238 FLORIDA.

source of interest to the observer. Often their jokes and
puns were quite original and good.
 It is always something of an astonishment to find how
well posted these otherwise ignorant negroes are on politi-
cal matters, local events, or any important occurrences;
they seem to have a secret sort of freemasonry by which
they learn everything going on. Ignorant, but very cun-


ning and unscrupulous, they would be a
element of society, were it not for their
fire-arms, and their naturally peaceful
rule, all negroes go armed; razors are


and specially favorite weapon ; but
revolvers also, and many of them ce
dinary negro a cheap shiny watch,
and he is "happy as a lord."
 The negro, I think, will not play
nent part in Florida. In moderate
will always be found there, but his
and indolent ways will not long be


vigorous a
who const
present.
supersede
duced in
the days
numbered.


fnd
itut
[he
him
any
)f I


terribly dangerous
well-known fear of
disposition. As a
their characteristic
y are very fond of
one. Give the or-


a revolver, and a cane,

a permanent or promi-
numbers, no doubt, he
shiftless, incompetent,
endured by the class of


thoroughgoing Northern and Western men
e the bulk of the immigration to Florida at
better class of foreign laborers will gradually
, and should John Chinaman ever be intro-
considerable numbers, as I have suggested,
Sambo" and "Cuffee" would speedily be