AFTER remaining nearly three weeks in close confinement1 in a cell on the third story, Manuel was allowed to come down and resume his position among the stewards2, in the "steward's cell." There was a sad change of faces. But one of those he left was there; and he, poor fellow, was so changed as to be but a wreck3 of what he was when Manuel was confined in the cell.
After little Tommy left, the Captain deposited a sum of money with the jailer to supply Manuel's wants. The jailer performed his duty faithfully, but the fund was soon exhausted5, and Manuel was forced to appeal to his consul6. With the care for its citizens that marks the course of that government, and the characteristic kindness of its representative in Charleston, the appeal was promptly7 responded to. The consul attended him in person, and even provided from his own purse things necessary to make him comfortable. We could not but admire the nobleness of many acts bestowed8 upon this humble9 citizen through the consul, showing the attachment10 and faith of a government to its humblest subject. The question now was, would the Executive release him? Mr. Grimshaw had interposed strong objections, and made unwarrantable statements in regard to his having been abandoned by his captain, the heavy expenses incurred11 to maintain the man, and questioning the validity of the British consul's right to protect him. Under the effect of these representations, the prospect12 began to darken, and Manuel became more discontented, and anxiously awaited the result.
In this position, a petition was despatched to the Executive, asking that the man might be released, on the faith of the British Government that all expenses be paid, and he immediately sent beyond the limits of the State.
But we must return and take leave of Captain Thompson, before we receive the answer to the petition. The day fixed13 for his departure had arrived. He had all his papers collected, and arose early to take his accustomed walk through the market. It was a little after seven o'clock, and as he approached the singular piece of wood-work that we have described in a previous chapter as the Charleston Whipping-post, he saw a crowd collected around it, and negroes running to the scene, crying out, "Buckra gwine to get whip! buckra get 'e back scratch!" &c. &c. He quickened his pace, and, arriving at the scene, elbowed his way through an immense crowd until he came to where he had a fair view. Here, exposed to view, were six respectably dressed white men, to be whipped according to the laws of South Carolina, which flog in the market for petty theft. Five of them were chained together, and the other scientifically secured to the machine, with his bare back exposed, and Mr. Grimshaw (dressed with his hat and sword of office to make the dignity of the punishment appropriate) laying on the stripes with a big whip, and raising on tip-toe at each blow to add force, making the flesh follow the lash14. Standing15 around were about a dozen huge constables17 with long-pointed tipstaffs in their hands, while two others assisted in chaining and unchaining the prisoners. The spectacle was a barbarous one, opening a wide field for reflection. It was said that this barbarous mode of punishment was kept up as an example for the negroes. It certainly is a very singular mode of inspiring respect for the laws.
He had heard much of T. Norman Gadsden, whose fame sounded for being the greatest negro-seller in the country, yet he had not seen him, though he had witnessed several negro-sales at other places. On looking over the papers after breakfast, his eye caught a flaming advertisement with "T. Norman Gadsden's sale of negroes" at the head. There were plantation18 negroes, coachmen, house-servants, mechanics, children of all ages, with descriptions as various as the kinds. Below the rest, and set out with a glowing delineation19, was a description of a remarkably20 fine young sempstress, very bright and very intelligent, sold for no fault. The notice should have added an exception, that the owner was going to get married.
He repaired to the place at the time designated, and found them selling an old plantation-negro, dressed in ragged21, gray clothes, who, after a few bids, was knocked down for three hundred and fifty dollars. "We will give tip-top titles to everything we sell here to-day; and, gentlemen, we shall now offer you the prettiest wench in town. She is too well-known for me to say more," said the notorious auctioneer.
A number of the first citizens were present, and among them the Captain recognised Colonel S--, who approached and began to descant22 upon the sale of the woman. "It's a d--d shame to sell that girl, and that fellow ought to be hung up," said he, meaning the owner; and upon this he commenced giving a history of the poor girl.
"Where is she? Bring her along! Lord! gentlemen, her very curls are enough to start a bid of fifteen hundred," said the auctioneer.
"Go it, Gadsden, you're a trump," rejoined a number of voices.
The poor girl moved to the stand, pale and trembling, as if she was stepping upon the scaffold, and saw her executioners around her. She was very fair and beautiful-there was something even in her graceful23 motions that enlisted24 admiration25. Here she stood almost motionless for a few moments.
