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186 Saratoga. From his appearance and conversation, and that of his lady, I thought them New England people; his name was W. They begun a conversation with me on slavery, which is, with me, a very exciting topic, and I would much rather hold a conversation on any other subject; but, being dragged into it, I did not fail to express my opinion. He showed how well some slaves were treated, and I showed how badly others are treated. I told him there was one blasting thing to slavery—how a man good to his slaves may die, and the slaves fall into the hands of very cruel masters, and can not help themselves; their situation is a great deal worse than those that have had bad masters, and fall into the hands of good ones. He then said slaves could not take care of themselves. I replied, they could if they had a chance: as a good slave would make a good citizen, and a bad slave a bad one; but give them a chance. He said he had a woman he would gladly give her freedom, if she could do anything for herself to make a living. I told him if she was a respectable woman I would give her a trade. His wife then spoke up, and said the woman was whiter than herself, and was very smart. I told them to send her to me.

Some eighteen months passed away, and I got a letter, saying they would send the girl and her child, though, in the first place, they had not said anything about a child. She came, and with her a child some three years old; and no one would think there was one drop of African blood in either of their veins. The woman had evidently been badly raised, as she was very profane in her speech, and they must have been glad to get rid of her on account of her temper.