w will never be raised; the mere
circumstance of his being a seaman in distress, thrown upon our
sympathies, will be all you need among our hospitable people. I'm not
aware of a precedent, but I will guaranty his safety from a knowledge
of the feelings of our people. Our merchants are, with few exceptions,
opposed to the law in this sense, but such is the power and control of
a class of inexperienced legislators, prompted by a most trifling clique
of office-holders, that their voice has no weight. I am opposed to this
system of dragging people into courts of law upon every pretext. It is
practised too much in our city for the good of its name."

Upon this the Colonel and little George accompanied the Captain to his
ship, and, expressing their heartfelt regrets at her appearance, bid
him good-night-George promising to call upon him in the morning, and the
Colonel charging him to give himself no trouble about his steward, that
he would see Mr. Grimshaw that night, and make all things straight.

Thus ended the Captain's first night in Charleston, and represented a
picture from which he might have drawn conclusions somewhat different
from the actual result. Alas! that all the good fellowship and pleasant
associations of a people should be disgraced by an absurdity arising
from their fears.

The Colonel might have given many other instances equally as painful as
that connected with the transportation of Jones and his family, and the
fetters that were placed upon poor Lee. He might have instanced that
of Malcome Brown, a wealthy, industrious, honest, high-minded, and
straightforward man, now living at Aiken, in South Carolina. Brown
conducts a profitable mechanical business, is unquestionably the best
horticulturist in the State, and produces the best fruit brought to the
Charleston market. What has he done to be degraded in the eyes of the
law? Why is he looked upon as a dangerous citizen and his influence
feared? Why is he refused a hearing through those laws which bad white
men take the advantage of? He is compelled to submit to those which
were made to govern the worst slaves! And why is he subjected to that
injustice which gives him no voice in his own behalf when the most
depraved whites are his accusers? Can it be the little crimp that is in
his hair? for he has a fairer skin than those who make laws to oppress
him. If he inhaled the free atmosphere from abroad, can it be that
there is contagion in it, and Malcome Br