Volume 03 Page 0063

lazy Man, although quite smart and our best plantation Carpenter.
He was always giving trouble & ever appeared dissatisfied. He was the
only Negro ever in our possession who I considered capable of Murdering
me, or burning my dwelling at night, or capable of committing
any act. The Trunks built by Jack Savage after the "McAlpin
pattern," with Arms to slip in and out, were perfect, and his large
Flood-Gates were all that one could desire and specimens of good
work. This Man we sold in 1863, he causing trouble on the place,
and I had not seen him since 1862. As we met I gave him
my hand and made a few friendly remarks. I always gave him
many presents such as bacon, & tobacco & rice. Even now I felt
sad in contemplating his condition as in fact was the case with
all of them. In my conversation with these Negroes (now
free) and in beholding them, my thoughts were turned to other
Countries and I almost imagined myself with Chinese, Malays or
even the Indians in the interior of Philippine Islands. That
former mutual & pleasing feeling of Master towards Slave and
vice versa is now as a dream of the past. Our "Northern
Brethren" inform us that we Southerners knew nothing of the Negro
Character. This I have always considered perfectly true, but they
further state that They (the Yankees) have always known the true
Character of the Negro which I consider entirely false in the
extreme. So deceitful is the Negro that as far as my own experience
extends I could never in a single instance decipher his character. Here
at present the last one I should have dreamt of, advances to greet me;
whilst sitting idly upon the Negro-House steps dirty & sluggish, I behold
young Women to whom I had most frequently presented Ear-Rings,
shoes, Calicos, Kerchiefs &c, &c, formerly pleased to meet me, but now
not even lifting the head as I passed. In former days also fear in
a great measure guided the action of the Negro & we Planters could
never get at the truth. I am of opinion that very many Negroes are
most unhappy in their changed condition, but this however they do
not care to admit. I should have mentioned whilst on the
subject of the Thresher that there remain ample brick with which
to construct a handsome Barn hereafter (if such should be the
wish) upon this solid foundation. Pausing for a few moments