f large ones.

The reader might imagine a difficulty in finding faults enough for
such frequent whipping. But this is because you have no idea how easy
a matter it is to offend a man who is on the look-out for offenses. The
man, unaccustomed to slaveholding, would be astonished to observe how
many _foggable_ offenses there are in{201} the slaveholder's catalogue
of crimes; and how easy it is to commit any one of them, even when the
slave least intends it. A slaveholder, bent on finding fault, will hatch
up a dozen a day, if he chooses to do so, and each one of these shall
be of a punishable description. A mere look, word, or motion, a mistake,
accident, or want of power, are all matters for which a slave may be
whipped at any time. Does a slave look dissatisfied with his condition?
It is said, that he has the devil in him, and it must be whipped out.
Does he answer _loudly_, when spoken to by his master, with an air of
self-consciousness? Then, must he be taken down a button-hole lower, by
the lash, well laid on. Does he forget, and omit to pull off his hat,
when approaching a white person? Then, he must, or may be, whipped for
his bad manners. Does he ever venture to vindicate his conduct, when
harshly and unjustly accused? Then, he is guilty of impudence, one of
the greatest crimes in the social catalogue of southern society. To
allow a slave to escape punishment, who has impudently attempted to
exculpate himself from unjust charges, preferred against him by some
white person, is to be guilty of great dereliction of duty. Does a slave
ever venture to suggest a better way of doing a thing, no matter what?
He is, altogether, too officious--wise above what is written--and he
deserves, even if he does not get, a flogging for his presumption. Does
he, while plowing, break a plow, or while hoeing, break a hoe, or while
chopping, break an ax? No matter what were the imperfections of the
implement broken, or the natural liabilities for breaking, the slave
can be whipped for carelessness. The _reverend_ slaveholder could always
find something of this sort, to justify him in using the lash several
times during the week. Hopkins--like Covey and Weeden--were shunned by
slaves who had the privilege (as many had) of finding their own masters
at the end of each year; and yet, there was not a man in all that
section of country, who made a louder profession of religion, than did
MR. RIGBY HOPKINS.{202}

But, to continue the thread of