The slave-codes are no just exponent of the actual state of things in slavery.

For example,--by law a master may not furnish his slave with less than a peck of corn a week.
This has a barbarous look.

But to see the slaves feasting on the fat of the land you certainly would not be reminded of the "peck of corn," except by contrast.

There must be some legal standard, below which if an inhuman master falls in providing for his servant, he can be prosecuted.

Hence the "peck of corn." By the will of an eminent citizen at the North, establishing courses of lectures for all coming time, the pay of each lecturer is to be determined by the market value, at the time, of a bushel of wheat.