He  also  offers  to  them,  at  times,  such  words  of  instruction,
comfort  or  encouragement,  as  the  Lord  puts  into  his  heart.
The  slaves,  on  their  part,  appear  disposed  to  do  their  best ;
for  they  are  as  ready  to  evince  their  love  towards  him,  as
he  has  been  to  manifest  his  towards  them.  Of  their  own
accord  they  have  so  worked,  and  the  Divine  blessing  has  so
attended  their  labors  that,  although  his  expenses  in  pro-
viding for  them  have  been  great,  yet  his  yearly  income  has
nearly  doubled.  A  few  months  since  he  received  a  deputa-
tion from  the  planters  who  reside  for  miles  around  him ;  they
came  with  loud  complaints  against  him,  saying,  "By  your
conduct  you  not  only  expose  us  all  to  be  ruined,  but  to  have
our  lives  also  destroyed,  for  you  put  our  slaves  in  such  a  state
of  discontent  and  ferment,  that  they  are  ready  to  rise  upon
us."  "What  have  I  done,"  replied  the  Colonel,  "that  I
should  be  the  means  of  bringing  such  an  evil  upon  you?"
"You  give  so  much  liberty,"  said  they,  "to  your  slaves;  you
treat  them  so  well ;  you  allow  them  also  to  meet  together,
under    pretences   of    Divine    worship,    and    opportunities    are


174  1824,  [^T.  51.
