Description
"How It Works" - - A farmer from Platte County, Missouri, was in town a day or two ago, in search of a runaway slave. After a diligent investigation in every locality where it was likely the chattel might be secreted, and hearing nothing of its whereabouts, finally came to the conclusion said chattel had not yet crossed the river.
In conversation with a citizen, the gentleman from Missouri stated that it was becoming about impossible now to get any work out of the slaves. They are not so attentive to the interests of their masters as they used to be. Set them to work in the fields in the morning, and if left to themselves as formerly, in a short time, they are found congregated together in easy and comfortable positions, in busy and earnest conversation. What it is they have to say to each other in so confidential a manner none of them will disclose. When spoken to by those in authority, they reply in an impudent surly tone; are idle and in various other ways act as if they possessed some rights which white men are bound to respect.
They cannot be shipped South as in other times when they became unmanageable, as the door to this method of punishment is now closed, and the slaves seem to know it. They cannot be sold off in any way, as there is no home market for them here, and the consequence is they are daily decreasing in value.Date(s) of Creation
5/26/1861
