master, busily engaged in the same employment; listen to their kind
and familiar converse. Direct your steps from thence to the parlor,
and there behold the aged house-woman and her mistress, seated side by
side. Listen to the soothing and affectionate tones of this amiable
lady, and behold the happy, joyful countenance, of this aged African.
Cast your eyes around the splendid mansion, and behold the
indiscriminate groups of white and black children, chattering,
skipping, jumping, wrestling or rolling over the fine Turkey carpet.
If freedom was tendered to these aged slaves, what think you, would
they accept it? No, they would spurn the offer with indignation. They
are happier than their masters or mistresses, and they well know it.
They are provided for; partake of the same food, while they are exempt
from the cares which perplex and embarrass, and too often embitter the
lives of those who have charge of families. A large majority of the
slaves in the Southern States are contented and happy. This will
appear to many, no doubt, improbable. Nevertheless, it is true. If
African character was generally better understood, it would silence
much of that clamor and agitation of the subject, which is so annoying
to all patriotic, peaceable and good citizens. The African desires but
little, and aspires to but little; consequently it requires but little
to render, him happy. Happiness consists in the gratification of our
appetites, passions and propensities. Those of the African, occupy but
a small space; therefore but little is necessary to satisfy him. On
the contrary; the appetites, passions and propensities of the
Anglo-Saxon are boundless; therefore, much is requisite for their
happiness, or otherwise to satisfy them. For this reason, an
individual may be miserable, though he possess all the comforts and
luxuries that the world can afford; and he may be happy with a bare
sufficiency of coarse food and coarse clothing. He that is satisfied
with what he has, is happy; be it little or much. Slaves, as a general