In 1842 he had had no white man over his slaves for twenty years.

He had assigned this task to his intelligent colored manager who did his work so well that the master did not go in person once in six months to see what his slaves were doing.

He says, "They were, besides, my men of business, enjoyed my confidence, were my clerks, transacted all my affairs, made purchases of materials, collected my rents, leased my houses, took care of my property and effects of every kind, and that with an honesty and fidelity which was proof against every temptation."[2] Traveling in Mississippi in 1852, Olmsted found another such group of slaves all of whom could read, whereas the master himself was entirely illiterate.

He took much pride, however, in praising his loyal, capable, and intelligent Negroes.[3] [Footnote 1: Burke, _Reminiscences of Georgia_, p.

86.
Frances Anne Kemble gives in her journal an interesting account of her observations in Georgia.