OF THE NEGROES, OR BLACKS.

Most of the domestic and field labour, at Washington, is performed by black slaves, on the subject of which, the same opinion prevails there as in the West Indies, that without them it would be impossible to cultivate the soil. It is difficult to procure white servants whose wages are high. Another inconvenience is, that from interest, caprice, or the love of change, they seldom remain long with the same master. They are unwilling to associate with the blacks, and seeing their former companions on the road to independence, their constant effort is to free themselves from the shackles of servitude. The daily expense of a black slave has been estimated as follows:

His price is about five hundred dollars, which, at six per cent. the lawful interest, is

For risk or accidents

For a peck of Indian meal per week, or

thirteen bushels per year, at 50 cents. Two pounds of salt meat per week

30 dollars

30

6 50 c.

7 50 c.

A barrel of fish per annum.

. 4 dollars.

5

To which must be added, for fowls, vege

tables, milk, etc. per annum

For clothing

15

In all 98 dollars.

According to this calculation, the daily expense is nearly twenty-seven cents.

A white labourer usually earns threequarters of a dollar, or 75 cents per day; but as he is more industrious, he performs more work. The masters or proprietors of stout black labourers hire them at the rate of sixty dollars a year. Their food and clothing are estimated at thirty-five dollars.

Some of the old laws of Maryland, concerning slaves, are curious.

In 1715, it was enacted, that ministers of religion could not marry slaves. If a white man married a negro, or mulatto slave, he was obliged to pay a penalty of five hundred pounds of tobacco. A free white woman, who suffered herself to be impregnated by a negro or other slave, or free negro, became a servant during seven years. If a servant, she was obliged to finish her servitude with damage, and again to become a servant for seven years. If the begetter was a free negro,

he also became a slave for seven years. A white man, for similar causes, was subjected to the same penalties. In 1717, it was enacted, that "slaves could not be admitted as evidence in any case wherein any Christian white person was concerned." Most of the slaves of Washington are well clad and nourished. They are usually very civil. In some of the taverns, they, sleep on the floor of the dining-room, which the master, for obvious reasons, ought to forbid. Slaves are generally very fond of spirituous liquors, which tavern-keepers are forbid to sell after nine o'clock on Sunday evening, the close of their few hours of recreation and amusement. The penalty for the first infraction is twenty dollars, the second is punished by a forfeiture of licence.

It has been observed, that African slaves brought to this district have shewn much attachment to their owners. They have other good habits, and some very bad ones. Besides their uncommon desire for spirituous liquors, they are fond of changing their wife and partner; and, as soon as a separation takes place, a new attachment is formed. Celibacy is unknown among them. Masters

years.

do not force them to work when advanced in We observed one of this description in General Mason's garden, who seemed happy. Attached to his master, he could not bear to see him live alone; and he supported his opinion in favour of marriage by two arguments, which he considered as irresistible, namely, "that the thing a wife was very useful and comfortable, and that without her his master's house would never be clean."

The following account of Yaro, an African, still living in Georgetown, was communicated to me by General Mason.

Yaro, before the American revolutionary war, was brought from Africa to the United States, and there sold as a slave to a family, who lived near Georgetown, on the banks of the Potomac. After many years of hard labour and faithful service, his master gave him his freedom as a reward. Yaro resolved to be independent. He toiled late and early, and in the course of a few years he had amassed a hundred dollars. This sum, which he considered as a fortune, was placed in the hands of a merchant, by whose death and insolvency all was lost, and Yaro found

himself again in the same situation as when he became free. This affected him much; his usual strength had abated, and old age was coming on; but he still cherished the hope of independence. He worked all day at fixed wages, and, in the evening, he made nets, baskets, and other articles for sale. A few years elapsed, and he was again rich: another hundred dollars were the fruit of his toil. This amount he deposited in the hands of another merchant, of Georgetown, who also became a bankrupt. Yaro was sad, but his courage and habits of industry suffered no change. He again resolved to be independent, before the day came when he could no longer work. He renewed his task of daily labour, which he continued without relaxation for several years. He again found himself in possession of another, and a better fortune-two hundred dollars. By the advice of a friend, who explained to him the nature of a bank, he purchased shares to this amount in that of Columbia, in his own name, the interest of which now affords him a comfortable support. Though more than eighty years old, he walks erect, is active, cheerful, and good-natured. His history is

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