cising: I had close labour with Men and Women, perceiving barren-
ness among them: I hope it had some good effect on some of the youth
& others, but I leave it. That Evening had a meeting for the
black people in a School-house near the Widow Scotts

': It was the first
of this kind that was ever held in these parts, being large; One of the Jus-
tices attended, & some other Masters of Negroes. It was a solid favoured time
and these spake well of the Meeting: some of them said they should be very
free their Negroes should be at such meetings, and were glad they had
been there themselves, uniting with what was spoken, and wishing it
might be observed.

15th.

We next travelled from hence to Bennets
Creek, near the sea shore; and the next day had a large and favour'd
Meeting

there; Also the same afternoon another at the Widow
Bufkins, likewise large for the place, as well as solid and satisfactory.
Some of the people seemed rejoiced, not having much opportunity to be
at friends Meetings. We parted with them very lovingly.

17th.

Our next Meeting was at the South Branch

, a very exercising
Season: I thought the desire of some was, that smooth things, or peace
might be spoken to them, believing they were too much in a whole
State, & that there was but little room for labour. --- But how
can there be peace, where Pride and Oppression abound; The slaves
having to bear the burden; many of them sorely oppressed, with
want of proper Clothing, Food &c, under Taskmasters, whose religion seems
to be in talking; The Land Barren or nearly worn out, and their
manner of Cultivation and Management but poor: So that the