"Gentlemen, I ought to charge all of you sevenpence a sight for looking at her," said the auctioneer. She smiled at the remark, but it was the smile of pain.
"Why don't you sell the girl, and not be dogging her feelings in this manner?" said Colonel S--.
Bids continued in rapid succession from eleven hundred up to thirteen hundred and forty. A well-known trader from New Orleans stood behind one of the city brokers27, motioning him at every bid, and she was knocked down to him. We learned her history and know the sequel.
The Captain watched her with mingled28 feelings, and would fain have said, "Good God! and why art thou a slave?"
The history of that unfortunate beauty may be comprehended in a few words, leaving the reader to draw the details from his imagination. Her mother was a fine mulatto slave, with about a quarter Indian blood. She was the mistress of a celebrated29 gentleman in Charleston, who ranked among the first families, to whom she bore three beautiful children, the second of which is the one before us. Her father, although he could not acknowledge her, prized her highly, and unquestionably never intended that she should be considered a slave. Alice, for such was her name, felt the shame of her position. She knew her father, and was proud to descant upon his honor and rank, yet must either associate with negroes or nobody, for it would be the death of caste for a white woman, however mean, to associate with her. At the age of sixteen she became attached to a young gentleman of high standing but moderate means, and lived with him as his mistress. Her father, whose death is well known, died suddenly away from home. On administering on his estate, it proved that instead of being wealthy, as was supposed, he was insolvent30, and the creditors32 insisting upon the children being sold. Alice was purchased by compromise with the administrator33, and retained by her lord under a mortgage, the interest and premium34 on which he had regularly paid for more than four years. Now that he was about to get married, the excuse of the mortgage was the best pretext35 in the world to get rid of her.
The Captain turned from the scene with feelings that left deep impressions upon his mind, and that afternoon took his departure for his Scottish home.
Time passed heavily at the jail, and day after day Manuel awaited his fate with anxiety. At every tap of the prison-bell he would spring to the door and listen, asserting that he heard the consul's voice in every passing sound. Day after day the consul would call upon him and quiet his fears, reassuring36 him that he was safe and should not be sold as a slave. At length, on the seventeenth day of May, after nearly two months' imprisonment37, the glad news was received that Manuel Pereira was not to be sold, according to the statutes38, but to be released upon payment of all costs, &c. &c., and immediately sent beyond the limits of the State. We leave it to the reader's fancy, to picture the scene of joy on the reception of the news in the "stewards' cell."
The consul lost no time in arranging his affairs for him, and at five o'clock on the afternoon of the 17th of May, 1852, Manuel Pereira, a poor, shipwrecked mariner39, who, by the dispensation of an all-wise Providence40, was cast upon the shores of South Carolina, and imprisoned41 because hospitality to him was "contrary to law," was led forth42, pale and emaciated43, by two constables, thrust into a closely covered vehicle, and driven at full speed to the steamboat then awaiting to depart for New York. This is but a faint glimpse, of the suffering to which colored stewards are subjected in the Charleston jail.
There were no less than sixty-three cases of colored seamen44 imprisoned on this charge of "contrary to law," during the calendar year ending on the twelfth of September, 1852. And now that abuses had become so glaring, a few gentlemen made a representation of the wretched prison regimen to his Excellency, Governor Means, who, as if just awoke from a dream that had lasted a generation, addressed a letter to the Attorney-General, dated on the seventh of September, 1852, requesting a statement in regard to the jail-how many prisoners there were confined on the twelfth day of September, under sentence and awaiting trial, the nature of offences, who committed by, and how long they had awaited trial; what the cost of the jail was, how much was paid by prisoners, and how much by the State, &c. &c. In that statement, the number of colored seamen was, for reasons best known to Mr. Grimshaw, kept out of the statement; so also was the difference between thirty cents and eight cents a day, paid for the ration26 for each man. The real statement showed a bounty45 to the sheriff of fourteen hundred and sixty-three dollars on' the provisions alone-a sad premium upon misery46. Now add to this a medium amount for each of these sixty-three sailors, and we have between eight and nine hundred dollars more, which, with sundry47 jail-fees and other cribbage-money, makes the Charleston jail a nice little appendage48 to the sheriff's office, and will fully4 account for the tenacity49 with which those functionaries50 cling to the "old system."
