Chapter III.
Port-Tobacco--Fredericksburg--Richmond--Negro trial--
Gouchland--Fredericksburg--Effects of Negro Sla-
very on the Whites--Mount Vernon--George Town--
Baltimore--Brandy Wine--Wilmington--Philadelphia.

On the 21st of 9th Month, 1804,

I left Alex-
andria

, crossed the Potowmack, and went down
to Port-Tobacco. In my way I passed through
Piscattaway, where I dined, and where, amongst
other things, broiled squirrels were served up at
table. In travelling along this day, I observed
that the population of this part of the country
consisted chiefly of black people; and, in many
parts of the road, I noticed it was mostly tracked
with the bare feet, some of which appeared to
be immoderately large, arising, probably, from
their almost constant practice of going barefoot.
In many places I had an opportunity of seeing the
farmers busily employed in treading out the grain
in the open fields, with their horses. These were
mounted with several negro boys, who continued
riding round and round in a circle, in which the
sheaves were spread. At the same time, a num
ber of negro men were employed in casting off
the straw, when the grain was trodden out, and
replacing it with fresh sheaves. Sometimes I have
seen ten or twelve horses go round in one circle;
one negro boy having the care of two or three
horses.