Дванадцять років рабства

           EvenonBayouBœuf,whereIconceiveslaveryexistsinitsmostabjectandcruelform—whereitexhibitsfeaturesaltogetherunknowninmorenorthernStates—themostignorantofthemgenerallyknowfullwellitsmeaning. Theyunderstandtheprivilegesandexemptionsthatbelongtoit—thatitwouldbestowuponthemthefruitsoftheirownlabors,andthatitwouldsecuretothemtheenjoymentofdomestichappiness. Theydonotfailtoobservethedifferencebetweentheirownconditionandthemeanestwhiteman’s,andtorealizetheinjusticeofthelawswhichplaceitinhispowernotonlytoappropriatetheprofitsoftheirindustry,buttosubjectthemtounmeritedandunprovokedpunishment,withoutremedy,ortherighttoresist,ortoremonstrate. 

           Patsey’slife,especiallyafterherwhipping,wasonelongdreamofliberty. Faraway,toherfancyanimmeasurabledistance,sheknewtherewasalandoffreedom. AthousandtimesshehadheardthatsomewhereinthedistantNorththerewerenoslaves—nomasters. Inherimaginationitwasanenchantedregion,theParadiseoftheearth. Todwellwheretheblackmanmayworkforhimself—liveinhisowncabin—tillhisownsoil,wasablissfuldreamofPatsey’s—adream,alas!thefulfillmentofwhichshecanneverrealize. 

           Theeffectoftheseexhibitionsofbrutalityonthehouseholdoftheslave-holder,isapparent. Epps’oldestsonisanintelligentladoftenortwelveyearsofage. Itispitiable,sometimes,toseehimchastising,forinstance,thevenerableUncleAbram.