Monday, June 25, 2012

An Encounter With A Missouri Slave In 1861



From the London Illustrated News, by G.H. Andrews, published on 16 February 1861 [editors note: the Civil War began in April of 1861]  -- "I was much struck with the quickness and intellect of a negro whom I met in Missouri. He was in charge of the bar of an hotel. I entered into conversation with him about the condition of the slaves. He did not charge their owners with treating them cruelly. He admitted they were well fed and clothed, and generally not overworked. I asked him if he was a slave? He stammered, hesitated, was confused; and I saw clearly that I had asked him an exceedingly rude question. I felt sorry that I had done so, as I saw he was hurt and felt the misery of his position. He said, "I am not exactly a slave." I knew he was, but he was ashamed to own it. "


"I said to him, "Now, as you admit the slaves to be tolerably well off, and not to be badly treated generally, are they contented with their lot, or do they desire to be free?" On the bar-counter in front of us were some slops of wine and beer and crumbs of biscuits: a number of flies were feeding upon them when I asked him if the slaves were contented with their lot. He instantly turned a tumbler glass down upon the counter and two or three of the flies were imprisoned under it; there was fire in his eye, and his whole body was agitated as he pointed with his finger to the glass in which the captured flies were buzzing about. "Why," said he, "don't those flies continue to eat and drink as before? There is plenty there for them, enough to last them a week, but they will neither eat nor drink; they have lost their liberty, and without that nothing else is of value." He lifted the glass, the flies flew away. "Now," said he, "they are happy again and will eat and drink, and enjoy what they eat and drink." It would be as safe to cram the cellars of their houses with gunpowder and continue to live over them as to fill the State with men like these, for certainly they will strike for liberty when they have a chance. " --G.H. Andrews 1861

27 comments:

  1. Your style is really unique compared to other folks I've read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you've got the opportunity, Guess I'll just book mark this site.
    Also visit my weblog : Free Domain on Africa Web Hosting

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great Article Cyber Security Projects projects for cse Networking Security Projects JavaScript Training in Chennai JavaScript Training in Chennai The Angular Training covers a wide range of topics including Components, Angular Directives, Angular Services, Pipes, security fundamentals, Routing, and Angular programmability. The new Angular TRaining will lay the foundation you need to specialise in Single Page Application developer. Angular Training

      Delete
  2. Slavery is the manifestation of the unchecked human inclination to subdue others. While African chattel slavery in Europe and the Americas happens to be the most prominent, it is not a singular occurrence. Slavery existed in Africa hundreds of years before the Europeans and Americans took advantage of it to ship off millions of Africans to work for in their plantations. But slavery in Africa was drastically different from what was obtainable in Europe and the Americas. To know more about slavery in Africa, read the hisorical fiction Before We Set Sail www.beforewesetsail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. http://www.schooltube.com/video/eadb631a916ee96bd5b9/

    http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/6475

    http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5713/

    http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5796/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Online religion research paper writing services are very difficult to complete and many students are always searching for Religion Research Paper Services companies to help them complete their custom religion essay writing services.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Paramedic science assignment writing services have become very popular for students paramedic coursework writing services as they engage the best online Paramedic Science Writing Services.

    ReplyDelete

  6. This is an amazing article. I am enjoying reading your well-written articles. It looks like you spend a lot of effort and time on your blog. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work. hygenic hostels in hyderabad

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the
    layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself?
    Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it’s rare to see a great blog like this one nowadays.. Thanks!
    Can you share your view on my blog on Studentcosy, where anyone can find PG in Kolkata, hostel in Patna, room in Chennai & other popular city for students.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am crazy about this blog. I have visit so many time to this blog. I was found this blog from Google. I have received a nice stuff of information. I really appreciate to meet to it and i emphasize to this blog. My curiosity to learn more and more on this blog Actress Sanchitha Shetty Photos

    ReplyDelete
  9. With the introduction of the blog, creation of a community driven, local, online, news website is made so much easier than it was using a conventional website. One advantage of an online news service over a print newspaper is the ability to update the current news as it comes to hand.. Sad Quotes In Telugu