We conclude the bills by giving Manuel's as it stands upon the books:--"Contrary to law." British brig "Janson," Capt. Thompson. For Manuel Pereira, Colored Seaman51. 1852. To Sheriff of Charleston District.
May 15th. To Arrest, $2; Register, $2, $4.00" "Recog., $1.31; Constable16, $1, 2.31" "Commitment and Discharge, 1.00" "52 Days' Maintenance of Manuel Pereira, at 30 cents per day, 15.60
$22.81 Rec' payment, J. D--, S. C. D. Per Chs. Kanapeaux, Clerk.
This amount is exclusive of all the long scale of law charges and attorney's fees that were incurred, and is entirely52 the perquisite53 of the sheriff.
Now, notwithstanding that high-sounding clamor about the laws of South Carolina, which every South Carolinian, in the redundance of his feelings, strives to impress you with the sovereignty of its justice, its sacred rights, and its pre-eminent reputation, we never were in a country or community where the privileges of a certain class were so much abused. Every thing is made to conserve54 popular favor, giving to those in influence power to do what they please with a destitute55 class, whether they be white or black. Official departments are turned into depots56 for miserable57 espionage58, where the most unjust schemes are practised upon those whose voices cannot be heard in their own defence. A magistrate59 is clothed with, or assumes a power that is almost absolute, committing them without a hearing, and leaving them to waste in jail; then releasing them before the court sits, and charging the fees to the State; or releasing the poor prisoner on receiving "black mail" for the kindness; giving one man a peace-warrant to oppress another whom he knows cannot get bail60; and where a man has served out the penalty of the crime for which he was committed, give a peace-warrant to his adversary61 that he may continue to vent31 his spleen upon him. In this manner, we have known a man who had served seven months' imprisonment for assault and battery, by an understanding between the magistrate and the plaintiff, continued in jail for several years upon a peace-warrant, issued by the magistrate from time to time, until at length he shot himself in jail. The man was a peaceable man, and of a social temperament62. He had been offered the alternative of leaving the State, but he scorned to accept it. To show that we are correct in what we say respecting some of the Charleston officials, we insert an article which appeared in the Charleston Courier of Sept. 1, 1852:--[For the Courier.]
"Many of the quiet and moral portion of our community can form no adequate conception of the extent to which those who sell liquor, and otherwise trade with our slaves, are now plying63 their illegal and demoralizing traffic. At no period within our recollection has it prevailed to such an alarming extent; at no period has its influence upon our slave population been more palpable or more dangerous; at no period has the municipal administration been so wilfully64 blind to these corrupt65 practices, or so lenient66 and forgiving when such practices are exposed."
* * * *
"We have heard it intimated that when General Schnierle is a candidate for the mayoralty, they are regularly assessed for means to defray the expenses of the canvass67. Instances are not wanting where amounts of money are paid monthly to General Schnierle's police as a reward for shutting their eyes and closing their lips when unlawful proceedings68 are in progress. We have at this moment in our possession a certificate from a citizen, sworn to before Mr. Giles, the magistrate, declaring that he, the deponent, heard one of the city police-officers (Sharlock) make a demand for money upon one of these shop-keepers, and promised that if he would pay him five dollars at stated intervals69, 'none of the police-officers would trouble him.' This affidavit70 can be seen, if inquired for, at this office. Thus bribery71 is added to guilt72, and those who should enforce the laws are made auxiliaries73 in their violation74. Said one of these slave-destroyers to us, 'General Schnierle suits us very well. I have no trouble with General Schnierle'--remarks at once repugnant and suggestive. * * * We are told by one, that Mr. Hutchinson, when in power, fined him heavily (and, as he thought, unjustly) for selling liquor to a slave; hence he would not vote for him. An additional reason for this animosity toward Mr. Hutchinson arises from the fact that the names of offenders75 were always published during that gentleman's administration, while under that of General Schnierle they are screened from public view. On any Sunday evening, light may be seen in the shops of these dealers76. If the passer-by will for a few moments stay his course, he will witness the ingress and egress77 of negroes; if he approach the door, he will hear noise as of card-playing and revelry within. And this is carried on unblushingly; is not confined to a shop here and a shop there, but may be observed throughout the city. The writer of this article, some Sundays since, witnessed from his upper window a scene of revelry and gambling78 in one of these drinking-shops, which will scarcely be credited. A party of negroes were seen around a card-table, with money beside them, engaged in betting; glasses of liquor were on the table, from which they ever and anon regaled themselves with all the nonchalance79 and affected80 mannerism81 of the most fashionable blades of the beau monde.
