Massachusetts teacher manuscript letter as Maryland Slave overseer.
June 20, 1842. · Baltimore, Maryland:
by [Slavery].
Folded letter sheet, four pages, and remnant of wax seal. Creases at folds, normal aging; otherwise very good or better. The letter is to Henry J. Carter, Stockbridge, Mass., from his brother. An unemployed 20 year-old Massachusetts teacher who had left home the year before, in "exceeding hard times", Edward had gone to Baltimore – where some 50 teachers were out of work – and taken a job working for a wealthy man who had 4 acres of farm land worked by slaves. "…he has given me the office of overseer to look after the blacks in their work. O but you ought to see me walk over the lot with my cane in my hand to see how my work is going on. Then you ought to see the darky when he wants anything of me, come up and take off his hat before he speaks…" Praising the "fine folks live in this beautiful part of the world", Carter proves that even a Massachusetts Yankee could quickly adapt to Southern culture, and make peace with slavery. The letter is unsigned. (Inventory #: 106407)