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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9ce5733 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #68472 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/68472) diff --git a/old/68472-0.txt b/old/68472-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index f459762..0000000 --- a/old/68472-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1742 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The slave-auction, by John Theophilus -Kramer - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The slave-auction - -Author: John Theophilus Kramer - -Release Date: July 7, 2022 [eBook #68472] - -Language: English - -Produced by: David E. Brown and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team - at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images - generously made available by The Internet Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SLAVE-AUCTION *** - - - - - - THE - - SLAVE-AUCTION. - - BY DR. JOHN THEOPHILUS KRAMER, - - LATE OF NEW ORLEANS, LA. - - ‘Blush ye not - To boast your equal laws, your just restraints, - Your rights defined, your liberties secured, - Whilst, with an iron hand, ye crush to earth - The helpless African, and bid him drink - That cup of sorrow which yourselves have dashed, - Indignant, from Oppression’s fainting grasp?’ - - BOSTON: - ROBERT F. WALLCUT, 21 CORNHILL. - 1859. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -The Nineteenth Century is generally believed to be an enlightened one. -Great discoveries have been made in the fields of science. Countries -which were almost unknown a century ago are now competing in art and -wealth with the mother countries. Civilization has made a decided step -forward; but in some countries, civilization has made, in one respect, -no progress; on the contrary, it has made a step backward. - -There is an institution, which is called by many civilized men a -‘lawful one,’ but which is in reality an institution of ancient -barbarity. It is the institution of slavery! If we take for truth, that -civilization and Christianity go hand in hand, we are astonished to see -a civilized and Christian people violating the laws of civilization -and of Christianity, by adhering to and nursing said institution of -barbarity. Christianity and barbarity will always oppose each other, -and if a nation is trying to make a mixture of both, civilization as -well as Christianity will suffer extensively. - -The motive of my present writing is not a political one. I have been -plainly trying to answer the question, ‘Can slavery and Christianity -go hand in hand together?’ by giving a faithful picture of what I have -seen with my own eyes, while residing in some of the slave States for -more than ten years. If the glorious redemption through the crucified -Nazarene shall be of equal blessing to every Christian, how can a white -Christian treat a Christian of color like a beast? How can the former -have a right to sell his black or yellow brother or sister at public -auction for money or approved paper? - -I have no personal ill feeling against the owners of slaves in the -slave States of this Union, but to their institution of slavery, and -particularly to their slave-auctions and to their slave-markets, -I am a decided enemy. As a man and a Christian, I am obliged to -protest solemnly against an institution which is a burning shame to -Christianity, which is a backsliding from civilization to barbarism, a -destroyer of family-life, a crime against virtue, and a blasphemy to -the cross of the Redeemer! - - J. T. K. - - - - -THE SLAVE-AUCTION. - -_They were born as slaves, through the iniquity of men. They are -redeemed to be free men, through Christ Jesus._ - - -There is a broad hall, situated in one of the most frequented streets -of a large and well-known city in the South. You will be astonished -when you shall find, in place of a lion’s den or a man-trap, a -nicely-fitted up refreshing-place. Nothing formidable is presented to -your eyes. Several corpulent and richly dressed gentlemen are helping -themselves to fine liquors and delicacies, profusely spread out before -you, and placed upon an elegantly shaped bar. Beautiful pictures, -ornamenting the walls, attract the eyes of some amateurs of art; while -others, preferring nice lots and buildings, are studying the designs of -several large maps, showing various city lots and splendid buildings, -advertised ‘for sale at auction.’ In the vicinity of said maps is a -platform, whereupon a table is placed, together with a writing-desk -and a few chairs. Two colored waiters are busy placing several hundred -commodious chairs, facing the platform. The doors of the hall open -frequently, for there are many gentlemen entering, and soon is gathered -a large assemblage, by whom the chairs are occupied. There you will -see the elegantly dressed dandy, smoking his sweet-scented Havana, -while examining, through his richly gilded eye-glass, the designs of -building lots. Next to his chair you will perceive and admire the -athletic form of a Kentucky trader, with his plain frock, and with his -boots reaching over his knees. There you will also see the rich and -proud planter from Mississippi, reasoning with his fierce-looking, but -now, before his employer, creeping overseer. - -The doors are opened again. Four ladies, splendidly dressed in black -silk and satin, and glittering with precious jewels, are entering the -hall. Eight or ten gentlemen, who were already comfortably seated next -to the platform, jump up from their chairs, and politely offer their -seats to the fair guests. - -But, you will ask, for what reason is all this going on? What are the -ladies and gentlemen waiting for? Perhaps it is court-day, and the -people are waiting for the Judge. It cannot be, for the court-house -is opposite the Square. Is it perhaps a prayer-meeting? Pshaw! -Prayer-meeting and liquor-bar--would that do? - -But what can it be? Who is that jolly round gentleman, placing a large -book upon the writing-desk, and looking like a bird which has never -seen a cage, but which has its three meals per diem in the middle of a -ripe wheat field? Is it not a pleasure to take a glance at his face, -radiant with contentment and plenty? If that man were a pastor, should -we not like to pasture with his flock? See there! he hands now to the -waiters a large package of bills. We shall soon learn what kind of a -concern all this is. It will be, most probably, neither a session of a -court, nor a prayer-meeting. - -A SLAVE AUCTION! Great God in heaven! a SLAVE AUCTION! And that man -upon the platform is the auctioneer! - -What a noise is going on outside of the doors! There will, surely, -enter a troop of men, women and children. How will they find places -amongst the spectators of the tragedy which will soon commence?--for -every chair is occupied, and many men are leaning upon the bar. There -is room in front of the table, and near to the walls of the hall. - -A gentleman is entering. The auctioneer hastens to receive him with -distinction, and conducts him to the chair behind the desk. The -stranger is an American gentleman, and owner of the slaves who are -now to be sold at auction. He owns a beautiful plantation, about -forty miles from the city, near the railroad. He intends to run as a -political candidate; he needs, therefore, money. He says he is ‘truly -sorry’ to be obliged to sell his slaves at auction. Why sorry? Because -his father raised most of them. They are ‘family slaves,’ and ‘very -likely indeed.’ He is a young man of about thirty years. He has a high -forehead, and an intelligent, upright face. - -But why can he not take a glance at the assembled audience? What is the -matter with him, that he always bends his face over the desk, and that -he will not look up? Has he not a right to be proud, and shall not the -multitude envy the happy owner of a gang of one hundred and forty-nine -slaves? But we comprehend what is the matter with him. He pretends to -be a good Christian, and he is acquainted with the gospel; he therefore -knows what is right, and what is wrong. It is his conscience that -troubles him. His inner man is well aware that he is doing a heinous -crime to sell at auction one hundred and forty-nine fellow-beings, -redeemed by his Savior upon the Cross! - -While we were regarding the man behind the desk, we never perceived -that the doors were re-opened, and that a large number of people had -entered the hall. There are men, women and children, and some babies -upon their mothers’ arms. Their color differs from that of the ladies -and gentlemen sitting upon the chairs. Some are black as ebony, some -brown, some yellow. There is also a beautiful young girl, nearly -white, and you would readily infer that she is of Spanish or French -blood. Not one among all of these poor creatures will raise his or -her head and eyes, to take a glance at the sitting assemblage. Some -poor girls are weeping audibly, and all are looking sad--sad--sad! -Reader, if you should happen to be of a gentle nature, take a glance -at the little babies upon the arms of their poor and distressed -mothers! Can babies feel their misery? Yes, indeed, they can. Every -mother will endorse my words. I shall never forget those looks of -deep sorrow, which I perceived in the faces of all those poor little -children upon the auction-stand. I know that they participated in -the distress of their mothers; I believe that they were conscious of -their horrible fate in that awful hour--to be sold for money to the -highest bidder! You, who have human feelings--you, who are no figures -of cold marble--contemplate each of these one hundred and forty-nine -descendants of Africa’s sons and daughters! Will you be still -indifferent towards that ‘institution’ which degrades men to beasts, -which is the deepest pit of barbarity? - -But, you will say, are they not tolerably well dressed? And who would -say that their bodies have been worn out by hard labor, or by the -effect of hunger? No; it seems rather that their master had treated -them kindly, that they have seen but little trouble, but few hard -times. Why then are they looking grave and distressed, as if some heavy -misfortune had befallen them? Their knees tremble, as if they had the -foreboding of some awful calamity! - -Yes, indeed, they have cause to tremble--they will not do wrong if they -cover their eyes (which are not their own)--they may bend down their -heads in deep mourning; for--reader! these one hundred and forty-nine -human souls shall be sold to-day as so many heads of cattle! - -They have been taught the religion of freedom, the gospel of the only -Master in heaven and upon earth. They know that they ought to be free, -because they are Christians. They believe that the Son of God has -abolished slavery by his death upon the accursed tree. They were told -by their own master that they were made free through the merits of -the blood of Jesus Christ, and that they have a right to claim their -freedom for themselves and for their children. - -Such are the teachings of the slaveholders in the slave States, but -they must themselves surely believe in a very different gospel from the -gospel of freedom, as given by the Nazarene! - -To excuse themselves, they say that, through the curse of the patriarch -Noah, a whole race of men were made slaves forever. They are deaf to -the great truth, that, thousands of years after the death of Noah, the -great Liberator, JESUS CHRIST, appeared, and that he broke, by his -death upon the Cross, all chains of slavery forever! - -Let us return to the table of barbarity, and we will follow the course -of proceedings at the public auction sale of one hundred and forty-nine -of our fellow-men. - -The auctioneer stands upon the platform: he is ready to sell any of -these to the highest bidder for gold, silver, or approved paper. He -calls himself a Christian. He seems to have no idea that he is going -to perform an act which is the greatest blasphemy towards his Lord and -Master. Is not any man, pretending to be a Christian, and selling his -Christian brothers like horses, mules or dogs, a hypocrite? And is any -man, calling himself a disciple of Christ, but favoring and seconding -slave auctions, any better? - -We will listen to the reading of the auctioneer, who is holding a paper -in his right hand:--‘I am authorized,’ he begins, ‘to sell at auction, -one hundred and forty-nine plantation negroes, comprising carpenters, -bricklayers, blacksmiths, coopers, drivers, house and field-hands. -Families will be sold in block. These slave have been raised, and the -larger portion of them were born on the estate of Minor R., Esq., who -is retiring from the plantation interest on the Beau-Bosquet Place. The -slaves are considered as one of the most valuable and healthy gangs -in the South. They will be guaranteed only in title. Terms of sale, -one-third cash, balance at one and two years’ credit, with interest -of six per cent. per annum, until final payment. If the terms of sale -are not completed within four days from date of sale, the slaves will -be resold, for account and risk of former purchasers, after two days’ -advertisement in two of the city papers, without further notice of -legal default.’ - -No. 1. Harvey, field hand, about twenty years old. ‘Come up here, my -boy! There you are--bon! A capital boy! Ladies and gentlemen, look -here at this healthy child! Can any darkey upon God’s beautiful earth -beat him? Wouldn’t he whip Hercules, if that personage should happen -to be present? What a splendid fellow he is! The gentleman who will -buy Harvey will draw a lucky number. Who is going to bid? Go ahead, -gentlemen! Here is a capital opportunity.’ - -‘Eight hundred dollars.’ - -‘Pshaw! Eight hundred dollars? Why, twice as much shall never buy him; -he is fully worth two thousand dollars. Who will bid more?’ - -‘Nine hundred.’ - -‘Nine hundred dollars is no money for such a fellow, and if you will -pay every picayune twice, you can’t get him! Nine hundred for Harvey? -Gentlemen, you have had, probably, bad news to-day; or is the news -confirmed, and has the California steamer foundered? They say so, but -do not believe a word of it. I say it is safe! Nine hundred dollars for -Harvey!’ - -‘And fifty.’ - -‘Nine hundred and fifty dollars for Harvey, the most likely boy in the -noble and fair State of Louisiana! Ain’t it too bad? Who bids more?’ - -‘One thousand!’ - -‘Well, a little better! Go on, gentlemen, if you please. One -thousand--one thousand--one thousand dollars.’ - -‘And fifty.’ - -‘And fifty! My dear sir, do me a favor, and say at once two thousand. -And fifty--and fifty! Ten hundred and fifty dollars!’ - -‘Eleven hundred.’ - -‘Eleven hundred! Too little yet.’ - -‘Twenty dollars more.’ - -‘Sir? Twenty dol----. Pardon, excuse me, if I am truly astonished to -hear a gentleman bid twenty dollars for Harvey, the American Hercules! -Twenty hundred I would like it better.’ - -‘Twelve hundred and fifty.’ - -‘There is a generous gentleman! Sir, take my best wishes for your -welfare! Twelve hundred and fifty dollars----’ - -‘And fifty.’ - -‘Still better! And fifty! One thousand three hundred dollars!’ - -‘Fourteen hundred.’ - -‘Fourteen--thank you, sir, thank you! Fourteen hundred dollars! -Fourteen hundred! Fourteen---- Gentlemen, bid more, if you please! -Fourteen hundred dollars for Harvey are nothing. Fourteen----’ - -‘And fifty.’ - -‘Fourteen hundred and fifty dollars for a boy who is worth two -thousand! Gentlemen, here is a good chance to improve property! -Whoever will buy Harvey, shall own a fortune. Who is going to bid -more? Fourteen--fourteen hundred and fifty dollars--going? One -thousand four hundred and fifty dollars--dollars--dollars! Who -will bid more? Nobody? Nobody more? Fourteen hundred and fifty -dollars for the negro boy Harvey, the best field hand and the most -gentle boy amongst all the darkeys in the United States! Going--for -the first--second--who will say more? Fourteen hundred and fifty -dollars--going--going--going--gone!’ - -‘Go off, Harvey! Hurry yourself! Don’t believe your bones are made of -sugar and eggs.’ - -No. 2. Joseph, field hand, aged about seventeen. - -‘Gentlemen, there is a young blood, and a capital one! He is a great -boy, a hand for almost every thing. Besides, he is the best dancer in -the whole lot, and he knows also how to pray--oh! so beautifully, you -would believe he was made to be a minister! How much will you bid for -him?’ - -‘One thousand dollars.’ - -‘Good--but that is not half the price he is really worth. Gentlemen, -if you will bid two thousand at once, it may not suffice to buy him. -One thousand dollars for a boy, who will be worth in three years -fully twenty-five hundred dollars cash down. Who is going to bid two -thousand?’ - -‘Twelve hundred dollars.’ - -‘Twelve hundred dollars! Sir, I did say, he would soon bring two -thousand. I am always pretty near certain of what I say. Twelve hundred -for Joseph! Splendid fellow that! Eleven hundred and eighty dollars -more than for his namesake of old in the land of Egypt. Twelve hundred -dollars! Gentlemen, bid more!’ - -‘Twelve hundred and fifty dollars.’ - -‘One thousand two hundred and fifty dollars! All right; but more! more! -more!’ - -‘And fifty.’ - -‘And fifty--and fifty--and fifty for Joseph--not the Hebrew.’ - -‘Thirteen hundred.’ - -‘Thirteen hundred--a bad number, gentlemen--don’t let him rest at -thirteen hundred.’ - -‘And fifty.’ - -‘Thirteen hundred and fifty is said to be a lucky number in lotteries. -I don’t know as it is true, but I do know that thirteen hundred and -fifty dollars will not buy Joseph.’ - -‘Fourteen hundred.’ - -‘Well, no ticket of any lottery will cost that much; but Joseph must -bring more. Fourteen hundred dollars!’ - -‘And fifty.’ - -‘One thousand four hundred and fifty dollars. It looks like rain; for -cash will not out, and I am unable to procure a magnet which will -draw gold for value received. Fourteen hundred and fifty dollars! Too -small an amount for Joseph. Seventeen years only--a strong, healthy, -fine-looking, intelligent boy. Fourteen hundred and fifty dollars! -Gentlemen, Joseph is worth more than Harvey--upon my word! One -thousand, four hundred and fifty--going! Fourteen hundred and fifty for -the first--second--going? Fourteen hundred and fifty dollars--going! -going! going! and last--gone! He is sold to you, sir! Please state your -name.’ - -No. 3. John Dowson, a carpenter, thirty-five years old, (afflicted with -slight hernia,) an intelligent-looking man, stands upon the platform. - -But as the reader would get tired of listening to every word that the -auctioneer of human souls says, we will stay with some of the poor -creatures, merely giving the names, age, and the price of sale of the -rest. The above named John Dowson was sold for $1200. - -No. 4. Alfred, cooper, (injured in left leg,) 19 years of age, a -strong and very honest-looking boy, brings $1550; a very small price -for a first-rate cooper, but surely the price of blood for a man and a -Christian! - -No. 5. George Bedford, field hand, 30 years, sold - -No. 6. Jim Ludlow, field hand, 30 years old, brings $1400. - -No. 7. Chap, field hand, 34 years, brings the round sum of $1000. - -No. 8. Henry Wood, 23 years old, for $1375. - -No. 9. Charles Longback, plowman and harness maker, age 35, value -received, $1300. - -No. 10. March, field hand, 26 years old, fine-looking fellow, splendid -eyes, teeth white like ivory. That dandy there, who is lighting his -cigar with a fashionable Parisian silver-match, would be glad to give -his gold watch with chain, and his diamond breastpin in the bargain, -for March’s beautiful set of spotless teeth. But how can we see them? -Is March so much pleased as to show all his teeth? No, reader! he is -very, very far from laughing. His eyes are cast down; they are fixed -upon the floor of the hall. But tell me why March shows his teeth? Out -of rage? Yes, indeed, out of rage. Why? - -There is a poor young woman at his side; they call her Caroline. A -Christian minister gave her that name when she was christened. She is -bitterly crying; she casts a look of extreme sorrow upon her husband. -Why? - -Caroline is the lawful wife, (lawful, indeed? lawful in a Slave State?) -of March, and the ‘gentleman’ who bought him for $1250 will not buy -Caroline. She is twenty-two years of age, and the auctioneer calls -her a splendid washer and ironer, a very likely girl. She has always -conducted herself well; she is a member of the Methodist Church; she -is one of the most gentle persons in the South; she calls March her -husband, and she loves him dearly. And now, gentle reader, tell me why -Caroline shall be torn from her husband? Why shall she belong to a -tyrant? Because that man has money--because he bought her for $1100. - -Friends of humanity! take another glance at No. 10½. There stands -Caroline, crying for her husband in a manner to move a heart of stone; -but she is not crying loud enough to move pretended ‘Christians,’ -who are going to church every Sunday, there to adore the Redeemer of -mankind, the Savior upon the Cross! - -No. 11. Abraham Arkansas, plowman and carter, 28 years of age; he -brings $1350. - -No. 12. Michael, carter and plowman, 29 years, sold for $1300. - -No. 13. Booker, plowman, 28 years, brings $1375. - -No. 14. Lucy, a young girl of 14, yet nearly a child. Her color is -black, but her features are handsome. She stands upon the platform like -a lamb, doomed to be sold to a wolf. See those long, silky eyelids; -how the large full drops are falling upon the table! Look at the -sad, silent face of a poor lovely girl of dark color, innocent like -the blossom of a fair nightly flower! Her crime is, that she is a -descendant from African blood. Look, how her full, red lips open with -untold agony, showing a string of pearls rarely to be met with. Her -dark but soft eyes are fixed upon the man who has already bid twice for -her. She casts them down in despairing hopelessness, as he is bidding -for her $1025 for the last time. She belongs to him! Her whole body -belongs to the man with the lustful countenance; to the very man who -whispered in her ear when she was entering the hall of perdition, ‘Thou -art mine, black little dove! Thou art mine, even though God and all his -holy angels should defend thee!’ Does not that man look like one of the -fiends? But he has paid for her, one thousand and fifty dollars in gold -and approved paper; he takes her away--and hell solemnizes its triumph! - -No. 15. The boy Clifford, a field hand, fourteen years of age, is sold -for $1000. - -No. 16. Sam, twenty-one years, truly as honest a boy as could be -found south of Mason and Dixon’s line. A gentleman behind my chair is -exclaiming, ‘What a splendid jet black animal he is!’ Sam brings the -nice round sum of $1500. - -No. 17. Little Henry, plowman, twenty-four years, brings $1325. - -No. 18. Titus, blacksmith, cooper and engineer, ‘extra,’ 23 years. Of -course, he must be ‘extra,’ for he is able to work for his master at -the rate of $5 a day. Now, suppose he could work for himself at the -rate of only $3 a day, it would take him only two years five months -and seventeen days to produce the money for which he is now sold at -auction. But his master will be a wise man, (though he is a prominent -member in his church)--he will let him have no time to work for -himself; no, not one hour! - -The kind reader will give me permission to retreat, for a short time, -from the auction hall, in order to relate an event which happened at -the time of my stay in the same city where our auction takes place. A -certain citizen of said city had a very honest and diligent slave, a -blacksmith by trade. The slave agreed with his master to pay him two -dollars and a half a day, but the money which he should earn besides, -should belong to himself. He diligently worked by day and night, hardly -allowing himself any rest. By so doing, he made two dollars and a half -a day for his master, and one for himself. After five years of the -hardest toil, the slave had collected the required sum of money to buy -himself free--say $1800. He--poor honest fellow!--not suspecting the -rascality of his ‘Christian’ master, had given to him, at the end of -every week, $24.50; all of his very hard earned money; and after the -lapse of five years, he demanded his freedom from that master. But -the hardened wretch laughed at him, and told him to go to h--ll, and -to his work again. Now, could not the slave find justice in the court -of justice? No, never--for the laws of the Slave States provide that -no slave shall bear witness against any white person. No ‘Christian’ -judge nor ‘Christian’ jury could help the poor slave; for the laws of a -‘Christian’ State regard a fellow-man of color as a tool, belonging to -any rascal who happens to possess a sufficient quantity of money to buy -that human tool! - -No. 19. Rosa, field hand, 16 years of age, a capital girl, well built, -good-natured and intelligent. There she stands upon the platform, -gazed at by several hundred men. She has to submit, without a murmur, -to be examined by the hand of a rough fellow, a slave-driver--a name -which I consider equivalent to ‘human butcher.’ Her fine teeth are -touched by his bloody fingers; so are her beautiful eyelashes; and -when he is handling her beating bosom, oh, reader! mark the just -indignation expressed in all her features! Poor Rosa! there is no help -for you; there is no salvation. She knows it, and the awful conviction -of so crushing a calamity casts her down,--down into the abyss of -utter despair. She is sold at last to the highest bidder--to the -slave-driver--to the tiger in frock-coat and pants, for $1250. - -No. 20. Ben, field hand, 30 years old, for $1150. - -No. 21. Isam, a field hand, 40 years old, is not able to bring more -than $700, because his youth has gone. Of course, a mule of 18 is worth -less than one of 6 years. It is certainly very reasonable to sell an -old animal for less than a young one. But, let us see what kind of -an animal Isam is? Isam is not a strong man; his health is rather -delicate; but his mind is sound. He has not only an inclination toward -religion, he is himself a Christian, and he acts on Sundays among his -unfortunate fellow-men as a minister of the gospel. - -What! A minister of the gospel a brute--to be sold at auction for $700! -Is not that a shameful untruth? No barbarian, in whatever part of the -globe, will sell at public auction the priest of his faith for any -money! Behold, ye nations of Christendom! There is a country which is -called a Christian one, in which a minister of the gospel of Jesus -Christ is sold at public auction like a brute! Will that time never -come when such as he shall be sold no more to the highest bidder by the -pretended disciples of that Savior who came to break every yoke, and to -set every captive free? - -No. 22. Yellow Charles, carter and plowman, (has a short leg from -infancy,) 27 years of age, is sold for $950,--a very trifling sum. Yes, -indeed, trifling for his own natural father--the rich banker--the man -of refinement--the gallant ‘defender of liberty.’ - -No. 23. Sam Bayou, field hand, 32 years old, for $1075. - -No. 24. Brown, field hand, 28 years, brings $1200. - -No. 25. George, the valorous, 26 years old, strong enough to be a rival -to his celebrated namesake, the dragon-killing knight of the middle -ages. At least, he is able to kill two alligators in five minutes. -George (not the knight) is sold for $1400. - -No. 26. Etienne, carter and plowman, 29, sold for $1150. - -No. 27. Quacco, plowman and carpenter, a young man of 23, brings $1275. - -No. 28. Bob, blind of one eye, plowman and carter, aged 35, brings -$850. Why only $850? Because he has but one eye. How did he lose the -other? When he was a little boy, he had a sister, a very kind and -gentle little girl, whom he dearly loved. One Sunday, they were walking -together near the plantation to which they belonged. Beneath an orange -tree, covered with red, beautiful, juicy fruits, they sat down upon -the grass. Nancy, which was the name of the little girl, dropped -silently her head; not a word came from her lips, but large drops fell -from her eyes upon the grass. Bob took her hands in his, asking her -tenderly, ‘Sis, what is the matter with you? Why will you cry?’ ‘O -Bob,’ sobbed she, ‘I am very unhappy--I wish to die.’ ‘Why, Nancy?’ But -Nancy gave no answer--all her limbs trembled--her eyes stared in agony -towards the sugar-house. A big white boy came running towards them, -holding in his hand a large whip. It was Peter, the overseer’s oldest -son--the most malicious and cruel young rascal in the parish--the -terror of the poor slaves on the plantation. - -‘Ay! you black little grasshopper, have I caught you at last!’ cried -the young loafer, grasping her by the neck, and throwing her upon the -grass. ‘You shall know that I am master, and you are my slave.’ The -terror-struck girl made no reply; she only uttered a long, painful -groan. Bob, in great excitement, placed himself between his sister and -the boy, crying, ‘Oh, master Peter, don’t hurt my sister! No! you shall -not hurt my sister!’ At once, the young overseer got into a terrible -rage, and crying, ‘Hie, dog of a nigger!’ he struck Bob with the heavy -handle of his whip in the face, and the poor boy fell with a single -piercing cry to the ground. From that day, Bob had but one eye, and the -stripes made by the whip of the overseer upon Bob’s back can be still -seen to-day. - -No. 29. Charles Yellabusha, field hand, 24 years old, price $1525. - -No. 30. Allrick, field hand, age 45. He looks very good-natured; twenty -years ago, he was worth $2100, but is sold now for $1025. - -No. 31. Jake, good cooper, sugar-maker, and vacuum boiler, 32 years of -age. His color is a mingling of yellow and white. His forehead is high, -his face intelligent. There is no mistake--plenty of Anglo-Saxon blood -is running through his veins. If he had been born in Massachusetts, or -in one of the other Free States, in Canada or in Europe, I would bet -a hundred dollars against one, he would be a professor, a minister, a -doctor, or some kind of a savan, now. If his star had cast him into -the empire of France, I should by no means be surprised to see in him -a second Alexander Dumas; and if, in that case, he would not be able -to write as admirable a story as is ‘The Count of Monté Christo,’ I -should despair of finding any sense in a Gall or a Lavater. Well, this -second Alexander Dumas is sold at auction for $2625, a sum which he -could realize for himself in less than one year, if he were not born in -a Slave State. - -Who was Jake’s mother? Of course, a mulatto woman, and a slave. Most -probably, she has gone to that land where the master and the slave -enjoy ‘equal rights.’ - -But who was her father? There we have a problem, which even the -discoverer of the quadrature of the circle can never solve. Perhaps -Jake’s grandfather was a ‘rising man,’ and his white grand-children are -now celebrated senators and lawgivers. - -And who was the father of Jake? Don’t know. But may it not be possible -that he was a Governor, or some other big personage? Perhaps, while -Jake is being sold at auction to the highest bidder, his natural -brothers and sisters are sitting in splendid parlors, or in the -drawing-room of some fashionable hotel, ‘up North.’ May not one of -Jake’s natural brothers be a Judge of the Supreme Court, and the other -a learned minister of the gospel? How does it happen that, while one of -the children of the same father is a rich and high-standing favorite of -the people, the other child is sold at public auction, like a valuable -mule? Can it be the little difference in their color? Well, let the -former brother stay for some years in South America, or in some other -warm climate, and I am sure his color would show no great difference -from that of his brother who is sold at auction. Why, then, shall -the one brother be treated as a beast, and the other brother as a -gentleman? Can any one of my learned readers solve this problem for me? - -No. 32. Willis, field hand, 24 years, sold for $1350--and - -No. 32½. Lucy Scott, field hand, 25. She is not placed upon the -platform. Why? We cannot say; but the distressed face of the poor woman -tells us that she has been sold privately to a personage, of whom they -say that he is a member of the church, but who in reality may prove to -be a demon. - -No’s 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37. - -A very good-looking pair is first put upon the platform. Davy, a good -vegetable-gardener, 50 years old, and his wife Harriet, about 45, -together with their daughters, Cassy and Scilla, twins, 14 years, and -Amy, 12 years. Really, I would give something if you could see the -daguerreotype of this family standing upon the platform, to be sold at -auction. But, no--I recall the wish. Thank God that you cannot see that -picture, because it would haunt you like a dreadful vision. - -I remember an event which I heard related while I was in France. A -young French lady had occasion to visit a picture gallery. Her eyes -fell upon a large picture, representing the martyrs thrown before wild -beasts, at the time of the Roman Emperor Dioclesian. The expression -of agony in the features of the bleeding Christians was so fearfully -given, that the maiden fell into hysterics, and she never recovered -from the effect of her terror. - -I will not attempt to imagine the anguish and horror that my fair -female readers would have felt, if they could have witnessed the -picture of that poor distressed family--the despairing features of -those three innocent girls upon that slaughter-bench, like three -faultless lambs offered for sacrifice! All five were sold for $3000. - -No. 38. Big Bill, cooper, 55 years, and - -No. 39. Winey, his wife--(to sell a wife at auction!--what a sacrilege -of the sacred name!) 54 years old. Both together were sold for $1850. - -No. 40. Tom, field hand, 28 years, and - -No. 41. Matilda, 25 years. For both, $2250. One family. - -No. 42. Shad, field hand, 38 years-- - -No. 43. Rachel, 29--and - -No. 44. James, their son, 6 years of age--all were sold at $2275. Dear -family that! But how much dearer shall he pay at the day of judgment, -who sells the ‘bodies and souls of men’ for gold, silver, and approved -paper, like cattle! - -No. 45. Louis Mare, bricklayer, 42 years. - -No. 46. Yellow Mary, 23 years of age. For both was offered $1750. - -Kind reader, I must make your heart sad again--sad with compassion -for your unfortunate and oppressed fellow-men. But I will speak the -truth, only the truth, and nothing but the truth. God has given me a -feeling heart; and, certainly, I suffered, while being present at the -slave auction, of which I am giving you a faint description. But I had -to stay, and my face had to be as stern as any of the slave-buyers -present, while my heart mourned. Is it not a vision? There stands a -girl upon the platform, to be sold to the highest bidder; perhaps to -a cruel, low and dissolute fellow, who, a day or two since, won a few -thousand dollars by his playing tricks at the faro table. She is nearly -white; she is not yellow, as they call her. She has a fair waist, her -hair is black and silky, and falling down in ringlets upon her full -shoulders. Her eyes are large, soft, and languishing. She seeks in -vain to hide the streaming tears with her small and delicate hands. -Her features are fair, like those of the girls of the Caucassian race; -they remind me of those of the highland girls of my native country, -Switzerland. Who in all the world can have anything against her color? -In England, she would be called a ‘star’; in France, a ‘belle’; in -Germany, a ‘nice little woman’; and in the free States of the Union, -she would pass, when fashionably dressed, for a ‘fair French lady.’ -But, in the Slave States, she is openly sold, as though she were -nothing more than a ‘beautiful mare’ or a ‘splendid cow’! - -They say, in the Slave States, that they are Christians; yet they -consider a fair Christian girl as a brute, because she is not of pure -white blood! Why do they not make company with the fishes in the lower -Mississippi? Have they not ‘white blood’? - -If Mary’s father, who is, perhaps, a very much honored gentleman, ‘one -of the best members of his church’--if that great man could see his -only daughter, his own flesh and blood, standing upon the platform, -with tearful eyes, and sighing in untold misery to be sold like a -quadruped--surely, his blood would turn ‘white’ for shame and terror! - -No. 47. Josephus, accomplished blacksmith, 35 years old--and - -No. 48. Catharine, field hand, 30 years old. Catharine is a very strong -and healthy-looking woman. If this pair of giants had the liberty to -keep the earnings of their own labor for themselves, they would surely -make the money for which they are sold now,--those $2800,--in less than -three years. But their bodies belong to another, because the laws of -the Slave States regard men and women of color as beasts of burden. - -No. 49. Dennis, field hand, (suffers from hernia,) fifty-five years-- - -No. 50. Isabella, thirty-one years. Price for these poor human beings, -$1350. - -No. 51. Amos, field hand, a very smart and intelligent-looking boy of -sixteen, brings $1450, or one hundred dollars more than the poor couple -sold before him. - -No. 52. Fielding, field hand, 26 years, and-- - -No. 53. Nelly, also a field hand, 30 years, both bring $2200. - -No. 54. George Sunday, field hand, age 22, for $1400. - -No. 55. Gay, 30, and - -No. 56. Hannah, 35, together with - -No. 57. Ellen, her daughter, a young girl of 13 years. Both Hannah and -Ellen are crying very hard, because they are perhaps to be sold to a -ruffian who made his fortune by swindling, and who will pay now $2300 -for honest people, who have never done the least harm to anybody, who -are faithful Christians, and whose hearts are to be broken by an act -worthy of any blood-thirsty barbarians! - -No. 58. Quash, field hand, aged 17. A black skin he has, like polished -ebony, but no doubt his heart is white. How much whiter than the -‘man-driver’ who is going to buy him for the sum of $1400! - -No. 60. John Louis, field hand, 24 years, and - -No. 61. Fine, his wife--(wife? yes, as long as her master will permit -her to remain such!) age 19, and - -No. 62. Collar, a plump, little boy of 3 years. The last bid for -them is $3050. Hear what the man behind my chair says to his -companion:--‘Splendid family that! Very likely girl--fine child--but he -paid a good deal of cash for them three black animals.’ - -‘Yes, Bob,’ says the other, ‘he spends plenty of money, but he will -make ’em work! Holy Tschoupitoulas! they will get more lickings than -tomatoes and bacon.’ - -Collar’s mother presses her little boy to her bosom; she casts her -tearful eyes towards heaven. But even heaven seems to be closed to her -prayers and to her tears. Shall she doubt that there is a just God -above the clouds? Must her faith in the precious redemption of mankind, -through the Savior, be destroyed in this dreadful hour? Can she still -believe in the Lord and Master of her soul, when her tormentors call -themselves disciples of this same Lord? Christian reader, will you not -mourn while so many thousands of your humble fellow-men are groaning in -chains? Can you sing and pray with a joyful heart in the house of the -Lord, when you know that the cross of your Savior is trodden upon by -the feet of ‘Christian slave-drivers’? - -Nations, mourn! for justice is dead, and crime is triumphant! - -Let us return to the ‘hall of perdition,’ in mourning apparel. - -No. 63. Squire, 28 years, and - -No. 64. Gertrude, cook, washer and ironer, age about 21. This fine but -sad-looking pair bring $2600. - -No. 65. Richard, field hand, age 19, sold for exactly $1000. - -No. 66. John, plowman, 32 years, and - -No. 67. Nancy, field hand, about 30. Highest bid for both, $1750. - -No. 68. Davy, 58 years, and - -No. 69. Polly, 50 years old, both sold for $500. - -Five hundred dollars is a fair price for a horse, or for a valuable -mule. But here we can perceive neither horses nor mules, but human -beings, who, without regard to color or standing, await, like us, the -hour of their call from this world to the judgment seat. Those two -grey heads, of very humble looking persons, have been placed upon the -auction-stand or platform. For forty years they have devoted their -strength to the father of their master, and to him. They have gathered -forty harvests for him--yes, for him who is now selling them for $500! -They brought him ten times as much as he is now getting for their -worn-out bodies. - -No. 70. Frank Fortier, field hand, 36 years, and - -No. 71. Fanny, 26 years, both were sold for $1600. - -No. 72. James Pegram, field hand, 37 years. - -No. 73. Johanna, 16 years. - -No. 74. Cornelius, 8 years. - -No. 75. Jane, 7 years. - -No. 76. Old Maria, 60 years. - -Another tableau, which, if Mr. Keller, the celebrated performer of -‘living tableaux,’ should exhibit in the Academy of Music, in the -Athenæum, or in some other public hall of a ‘free city,’ he would -certainly take the house by storm, and every nerve of his justice -and freedom-loving audience would powerfully vibrate with indignation -against the cold-hearted destroyers of family-life and of human rights. - -Reader! imagine five persons, standing upon a platform, similar to a -funeral pile erected for martyrs. Their color is darker than that of -the persons sitting in front of the arena. There are eighty-three human -beings, of various colors, and of different ages, bending down their -heads, and looking as if they were condemned to death, and were now to -be executed. Those five ‘articles for sale at auction’ consist of a -father, three children, and their grandmother. Their mother has gone to -bear witness, before the holy tribunal of the great Judge of the world, -and to accuse the tormentors of her unfortunate people. - -James, a strong, intelligent-looking man, gazes in utter despair upon -his youngest child, who clings to him in distress. Poor little Jane! At -the youthful age of seven, thou shalt already drink the bitter cup! And -Johanna! O gentle maiden of sixteen summers! How she covers her eyes -with one tip of her head-cloth, grasping her trembling little brother -Cornelius by the hand! And what is their father doing? He is raising -his eyes--there is one flash--a terrible one! - -Tremble, O South! Though that slave is but one, and has no power as a -single man, let others join him! Let a million of his brothers rise -against their masters’ reign of terror! Let them break their chains! -Then, South! it shall be too late to repent! Then thy day of judgment -has come! - -Old Maria--how pitiful she looks! Poor old grandma! Sixty years have -passed over her gray hairs; she has done her duty--(what duty had she -to do?)