this occurred, I believe, within less than eighteen mouths. He was
powerful in prayer, and eloquent in exhortation. No one doubted his
piety. He was prospectively liberated by a will. Carter, however, told
him verbally, about this time, that he had made provisions in his will
for his liberation, and that henceforth he could go where he chose,
and do as he pleased. That he was a free man. What was the
consequence? It was not long before a young lady belonging to a
respectable family, was delivered of a mulatto child. On being
questioned as to the child's paternity, she stated that it was parson
Absalom's. Those interested, immediately called on him, and he frankly
confessed that he was the father of the child. Poor Absalom, he was
promoted by the church, set at liberty by his master; caressed and
eulogized by the white brethren--it was too much for him--he could not
bear it--until finally, he was "lifted up with pride," and "fell into
the condemnation of the devil." Then might the church mourn, "O
Absalom, my son! how art thou fallen." This is not an isolated case;
many similar ones fell under my observation, but I cannot stop here to
record them. In the city of Knoxville, East Tennessee, where I last
resided while in the South; there were several hundred free negroes,
and I could readily distinguish a free negro from a slave when I met
him in the street. The slaves, to use Southern parlance, looked fat,
saucy, happy and contented, while the free blacks, with a few
exceptions, had a miserable and dejected appearance. When slaves are
liberated in the South they immediately become stupid, indolent and
improvident, though they were previous to their liberation,
industrious and economical. If previous to their liberation they were
pious, they frequently become vicious; if temperate while slaves, they
often become drunkards, after they obtain their freedom; if honest,
thieves; if truthful, liars. There are exceptions, I admit, and they
are but few exceptions. These are undeniable facts--melancholy