"This may not be a 'desecration82 of the Sabbath' by the municipal authorities themselves, but they are assuredly responsible for its profanation83. Appointed to guard the public morals, they are assuredly censurable84 if licentiousness85 is suffered to run its wild career unnoticed and unchecked. We do not ask to be believed. We would prefer to have skeptical86 rather than credulous87 readers. We should prefer that all would arise from the perusal88 of this article in doubt, and determine to examine for themselves. We believe in the strength and sufficiency of ocular proof, and court investigation89.
* * *
"We are abundantly repaid if we succeed in arousing public attention to the alarming and dangerous condition of our city. * * * Let inquiry90 be entered into. We boldly challenge it. It will lead to other and more astonishing developments than those we have revealed. (Signed)
"A RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN."
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1
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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stewards
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| （轮船、飞机等的）乘务员( steward的名词复数 )； （俱乐部、旅馆、工会等的）管理员； （大型活动的）组织者； （私人家中的）管家 | |
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wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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consul
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| n.领事；执政官 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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constables
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| n.警察( constable的名词复数 ) | |
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plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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delineation
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| n.记述；描写 | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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descant
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| v.详论，絮说；n.高音部 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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ration
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| n.定量(pl.)给养，口粮；vt.定量供应 | |
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brokers
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| n.（股票、外币等）经纪人( broker的名词复数 )；中间人；代理商；（订合同的）中人v.做掮客（或中人等）( broker的第三人称单数 )；作为权力经纪人进行谈判；以中间人等身份安排… | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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insolvent
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| adj.破产的，无偿还能力的 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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creditors
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| n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
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administrator
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| n.经营管理者，行政官员 | |
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premium
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| n.加付款；赠品；adj.高级的；售价高的 | |
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pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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statutes
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| 成文法( statute的名词复数 )； 法令； 法规； 章程 | |
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mariner
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| n.水手号不载人航天探测器，海员，航海者 | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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emaciated
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| adj.衰弱的，消瘦的 | |
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seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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bounty
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| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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48
appendage
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| n.附加物 | |
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49
tenacity
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| n.坚韧 | |
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50
functionaries
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| n.公职人员，官员( functionary的名词复数 ) | |
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seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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52
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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53
perquisite
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| n.固定津贴，福利 | |
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54
conserve
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| vt.保存，保护，节约，节省，守恒，不灭 | |
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55
destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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56
depots
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| 仓库( depot的名词复数 )； 火车站； 车库； 军需库 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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58
espionage
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| n.间谍行为，谍报活动 | |
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magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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60
bail
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| v.舀（水），保释；n.保证金，保释，保释人 | |
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adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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plying
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的现在分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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wilfully
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| adv.任性固执地；蓄意地 | |
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corrupt
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| v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的 | |
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66
lenient
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| adj.宽大的，仁慈的 | |
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67
canvass
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| v.招徕顾客，兜售；游说；详细检查，讨论 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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70
affidavit
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| n.宣誓书 | |
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bribery
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| n.贿络行为，行贿，受贿 | |
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72
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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73
auxiliaries
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| n.助动词 ( auxiliary的名词复数 )；辅助工，辅助人员 | |
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violation
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| n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯 | |
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offenders
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| n.冒犯者( offender的名词复数 )；犯规者；罪犯；妨害…的人（或事物） | |
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76
dealers
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| n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者 | |
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77
egress
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| n.出去；出口 | |
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gambling
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| n.赌博；投机 | |
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79
nonchalance
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| n.冷淡，漠不关心 | |
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80
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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81
mannerism
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| n.特殊习惯，怪癖 | |
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82
desecration
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| n. 亵渎神圣, 污辱 | |
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83
profanation
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| n.亵渎 | |
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84
censurable
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| adj.可非难的，该责备的 | |
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85
licentiousness
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| n.放肆，无法无天 | |
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86
skeptical
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| adj.怀疑的，多疑的 | |
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87
credulous
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| adj.轻信的，易信的 | |
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perusal
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| n.细读，熟读；目测 | |
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investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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