freedom on that condition. Some,
already emancipated, remain in the state, incurring the constant risk of being sold as slaves. To send
them to any part of our own country without worldly knowledge or capital, is deemed by most masters
false humanity; and to retain them here in the condition of free negroes is impossible.

"Until some plan can be suggested to remove these difficulties, under the guidance and direction of
the constituted authorities, we are averse to all agitation of the subject. We know it will be attended
with danger to one class, and will increase the burdens and privations of the other. Hence our indignation
at the movements of the Northern abolitionists, who are meddling with a subject they know nothing
about. Let them come among us, and see the actual condition of the slaves, as well as of the whites,
and I am persuaded that all whose intentions are really good, would, on their return, advise their deluded
co-operators to desist from agitation."