Books: Manuel Pereira
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F. C. Adams >> Manuel Pereira
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"I pity the judgment that would award merit to such a performance as
that," said the Captain.
"How strange, that you Englishmen and Scotchmen always find fault
with every thing we Americans do. Your writers manifest it in their
books upon us and the people seem of necessity to copy from them,
and echo their grumblings," rejoined Master George.
"You judge from the common saying, instead of a knowledge front
observation, I fear," said the Captain.
"Lord, sir! you must not judge me by that rule. Carolinians, sir,
always appreciate intelligent strangers, for they always exert a
healthy influence, and never meddle with our institutions; so you
see it wouldn't do to follow the pestilent notions of petty
scribblers, lest we should form wrong opinions."
"But tell me," said the Captain, "do you consider yourselves
Americans in South Carolina?--the pilot must have led me astray."
"Americans! yes, indeed, the true blood at that, and no man of
tip-top judgment ever questioned it. But you must mark the
difference; we ha'n't Yankees, nor we don't believe in their
infernal humbuggery about abolition. If it wasn't for South Carolina
and Georgia, the New-Englanders would starve for want of our cotton
and rice. It's the great staple what keeps the country together; and
as much as they talk about it, just take that away, and what would
the United States be? We South Carolinians give no symptoms or
expressions of what we mean to do that we cannot maintain. We have
been grossly insulted by the Federal Government, but it dar'n't come
at us and just give us a chance at fair fight. We'd show 'em the
thunder of the Palmetto, that they'd never trouble our sovereignty
again. Captain, I pledge you my honor that if there wasn't so many
infernal Yankees in Georgia, and she'd follow our lead in secession,
we'd just lick the whole North. Georgia's a big State, but she a'n't
pluck, and has no chivalry at all among her people. She allows such
privileges to them Yankees-gives them power to control her
manufacturing interests-and this is just what will uproot the
foundation of their slave institution. Georgians a'n't a bit like
us; first, they are too plebeian in their manners-have no bond of
guardianship for their laws, and exert no restraints for the proper
protection of good society. But, Captain, their stock has a
different origin, and the peculiarity which now marks our character
may be traced to the offspring of early settlement. We derived our
character and sentiments from the Huguenots; they, from an
uncharacterized class of coarse adventurers, whose honesty was
tinctured with penal suspicion. This, sir, accounts for the
differences so marked in our character."
The little fellow pressed this kind of conversation in the lobby of
the theatre, and at the same time took the very particular pleasure
of introducing the Captain to several of the young bloods, as he
called them, while they walked to and from the boxes. At length the
Captain found himself in a perfect hornet's nest, surrounded by
vicious young secessionists, so perfectly nullified in the growth
that they were all ready to shoulder muskets, pitchforks, and
daggers, and to fire pistols at poor old Uncle Sam, if he should
poke his nose in South Carolina. The picture presented was that of
an unruly set of children dictating their opinions to a hoary-headed
old daddy-accusing him of pragmatism, and threatening, if he was
twice as old, they'd whip him unless he did as they directed. The
knowledge of South Carolina's power and South Carolina's
difficulties with the Federal Government he found so universally set
forth as to form the atmosphere of conversation in the parlor, the
public-house, the school and the bar-room, the lecture-room and the
theatre.
The little man extended his invitation to a party of the bloods. The
Captain was taken by the arms in a kind of bond fellowship, and
escorted into Baker's eating-saloon, a place adjacent to the
theatre, and, to a man unaccustomed to the things that are in
Charleston, a very rowdy place. This is considered by Charlestonians
one of the finest places in the Southern country; where good suppers
and secession (the all-engrossing subjects with Charles-tonians)
form the only important element of conversation. It may be set down
as a fact, that among seven-tenths of the people of Charleston, the
standard of a gentleman is measured according to his knowledge of
secession and his ability to settle the question of hot suppers. We
say nothing of that vigorous patriotism so often manifested in a
long string of fulsome toasts that disgrace the columns of the
Mercury and Courier.
