What has that process been in America? Why has that healing course of nature which cured this awful wound in all the Northern States stopped short on Mason and Dixon’s line? In Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky, slave labour long ago impoverished the soil almost beyond recovery, and became entirely unprofitable. In all these States it is well known that the question of emancipation has been urgently presented. It has been discussed in legislatures, and Southern men have poured forth on the institution of slavery such anathemas as only Southern men can pour forth. All that has ever been said of it at the North has been said in fourfold thunders in these Southern discussions. The State of Kentucky once came within one vote, in her legislature, of taking measures for gradual emancipation. The State of Virginia has come almost equally near; and Maryland has long been waiting at the door. There was a time when no one doubted that all these States would soon be free States; and what is now the reason that they are not? Why are these discussions now silenced, and why does this noble determination now retrograde? The answer is in a word. It is the extension of slave territory, the opening of a great Southern slave-market, and the organisation of a great internal slave-trade, that has arrested the progress of emancipation.
While these States were beginning to look upon the slave as one who might possibly yet become a man, while they meditated giving to him and his wife and children the inestimable blessings of liberty, this great Southern slave-mart was opened. It began by the addition of Missouri as slave territory, and the votes of two Northern men were those which decided this great question.
Then, by the assent and concurrence of Northern men, came in all the immense acquisition of slave territory which now opens so boundless a market to tempt the avarice and cupidity of the Northern slave-raising States.
This acquisition of territory has deferred perhaps for indefinite ages the emancipation of a race. It has condemned to sorrow and heart-breaking separation, to groans and wailings, hundreds of thousands of slave families; it has built, through all the Southern States, slave warehouses, with all their ghastly furnishings of gags, and thumb-screws, and cowhides; it has organised unnumbered slave-coffles, clanking their chains and filing in mournful march through this land of liberty.
This accession of slave territory hardened the heart of the master. It changed what was before, in comparison, a kindly relation, into the most horrible and inhuman of trades.
The planter whose slaves had grown up around him, and whom he had learned to look upon almost as men and women, saw on every sable forehead now nothing but its market value. This man was a thousand dollars, and this eight hundred. The black baby in its mother’s arms was a hundred-dollar bill, and nothing more. All those nobler traits of mind and heart which should have made the slave a brother, became only so many stamps on his merchandise. Is the slave intelligent? — Good! that raises his price two hundred dollars. Is he conscientious and faithful? Good! stamp it down in his certificate; it’s worth two hundred dollars more. Is he religious? Does that Holy Spirit of God, whose name we mention with reverence and fear, make that despised form His temple? — Let that also be put down in the estimate of his market value, and the gift of the Holy Ghost shall be sold for money. Is he a minister of God? — Nevertheless, he has his price in the market. From the church and from the communion-table the Christian brother and sister are taken to make up the slave-coffle. And woman, with her tenderness, her gentleness, her beauty — woman, to whom mixed blood of the black and the white have given graces perilous for a slave — what is her accursed lot in this dreadful commerce? The next few chapters will disclose facts on this subject which ought to wring the heart of every Christian mother, if, indeed, she be worthy of that holiest name.
But we will not deal in assertions merely. We have stated the thing to be proved; let us show the facts which prove it.
The existence of this fearful traffic is known to many, the particulars and dreadful extent of it realised but by few.
Let us enter a little more particularly on them. The slaveexporting States are Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Missouri. These are slave-raising States, and the others are slave-consuming States. We have shown, in the preceding chapters, the kind of advertisements which are usual in those States; but as we wish to produce on the minds of our readers something of the impression which has been produced on our own mind by their multiplicity and abundance, we shall add a few more here. For the State of VIRGINIA, see all the following:
Kanawha Republican, Oct. 20, 1852, Charleston, Va. At the head — Liberty, with a banner, “Drapeau sans Tache.”
CASH FOR NEGROES.
The subscriber wishes to purchase a few young NEGROES, from 12 to 25 years of age, for which the highest market price will be paid in cash. A few lines addressed to him through the Post Office, Kanawha C. H., or a personal application, will be promptly attended to.
Oct. 20, ‘53. — 3t. JAS. L. FICKLIN.
Alexandria Gazette, Oct. 28:
CASH FOR NEGROES.
