162 NEGROES IN LOUISIANA. [CHAP. XXIX. 



steam-boat collision, the following passage : - &quot; We 

 learn that the passengers, with few exceptions, lost 

 all their effects ; one gentleman in particular lost 

 nine negroes (who were on deck) and fourteen 

 horses.&quot; 



Among the laws recently enacted in Louisiana, I 

 was giad to see one to prevent persons of colour 

 exiled from other States, or transported for some 

 offence, from becoming citizens. In spite of such 

 statutes the negro-exporting portions of the Union 

 will always make the newer States play in some de 

 gree the part of penal settlements. 



Free blacks are allowed to be witnesses in the 

 courts here, in cases where white men are concerned, 

 a privilege they do not enjoy in some free States, as 

 in Indiana ; but they do not allow free blacks to 

 come and settle here, and say they have been com 

 pelled to adopt this precaution by the Abolitionists. 



An intelligent Louisianian said to me, &quot; Were we 

 to emancipate our negroes as suddenly as your Go 

 vernment did the West Indians, they would be a 

 doomed race ; but there can be no doubt that white 

 labour is more profitable even in this climate.&quot; 

 &quot; Then, why do you not encourage it?&quot; I asked. 

 &quot; It must be the work of time,&quot; he replied ; &quot; the 

 prejudices of owners have to be overcome, and the 

 sugar and cotton crop is easily lost, if not taken in 

 at once when ripe ; the canes being damaged by a 

 slight frost, and the cotton requiring to be picked 

 dry as soon as mature, and being ruined by rain. 

 Very lately a planter, five miles below New Orleans, 

 having resolved to dispense with slave labour, hired 



