Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 11).djvu/86

 *prietor, Mr. Day and Mr. Weatherspoon, who all waited on me at my hotel for that purpose. I found from 1,000 to 2,000 acres planted with cotton and corn, and all in a state of high cultivation on a gardening system. Cotton in good times is worth 100 dollars, or 22l. 10s. an acre, and costs 25 dollars, or 5l. 12s. 6d. This gentleman (M'Cray) derives a net profit of 10,000l. to 12,000l. sterling a year, and is the proprietor of 5,000 acres of valuable land. General Cantey possesses 30,000 acres. Their black cattle (alias slaves) do not breed freely, but destroy their young in embryo, because they are slaves, but still they are considered to be the best cattle kept. Their treatment appears to be humane; their day's work or task being done by one o'clock, if they labour well. Their condition seems in some respects better than that of the paupers of my native land. It is said that the blacks are unconscious of any degradation, but of the truth of this assertion I greatly doubt. The planters generally profess to abhor the force and cruelty of the task-master or overseer, but still think both indispensable, and that their estates could not be cultivated without them.

This evening, in consequence of a polite card of invitation from the stewards or managers, Captain Cantey, and J. M'Caw, M. D., I attended a {60} gay and glittering hymeneal ball of the gentry of this town and neighbourhood. Soon after the marriage of any couple of distinction, it is customary for the bachelors to give a ball to the recently wedded pair. The ladies were almost all interesting in person and manners, and superbly dressed; and it was said, sure of large and good fortunes.

21st.—Paid my bill, 16 dollars, and quitted Camden, where many flattering marks of respect constantly attended