358 John Bachmaii. 



brought to believe his master's version of '* de 

 dream," viz, that the frightful vision was the effect 

 of drink. At any rate, we feel assured that Plenty 

 disappointed the expectations of his "majesty with 

 horns." From that day the old negro sacredly 

 kept his promise to God, for he drank henceforth 

 nothing stronger than coffee, or a mild decoction 

 from the sassafras root, sweetened with molasses, a 

 favorite drink in those days, called " sassafras beer." 

 Dr. Bachman's well cultivated vegetable garden 

 gave abundant proof of old Plenty's faithfulness; 

 and when he died years later, in great peace, due 

 honors were paid to his memory, by " de witefamhj" 

 as he called them, and by his own race. 



As early as 1837, we find Dr. Bachman, justly 

 pained by the misrepresentations of a part of the 

 Lutheran Church in the North. 



To Rev. J. D. 



I Imve heard with regret of your remarks before 

 the Hartvvick JSynod, with re^'ard to your Southern 

 brethren. That part of your Constitution, that ex- 

 cludes the slave-holder from your communion, has 

 been sent to me; and as you have no slave-holders 

 with you. it would appear that you have travelled 

 out of the way to denounce the acts of your breth- 

 ren that are far removed. 



Having always been an advocate for unrestrained 

 freedom of thought as well as liberty of speech, I 

 felt no disposition to prevent you from expressing 

 your honest convictions. As your charges, even if 

 true, could not operate unfavorably to my useful- 



