Soon after my arrival at New Orleans, I accom-
panied Colonel White on a visit to his sugar-
plantation, about thirty miles down the river. He
had been away for some time ; his arrival in the
evening was, therefore, a signal for general rejoicing
among his negroes, who lighted a bonfire on the
bank of the river to celebrate the event. I was
much struck at the evident delight they evinced at
seeing him once more among them, as the more
favoured ones crowded round to shake hands with
him. How different, thought I, from our precon-
ceived notions in England, of the condition of
negroes in the Slave States of America, an impres-
sion stiU further confirmed, when I subsequently
visited their neat little dwellings.
The Colonel's house was very comfortable, sm--
rounded by a beautiful, well-kept garden ; and by his
sugar plantation — a very extensive one, and admirably
weU managed.
