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Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 100, 12 October 1863, Page 2

(To the Editor of tlie Inoercargill Times.') Stß —l observed in the Southland News of Saturday, a letter signed " Investigator," which purports to know all about everything, and a wrinkle or two, besides. Who " Investigator" is I don't exactly know, and to tell the truth, don't much care. A little bir.l whispers in my ear that " Investigator" is L itin for Paul Pry, but that is neither here nor there. What I have to say is, that I object to P. P.'s letter, or rather the following extract therefrom: —"Now, before the rebellion of the ten States, confederated for the avowed purpose of establishing a vnst empire, based upon slavery as its t ' corner»c r» tone,' and opposed to all Free Society, an able-bodied negro slave was worth £200, a woman £100, and children from £60 to, £160, according to a^e and strength. Estiraatad, therefore, at no higher value than Mr Simon Legree's black chattels or black cattle —for as such, in fact, were our black and brovn brothers estsemed and treated —an industrious and healthy family of Britons, consisting of man, wife, an i six children, would beworth £800." I object on the very good groundg that I, the father of an immigrant family, am, with my domestic pledges, rated in this Province of Southland as a nigger —a black, heathenish rascal of a " darkey;" and am told in a deliberate way, that I might fetch, if sound, £2GO; that my Mary Ann is worth about £1(50; and that Johnnie and little Peter may be valued at from £60 to £160, according to their age and strength. I do not think this is fair, Mr Elitor. I never toushed a farthing, either ho lastly or dishonestly of " Investigator's" money, and I am sure little Peter never robbed his orchard. Why should ho advertise us for sale, collectively, at £890 ? If this is the way we are to be treated upon arriving in a strange land, we will go home a-jain; and if I can help it, no more families in our district shall come to such a place. Niggers, indeed —a decent English family to be called niggers. Sir, if you have any regard for populating the province, you will write down the " quality man," this " Investigator " I am better at; the plough than the pen, so will say no more, than that M iry Ann, poor thing, has vowed to scratch out " Investigator's" eyes if ever she comes across him ; and that if little Peter should steal : "Investigator's" apple.", little Peter will receive no chastisement at the hands of Your faithful servant, Stmon Smith.