At Baker's the place was literally crowded with all kinds and
characters, graded from the honorable judge down to the pot-boy; a
pot-pouri of courtesy and companionship only exhibited in England on
the near approach of elections. The reader may think this strange,
but we can assure him that distinctions are strangely maintained; an
exclusive arrogance being observed in private life, while a too
frequent and general resort to bar-rooms has established plebeianism
in public. Voices were sounding at all parts of the counter, and for
as many different voices as many different mixtures were named. The
Captain received a great many introductions, and almost as many
invitations to drink; but the little man, Master George, claimed the
exclusive honor, and keeping an eye wide awake, took the advantage
of his own dimensions, and began working his way through a barricade
of bodies and elbows, until he had reached the counter. His party
followed close, at his heels. Altogether, they called for cocktails,
smashes, toddies, cobblers, juleps, and legitimates. These disposed
of, the company repaired to what is called a "box up-stairs."
Scarcely seated, Master George rang the bell with such violence that
he disjointed the cord and tassel, and gave such an alarm that three
or four darkies came poking their alarmed countenances through the
curtains at once.
"There's nothing like making the fellows mind; they've got so
infernal independent here, and old Tom thinks so much of his young
wife, that his niggers have begun to imitate him. One's enough at a
time!" said Master George, with all the importance of his character.
A "bright boy," with his hair nicely parted on the middle of his
head, and frizzed for the occasion, made a polite bow, while the
others retired.
"What have you choice for supper, to-night? We want something ripe
for the palate-none of your leavings, now, you infernal nigger, and
don't tell us none of your lies."
"Birds, sir, grouse, woodcock, partridge, canvas-backs, and quails;
meats, venison, and oysters, master-did up in any shape what the
gentlemen wish. Wines, &c., if they want," replied the servant,
without any of the negro dialect, at the same time making a low bow
to Master George.
"Name it! name your dishes, gentlemen! Don't be backward. I suppose
his birds are as usual, without age to flavor them. It's perfectly
heathenish to eat birds as they are served here: we never get a bird
here that is sufficiently changed to suit a gentleman o' taste;
their beef's tough, and such steak as they make is only fit for
shoemakers and blacksmiths. I never come into the place but I think
of my journey in France, where they know the style and taste of a
gentleman, and things are served to suit your choice." Thus our
little friend continued his connoisseur remarks, to give the Captain
a particular idea of his proficiency in the requisite qualities,
age, and time of keeping necessary to make the adjuncts of a supper
fit for a gentleman. "D--me! we don't know when edibles are choice,
and the Yankees are perfect brutes in these things, and have no more
taste than a cow. Our folks ought to all go to France for a year or
two, to learn the style of cooking. It's perfect murder to eat a
bird the very day after it's killed; yes, sir! no man that considers
his stomach will do it," said George.
The servant waited impatiently-the Captain rubbed his eyes, and
began to pour out a glass of water; and dryly said he'd no choice,
which was responded to by the rest. It was left to Master George,
and he ordered a bountiful supply of grouse, partridges, oyster, and
champagne of his favourite brand-none other. There was also a
billiard-room, reading-room, a room for more important gambling, and
a bar-room, up-stairs. All these were well filled with very well-
dressed and very noisy people; the latter being a very convenient
place, the party sent to it for tipplers to fill up time.
"This is but a small portion of what constitutes life in Charleston,
Captain. We live for living's sake, and don't stand upon those
blueskin theories of temperance and religion that Yankees do, and
blame the Father of generations for not making the world better. I
never saw one of them that wasn't worse than we Southerners before
he'd been in Charleston a year, and was perfect death on niggers.
Yes, sir, it's only the extreme goodness of the Southern people's
hearts that makes the niggers like them so. I never saw a Northerner
yet that wouldn't work his niggers to death in two years. D--me,
sir, my servants all love me as if I was a prince. Have you ever
been in France, sir?" said he, suddenly breaking off. The Captain
replied in the affirmative.
"Ah! then you can speak French! the most polished language known to
refined society. I wouldn't part with my French for the world. All
the first families in Charleston are familiar with it. It's the
modern gentleman's curt-blanche to society here. There's no language
like it for beauty and flexibility; but one must go to France and
learn to acquire its grace and ease," said he, in rapid succession,
rolling out his words in imitation of a London sprig of the Inner
Temple, and working his little mastiff mouth.
"No, sir," said the Captain quaintly. "I never stopped long enough
in France to get hold of the lingo."
"God bless me, what a misfortune! and can't speak it yet, ah? Why,
Captain, if you wanted to court a petit‚ madmoselle, you'd be in a
sad fix-she wouldn't understand what you were talking about and
would take your love-pledges for gammon."
