cteristic letter of a South Carolina
mistress to an influential citizen tells an opposite story: "I hope you
will pardon the liberty I take in addressing you on the subject of John,
the slave of Professor Henry, Susy his wife, and the orphan children of my
faithful servant Pompey, the first husband of Susy. In the first instance,
Pompey owned a horse which he exchanged for a mare, which mare I permitted
Susy to use after her marriage with John, but told them both I would sell
it and the young colt and give Susy a third of the money, reserving the
other two thirds for her children. Before I could do so, however, the
mare and the colt were exchanged and sent out of my way by this dishonest
couple. I then hoped at least to secure forty-five dollars for which
another colt was sold to Mr. Haskell, and sent my message to him to say
that Susy had no claim on the colt and that the money was to be paid to me
for the children of Pompey. A few days since I sent to Mr. Haskell again
who informed me that he had paid for the colt, and referred me to you. I do
assure you that whatever Susy may affirm, she has no right to the money.
It is not my intention to meddle with the law on the occasion, and I
infinitely prefer relying on you to do justice to the parties. My manager,
who will deliver this to you, is perfectly acquainted with all the
circumstances; and [if] after having a conversation with him you should
decide in favor of the children I shall be much gratified."[43]

[Footnote 43: Letter of Caroline Raoul, Belleville, S.C., Dec. 26, 1829, to
James H. Hammond. MS. among the Hammond papers in the Library of Congress.]

Likewise where the family affairs of slaves were concerned the silence and
passiveness of the law gave masters occasion for eloquence and activity.
Thus a Georgian wrote to a neighbor: "I have a girl Amanda that has your
servant Phil for a husband. I should be very glad indeed if you would
purchase her. She is a very good seamstress, an excellent cook--makes cake
and preserves beautifully--and washes and irons very nicely, and cannot be
excelled in cleaning up a house. Her disposition is very amiable. I have
had her for years and I assure you that I have not exaggerated as regards
her worth.... I will send her down to see you at any time."[44] That offers
of purchase were no less likely than those of sale to be prompted by such
considerations is suggested by another Georgia letter: "I have made every
attempt to get t