dium of profit.

Under the influence of that exceedingly suspicious, and yet exceedingly
credulous characteristic of a people, few know the power that is working
beneath the sunshine of South Carolina, and those who do, stand upon
that slaveworn ostentation which considers it beneath notice.

We have no interest nor feeling beyond that of humanity, and a right
to expose the mendacity of those who have power to exercise it over the
prisoners in Charleston. That mendacity has existed too long for the
honor of that community, and for the feelings of those who have suffered
under it.

It may be true that this case was considered a favorable one to try the
issue upon, but no elements of sympathy were sought by the consul.
That functionary to whom the Governor has attributed "characteristic
kindness," said, in our presence, and we have the testimony of others
to confirm what we say, that if Judge Withers had granted the habeas
corpus, he would not have given up the prisoner, but rather gone to
jail and suffered the same regimen with the prisoners. Had he tried the
accommodations, he would have found the "profits" more than necessary to
appease common hunger.

The Governor says, "Pereira was at liberty to depart at any moment that
he could get a vessel to transport him beyond the limits of the State."
How are we to reconcile this with the following sentence, which appears
in the next paragraph:--"While these proceedings were pending," (meaning
the action instituted by the consul to release the prisoner,) "the
sheriff of Charleston had my instructions not to give up the prisoner,
even if a writ of habeas corpus had been granted?" According to this,
the sheriff assumed a power independent of and above the Governor's
prerogative. We have attempted to picture the force of this in our
work, and to show that there are official abuses cloaked by an honorable
dishonesty, which dignifies the business of the local factor and vendor
of human property, and which should be stayed by the power of the
Executive.

The singular fact presents itself, that while Judge Withers was
deliberating upon the question of granting the "habeas corpus," the
proceedings pending, and the Governor's instructions to the contrary
before him, the sheriff takes it upon himself to smuggle the prisoner
out of port. Now what was the object of this Secret and concerted
movement? Was it "kindness" on the part of that functionary, who has
grasped every pretence t