"You're mistaken there, my good fellow. Love grows on trees in
France, and a French woman can see it. before you begin to tell her
about it!" retorted the Captain, which brought a "Good! good! hit
him again!" from the whole party. At this, Master George commenced
reading the Captain a disquisition upon the best mode of acquiring
the French language. Supper was brought-in old Tom Baker's best
flourish-and the party begun to discuss its merits with great gusto.
What the little, chivalrous fellows lacked in physical dimension,
they made up in patriotic sentiment in behalf of the grand sove-
reignty of South Carolina, which they continued to pour out until a
late hour, every man backing his sayings by the authority of the
great and wonderful Calhoun.
The Captain sat eating away, and seeming more disposed to enjoy the
physical consolation of his supper than to elevate his ideas upon
South Carolina's politics.
"Now, Captain," said Master George, in a very serious tone, after he
had been striking his hand upon the marble table for more than an
hour to confirm the points of his reasoning,--"what is your opinion
of the great question at issue between the Federal Government and
South Carolina? And what do you think of the Old Dominion? how will
she stand upon the test-question?"
The poor Captain looked confounded-took another oyster, and began to
get his mouth. in a fix, while little George worked his fingers
through his nice curly hair, and the young bloods awaited the
rejoinder with anxiety.
"Really, sir, you have the advantage of me in your question. It is
so much beyond my profession that I am entirely ignorant of the
subject-therefore could not give an opinion. In truth, sir, I do not
know the purport of the question. It has given me pleasure and
information to listen to your conversation and the ability you
displayed in argument, but, as a stranger, I could take no part,"
replied the Captain very sincerely.
Not content with this, Master George wished to be more direct. "It's
the right of secession, Captain-the power to maintain the right by
the constitution."
"Probably; but may I expose my ignorance by inquiring what is meant
by secession? and to what it is applied so frequently?" inquired the
Captain.
"Oh! murder Captain; have you never heard of nullification times!
Well, sir, you must be posted on the affairs of our government." So
he commenced an analysis of nearly an hour long, and in it gave some
astonishing accounts of the wonderful statesmanship of Calhoun,
Butler, and Rhett, tapering down with a perfect fire-and-thunder
account of the military exploits of General Quattlebum and Captain
Blanding. The Captain began to stretch and gape, for he labored
under the fatigue of a perilous voyage, and repose was the only
sovereign remedy. He felt that the limits of propriety were entirely
overstepped, and that he would have reason to remember the first
night spent with little George the secessionist.
"But, Captain! my dear fellow. I see you don't understand our
position yet. We've been insulted; yes, most rascally insulted by
the Federal Government, and they keep it up every year. We can't get
our rights. Oh! no, sir, there's no such thing in the knowledge of
the Federal officers as justice for South Carolina; and you must
understand, Captain, that she is the greatest State in the Union,
and there a'n't nothing like her people for bravery. The political
power's got North and West, the old constitution is being dissected
to suit the abolitionists, and they're drawing the cordon around us
faster and faster; and they're now out like a warrior boldly to the
conquest, sounding their voices in the halls of Congress, appealing
to human and divine power to protect their nonsense, and bidding
defiance to our constitutional rights, Our slaves are our property,
protected by the law of God-by that inspired and superhuman wisdom
that founded our great and glorious constitution. Yes, sir! it was
an institution entailed upon us by our forefathers, and a wise
providence has provided proper laws by which we shall protect and
see these poor miserable devils of helpless slaves, that can't take
care of themselves, straight through."
"But how does this affect you and the Federal Government?" inquired
the Captain.
"Why, sir, most directly!" replied Master George, screwing his mouth
and giving his head a very learned attitude. "Directly, sir!--the
Federal Government is acquiescing in every abolition scheme that is
put forward by that intriguing Northern compact for the
establishment of new governments in the territories. She is granting
unconstitutional privileges to designing politicians, whose chief
aim is to uproot our domestic institution and destroy the allegiance
of the slave to his master, by which the slaves would be cast upon
the world unprotected, and we disarmed of power to protect them. Ah!
sir, I tell you, of all fruits of the imagination that would be the
most damnable, and the slave would be the sufferer. It would be
worse for him, poor fellow; it would be an abuse of human power
without precedent. So far as political power is concerned, we are
nearly disarmed. The influx of population finds its way into the
opened avenues of the North and West. And with opinions predisposed
against our institutions, and the contaminating influence standing
ready with open arms to embrace the great current, what can we
expect? It's the increasing power made by foreign influx that's
giving tone to our government. If our Southern Convention stand firm
we are saved; but I'm fearful there's too many doubtful shadows in
it that won't stand to the gun. That's what's always played the
devil with us," said George, striking his hand upon the table.
