To Lewis Miles

REV. JOHN LANDRUM, 1841

 

My dear son-in-law,

have you heard the news?

In Augusta a group of slaves—

and mind you some could

read and write—

plotted to burn down the town

and kill the residents.

Now this is serious.

You cannot continue

to be so lenient

with Dave.

You must make him

stop his writing.

Any jars and jugs found

with his words around their necks

should be shattered,

and the potter slave

whipped.