averaging 625 dollars a head, which is by no means a large price, as the
two cows, which sold at the sale for 1,245, and 1,235 dollars, were a
part of her issue.
Lexington is a very pretty town, with very pleasant society, and
afforded me great relief after the unpleasant sojourn I had had at
Louisville. Conversing one day with Mr Clay, I had another instance
given me of the mischief which the conduct of Miss Martineau has
entailed upon all those English who may happen to visit America. Mr
Clay observed that Miss Martineau had remained with him for some time,
and that during her stay, she had professed very different, or at least
more modified opinions on the subject of slavery, than those she has
expressed in her book: so much so, that one day, having read a letter
from Boston cautioning her against being cajoled by the hospitality and
pleasant society of the Western States, she handed it to him, saying,
"They want to make a regular abolitionist of me." "When her work came
out," continued Mr Clay, "although I read but very little of it, I
turned to this subject so important with us, and I must say I was a
little surprised to find that she had so changed her opinions." The
fact is, Miss Martineau appears to have been what the Kentuckians call,
"playing 'possum." I have met with some of the Southern ladies whose
conversations on slavery are said, or supposed, to have been those
printed by Miss Martineau, and they deny that they are correct. That
the Southern ladies are very apt to express great horror at living too
long a time at the plantations, is very certain; not, however, because
they expect to be murdered in their beds by the slaves, as they tell
their husbands, but because they are anxious to spend more of their time
at the cities, where they can enjoy more luxury and amusement than can
be procured at the plantations.
Every body rides in Virginia and Kentucky, master, man, woman, and
slave, and they all ride well: it is quite as common to meet a woman on
horseback as a man, and it is a pretty sight in their States to walk by
the Church doors and see them all arrive. The Churches have stables, or
rather sheds, built close to them, for the accommodation of the cattle.
Elopements in these States are all made on horseback. The goal to be
obtained is to cross to the other side of the Ohio. The consequence is
that it is a regular steeple-chase; the young couple clearing
everything, father and brothers following. Whether it is that, having
the choice, the young people are the best mounted, I know not, but the
runaways are seldom overtaken. One couple crossed the Ohio when I was
at Cincinnati, and had just time to tie the noose before their pursuers
arrived.
At Lexington, on Sunday, there is not a carriage or horse to be obtained
by a white man for any consideration, they having all been regularly
engaged for that day by the negro slaves, who go out in every direction.
Where they get the money I do not know; but certain it is, that it is
always produced when required. I was waiting at the counter of a sort
of pastry-cook's, when three negro lads, about twelve or fourteen years
old, came in, and, in a most authoritative tone, ordered three glasses
of soda-water.
Returned to Louisville.