--she has done all she could, without murmuring. She has raised -children, nursed grand-children. Never as her own--no, always for her -master! She has been always a very meek, a very quiet, good-natured -soul. But to-day--had she ever such a feeling of approaching evil? She -is not quiet to-day; she trembles every time she glances at her dear -family. She is asking herself, ‘Shall I be permitted to go with them? -or shall I be sold alone?’ - -Hear! What said he there--that stately man with his white neckcloth, -his gold chain, and large seal thereon? What said he? ‘I do not want -the old woman. Sell her alone!’ - -Yes! that man had the last bid. He paid $3000 for James, Johanna, -Cornelius, and Jane; but he won’t buy the old woman. No! he only wants -‘young hands.’ And the old mother, the kind grandma, is torn away from -her dear family, and will never see them again. She is sold for $200 to -another, and all her happiness is given in the bargain! - -Some people pretend that slaves are indifferent to their being -bought and sold. Upon questioning, I was told by many slaves who had -comparatively kind masters, that their minds are constantly troubled -for fear of being sold. They would rather submit to the most cruel -treatment at the hands of their masters, than to be separated. - -A very strong and valuable slave in Mobile assured me, that if his -master should ever attempt to sell him, he would jump into the river. -His idea of hell, he said, was a large platform of red hot iron, where -bad people are to be sold. The auctioneer there is the devil. ‘There -is,’ said he, ‘a good deal more white folks sold there by the devil -than black ones.’ If those poor fellows had no reason like brutes--if -they could not be conscious of their miserable condition--if they had -no rational feeling--they might be less unhappy; but their reason, -their power of intellect, is frequently superior to that of their -brutal and often drunken masters. When slaves, who have been raised by -kind masters, know that they shall be sold to men of ill repute, they -live in a constant state of desperation, until they are sold, when -they submit themselves to their deplorable lot, or look out for some -opportunity to run away. - -I shall never forget an awful catastrophe which took place in a large -Southern seaport while I resided there. A beautiful quadroon slave -girl, of about sixteen summers, with a skin such as many a Spanish lady -would be proud of, and with splendid long black curls, was bought at -auction for $1900 by a confirmed dissolute rascal, who forced her in -the same night to stay with him. - -Though she was a slave, Raimond Legrand, an honest young Frenchman, -had fallen in love with her. He had sworn to buy her, and to bring -her to ‘la belle France,’ where color of skin is never punished by -imprisonment in the galleys, nor elsewhere. Unfortunately, he was not -in possession of the money which her master asked for her. To procure -it, Raimond went to California. During the time of his absence, the -rather good-natured master of Madeline, (that was her name,) died -suddenly, and his heir put Madeline up at auction. She was bought by -the fellow I mentioned before, and all her happy dreams and hopes were -at once blasted. Her pitiful cries and groans of anguish, in that -horrible night, were heard for several houses from that of her inhuman -new master. But there was no help for her, no salvation for Madeline. -For the law of the State says:--‘A slave has to obey in all cases -his or her master.’ In the following morning, a human chase was seen -down the street towards the wharf. A young and beautiful girl, with -flying curls, crying piteously, and running with all her might, was -followed by a man who shouted, ‘Stop her! stop her!’ That poor girl -was Madeline, and her pursuer was her new master. A man? No, a demon -in human shape! They arrive together upon the wharf above the stream. -He seizes hold of the dress of his victim, exclaiming, ‘Mine again! -curse you!’ But, in an instant, she tears herself from the grasp of her -tormentor--she casts one quick despairing glance upwards--and, uttering -the words, ‘Adieu, cher Raimond!’ she throws herself from the wharf -into the stream, and was seen no more. - -No. 77. Scott, field hand, aged about 19, for $1375. - -No. 78. Campbell, 22 years, for $1500. - -No. 79. Dennis, 26 years, brought $1600. - -Three valuable laborers, healthy and strong men. They are condemned -to ‘hard labor for life,’ as a reward for their good behavior and -diligence. - -No. 80. Frank, field hand, and excellent gardener, 22 years, for $1425. - -No. 81. Gerrard, 24 years, for $1500. - -No. 82. John, 18 years, for $1375. - -No. 83. Betty, a mild-looking young girl of fifteen summers. But what -kind of summers? ‘Driving’ ones, of course. And what shall be her -winters? We are going to learn it directly. - -No. 84 and No. 85 are placed upon the stand. Tom, field hand, about -48 years, and Old Betsy, his wife, three years older than Tom. Tom is -a very honest-looking man. Perhaps he is a cousin to the celebrated -‘Uncle Tom,’ well known by the brilliant pen of that truth-loving -writer, MRS. HARRIET BEECHER STOWE. Tom dares not to look up, for he -feels dreadfully ashamed to be put up at auction, like a mule or a dog. -He suffers from hernia, a complaint which he contracted while catching -a barrel of molasses, which, rolling down from a hill, endangered the -life of a white infant child. Tom is therefore entitled to a reward for -saving human life, and particularly white life. Entitled to a reward? -O, yes! There stands Tom upon the platform of a slave-auction room, and -enjoys his reward--to be sold to the highest bidder for $250! - -I have seen a valuable mule, which, by kicking, caused the death of a -child. This animal was afterwards sold at auction for the sum of $375, -fully $125 more than our generous Tom! - -No. 85. Who is No. 85? Ay, there we find poor old Betsy, kind old -soul! She labored more than 40 years in her master’s house. She had -sung and cradled the children to sleep, carefully protecting them from -all harm. She watched over those children like a mother; and if there -were some particularly fine, golden oranges hanging over the porch, she -had to get them down for her darling boy, her master’s child. And this -very child, now a full-grown man, is selling her to-day at auction for -$100. - -No. 86. John Jones, field hand, (suffers from slight hernia,) 23 years -old, and - -No. 87. Anna Kentuck, 22 years, and - -No. 88. Her little boy, Armstead, 3 years. All together were sold for -$1950. But the stranger who had the last bid is not able to give the -requisite security, nor is he in possession of cash; and the poor -family is placed again upon the platform, to be resold. The torture -begins anew; they have again to feel the mortification of being placed -in the same category with cattle. Armstead, the poor little boy, will -give you the best proof that even little children can feel the atrocity -of being thus sold. He begins to cry most pitifully, and hides his face -under the white apron of his weeping mother. - -No. 89. Louisa, and - -No. 90. Her child, a babe. - -Louisa is a splendid young woman, of about 21. Her stately form and -noble features will make you believe that she is a descendant of pure -royal African blood. She is, perhaps, the grand-daughter of some -princess, who was stolen from her native country by some pirate -who called himself a Christian! Her splendid black eyes are proudly -surveying the sitting assemblage, as if scorning the power of those -dealers in human souls. But, suddenly, their flashing light is gone; -she casts them down, and large drops are falling upon her darling -babe in her arms. Picture a sleeping babe and its mother for sale at -auction! To you, gentle mothers of darling babes, I am now addressing -my simple words. If the heart of man should be cast of iron, or carved -out of granite, a loving mother’s heart is soft, like pure melted -wax, and always susceptible to every impression of goodness and of -compassion. She alone can tell how great is the pain to see her -darling babe suffer. She alone can understand the sufferings of other -unfortunate mothers. - -Mothers! which among you could bear to see your own dear babe torn -from your arms? But poor Louisa is forced to see it! Can she bear the -dreadful thought? Why is she a Christian? Can that faith be a true -one--can it be a just one--when they who sell her and her babe call -themselves Christians? Can she still believe in the Savior of mankind? - -But, be silent, and take a glance at that poor mother! Though sold for -$1275, she presses her babe closer to her beating bosom; she raises her -large tearful eyes towards heaven, from whence salvation shall come; -for she believes in her Savior upon the Cross, in that Savior who shed -his blood for the everlasting freedom of all human beings. - -Reader, a loving mother is a prophetess; and although she foresees the -dangers that shall befall her darling babe, she also recognizes its -deliverance, and its final happiness, through the almighty hand of the -Lord, who is the Savior of little babes, as well as the Savior of men -and women. - -No. 91. Yellow John, field hand, 28 years, and his companion in his -life of misery-- - -No. 92. Martha. Both were sold for $1800. - -The kind reader will please enter a magnificent castle, situated in a -romantic province, upon the charming borders of the river Seine. The -noble Count is sitting upon a richly gilded fauteuil, leaning with his -arms upon a small table of rosewood. A golden goblet and two sealed -bottles of the first quality of old ‘Chateau-Haut-Briou’ are placed -before him upon the table. A footman, dressed in glittering livery, -is awaiting his orders. But the Count remains silent; his eyes are -wandering out through the arched window, until they are fixed upon -the sublime scenery before them. The setting sun is casting its mild -rays upon the beautiful landscape. The soft waves of the river are -reflecting the light with the brilliancy of an ocean of diamonds. The -deep blue sky is partly painted with purple, green and violet, shining -with a celestial splendor. Droves of cows and flocks of sheep are -descending the fair hills, and are making for home. Bright and lovely -maidens, wearing upon their black, curled hair beautiful wreaths of -flowers, are dancing like so many fairies upon the green, flowery turf -of the pasture ground, above the stream. - -Sir Count! do you not enjoy the lovely scene before your eyes? Are you -not a happy man, to be the owner of so much beauty? - -But the Count hears nothing--sees nothing; his mind is absent; he is -dreaming of by-gone days. Suddenly, his face seems to be troubled -with a strange thought--his lips are audibly uttering the words, ‘La -Louisiane! Mon Dieu, que j’étais fou! Pauvre Jeannette! Comment? Non, -non, c’est impossible! Ça se ne peut pas!’ - -What is he saying? Is he not speaking of Louisiana? He says: ‘My God, -what a fool I was! Poor Jane! How? No, no, it is not possible--it -cannot be so!’ - -What cannot be so? Who is Jane? Didn’t they call John’s mother -Jeannette, or Jane? Yes, Count! Indeed, it can be! Noble Count, while -you are living in riches and plenty, master of a proud and magnificent -castle, your son--yes, Count! your only son, is a miserable slave! He -is standing, this very hour, upon the platform of a slave-auction room! -He, your own flesh and blood! Listen, O Count! listen to the terrible -story! He--your son--is sold to the highest bidder like a brute! - -Count! if your heart is able to feel--if you are not a lump of ice, -like the heart of yonder unfeeling slave-driver--fly from your splendid -castle, and go to parts unknown; for the terrible vision of the -dreadful calamity that awaits your only son will haunt you from the -saloon to the sleeping apartment, and from the garden to the pinnacle -of the tower. - -But John, the young Count of Chateau-Brillant, is forced to await the -orders of his new master--for he is a slave! - -No. 93. Moses, field hand, 35; - -No. 94. Matilda, 30; - -No. 95. Richard, 9; - -No. 96. Mike, a bright little boy of 6. - -Again a splendid family, all the members of which are ‘very likely’; -so says the auctioneer. ‘Superior to all sold heretofore.’ Moses, a -strong, healthy and intelligent-looking man, is standing upon the -platform, with the feelings of a father whose dear ones and himself -are disposed of like dogs. See, he is strong; he is able to fight -for his freedom, and no doubt could overpower half a dozen of those -sickly-looking slave-drivers. Well, why don’t he fight to gain his -liberty, and, consequently, be regarded as a man, and not as a mule? -Because he is well aware that he has no power as a single man, and -that he cannot combine with his other unfortunate brothers to break -the yoke, as did his great namesake of old several thousand years -ago. Is he afraid of death? O no, for he knows perfectly well that -his body is not his own; that the bodies of his beloved ones do not -belong to themselves. Who then would suffer, in case of his death, -but his money-making master? But Moses has two reasons for not -avenging himself. The first is, he is sure that the attempt to excite -his brothers in bondage to revolt against their masters, would not -only imperil their lives, but in all probability subject them to -an awful death upon the burning wood-pile. Moses is not afraid of -any wood-pile, whether burning or not; but he has a good-natured -disposition, and therefore shrinks from involving his brethren in so -awful a catastrophe. He will continue to suffer under the whip, rather -than cause the death of his fellows upon the funeral pile. - -His second reason is, because he is a Christian. - -Every slaveholder knows perfectly well that a Christian slave is worth -much more than one who has no faith at all. Many of them are sagacious -enough to teach their slaves the gospel, and particularly those words -of the apostle Paul: ‘Servants, be obedient to them that are your -masters, according to the flesh, with fear and trembling.’ Ephes. vi. -5. Here and there, a slaveholder will forbid his slaves to attend -religious exercises; but he is a fool, and he will surely suffer for it. - -I happened once to get acquainted with a Frenchman, an owner of slaves, -who said to me, ‘Doctor, I will be obliged to you if you will teach my -slaves your religious opinions; for though they are to me ridiculous, I -know very well that my slaves, once believing in your nonsense, will be -worth more to me than they are now.’ - -Alas! poor Moses will remain a slave until death shall break his -chains! But, no! His chains shall be broken before! God grant it! - -No. 94. Matilda, wife of Moses, (though she is never regarded as a -wife by the slave code,) seems to be a very good creature. While she -is weeping silently, she presses her last-born, her darling boy, her -Mike, close to her bosom. Poor child! Bitter, yes, very bitter are the -tears thy unfortunate mother is weeping over thee! Alas! she fears that -thou mayest be sold to a man whose gospel is ‘money.’ O Mike! will he -order you to his infamous gambling saloon? Will you learn his tricks, -and will he poison your pure innocent heart with his blasphemies? Is it -his intention to make you a deceiver, a thief, a robber, a murderer? -Dreadful thought! that child of affliction and of prayers shall perhaps -become a candidate for the gallows! And why? For money’s sake! Yes, to -fill a villain’s pockets with money! - -And Richard--the noble, the smart, the truth-loving boy, with those -clear innocent eyes--what shall become of him when his new master shall -prove to be man of dissolute habits? - -Mourn again, reader! for virtue and justice shall succumb, and crime -shall be triumphant. That family brings a good price. These Christians -are sold for $3000; and with them their hope, their virtue, their -faith, all that they possess in this world. The curtain falls--the -tragedy closes. - -No. 97. Jerry, field hand, 42 years, and - -No. 98. Molly, 40 years. An old looking couple, but a kind, a -true-hearted one. - -‘Gentlemen,’ says the auctioneer----. But before I proceed, the reader -will give me permission to mention that the four ladies, present at the -commencement of this auction sale, did not bid, nor did they remain -for more than half an hour. For the honor of their sex, I am bound to -mention that they (though most probably themselves owners of slaves,) -seemed to feel very uneasy while present. I believe that there is a -certain natural feeling with the great majority of the gentler sex, -which is more just, and more open to the truths of the gospel, than we -of the masculine race are able to comprehend. - -‘Gentlemen,’ says the auctioneer, ‘Jerry and Molly are the last couple -to be sold to-day; for it is late, and we have to close. To-morrow at -12 M., the rest of the slaves, belonging to this gang, fifty-one very -valuable, sound and likely negroes, will be sold to the highest bidder -for cash and approved paper.’ - -I intend,--_Deo volente_,--to delineate at some future time the -proceedings of ‘the sale of to-morrow.’ Let us close, for the present, -with poor Jerry and unfortunate Molly, who were sold to a not very kind -looking man for $1125. - -The chattels are sold. There were ninety-eight large and small -articles--Christian goods--bringing to their former owner the snug -little sum of $80,890. Will that sum be sufficient to buy ninety-eight -souls of men, baptized in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of -the Holy Spirit? Friends! eighty millions will never buy them from -their Father in heaven, for they have been ‘bought with a price’--with -the precious blood of the Son of God! - -Surely, if we are convinced that the institution of slavery is a great -wrong against humanity, and a heavy curse to Christianity, we shall -seek to abolish it without delay. - -But how can we do it? By what means can we induce the slaveholders -in the South to give up their ‘property,’ their ‘wealth,’ their -‘merchandise,’ their ‘valuable goods?’ Shall we invade the Slave States -with a large army, and liberate the slaves by means of revolvers, -knives, swords, and Sharp’s or Minnie rifles? I know the Southerners -too well, not to be convinced that every one of them would fight to -the death--that they would lose every drop of their blood, rather than -consent to give up their slaves. The Southerner is no coward; he is -brave in battle, and faces death without fear. But, suppose that the -whole body of the oppressed slaves should rise as one man, and strike -for their liberty--would not their victory be certain? Yes, but what -a victory! Streams of blood would stain the ever-blooming soil of the -South, and legions of corpses would become a prey to the vultures. And -whose blood would flow? That only of mean and cruel slave-drivers? -Oh, no! Many thousand corpses of innocent babes would point up to -heaven for vengeance! Thousands of blooming young maidens would be -slaughtered, causing the blood-stained soil to remain a curse for many -centuries! - -No, my friends! No revolver, no rifle, no knife, no bloodshed nor -slaughter shall be necessary to metamorphose slaves into freemen. No -war is able to abolish the institution of slavery. There is a standard -which is bound to be victorious in the hottest of battles--a standard, -before the glory of which, the most stubborn of slave-drivers shall -be forced to fall upon his knees, crying, ‘Lord! what shall I do to -be saved?’ That standard is the Cross of the Redeemer of mankind! -If the slaveholders will truly believe in the powerful supremacy of -that standard, it will be impossible for them to keep any longer -their colored brethren in so shameful a bondage as Slavery. If the -slaveholder of the South would call himself a Christian, without being -a hypocrite, he will be obliged to do away with Slave laws, Slave -markets, and Slave auctions--in fact, TO ABOLISH SLAVERY. - - - - -THE CHRISTIAN SLAVE. - -BY J. G. WHITTIER. - -[In a publication of L. F. TASISTRO, ‘Random Shots and Southern -Breezes,’ is a description of a slave auction at New Orleans, at -which the auctioneer recommended the woman on the stand as ‘A GOOD -CHRISTIAN!’] - - - A Christian! going, gone! - Who bids for God’s own image?--for His grace - Which that poor victim of the market-place - Hath in her suffering won? - - My God! can such things be? - Hast thou not said that whatsoe’er is done - Unto Thy weakest and Thy humblest one, - Is even done to Thee? - - In that sad victim, then, - Child of Thy pitying love, I see Thee stand, - Once more the jest-word of a mocking band, - Bound, sold, and scourged again! - - A Christian up for sale! - Wet with her blood your whips--o’ertask her frame, - Make her life loathsome with your wrong and shame, - _Her_ patience shall not fail! - - Cheers for the turbaned Bey - Of robber-peopled Tunis! he hath torn - The dark slave-dungeons open, and hath borne - Their inmates into day: - - But our poor slave in vain - Turns to the Christian shrine her aching eyes-- - Its rites will only swell her market price, - And rivet on her chain. - - God of all right! how long - Shall priestly robbers at Thine altar stand, - Lifting in prayer to Thee the bloody hand - And haughty brow of wrong! - - O, from the fields of cane, - From the low rice-swamp, from the trader’s cell-- - From the black slave-ship’s foul and loathsome hell, - And coffle’s weary chain-- - - Hoarse, horrible, and strong, - Rises to heaven that agonizing cry, - Filling the arches of the hollow sky, - HOW LONG, O LORD, HOW LONG! - - - - -THE SLAVE MINGO’S POEM. - - -_To the Editor of the Boston Journal_: - -[The following remarkable poem was sent me from the South by a friend, -who informs me that the author of it was a slave named Mingo, a man of -wonderful talents, and on that account oppressed by his master. While -in the slave-prison, he penciled this poetic gem on one of the beams, -which was afterwards found and copied. My friend adds that Mingo did -escape, at night, but was recaptured and destroyed by the bloodhounds. -My friend promises to send other poems of his, which, he says, are in -possession of Mingo’s aged wife.] - - C. W. - - Good God! and must I leave them now-- - My wife, my children, in their woe? - ’Tis mockery to say I’m sold-- - But I forget these chains so cold, - Which goad my bleeding limbs, though high - My reason mounts above the sky. - Dear wife, they cannot sell the rose - Of love, that in my bosom glows. - Remember, as your tears may start, - They cannot sell th’ immortal part! - Thou sun, which lightest bond and free, - Tell me, I pray, is liberty - The lot of those who noblest feel, - And oftest to Jehovah kneel? - Then I may say, but not with pride, - I feel the rushings of the tide - Of reason and of eloquence, - Which strive and yearn for eminence. - I feel high manhood on me now, - A spirit-glory on my brow; - I feel a thrill of music roll, - Like angel harpings, through my soul, - While poesy, with rustling wings, - Upon my spirit rests and sings; - _He_ sweeps my heart’s deep throbbing lyre, - Who touched Isaiah’s lips with fire. - - To Plymouth Rock, ye breezes, bear - These words from me, as I would dare, - If I were free: Is not our God - Our common Father?--from the sod - He formed us all; then brothers--yes; - We’re brothers all, though some oppress, - And grind their equals in the dust. - O Heaven! tell me, is this just? - ’Tis fiendish. No! I will not go, - And leave my children here in woe! - God help me! Out, bright dagger! gleam, - And find the coward’s heart, and stream - With fiendish blood! This night, this night, - Or I am free, or it shall smite - The master and his slave, and we - Will seek the heavenly liberty! - There will my master’s bloody lash - No longer lacerate * * * - -NOTE. The last line was, from some cause, incomplete; perhaps his -feelings overcame him at the conception. I concluded to give it as it -was. C. W. - - - - -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: - - - Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. - - Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - - Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized. - - Archaic or variant spelling has been retained. - - The cover image for this eBook was created by the transcriber - and is entered into the public domain. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SLAVE-AUCTION *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The slave-auction</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: John Theophilus Kramer</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: July 7, 2022 [eBook #68472]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: David E. Brown and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SLAVE-AUCTION ***</div> - -<div class="figcenter hide"><img src="images/cover.jpg" width="450" alt="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="figcenter hide"><img src="images/i_title.jpg" alt="" /></div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1><small>THE</small><br /> - -SLAVE-AUCTION.</h1> - -<p><span class="large"><span class="smcap">By Dr.</span> JOHN THEOPHILUS KRAMER,</span><br /> - -LATE OF NEW ORLEANS, LA.</p> - -<hr class="tiny" /> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="indent9">‘Blush ye not</div> -<div class="verse">To boast your equal laws, your just restraints,</div> -<div class="verse">Your rights defined, your liberties secured,</div> -<div class="verse">Whilst, with an iron hand, ye crush to earth</div> -<div class="verse">The helpless African, and bid him drink</div> -<div class="verse">That cup of sorrow which yourselves have dashed,</div> -<div class="verse">Indignant, from Oppression’s fainting grasp?’</div> -</div></div> - -<hr class="tiny" /> - -<p><span class="large">BOSTON:</span><br /> -ROBERT F. WALLCUT, 21 CORNHILL.<br /> -1859.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">PREFACE.</h2> -</div> - -<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Nineteenth Century is generally believed to -be an enlightened one. Great discoveries have been -made in the fields of science. Countries which were -almost unknown a century ago are now competing -in art and wealth with the mother countries. Civilization -has made a decided step forward; but in -some countries, civilization has made, in one respect, -no progress; on the contrary, it has made a -step backward.</p> - -<p>There is an institution, which is called by many -civilized men a ‘lawful one,’ but which is in reality -an institution of ancient barbarity. It is the institution -of slavery! If we take for truth, that civilization -and Christianity go hand in hand, we are -astonished to see a civilized and Christian people -violating the laws of civilization and of Christianity, -by adhering to and nursing said institution of barbarity. -Christianity and barbarity will always oppose -each other, and if a nation is trying to make a -mixture of both, civilization as well as Christianity -will suffer extensively.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span>The motive of my present writing is not a political -one. I have been plainly trying to answer the -question, ‘Can slavery and Christianity go hand in -hand together?’ by giving a faithful picture of -what I have seen with my own eyes, while residing -in some of the slave States for more than ten years. -If the glorious redemption through the crucified -Nazarene shall be of equal blessing to every Christian, -how can a white Christian treat a Christian of -color like a beast? How can the former have a -right to sell his black or yellow brother or sister at -public auction for money or approved paper?</p> - -<p>I have no personal ill feeling against the owners of -slaves in the slave States of this Union, but to their -institution of slavery, and particularly to their -slave-auctions and to their slave-markets, I am a -decided enemy. As a man and a Christian, I am -obliged to protest solemnly against an institution -which is a burning shame to Christianity, which is a -backsliding from civilization to barbarism, a destroyer -of family-life, a crime against virtue, and a blasphemy -to the cross of the Redeemer!</p> - -<p class="right">J. T. K.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE SLAVE-AUCTION.</h2> -</div> - -<hr class="tiny" /> -<p class="center"><i>They were born as slaves, through the iniquity of -men. They are redeemed to be free men, through Christ -Jesus.