| Citation |
SCG-C.772.092
17 Sep 1772:13 (1915)
[Article on punishment of Negroes without passes and their
propensity for stealing]
Few of the latter, when questioned by a white man, will
return any answer, and most of those who vouchsafe to do so,
will in a surly and insolent tone, tell him, "They belong to
their masters-- are going (either) home, or to their wives--
or to a dance: . . . [6 lines follow]
The Stranger had once an opportunity of seeing a Country-
Dance, Rout, or Cabal of Negroes, within 5 miles distance of
this town, on a Saturday night; and it may not be improper
here to give a description of that assembly. It consisted of
about 60 people, 5-6th from town, every one of whom carried
something, in the manner just described; as, bottled liquors
of all sorts, Rum, Tongues, Hams, Beef, Geese, Turkies and
Fowls, both drest and raw, with many luxuries of the table,
as sweetmeats, pickles, &c. (which some did not scruple to
acknowledge they obtained by means of false keys, procured
from a Negro in town, who could make any key, whenever the
impression of the true one was brought to him in wax)
besides other articles, which, without doubt, were stolen, .
. . Moreover they were provided with Music, Cards, Dice, &c.
The entertainment was opened, by the men copying (or taking
off) the manner of their masters, and the women those of
their mistresses, and relating some highly curious
anecdotes, to the inexpressible diversion of that company.
Then they danced, betted, gamed, swore, quarrelled, fought,
and did every thing that the most modern accomplished
gentlemen are not ashamed of;
. . . [Several paragraphs follow]
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