st the use of the English tongue, and had even gone back to the life
and customs of their ancestors, sans clothing, sans habitations, and
worship of a fetich.

Of course there were some notable exceptions, especially President
Roberts, who proved himself a safe and prudent ruler, taking into
consideration his surroundings and the material with which he had
to work. The form of government was modeled after that of the United
States, but it was top-heavy. Honorables, colonels, and judges were
thicker than in Georgia. Only privates were scarce; for nothing delights
a negro more than a little show or a gaudy uniform. On landing I was
met by a dark mulatto, dressed in a straw hat, blue tail coat, silver
epaulettes, linen trousers, with bare feet, and a heavy cavalry sabre
hanging by his side. With him were three or four others in the same rig,
except the epaulettes. He introduced himself as Colonel Harrison, chief
of police. I asked to be directed to the custom house.

The collector proved to be an old negro from Raleigh, N. C., gray as a
badger, spectacled, with manners of Lord Grandison and language of Mrs.
Malaprop. I reported my arrival, and asked permission to land my cargo
as soon as possible. He replied that in a matter of so much importance,
devolving questions of momentous interest, it would be obligatory on him
to consult the Secretary of the Treasury. I said I trusted he would so
facilitate affairs that I might at an early hour disembarrass myself
of my involuntary prisoners. I returned on board, and the day passed
without any answer. The next morning I determined to go at once to
headquarters and find out the cause of the delay by calling on the
President.

He received me without any formality. I made my case as strong as
possible, and pressed for an immediate answer. In reply he assured me
he would consult with other members of his cabinet, and give me a final
answer the next morning. That evening I dined with him en famille, and
recognized some old Virginia dishes on the table. The next morning I
waited impatiently for his decision, having made up my mind however, if
it was unfavorable, to land my poor captives, be the consequences what
they might.

About eleven o'clock a boat came off with an officer in full uniform,
who introduced himself as Colonel Royal, bearer of dispatches from his
Excellency the President. He handed me a letter couched in diplomatic
language, as long as some of his brother presidents