</i></p> -<hr class="tiny" /> - -<p>There is a broad hall, situated in one of the most -frequented streets of a large and well-known city in -the South. You will be astonished when you shall -find, in place of a lion’s den or a man-trap, a nicely-fitted -up refreshing-place. Nothing formidable is -presented to your eyes. Several corpulent and richly -dressed gentlemen are helping themselves to fine -liquors and delicacies, profusely spread out before you, -and placed upon an elegantly shaped bar. Beautiful -pictures, ornamenting the walls, attract the eyes of -some amateurs of art; while others, preferring nice -lots and buildings, are studying the designs of several -large maps, showing various city lots and splendid -buildings, advertised ‘for sale at auction.’ In the -vicinity of said maps is a platform, whereupon a table -is placed, together with a writing-desk and a few -chairs. Two colored waiters are busy placing several -hundred commodious chairs, facing the platform. -The doors of the hall open frequently, for there are -many gentlemen entering, and soon is gathered a large<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span> -assemblage, by whom the chairs are occupied. There -you will see the elegantly dressed dandy, smoking his -sweet-scented Havana, while examining, through his -richly gilded eye-glass, the designs of building lots. -Next to his chair you will perceive and admire the -athletic form of a Kentucky trader, with his plain frock, -and with his boots reaching over his knees. There -you will also see the rich and proud planter from -Mississippi, reasoning with his fierce-looking, but -now, before his employer, creeping overseer.</p> - -<p>The doors are opened again. Four ladies, splendidly -dressed in black silk and satin, and glittering with -precious jewels, are entering the hall. Eight or ten -gentlemen, who were already comfortably seated next -to the platform, jump up from their chairs, and politely -offer their seats to the fair guests.</p> - -<p>But, you will ask, for what reason is all this going -on? What are the ladies and gentlemen waiting for? -Perhaps it is court-day, and the people are waiting for -the Judge. It cannot be, for the court-house is opposite -the Square. Is it perhaps a prayer-meeting? -Pshaw! Prayer-meeting and liquor-bar—would that -do?</p> - -<p>But what can it be? Who is that jolly round gentleman, -placing a large book upon the writing-desk, -and looking like a bird which has never seen a cage, -but which has its three meals per diem in the middle -of a ripe wheat field? Is it not a pleasure to take a -glance at his face, radiant with contentment and plenty? -If that man were a pastor, should we not -like to pasture with his flock? See there! he hands<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span> -now to the waiters a large package of bills. We shall -soon learn what kind of a concern all this is. It will -be, most probably, neither a session of a court, nor a -prayer-meeting.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">A Slave Auction!</span> Great God in heaven! a -<span class="smcap">Slave Auction</span>! And that man upon the platform -is the auctioneer!</p> - -<p>What a noise is going on outside of the doors! -There will, surely, enter a troop of men, women and -children. How will they find places amongst the -spectators of the tragedy which will soon commence?—for -every chair is occupied, and many -men are leaning upon the bar. There is room in -front of the table, and near to the walls of the hall.</p> - -<p>A gentleman is entering. The auctioneer hastens -to receive him with distinction, and conducts him to -the chair behind the desk. The stranger is an American -gentleman, and owner of the slaves who are -now to be sold at auction. He owns a beautiful plantation, -about forty miles from the city, near the railroad. -He intends to run as a political candidate; -he needs, therefore, money. He says he is ‘truly sorry’ -to be obliged to sell his slaves at auction. Why -sorry? Because his father raised most of them. They -are ‘family slaves,’ and ‘very likely indeed.’ He is -a young man of about thirty years. He has a high -forehead, and an intelligent, upright face.</p> - -<p>But why can he not take a glance at the assembled -audience? What is the matter with him, that he -always bends his face over the desk, and that he will -not look up? Has he not a right to be proud, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span> -shall not the multitude envy the happy owner of a -gang of one hundred and forty-nine slaves? But we -comprehend what is the matter with him. He pretends -to be a good Christian, and he is acquainted -with the gospel; he therefore knows what is right, -and what is wrong. It is his conscience that troubles -him. His inner man is well aware that he is doing -a heinous crime to sell at auction one hundred and -forty-nine fellow-beings, redeemed by his Savior upon -the Cross!</p> - -<p>While we were regarding the man behind the desk, -we never perceived that the doors were re-opened, -and that a large number of people had entered the -hall. There are men, women and children, and some -babies upon their mothers’ arms. Their color differs -from that of the ladies and gentlemen sitting upon -the chairs. Some are black as ebony, some brown, -some yellow. There is also a beautiful young girl, -nearly white, and you would readily infer that she is -of Spanish or French blood. Not one among all of -these poor creatures will raise his or her head and eyes, -to take a glance at the sitting assemblage. Some -poor girls are weeping audibly, and all are looking -sad—sad—sad! Reader, if you should happen to be -of a gentle nature, take a glance at the little babies -upon the arms of their poor and distressed mothers! -Can babies feel their misery? Yes, indeed, they can. -Every mother will endorse my words. I shall never -forget those looks of deep sorrow, which I perceived -in the faces of all those poor little children upon the -auction-stand. I know that they participated in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span> -distress of their mothers; I believe that they were -conscious of their horrible fate in that awful hour—to -be sold for money to the highest bidder! You, -who have human feelings—you, who are no figures of -cold marble—contemplate each of these one hundred -and forty-nine descendants of Africa’s sons and -daughters! Will you be still indifferent towards that -‘institution’ which degrades men to beasts, which is -the deepest pit of barbarity?</p> - -<p>But, you will say, are they not tolerably well dressed? -And who would say that their bodies have been -worn out by hard labor, or by the effect of hunger? -No; it seems rather that their master had treated -them kindly, that they have seen but little trouble, -but few hard times. Why then are they looking -grave and distressed, as if some heavy misfortune had -befallen them? Their knees tremble, as if they had -the foreboding of some awful calamity!</p> - -<p>Yes, indeed, they have cause to tremble—they -will not do wrong if they cover their eyes (which are -not their own)—they may bend down their heads in -deep mourning; for—reader! these one hundred and -forty-nine human souls shall be sold to-day as so many -heads of cattle!</p> - -<p>They have been taught the religion of freedom, the -gospel of the only Master in heaven and upon earth. -They know that they ought to be free, because they -are Christians. They believe that the Son of God -has abolished slavery by his death upon the accursed -tree. They were told by their own master that they -were made free through the merits of the blood of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span> -Jesus Christ, and that they have a right to claim -their freedom for themselves and for their children.</p> - -<p>Such are the teachings of the slaveholders in the -slave States, but they must themselves surely believe -in a very different gospel from the gospel of freedom, -as given by the Nazarene!</p> - -<p>To excuse themselves, they say that, through the -curse of the patriarch Noah, a whole race of men were -made slaves forever. They are deaf to the great -truth, that, thousands of years after the death of -Noah, the great Liberator, <span class="smcap">Jesus Christ</span>, appeared, -and that he broke, by his death upon the Cross, all -chains of slavery forever!</p> - -<p>Let us return to the table of barbarity, and we will -follow the course of proceedings at the public auction -sale of one hundred and forty-nine of our fellow-men.</p> - -<p>The auctioneer stands upon the platform: he is -ready to sell any of these to the highest bidder for -gold, silver, or approved paper. He calls himself a -Christian. He seems to have no idea that he is going -to perform an act which is the greatest blasphemy -towards his Lord and Master. Is not any man, pretending -to be a Christian, and selling his Christian -brothers like horses, mules or dogs, a hypocrite? And -is any man, calling himself a disciple of Christ, but -favoring and seconding slave auctions, any better?</p> - -<p>We will listen to the reading of the auctioneer, who -is holding a paper in his right hand:—‘I am authorized,’ -he begins, ‘to sell at auction, one hundred and -forty-nine plantation negroes, comprising carpenters,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span> -bricklayers, blacksmiths, coopers, drivers, house and -field-hands. Families will be sold in block. These -slave have been raised, and the larger portion of them -were born on the estate of Minor R., Esq., who is -retiring from the plantation interest on the Beau-Bosquet -Place. The slaves are considered as one -of the most valuable and healthy gangs in the -South. They will be guaranteed only in title. Terms -of sale, one-third cash, balance at one and two years’ -credit, with interest of six per cent. per annum, -until final payment. If the terms of sale are not -completed within four days from date of sale, the -slaves will be resold, for account and risk of former -purchasers, after two days’ advertisement in two -of the city papers, without further notice of legal -default.’</p> - -<p>No. 1. Harvey, field hand, about twenty years old. -‘Come up here, my boy! There you are—bon! A -capital boy! Ladies and gentlemen, look here at -this healthy child! Can any darkey upon God’s -beautiful earth beat him? Wouldn’t he whip Hercules, -if that personage should happen to be present? -What a splendid fellow he is! The gentleman who -will buy Harvey will draw a lucky number. Who -is going to bid? Go ahead, gentlemen! Here is a -capital opportunity.’</p> - -<p>‘Eight hundred dollars.’</p> - -<p>‘Pshaw! Eight hundred dollars? Why, twice -as much shall never buy him; he is fully worth two -thousand dollars. Who will bid more?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span>‘Nine hundred.’</p> - -<p>‘Nine hundred dollars is no money for such a fellow, -and if you will pay every picayune twice, you can’t get -him! Nine hundred for Harvey? Gentlemen, you -have had, probably, bad news to-day; or is the news -confirmed, and has the California steamer foundered? -They say so, but do not believe a word of it. I say -it is safe! Nine hundred dollars for Harvey!’</p> - -<p>‘And fifty.’</p> - -<p>‘Nine hundred and fifty dollars for Harvey, the -most likely boy in the noble and fair State of Louisiana! -Ain’t it too bad? Who bids more?’</p> - -<p>‘One thousand!’</p> - -<p>‘Well, a little better! Go on, gentlemen, if you -please. One thousand—one thousand—one thousand -dollars.’</p> - -<p>‘And fifty.’</p> - -<p>‘And fifty! My dear sir, do me a favor, and say at -once two thousand. And fifty—and fifty! Ten hundred -and fifty dollars!’</p> - -<p>‘Eleven hundred.’</p> - -<p>‘Eleven hundred! Too little yet.’</p> - -<p>‘Twenty dollars more.’</p> - -<p>‘Sir? Twenty dol——. Pardon, excuse me, if I -am truly astonished to hear a gentleman bid twenty -dollars for Harvey, the American Hercules! Twenty -hundred I would like it better.’</p> - -<p>‘Twelve hundred and fifty.’</p> - -<p>‘There is a generous gentleman! Sir, take my -best wishes for your welfare! Twelve hundred and -fifty dollars——’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span>‘And fifty.’</p> - -<p>‘Still better! And fifty! One thousand three -hundred dollars!’</p> - -<p>‘Fourteen hundred.’</p> - -<p>‘Fourteen—thank you, sir, thank you! Fourteen -hundred dollars! Fourteen hundred! Fourteen—— -Gentlemen, bid more, if you please! Fourteen hundred -dollars for Harvey are nothing. Fourteen——’</p> - -<p>‘And fifty.’</p> - -<p>‘Fourteen hundred and fifty dollars for a boy who -is worth two thousand! Gentlemen, here is a good -chance to improve property! Whoever will buy -Harvey, shall own a fortune. Who is going to bid -more? Fourteen—fourteen hundred and fifty dollars—going? -One thousand four hundred and fifty dollars—dollars—dollars! -Who will bid more? Nobody? -Nobody more? Fourteen hundred and fifty -dollars for the negro boy Harvey, the best field hand -and the most gentle boy amongst all the darkeys in -the United States! Going—for the first—second—who -will say more? Fourteen hundred and fifty dollars—going—going—going—gone!’</p> - -<p>‘Go off, Harvey! Hurry yourself! Don’t believe -your bones are made of sugar and eggs.’</p> - -<p>No. 2. Joseph, field hand, aged about seventeen.</p> - -<p>‘Gentlemen, there is a young blood, and a capital -one! He is a great boy, a hand for almost every -thing. Besides, he is the best dancer in the whole -lot, and he knows also how to pray—oh! so beautifully, -you would believe he was made to be a minister! -How much will you bid for him?’</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span>‘One thousand dollars.’</p> - -<p>‘Good—but that is not half the price he is really -worth. Gentlemen, if you will bid two thousand at -once, it may not suffice to buy him. One thousand -dollars for a boy, who will be worth in three years -fully twenty-five hundred dollars cash down. Who -is going to bid two thousand?’</p> - -<p>‘Twelve hundred dollars.’</p> - -<p>‘Twelve hundred dollars! Sir, I did say, he would -soon bring two thousand. I am always pretty near -certain of what I say. Twelve hundred for Joseph! -Splendid fellow that! Eleven hundred and eighty -dollars more than for his namesake of old in the land of -Egypt. Twelve hundred dollars! Gentlemen, bid -more!’