Besides I used to assist my father at night in making straw-hats and willow-baskets, by which means we supplied our family with little articles of food, clothing and luxury, which slaves in the mildest form of the system never get from the master; but after this, I found that my mechanic's pleasure and pride were gone.

I thought of nothing but the family disgrace under which we were smarting, and how to get out of it.
Perhaps I may as well extend this note a little.

The reader will observe that I have not said much about my master's cruel treatment; I have aimed rather to shew the cruelties incident to the system.

I have no disposition to attempt to convict him of having been one of the most cruel masters--that would not be true--his prevailing temper was kind, but he was a perpetualist.

He was opposed to emancipation; thought free negroes a great nuisance, and was, as respects discipline, a thorough slaveholder.
He would not tolerate a look or a word from a slave like insubordination.
He would suppress it at once, and at any risk.