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am crazy about this blog. I have visit so many time to this blog. I was found this blog from Google. I have received a nice stuff of information. I really appreciate to meet to it and i emphasize to this blog. My curiosity to learn more and more on this blog Top Engineering colleges In Ap

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing article with us.Will stay connected with your blogs for the future posts Best   Autonomous Colleges In Guntur

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am crazy about this blog. I have visit so many time to this blog. I was found this blog from Google. I have received a nice stuff of information. I really appreciate to meet to it and i emphasize to this blog. My curiosity to learn more and more on this blog
    Latest Breaking News

    ReplyDelete
  13. With the introduction of the blog, creation of a community driven, local, online, news website is made so much easier than it was using a conventional website. One advantage of an online news service over a print newspaper is the ability to update the current news as it comes to hand.. Breaking News In Telugu

    Thank you so much for sharing this amazing article with us.Will stay connected with your blogs for the future
    BJP South Indian News

    ReplyDelete
  14. With the introduction of the blog, creation of a community driven, local, online, news website is made so much easier than it was using a conventional website. One advantage of an online news service over a print newspaper is the ability to update the current news as it comes to hand.. Green Matte Studios In Hyderabad

    Thank you so much for sharing this amazing article with us.Will stay connected with your blogs for the future Green Matte screens In Hyderabad

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am crazy about this blog. I have visit so many time to this blog. I was found this blog from Google. I have received a nice stuff of information. I really appreciate to meet to it and i emphasize to this blog. My curiosity to learn more and more on this blog Actress Sanchita Shetty Photos

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am very excited to visit your website I found some interesting stuff from here.iam looking forward to see again thank you for providing such info trivikram srinivas dialogues
    After research just a few of the weblog posts on your website now, and I actually like your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site list and can be checking back soon. Pls try my website online as well and let me know what you think. Trivikram dialogues about life

    ReplyDelete
  17. With the introduction of the blog, the creation of a community-driven, local, online, news website is made so much easier than it was using a conventional website. credit yatra One advantage of an online news service over a print newspaper is the ability to update the current news as it comes to hand.PM Kisan status check 2021

    ReplyDelete
  18. Narsaraopeta Engineering College (NEC) an Autonomous Institution is yet another shining example of "Dedication for Education". Top 10 Engineering Colleges in AP Quality, which is the hallmark of Gayatri Educational Development Society (GEDS) is the patron and proud sponsor of NEC. In 1998, the portals of NEC were opened for all the scholars across the globe.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am crazy about this blog. I have visited so many time to this blog. I was found this blog from Google. I have received a nice stuff of information. I really appreciate to meet to it and I emphasize to this blog. My curiosity to learn more and more on this blog
    Telugu News Websites

    ReplyDelete
  20. With the introduction of the blog, the creation of a community-driven, local, online, news website is made so much easier than it was using a conventional website. Fincare zero balance savings account One advantage of an online news service over a print newspaper is the ability to update the current news as it comes to hand.credityatra

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing article with us.Will stay connected with your blogs for the future posts  latest political news telugu I am crazy about this blog. I have visit so many time to this blog. I was found this blog from Google. I have received a nice stuff of information. I really appreciate to meet to it and i emphasize to this blog. My curiosity to learn more and more on this blog   latest telugu news

    ReplyDelete
  22. With the introduction of the blog, creation of a community driven, local, online, news website is made so much easier than it was using a conventional website. One advantage of an online news service over a print newspaper is the ability to update the current news as it comes to hand. raviprakashtv9secondwife Thank you so much for sharing this amazing article with us.Will stay connected with your blogs for future posts.

    ReplyDelete
  23. New year Images Telugu 2022After research just a few of the weblog posts on your website now, and I actually like your method of blogging. I bookmarked it toAfter research just a few of the weblog posts on your website now, and I actually like your method of blogging. I bookmarked it toNew year wishes Telugu 2022 my bookmark web site list and can be checking back soon. Pls try my website online as well and let me know what you think.
    my bookmark web site list and can be checking back soon. Pls try my website online as well and let me know what you think.

    ReplyDelete

HOME

HOME
Click here to return to the US Slave Home Page