Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/60

Rh confirmation of the truth of this assertion—the most terrible instances which I heard mentioned in South Carolina of the maltreatment of slaves, were of women—and of women belonging to the higher grades of society. I believe I already have told you of the two ladies in Charleston, who were publicly accused for the murder of their slaves, the one by hunger the other by flogging, and who, although they were acquitted by cowardly laws and lawyers, yet fell under the ban of public opprobrium, and were left to a dishonourable solitude and to——the judgment of God.

My friend of the Mississippi, the pure conscience of Louisiana, had asserted the same fact as Mr. Poinsett, and as if it were in substantiation thereof, New Orleans has not in its chronicle of crime a more bloody or a more detested name than that of—a woman, Mrs. Lallorue, born Macarthy. It is to the honour of New Orleans that this wealthy lady has been obliged to fly from the fury of its hatred. But how long before that time had she tormented her victims?

It appears that the behaviour of her brother to his mistresses of the coloured race, excited her hatred towards them. Other slave-owners maltreat their slaves in the irritation of the moment or the excess of temper; but Madame Lallorue maltreated hers because she enjoyed and relished their sufferings. She was the possessor of a large plantation, and indulged upon it her arbitrary sway in such a manner as roused her neighbours in arms against her. They announced to her that they would no longer hear of such transactions; and that in case they did, she should become amenable to law.

On this Madame Lallorue fled to New Orleans, where, less under observation, she could devote herself to her own private pleasure. She here derived an income by hiring out her slaves, who every week were compelled to bring home their earnings to her. If, however, they did