Volume 03 Page 0089

and urged I should endeavour to quell the tumult. I had no arms but
advancing to the door soon found that in the present infuriated state of the
negroes who were howling like savages. I myself could at that moment be
of no service. I ascertained however that it was a fight between a strange man from Mr. Clay's plantation, and a Gowrie day laborer, the latter having
become entangled in what the Chinese term in lingo "Lub Pigin" (love
business or affair) having been in too free intercourse with the former's
wife. The Clay man was trying to kill with his loaded gun the Gowrie
laborer and come up the River for this purpose. It ended however
in his death being stabbed in the bowels in two places by the Gowrie Hand.
The Negroes immediately put him in a boat and paddled him down the river
(where I was told he died that night at Mr Clay's plantation) whilst the Gowrie
Negro fled at once into South Carolina for fear of being arrested by the
Georgia Constable. I witnessed several other disturbances but this was
the most serious. It seems that Mr Daniel Heyward regards Gowrie as a
kind of Botany Bay, and just the proper place for all bad characters. It was
not his plantation and he cared little who occupied the houses as long as the plantation work was done. It was most remarkable to me to see
with what skill, judgment, and knowledge of the Negro character Mr
James B. Heyward Jun'r, step by step broke up all Trading boats, sent off
every worthless Negro, and caused every house to be filled with quiet, orderly
people, in lieu of a savage boisterous set of worthless "human beings".
During the Spring of 1876 we would recall to mind the so called the so called Gowrie Gang
found by us on the place, all now was changed and from being in a perfect
little hell, we were now enjoying quietude and rest with comfort & pleasure.

In reflecting over the abandoned condition in which Gowrie plantation was surrendered to me by Mr Daniel Heyward, I can not but consider
what a useless form an "Agreement" between parties would appear to be, for
in case of non compliance to the terms by either party, in most instances
a law suit would hardly be worth the expense, and there is consequently
no redress. The following extract is taken from the Indenture made
the 1st Jan'y 1869 between Charles Manigault and Daniel Heyward, being the
first Lease of Gowrie to Daniel Heyward for the period of three years.

"The Landlord by this Lease has yielded up a deduction of $2,500.
"from the first year's rent leaving the first year's rent $1000. so as to
"assist Mr Heyward in replacing the plantation in its former prosperous
"condition, as far as breaks and defects in banks, a new flood Gate!
"and some trunks &c, Repairs to Overseer's house!! &c all of which is
"left to Mr Heyward's judgment experience, and liberality in all of which
"Mr Manigault has the fullest confidence" The 1st Lease expired on the 1st January 1872. In July 1871, Mr Heyward Leased Gowrie the 2nd time