I wish to purchase immediately, for the South, any number of NEGROES from 10 to 30 years of age, for which I will pay the very highest cash price. All communications promptly attended to.
West End, Alexandria, Va., Oct. 26. — tf. JOSEPH BRUIN.
Lynchburg Virginian, Nov. 18:
NEGROES WANTED.
The subscriber, having located in Lynchburg, is giving the highest cash prices for negroes, between the ages of 10 and 30 years. Those having negroes for sale may find it to their interest to call on him at the Washington Hotel, Lynchburg, or address him by letter.
All communications will receive prompt attention.
J. B. MC LENDON.
Nov. 5. — dly.
Rockingham, Register, Nov. 13:
CASH FOR NEGROES.
I wish to purchase a number of NEGROES of both sexes and all ages, for the Southern market, for which I will pay the highest cash prices. Letters addressed to me at Winchester, Virginia, will be promptly attended to.
H. J. MC DANIEL, Agent for Wm. Crow.
Nov. 24, 1846. — tf.
Richmond Whig, Nov. 16:
PULLIAM AND DAVIS, AUCTIONEERS FOR THE SALE OF NEGROES.
D. M. PULLIAM. HECTOR DAVIS.
The subscribers continue to sell Negroes, at their office, on Wall-street. From their experience in the business they can safely insure the highest prices for all negroes intrusted to their care. They will make sales of negroes in estates, and would say to Commissioners, Executors, and Administrators, that they will make their sales on favourable terms. They are prepared to board and lodge negroes comfortably at 25 cents. per day.
NOTICE — CASH FOR SLAVES.
Those who wish to sell slaves in Buckingham and the adjacent counties in Virginia, by application to ANDERSON D. ABRAHAM, Sr., or his son, ANDERSON D. ABRAHAM, Jr., they will find sale, at the highest cash prices, for one hundred and fifty to two hundred slaves. One or the other of the above parties will be found, for the next eight months, at their residence in the aforesaid county and State. Address ANDERSON D. ABRAHAM, Sr., Maysville Post Office, White Oak Grove, Buckingham County, Va.
Winchester Republican, June 29, 1852:
NEGROES WANTED.
The subscriber, having located himself in Winchester, Va., wishes to purchase a large number of SLAVES of both sexes, for which he will give the highest price in cash. Persons wishing to dispose of Slaves will find it to their advantage to give him a call before selling.
All communications addressed to him at the Taylor Hotel, Winchester, Va., will meet with prompt attention.
ELIJAH MC DOWEL, Agent for B. M. and Wm. L. Campbell, Of Baltimore.
Dec. 27, 1851. — 1y.
For MARYLAND.
Port Tobacco Times, October, 1852:
SLAVES WANTED.
The subscriber is permanently located at MIDDLEVILLE, Charles County (immediately on the road from Port Tobacco to Allen’s Fresh), where he will be pleased to buy any SLAVES tha
t are for sale. The extreme value will be given at all times, and liberal commissions paid for information leading to a purchase. Apply personally, or by letter addressed to Allen’s Fresh, Charles County.
JOHN G. CAMPBELL.
Middleville, April 14, 1852.
Cambridge (Md.) Democrat, October 27., 1852:
NEGROES WANTED.
I wish to inform the slaveholders of Dorchester and the adjacent counties that I am again in the market. Persons having negroes that are slaves for life to dispose of will find it to their interest to see me before they sell, as I am determined to pay the highest price in cash that the Southern market will justify. I can be found at A. HALL’S Hotel, in Easton, where I will remain until the first day of July next. Communications addressed to me at Easton, or information given to Wm. Bell, in Cambridge, will meet with prompt attention.
I will be at John Bradshaw’s Hotel, in Cambridge, every Monday.
Oct. 6, 1852. — 3m. WM. HARKER.
The Westminster Carroltonian, October 22, 1852:
TWENTY-FIVE NEGROES WANTED.
The undersigned wishes to purchase 25 LIKELY YOUNG NEGROES, for which the highest cash prices will be paid. All communications addressed to me in Baltimore will be punctually attended to.
Jan. 2. — tf. LEWIS WINTERS.
For TENNESSEE the following: —
Nashville True Whig, October 20, ‘52:
FOR SALE.