"There's no limitation to their interpositions, and their resolves,
and their adjournments; which don't come up to my principles of
making the issue, and standing to the question with our coffins on
our backs. These condescensions of thought and feeling arise from
the misconceived notions of a few, who are always ready to join, but
never willing to march to action, and must not be taken as a
specimen of South Carolina bravery. The Federal Government has
become vicious and even puerile toward South Carolina; and since the
Herculean power of the great Calhoun is gone, it treats us like a
semi-barbarous and secluded people, mistaking our character. But
we'll learn the Federal Government a lesson yet."
"Do not your legislators make laws for your government, or how is it
that you express such a restive dissatisfaction? Do not the same
laws which govern you, govern the whole of the slave States?"
Little George had previously monopolized all the conversation, but
at this juncture five or six voices broke out, each fired with a
reply to the Captain's question; and yet the answer was of the same
old stamp: What South Carolina had done-how she had fought and
gained the Mexican war-how she was interested in slaves, and how she
yet feared to strike the blow because a set of mere adventurers had
got the power to vote in her elections, and cowards through them had
got into the legislature.
"Why, gentlemen, listen to me in this particular. If"--
"Your oysters are getting cold, George," interrupted a blood at his
left, rather facetiously.
"I claim the respect due a gentleman, sir! A South Carolinian will
transgress no rules of etiquette," said George, grasping his tumbler
in a passionate manner and smashing it upon the marble slab, causing
a sudden emeute in the camp. "Order! order! order!" was sounded from
every tongue. "You mustn't be afeard, Captain," said one of the
party. "This is perfectly South Carolinian-just the oscillating of
the champagne; it won't last long."
The noise was more loud than ordinary, and brought a score of people
around to hear the trouble. George had got in high dudgeon, and it
took several persons to hold him, while the remainder, not excepting
the Captain, were engaged in a pacification. The scene was very
extravagant in folly; and through the kind interposition of friends,
the matter was settled to the honorable satisfaction of both
parties-the question was called for-the Captain called for a
legitimate, rubbed his eyes, and little George proceeded. "If my
friend Thomas Y. Simmons, Jr., had been elected to the legislature
he'd altered the position of things in South Carolina. All these
corruptions would have been exposed, and the disparity of party
would have dwindled into obscurity. Every true Carolinian voted for
him to the hilt, but how was he defeated? Gentlemen, can you answer?
it will be a favor highly gratifying to me to hear your opinions!" A
voice answered, "Because he wasn't big enough!" "No, sir," said
George, "it was because there was intrigue in the party, and the
Yankee influence went to put him down. The world'll hear from him
yet. He's my particular friend, and will stand in the halls of
Congress as great a statesman as ever lisped a political sentiment."
George's account of his particular friend, Thomas Y. S--, Jr., was
so extravagant, and not having heard of him before, the Captain's
curiosity was aroused to know who he was and where he resided. We
will not tax the reader with George's wonderful memoir of his
friend, but merely inform him that "little Tommy Simmons," as he is
usually styled in Charleston, is an exact pattern of Master George,
with the exception of his mouth, which is straight and regular; and
if we may be allowed to condescend to the extremes, we should say
that the cordwainer had done more for his heels. Otherwise, no
daguerreotype could give a counterpart more correct. Tommy is a very
small member of the Charleston bar, who, though he can seldom be
seen when the court is crowded, makes a great deal of noise without
displaying power of elucidation or legal abilities, yet always
acquitting himself cleverly. Tommy was little George in two
particulars-he had studied law, and was a great secessionist; and if
George had never practised, it was only from inclination, which he
asserted arose from a humane feeling which he never could
overcome-that he never wished to oppress anybody. But the greatest
contrast that the reader can picture to himself between mental and
physical objects existed between Tommy's aspirations and the
physical man. His mind was big enough, and so was his self-
confidence, to have led the Assyrian and Chaldean army against the
Hebrews. To this end, and to further the formula of his
statesmanship, no sooner was he twenty-one, and the corner just
turned, than he sounded his war-trumpet-secession or death!--mounted
the rostrum and "stump'd it," to sound the goodness and greatness of
South Carolina, and total annihilation to all unbelievers in
nullification. It was like Jonah and the whale, except the
swallowing, which spunky Tommy promised should be his office, if the
Federal Government didn't toe the mark. Yes, Tommy was a candidate
for the legislature, and for the Southern Congress, (which latter
was exclusively chivalrous;) and the reader must not be surprised
when we tell him that he lacked but a few votes of being elected to
the former. Such was the voice of the Charleston district.
