105 
treated in former days by the masters of slaves, who had some discretion, like 
that of justices of the peace, in the punishment of crime; but now the poor crea- 
tures have to be committed to jail, like white persons, and await trial in due 
‘course of law. This severity is mitigated by bailing them whenever it can be 
done. ‘These things make crime seem on the increase, when, in fact, there is 
probably less than formerly. The colored population has diminished, though ’ 
some who emigrated during the war are returning to us. Is it not very good 
proof of their being humanely treated as slaves, when many such return to their 
former masters ? 