21 likely Negroes, of different ages.
Oct. 6. A. A. MC LEAN, Gen. Agent.
WANTED.
I want to purchase, immediately, a Negro man, Carpenter, and will give a good price.
Oct. 6. A. A. MC LEAN, Gen. Agent.
Nashville Gazette, October 22:
FOR SALE.
SEVERAL likely girls from 10 to 18 years old, a woman 24, a very valuable woman 25 years old, with three very likely children.
Oct. 16, 1852. WILLIAMS & GLOVER, A. B. U.
WANTED.
I want to purchase Twenty-five LIKELY NEGROES, between the ages of 18 and 25 years, male and female, for which I will pay the highest price in CASH.
Oct. 20. A. A. MC LEAN, Cherry-street.
The Memphis Daily Eagle and Enquirer:
FIVE HUNDRED NEGROES WANTED.
We will pay the highest cash price for all good negroes offered. We invite all those having negroes for sale to call on us at our mart, opposite the lower steam-boat landing. We will also have a large lot of Virginia negroes for sale in the fall. We have as safe a jail as any in the country, where we can keep negroes safe for those that wish them kept.
je 13 — d & w. BOLTON, DICKINS & Co.
LAND AND NEGROES FOR SALE.
A good bargain will be given in about 400 acres of Land; 200 acres are in a fine state of cultivation, fronting the railroad about ten miles from Memphis. Together with 18 or 20 likely negroes, consisting of men, women, boys, and girls. Good time will be given on a portion of the purchase money.
Oct. 18. — 1m. J. M. PROVINE.
Clarksville Chronicle, December 3, 1852:
NEGROES WANTED.
We wish to hire 25 good steam-boat hands for the New Orleans and Louisville trade. We will pay very full prices for the season, commencing about the 15th November.
MC CLURE & CROZIER, Agents. S. B. Bellpoor.
Sept. 10, 1852. — 1m.
MISSOURI.
The Daily St. Louis Times, October 14, 1852:
REUBEN BARTLETT,
On Chesnut, between Sixth and Seventh streets, near the city jail, will pay the highest price in cash for all good negroes offered. There are also other buyers to be found in the office very anxious to purchase, who will pay the highest prices given in cash.
Negroes boarded at the lowest rates.
jy 15 — 6m.
NEGROES.
BLAKELY and McAFEE having dissolved copartnership by mutual consent, the subscriber will at all times pay the highest cash prices for negroes of every description. Will also attend to the sale of negroes on commission, having a jail and yard fitted up expressly for boarding them.
Negroes for sale at all times.
3 A. B. MC AFEE, 93 Olive-street.
ONE HUNDRED NEGROES WANTED.
Having just returned from Kentucky, I wish to purchase, as soon as possible, one hundred likely negroes, consisting of men, women, boys and girls, for which I will pay at all times from fifty to one hundred dollars on the head more money than any other trading man in the city of St. Louis, or the State of Missouri. I can at all times be found at Barnum’s City Hotel, St. Louis, Mo.
je 12d&wly. JOHN MATTINGLY.
From another St. Louis paper: —
NEGROES WANTED.
I will pay at all times the highest price in cash for all good negroes offered. I am buying for the Memphis and Louisiana markets, and can afford to pay, and will pay, as high as any trading man in this State. All those having negroes to sell will do well to give me a call at No. 210, corner of Sixth and Wash streets, St. Louis, Mo.
THOS. DICKINS, of the firm of Bolton, Dickins, & Co.
o18 — 6m*
ONE HUNDRED NEGROES WANTED.
Having just returned from Kentucky, I wish to purchase one hundred likely negroes, consisting of men and women, boys and girls, for which I will pay in cash from fifty to one hundred dollars more than any other trading man in the city of St. Louis or the State of Missouri. I can at all times be found at Barnum’s City Hotel, St. Louis, Mo.
je 14d&wly. JOHN MATTINGLY.
B. M. LYNCH, No. 104, Locust St., St. Louis, Missouri,
Is prepared to pay the highest prices in cash for good and likely negroes, or will furnish boarding for others, in comfortable quarters and under secure fastenings. He will also attend to the sale and purchase of negroes on commission.