</p> - -<p>‘Twelve hundred and fifty dollars.’</p> - -<p>‘One thousand two hundred and fifty dollars! All -right; but more! more! more!’</p> - -<p>‘And fifty.’</p> - -<p>‘And fifty—and fifty—and fifty for Joseph—not -the Hebrew.’</p> - -<p>‘Thirteen hundred.’</p> - -<p>‘Thirteen hundred—a bad number, gentlemen—don’t -let him rest at thirteen hundred.’</p> - -<p>‘And fifty.’</p> - -<p>‘Thirteen hundred and fifty is said to be a lucky -number in lotteries. I don’t know as it is true, but -I do know that thirteen hundred and fifty dollars will -not buy Joseph.’</p> - -<p>‘Fourteen hundred.’</p> - -<p>‘Well, no ticket of any lottery will cost that much;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span> -but Joseph must bring more. Fourteen hundred dollars!’</p> - -<p>‘And fifty.’</p> - -<p>‘One thousand four hundred and fifty dollars. It -looks like rain; for cash will not out, and I am unable -to procure a magnet which will draw gold for -value received. Fourteen hundred and fifty dollars! -Too small an amount for Joseph. Seventeen years -only—a strong, healthy, fine-looking, intelligent boy. -Fourteen hundred and fifty dollars! Gentlemen, -Joseph is worth more than Harvey—upon my word! -One thousand, four hundred and fifty—going! Fourteen -hundred and fifty for the first—second—going? -Fourteen hundred and fifty dollars—going! going! -going! and last—gone! He is sold to you, sir! -Please state your name.’</p> - -<p>No. 3. John Dowson, a carpenter, thirty-five years -old, (afflicted with slight hernia,) an intelligent-looking -man, stands upon the platform.</p> - -<p>But as the reader would get tired of listening to -every word that the auctioneer of human souls says, -we will stay with some of the poor creatures, merely -giving the names, age, and the price of sale of the -rest. The above named John Dowson was sold for -$1200.</p> - -<p>No. 4. Alfred, cooper, (injured in left leg,) 19 years -of age, a strong and very honest-looking boy, brings -$1550; a very small price for a first-rate cooper, but -surely the price of blood for a man and a Christian!</p> - -<p>No. 5. George Bedford, field hand, 30 years, sold</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span>No. 6. Jim Ludlow, field hand, 30 years old, brings -$1400.</p> - -<p>No. 7. Chap, field hand, 34 years, brings the round -sum of $1000.</p> - -<p>No. 8. Henry Wood, 23 years old, for $1375.</p> - -<p>No. 9. Charles Longback, plowman and harness -maker, age 35, value received, $1300.</p> - -<p>No. 10. March, field hand, 26 years old, fine-looking -fellow, splendid eyes, teeth white like ivory. -That dandy there, who is lighting his cigar with a -fashionable Parisian silver-match, would be glad to -give his gold watch with chain, and his diamond -breastpin in the bargain, for March’s beautiful set of -spotless teeth. But how can we see them? Is March -so much pleased as to show all his teeth? No, reader! -he is very, very far from laughing. His eyes -are cast down; they are fixed upon the floor of the -hall. But tell me why March shows his teeth? Out -of rage? Yes, indeed, out of rage. Why?</p> - -<p>There is a poor young woman at his side; they call -her Caroline. A Christian minister gave her that -name when she was christened. She is bitterly crying; -she casts a look of extreme sorrow upon her husband. -Why?</p> - -<p>Caroline is the lawful wife, (lawful, indeed? lawful -in a Slave State?) of March, and the ‘gentleman’ -who bought him for $1250 will not buy Caroline. -She is twenty-two years of age, and the auctioneer -calls her a splendid washer and ironer, a very likely -girl. She has always conducted herself well; she -is a member of the Methodist Church; she is one of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span> -the most gentle persons in the South; she calls March -her husband, and she loves him dearly. And now, -gentle reader, tell me why Caroline shall be torn from -her husband? Why shall she belong to a tyrant? -Because that man has money—because he bought her -for $1100.</p> - -<p>Friends of humanity! take another glance at No. -10½. There stands Caroline, crying for her husband -in a manner to move a heart of stone; but she is not -crying loud enough to move pretended ‘Christians,’ -who are going to church every Sunday, there to adore -the Redeemer of mankind, the Savior upon the -Cross!</p> - -<p>No. 11. Abraham Arkansas, plowman and carter, -28 years of age; he brings $1350.</p> - -<p>No. 12. Michael, carter and plowman, 29 years, sold -for $1300.</p> - -<p>No. 13. Booker, plowman, 28 years, brings $1375.</p> - -<p>No. 14. Lucy, a young girl of 14, yet nearly a -child. Her color is black, but her features are handsome. -She stands upon the platform like a lamb, -doomed to be sold to a wolf. See those long, silky -eyelids; how the large full drops are falling upon the -table! Look at the sad, silent face of a poor lovely -girl of dark color, innocent like the blossom of a fair -nightly flower! Her crime is, that she is a descendant -from African blood. Look, how her full, red lips -open with untold agony, showing a string of pearls -rarely to be met with. Her dark but soft eyes are -fixed upon the man who has already bid twice for -her. She casts them down in despairing hopelessness,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span> -as he is bidding for her $1025 for the last time. -She belongs to him! Her whole body belongs to the -man with the lustful countenance; to the very man -who whispered in her ear when she was entering the -hall of perdition, ‘Thou art mine, black little dove! -Thou art mine, even though God and all his holy -angels should defend thee!’ Does not that man look -like one of the fiends? But he has paid for her, one -thousand and fifty dollars in gold and approved paper; -he takes her away—and hell solemnizes its triumph!</p> - -<p>No. 15. The boy Clifford, a field hand, fourteen -years of age, is sold for $1000.</p> - -<p>No. 16. Sam, twenty-one years, truly as honest a -boy as could be found south of Mason and Dixon’s -line. A gentleman behind my chair is exclaiming, -‘What a splendid jet black animal he is!’ Sam -brings the nice round sum of $1500.</p> - -<p>No. 17. Little Henry, plowman, twenty-four years, -brings $1325.</p> - -<p>No. 18. Titus, blacksmith, cooper and engineer, -‘extra,’ 23 years. Of course, he must be ‘extra,’ for -he is able to work for his master at the rate of $5 a -day. Now, suppose he could work for himself at the -rate of only $3 a day, it would take him only two -years five months and seventeen days to produce the -money for which he is now sold at auction. But his -master will be a wise man, (though he is a prominent -member in his church)—he will let him have no time -to work for himself; no, not one hour!</p> - -<p>The kind reader will give me permission to retreat, -for a short time, from the auction hall, in order to relate<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span> -an event which happened at the time of my stay -in the same city where our auction takes place. A -certain citizen of said city had a very honest and diligent -slave, a blacksmith by trade. The slave agreed -with his master to pay him two dollars and a half a -day, but the money which he should earn besides, -should belong to himself. He diligently worked by -day and night, hardly allowing himself any rest. -By so doing, he made two dollars and a half a day for -his master, and one for himself. After five years of -the hardest toil, the slave had collected the required -sum of money to buy himself free—say $1800. He—poor -honest fellow!—not suspecting the rascality of -his ‘Christian’ master, had given to him, at the end -of every week, $24.50; all of his very hard earned -money; and after the lapse of five years, he demanded -his freedom from that master. But the hardened -wretch laughed at him, and told him to go to h—ll, -and to his work again. Now, could not the slave -find justice in the court of justice? No, never—for -the laws of the Slave States provide that no slave -shall bear witness against any white person. No -‘Christian’ judge nor ‘Christian’ jury could help -the poor slave; for the laws of a ‘Christian’ State -regard a fellow-man of color as a tool, belonging to -any rascal who happens to possess a sufficient quantity -of money to buy that human tool!</p> - -<p>No. 19. Rosa, field hand, 16 years of age, a capital -girl, well built, good-natured and intelligent. -There she stands upon the platform, gazed at by several -hundred men. She has to submit, without a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> -murmur, to be examined by the hand of a rough -fellow, a slave-driver—a name which I consider -equivalent to ‘human butcher.’ Her fine teeth are -touched by his bloody fingers; so are her beautiful -eyelashes; and when he is handling her beating -bosom, oh, reader! mark the just indignation expressed -in all her features! Poor Rosa! there is no -help for you; there is no salvation. She knows it, and -the awful conviction of so crushing a calamity casts -her down,—down into the abyss of utter despair. She -is sold at last to the highest bidder—to the slave-driver—to -the tiger in frock-coat and pants, for -$1250.</p> - -<p>No. 20. Ben, field hand, 30 years old, for $1150.</p> - -<p>No. 21. Isam, a field hand, 40 years old, is not -able to bring more than $700, because his youth has -gone. Of course, a mule of 18 is worth less than -one of 6 years. It is certainly very reasonable to sell -an old animal for less than a young one. But, let us -see what kind of an animal Isam is? Isam is not a -strong man; his health is rather delicate; but his -mind is sound. He has not only an inclination toward -religion, he is himself a Christian, and he acts -on Sundays among his unfortunate fellow-men as a -minister of the gospel.</p> - -<p>What! A minister of the gospel a brute—to be -sold at auction for $700! Is not that a shameful -untruth? No barbarian, in whatever part of the -globe, will sell at public auction the priest of his -faith for any money! Behold, ye nations of Christendom! -There is a country which is called a Christian<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span> -one, in which a minister of the gospel of Jesus -Christ is sold at public auction like a brute! Will -that time never come when such as he shall be sold -no more to the highest bidder by the pretended disciples -of that Savior who came to break every yoke, -and to set every captive free?</p> - -<p>No. 22. Yellow Charles, carter and plowman, (has -a short leg from infancy,) 27 years of age, is sold for -$950,—a very trifling sum. Yes, indeed, trifling for -his own natural father—the rich banker—the man of -refinement—the gallant ‘defender of liberty.’</p> - -<p>No. 23. Sam Bayou, field hand, 32 years old, for -$1075.</p> - -<p>No. 24. Brown, field hand, 28 years, brings $1200.</p> - -<p>No. 25. George, the valorous, 26 years old, strong -enough to be a rival to his celebrated namesake, the -dragon-killing knight of the middle ages. At least, -he is able to kill two alligators in five minutes. George -(not the knight) is sold for $1400.</p> - -<p>No. 26. Etienne, carter and plowman, 29, sold for -$1150.</p> - -<p>No. 27. Quacco, plowman and carpenter, a young -man of 23, brings $1275.</p> - -<p>No. 28. Bob, blind of one eye, plowman and carter, -aged 35, brings $850. Why only $850? Because -he has but one eye. How did he lose the other? -When he was a little boy, he had a sister, a very kind -and gentle little girl, whom he dearly loved. One -Sunday, they were walking together near the plantation -to which they belonged. Beneath an orange -tree, covered with red, beautiful, juicy fruits, they sat<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span> -down upon the grass. Nancy, which was the name -of the little girl, dropped silently her head; not a -word came from her lips, but large drops fell from -her eyes upon the grass. Bob took her hands in his, -asking her tenderly, ‘Sis, what is the matter with -you? Why will you cry?’ ‘O Bob,’ sobbed she, ‘I -am very unhappy—I wish to die.’ ‘Why, Nancy?’ -But Nancy gave no answer—all her limbs trembled—her -eyes stared in agony towards the sugar-house. -A big white boy came running towards them, holding -in his hand a large whip. It was Peter, the overseer’s -oldest son—the most malicious and cruel young rascal -in the parish—the terror of the poor slaves on the -plantation.</p> - -<p>‘Ay! you black little grasshopper, have I caught -you at last!’ cried the young loafer, grasping her -by the neck, and throwing her upon the grass. ‘You -shall know that I am master, and you are my slave.’ -The terror-struck girl made no reply; she only uttered -a long, painful groan. Bob, in great excitement, -placed himself between his sister and the boy, -crying, ‘Oh, master Peter, don’t hurt my sister! -No! you shall not hurt my sister!’ At once, the -young overseer got into a terrible rage, and crying, -‘Hie, dog of a nigger!’ he struck Bob with the -heavy handle of his whip in the face, and the poor -boy fell with a single piercing cry to the ground. -From that day, Bob had but one eye, and the stripes -made by the whip of the overseer upon Bob’s back -can be still seen to-day.</p> - -<p>No. 29. Charles Yellabusha, field hand, 24 years -old, price $1525.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span>No. 30. Allrick, field hand, age 45. He looks -very good-natured; twenty years ago, he was worth -$2100, but is sold now for $1025.</p> - -<p>No. 31. Jake, good cooper, sugar-maker, and vacuum -boiler, 32 years of age. His color is a mingling -of yellow and white. His forehead is high, his -face intelligent. There is no mistake—plenty of Anglo-Saxon -blood is running through his veins. If he -had been born in Massachusetts, or in one of the other -Free States, in Canada or in Europe, I would bet a -hundred dollars against one, he would be a professor, -a minister, a doctor, or some kind of a savan, now. -If his star had cast him into the empire of France, I -should by no means be surprised to see in him a second -Alexander Dumas; and if, in that case, he would -not be able to write as admirable a story as is ‘The -Count of Monté Christo,’ I should despair of finding -any sense in a Gall or a Lavater. Well, this second -Alexander Dumas is sold at auction for $2625, a sum -which he could realize for himself in less than one -year, if he were not born in a Slave State.