About Manuscripts Profiles Maps Map Gallery Credits

Travels in Some Parts of North America, in the Years 1804, 1805, & 1806, by Robert Sutcliff

SW_Sutcliff_Page_047

Chapter III. Port-Tobacco--Fredericksburg--Richmond--Negro trial-- Gouchland--Fredericksburg--Effects of Negro Sla-very on the Whites--Mount Vernon--George Town--Baltimore--Brandy Wine--Wilmington--Philadelphia. On the 21st of 9th Month, 1804, I left Alex- andria, crossed the Potowmack, and went down to Port-Tobacco. In my way I passed through Piscattaway, where I dined, and where, amongst other things, broiled squirrels were served up at table. In travelling along this day, I observed that the population of this part of the country consisted chiefly of black people; and, in many parts of the road, I noticed it was mostly tracked with the bare feet, some of which appeared to be immoderately large, arising, probably, from their almost constant practice of going barefoot. In many places I had an opportunity of seeing the farmers busily employed in treading out the grain in the open fields, with their horses. These were mounted with several negro boys, who continued riding round and round in a circle, in which the sheaves were spread. At the same time, a num ber of negro men were employed in casting off the straw, when the grain was trodden out, and replacing it with fresh sheaves. Sometimes I have seen ten or twelve horses go round in one circle; one negro boy having the care of two or three horses.