&w
* Negroes for sale at all times.
We ask you, Christian reader, we beg you to think, what sort of scenes are going on in Virginia under these advertisements? You see that they are carefully worded so as to take only the young people; and they are only a specimen of the standing season advertisements, which are among the most common things in the Virginia papers. A succeeding chapter will open to the reader the interior of these slave-prisons, and show him something of the daily incidents of this kind of trade. Now, let us look at the corresponding advertisements in the Southern States. The coffles made up in Virginia and other States are thus announced in the Southern market.
From the Natchez (Mississippi) Free Trader, November 20: —
NEGROES FOR SALE.
The undersigned have just arrived, direct from Richmond, Va., with a large and likely lot of Negroes, consisting of Field Hands, House Servants, Seamstresses, Cooks, Washers and Ironers, a first-rate brick mason, and other mechanics, which they now offer for sale at the Forks of the Road, near Natchez (Miss.), on the most accommodating terms.
They will continue to receive fresh supplies from Richmond, Va., during the season, and will be able to furnish to any order any description of negroes sold in Richmond.
Persons wishing to purchase would do well to give us a call before purchasing elsewhere.
Nov. 20 — 6m. MATTHEWS, BRANTON, & Co.
TO THE PUBLIC. NEGROES BOUGHT AND SOLD.
ROBERT S. ADAMS & MOSES J. WICKS have this day associated themselves under the name and style of ADAMS & WICKS, for the purpose of buying and selling Negroes, in the city of Aberdeen, and elsewhere. They have an agent who has been purchasing Negroes for them in the Old States for the last two months. One of the firm, Robert S. Adams, leaves this day for North Carolina and Virginia, and will buy a large number of negroes for this market. They will keep at their depot in Aberdeen, during the coming fall and winter, a large lot of choice Negroes, which they will sell low for cash, or for bills on Mobile.
ROBERT S. ADAMS, MOSES J. WICKS.
Aberdeen, Miss., May 7, 1852.
SLAVES! SLAVES! SLAVES!
FRESH ARRIVALS WEEKLY. — Having establi
shed ourselves at the Forks of the Road, near Natchez, for a term of years, we have now on hand, and intend to keep throughout the entire year, a large and well selected stock of Negroes, consisting of field-hands, house-servants, mechanics, cooks, seamstresses, washers, ironers, &c., which we can sell, and will sell, as low or lower than any other house here or in New Orleans.
Persons wishing to purchase would do well to call on us before making purchases elsewhere, as our regular arrivals will keep us supplied with a good and general assortment. Our terms are liberal. Give us a call.
GRIFFIN & PULLUM.
Natchez, Oct. 16, 1852. — 6m
NEGROES FOR SALE.
I have just returned to my stand, at the Forks of the Road, with fifty likely young NEGROES for sale.
Sept. 22. R. H. ELAM.
NOTICE.
The undersigned would respectfully state to the public that he has leased the stand in the Forks of the Road, near Natchez, for a term of years, and that he intends to keep a large lot of NEGROES on hand during the year. He will sell as low or lower than any other trader at this place or in New Orleans.
He has just arrived from Virginia, with a very likely lot of field men and women and house-servants, three cooks, a carpenter, and a fine buggy horse, and a saddle-horse and carryall. Call and see.
THOS. G. JAMES.
Daily Orleanian, October 19, 1852: —
W. F. TANNEHILL. No. 159, GRAIER STREET. SLAVES! SLAVES! SLAVES!
Constantly on hand, bought and sold on commission, at most reasonable prices. — Field hands, cooks, washers and ironers, and general house-servants. City references given, if required.
Oct. 14.
DEPOT D’ESCLAVES. DE LA NOUVELLE ORLEANS. No. 68, RUE BARONNE.
WM. F. TANNEHILL & Co. ont constamment en mains un assortiment complet d’ESCLAVES bien choisis A VENDRE. Aussi, vente et achat d’esclaves par commission.
Nous avons actuellement en mains un grand nombre de NEGRES à louer aux mois, parmi lesquels se trouvent des jeunes gargons, domestiques de maison, cuisinières, blanchisseuses et repasseuses, nourices, &c.
Complete Works of Harriet Beecher Stowe Page 697
