Manuel Pereira; Or, The Sovereign Rule of South CarolinaAdams, F. Colburn (Francis Colburn)
General
Manuel Pereira; Or, The Sovereign Rule of South Carolina
Adams, F. Colburn (Francis Colburn)
African Americans -- Fiction; Biographical fiction; Pereira, Manuel -- Fiction; South Carolina -- Fiction
George waited impatiently for the end of the political controversy,
determined to introduce his friend to the colonel. He soon had an
opportunity, for the colonel, finding himself beset by a set of
unreasonable secessionists, made a sweeping declaration. “Gentlemen,”
said he, “let me tell you a modest fact: seven-eighths of the secession
fire-eaters don't know what the proper meaning of government is: I
make the charge against my own people-but it is true.” “Traitor!
traitor!--traitor to South Carolina,” was sounded at the top of a dozen
voices.
“Then, if I am such in your opinions, I'm gratified to know that my
feelings are my own. Good-night!”
Thus saying, he withdrew from the party, and making his way for the
door, was saluted by George, who introduced him to his friend, the
Captain. The colonel was a very sociable, communicative man; and taking
the Captain's arm, as they walked along, entered into an interesting
conversation about his voyage and first visit to the city, at the same
time displaying his good sense in not trying to force the great things
of South Carolina into his mind.
We, a few weeks afterward, had the good fortune to hear the legal
abilities of this gentleman displayed in a plea at the bar. There were
many good points in it, which, if not legally pointed, were said well;
yet we should class him as belonging to the loud school.
The Captain, thinking it a good opportunity to make some inquiries about
his steward, as they proceeded, commenced in the following manner:
“Your laws are very stringent in South Carolina, I believe, sir!”
“Well, no sir,” said the colonel, “if we except those which govern the
niggers; they of necessity must be so; we have had so many emeutes with
them, that no law can be made too strict in its bearings. We have so
many bad niggers poured in upon us, that the whole class is becoming
corrupted.”
“Your laws, of course, make a distinction between good and bad niggers,
and free negroes?” interposed the Captain.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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