"Were guinea pigs really pigs?
What was the hematite iron-ore his uncle used at the works ?" Once he was surprised.

He asked one evening, "What was the Missouri Compromise ?" He had read so much about it in the papers.

"Hasn't it something to do with slavery?
Aunt Ann, it must seem strange to own a man." His eager young ears had heard rather ignorant talk of it from his mother's English friends.
His aunt said quietly, "My people in Maryland own slaves, John.

It is not a matter for a child to discuss.

The abolitionists at the North are making trouble.