Supper had been discussed down to the fragments, and all expressed
their satisfaction of the quantity and declined any more; but George
called on another bottle of champagne, and insisted that the party
should take a parting glass. The servant had begun to extinguish the
lights-a sure sign that the success of the bar was ended for the
night. George reprimanded the negro-the sparkling beverage was
brought, glasses filled up, touched, and drunk with the standing
toast of South Carolina. A motion to adjourn was made and seconded,
and the party, feeling satisfied with their evening's recreation,
moved off accordingly.
CHAPTER VIII.
A FEW POINTS OF THE LAW.
IN Charleston, such an adjournment at a bar-room or an eating-house,
when parties are enjoying what is termed a "pleasant occasion," does
not mean an adjournment to the domestic fireside; nor are the
distinctions between married and single men regarded, though
domestic attachments may be considered as governing the thoughts and
feelings. The practical definition of such an adjournment means to
some place where beauty secludes itself to waste in shame.
The party descended into the lower bar-room, which, though rather
thinned, presented a picture of characters stimulated to the
tottering point. A motion had been made and strongly seconded to
visit the voluptuous house of a certain lady, which it is considered
a stranger has not seen Charleston until he has visited. The Captain
remonstrated against this, assuring the party that he must go to the
ship and needed rest. Again and again they insisted, setting forth
the charms and beauty of the denizens, but he as often declined in
the most positive manner. Unable to move him in his resolution, one
by one began to give him a hearty shake of the hand and bid him
good-night, leaving little Master George to the exclusive honor of
seeing him home.
Standing in the centre of the room, surrounded by five or six
persons well-dressed but very weak in the knees, was a
portly-looking gentleman; with very florid countenance, keen dark
eyes, and aquiline nose which he frequently fingered. There was an
air of respectability about him, though his countenance was not
marked with any particularly prominent feature to distinguish him
from the ordinary class of respectable men. He spoke well, yet
without taste or discrimination in his language, was rather bald and
gray, with small head. and low perceptive powers; and judging from
the particular tone of his voice and. the cant terms he used, we
should think he had figured among the Kentucky horse-traders, or
made stump speeches in Arkansas. His dress was inclined to the
gaudy. He wore a flashy brown-colored frock-coat with the collar
laid very far back, a foppish white vest exposing his shirt-bosom
nearly down to the waistbands of his pants, which were of gray
stripes. But the more fanciful portions of his dress were a large
and costly fob-chain, which hung very low and supported an immense
seal containing a glistening stone, which he seemed very fond of
dangling with his left hand. Attached to this was a very prominently
displayed black ribbon, answering the purpose of a guard-chain, and
laid with great contrasting care over the bosom of his shirt. This,
with a neckerchief of more flashy colors than Joseph's coat, and a
late style Parisian hat, with the rim very exquisitely turned upon
the sides, make up our man.
He was discussing politics, with a great many sensible sayings,
though nothing like close reasoning; and strange as it may seem, he
was strongly opposed to the rabid views of several staggering
secessionists, who surrounded him, and advocated the views set forth
in convention by Mr. Butler. We remarked this more particularly, for
it was about the only instance we witnessed of a public man being
independent enough to denounce the fanaticism of secession. A more
amusing scene than that presented by the attitudes-the questions in
regard to South Carolina licking the Federal Government-the strange
pomp-ribald gasconade, and high-sounding chivalry of the worthies,
cannot be imagined. They were in a perfect ecstasy with themselves
and South Carolina, and swore, let whatever come, they were ready to
meet it.
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