LETTEKS FEOM ALABAMA. 
253 
deny to it, Lut which is certainly not likely to he 
lessened by that utter privation of all intellectual 
enjoyment to which slavery dooms him— does this 
iron enter, into his soul. 1 believe more slaves run 
away from the want of food, than even from the 
terror of the lash. The ordinary allowance, for 
each adult, is a peck of corn-meal, and three pounds 
and a half of meat per week ; sometimes a little 
molasses is added, and, in the fruit season, the 
orchard affords them a considerable help. But, 
when this is over, the allowance is very short for 
the support of robust men toiling in daily field- 
labour from morn to night. 
What will be the end of American slavery ? I 
know that many dare not entertain this question. 
They tremble when they look at the future. It is 
like a huge deadly serpent, which is kept down by 
incessant vigilance, and by the strain of every 
nerve and muscle ; while the dreadful feeling is 
ever present, that, some day or other, it will burst 
the weight that binds it, and take a fearful retri- 
bution. 
But what can be done ? The laws of this State 
absolutely forbid emancipation ; so that, if an 
Alabama planter desire to manumit one or all of 
his slaves, he dares not do it here. His only 
means of accomplishing his wish^ is to take them 
to some other State, the laws of which are less 
rigid, and give them freedom there. I know of 
some who have done this. 
Yet surely such an act is a gigantic triumph of 
principle, that we can scarcely overrate. Not only 
does it defy almost universal opinion, but it is a 
sacrifice of property so valuable that all other pro- 
perty is worthless without it. Slaves are indis- 