</p> - -<p>Who was Jake’s mother? Of course, a mulatto -woman, and a slave. Most probably, she has gone to -that land where the master and the slave enjoy ‘equal -rights.’</p> - -<p>But who was her father? There we have a problem, -which even the discoverer of the quadrature -of the circle can never solve. Perhaps Jake’s grandfather -was a ‘rising man,’ and his white grand-children -are now celebrated senators and lawgivers.</p> - -<p>And who was the father of Jake? Don’t know.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span> -But may it not be possible that he was a Governor, -or some other big personage? Perhaps, while Jake -is being sold at auction to the highest bidder, his natural -brothers and sisters are sitting in splendid parlors, -or in the drawing-room of some fashionable hotel, -‘up North.’ May not one of Jake’s natural -brothers be a Judge of the Supreme Court, and the -other a learned minister of the gospel? How does -it happen that, while one of the children of the same -father is a rich and high-standing favorite of the people, -the other child is sold at public auction, like a -valuable mule? Can it be the little difference in -their color? Well, let the former brother stay for -some years in South America, or in some other warm -climate, and I am sure his color would show no great -difference from that of his brother who is sold at auction. -Why, then, shall the one brother be treated as -a beast, and the other brother as a gentleman? Can -any one of my learned readers solve this problem for -me?</p> - -<p>No. 32. Willis, field hand, 24 years, sold for -$1350—and</p> - -<p>No. 32½. Lucy Scott, field hand, 25. She is not -placed upon the platform. Why? We cannot say; -but the distressed face of the poor woman tells us -that she has been sold privately to a personage, of -whom they say that he is a member of the church, -but who in reality may prove to be a demon.</p> - -<p>No’s 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37.</p> - -<p>A very good-looking pair is first put upon the platform. -Davy, a good vegetable-gardener, 50 years<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> -old, and his wife Harriet, about 45, together with their -daughters, Cassy and Scilla, twins, 14 years, and -Amy, 12 years. Really, I would give something if -you could see the daguerreotype of this family standing -upon the platform, to be sold at auction. But, -no—I recall the wish. Thank God that you cannot -see that picture, because it would haunt you like -a dreadful vision.</p> - -<p>I remember an event which I heard related while I -was in France. A young French lady had occasion -to visit a picture gallery. Her eyes fell upon a large -picture, representing the martyrs thrown before wild -beasts, at the time of the Roman Emperor Dioclesian. -The expression of agony in the features of the bleeding -Christians was so fearfully given, that the maiden -fell into hysterics, and she never recovered from the -effect of her terror.</p> - -<p>I will not attempt to imagine the anguish and horror -that my fair female readers would have felt, if they -could have witnessed the picture of that poor distressed -family—the despairing features of those three innocent -girls upon that slaughter-bench, like three -faultless lambs offered for sacrifice! All five were -sold for $3000.</p> - -<p>No. 38. Big Bill, cooper, 55 years, and</p> - -<p>No. 39. Winey, his wife—(to sell a wife at auction!—what -a sacrilege of the sacred name!) 54 years -old. Both together were sold for $1850.</p> - -<p>No. 40. Tom, field hand, 28 years, and</p> - -<p>No. 41. Matilda, 25 years. For both, $2250. One -family.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span>No. 42. Shad, field hand, 38 years—</p> - -<p>No. 43. Rachel, 29—and</p> - -<p>No. 44. James, their son, 6 years of age—all were -sold at $2275. Dear family that! But how much -dearer shall he pay at the day of judgment, who sells -the ‘bodies and souls of men’ for gold, silver, and -approved paper, like cattle!</p> - -<p>No. 45. Louis Mare, bricklayer, 42 years.</p> - -<p>No. 46. Yellow Mary, 23 years of age. For both -was offered $1750.</p> - -<p>Kind reader, I must make your heart sad again—sad -with compassion for your unfortunate and oppressed -fellow-men. But I will speak the truth, only the -truth, and nothing but the truth. God has given -me a feeling heart; and, certainly, I suffered, while -being present at the slave auction, of which I am giving -you a faint description. But I had to stay, and -my face had to be as stern as any of the slave-buyers -present, while my heart mourned. Is it not a vision? -There stands a girl upon the platform, to be sold to -the highest bidder; perhaps to a cruel, low and dissolute -fellow, who, a day or two since, won a few -thousand dollars by his playing tricks at the faro -table. She is nearly white; she is not yellow, as -they call her. She has a fair waist, her hair is black -and silky, and falling down in ringlets upon her full -shoulders. Her eyes are large, soft, and languishing. -She seeks in vain to hide the streaming tears with her -small and delicate hands. Her features are fair, like -those of the girls of the Caucassian race; they remind -me of those of the highland girls of my native<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> -country, Switzerland. Who in all the world can have -anything against her color? In England, she would -be called a ‘star’; in France, a ‘belle’; in Germany, -a ‘nice little woman’; and in the free States -of the Union, she would pass, when fashionably -dressed, for a ‘fair French lady.’ But, in the Slave -States, she is openly sold, as though she were nothing -more than a ‘beautiful mare’ or a ‘splendid cow’!</p> - -<p>They say, in the Slave States, that they are Christians; -yet they consider a fair Christian girl as a -brute, because she is not of pure white blood! Why -do they not make company with the fishes in the -lower Mississippi? Have they not ‘white blood’?</p> - -<p>If Mary’s father, who is, perhaps, a very much -honored gentleman, ‘one of the best members of his -church’—if that great man could see his only daughter, -his own flesh and blood, standing upon the platform, -with tearful eyes, and sighing in untold misery -to be sold like a quadruped—surely, his blood would -turn ‘white’ for shame and terror!</p> - -<p>No. 47. Josephus, accomplished blacksmith, 35 -years old—and</p> - -<p>No. 48. Catharine, field hand, 30 years old. Catharine -is a very strong and healthy-looking woman. -If this pair of giants had the liberty to keep the -earnings of their own labor for themselves, they -would surely make the money for which they are -sold now,—those $2800,—in less than three years. -But their bodies belong to another, because the laws -of the Slave States regard men and women of color as -beasts of burden.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span>No. 49. Dennis, field hand, (suffers from hernia,) -fifty-five years—</p> - -<p>No. 50. Isabella, thirty-one years. Price for these -poor human beings, $1350.</p> - -<p>No. 51. Amos, field hand, a very smart and intelligent-looking -boy of sixteen, brings $1450, or one -hundred dollars more than the poor couple sold before -him.</p> - -<p>No. 52. Fielding, field hand, 26 years, and—</p> - -<p>No. 53. Nelly, also a field hand, 30 years, both -bring $2200.</p> - -<p>No. 54. George Sunday, field hand, age 22, for -$1400.</p> - -<p>No. 55. Gay, 30, and</p> - -<p>No. 56. Hannah, 35, together with</p> - -<p>No. 57. Ellen, her daughter, a young girl of 13 -years. Both Hannah and Ellen are crying very hard, -because they are perhaps to be sold to a ruffian who -made his fortune by swindling, and who will pay now -$2300 for honest people, who have never done the -least harm to anybody, who are faithful Christians, -and whose hearts are to be broken by an act worthy -of any blood-thirsty barbarians!</p> - -<p>No. 58. Quash, field hand, aged 17. A black skin -he has, like polished ebony, but no doubt his heart is -white. How much whiter than the ‘man-driver’ -who is going to buy him for the sum of $1400!</p> - -<p>No. 60. John Louis, field hand, 24 years, and</p> - -<p>No. 61. Fine, his wife—(wife? yes, as long as her -master will permit her to remain such!) age 19, -and</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span>No. 62. Collar, a plump, little boy of 3 years. The -last bid for them is $3050. Hear what the man behind -my chair says to his companion:—‘Splendid -family that! Very likely girl—fine child—but he -paid a good deal of cash for them three black animals.’</p> - -<p>‘Yes, Bob,’ says the other, ‘he spends plenty of -money, but he will make ’em work! Holy Tschoupitoulas! -they will get more lickings than tomatoes -and bacon.’</p> - -<p>Collar’s mother presses her little boy to her bosom; -she casts her tearful eyes towards heaven. But even -heaven seems to be closed to her prayers and to her -tears. Shall she doubt that there is a just God above -the clouds? Must her faith in the precious redemption -of mankind, through the Savior, be destroyed -in this dreadful hour? Can she still believe in the -Lord and Master of her soul, when her tormentors -call themselves disciples of this same Lord? Christian -reader, will you not mourn while so many thousands -of your humble fellow-men are groaning in -chains? Can you sing and pray with a joyful heart -in the house of the Lord, when you know that the -cross of your Savior is trodden upon by the feet of -‘Christian slave-drivers’?</p> - -<p>Nations, mourn! for justice is dead, and crime is -triumphant!</p> - -<p>Let us return to the ‘hall of perdition,’ in mourning -apparel.</p> - -<p>No. 63. Squire, 28 years, and</p> - -<p>No. 64. Gertrude, cook, washer and ironer, age -about 21. This fine but sad-looking pair bring -$2600.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span>No. 65. Richard, field hand, age 19, sold for exactly -$1000.</p> - -<p>No. 66. John, plowman, 32 years, and</p> - -<p>No. 67. Nancy, field hand, about 30. Highest bid -for both, $1750.</p> - -<p>No. 68. Davy, 58 years, and</p> - -<p>No. 69. Polly, 50 years old, both sold for $500.</p> - -<p>Five hundred dollars is a fair price for a horse, or -for a valuable mule. But here we can perceive -neither horses nor mules, but human beings, who, without -regard to color or standing, await, like us, the -hour of their call from this world to the judgment -seat. Those two grey heads, of very humble looking -persons, have been placed upon the auction-stand or -platform. For forty years they have devoted their -strength to the father of their master, and to him. -They have gathered forty harvests for him—yes, for -him who is now selling them for $500! They brought -him ten times as much as he is now getting for their -worn-out bodies.</p> - -<p>No. 70. Frank Fortier, field hand, 36 years, and</p> - -<p>No. 71. Fanny, 26 years, both were sold for $1600.</p> - -<p>No. 72. James Pegram, field hand, 37 years.</p> - -<p>No. 73. Johanna, 16 years.</p> - -<p>No. 74. Cornelius, 8 years.</p> - -<p>No. 75. Jane, 7 years.</p> - -<p>No. 76. Old Maria, 60 years.</p> - -<p>Another tableau, which, if Mr. Keller, the celebrated -performer of ‘living tableaux,’ should exhibit -in the Academy of Music, in the Athenæum, or in -some other public hall of a ‘free city,’ he would certainly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span> -take the house by storm, and every nerve of -his justice and freedom-loving audience would powerfully -vibrate with indignation against the cold-hearted -destroyers of family-life and of human rights.</p> - -<p>Reader! imagine five persons, standing upon a -platform, similar to a funeral pile erected for martyrs. -Their color is darker than that of the persons sitting -in front of the arena. There are eighty-three human -beings, of various colors, and of different ages, bending -down their heads, and looking as if they were -condemned to death, and were now to be executed. -Those five ‘articles for sale at auction’ consist of a -father, three children, and their grandmother. Their -mother has gone to bear witness, before the holy -tribunal of the great Judge of the world, and to accuse -the tormentors of her unfortunate people.</p> - -<p>James, a strong, intelligent-looking man, gazes in -utter despair upon his youngest child, who clings to -him in distress. Poor little Jane! At the youthful -age of seven, thou shalt already drink the bitter cup! -And Johanna! O gentle maiden of sixteen summers! -How she covers her eyes with one tip of her head-cloth, -grasping her trembling little brother Cornelius -by the hand! And what is their father doing? He -is raising his eyes—there is one flash—a terrible one!</p> - -<p>Tremble, O South! Though that slave is but one, -and has no power as a single man, let others join him! -Let a million of his brothers rise against their masters’ -reign of terror! Let them break their chains! -Then, South! it shall be too late to repent! Then -thy day of judgment has come!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span>Old Maria—how pitiful she looks! Poor old -grandma! Sixty years have passed over her gray -hairs; she has done her duty—(what duty had she to -do?)—she has done all she could, without murmuring. -She has raised children, nursed grand-children. -Never as her own—no, always for her master! She -has been always a very meek, a very quiet, good-natured -soul. But to-day—had she ever such a feeling -of approaching evil? She is not quiet to-day; she -trembles every time she glances at her dear family. -She is asking herself, ‘Shall I be permitted to go -with them? or shall I be sold alone?’</p> - -<p>Hear! What said he there—that stately man with -his white neckcloth, his gold chain, and large seal -thereon? What said he? ‘I do not want the old -woman. Sell her alone!’</p> - -<p>Yes! that man had the last bid. He paid $3000 -for James, Johanna, Cornelius, and Jane; but he -won’t buy the old woman. No! he only wants -‘young hands.’ And the old mother, the kind -grandma, is torn away from her dear family, and will -never see them again. She is sold for $200 to another, -and all her happiness is given in the bargain!</p> - -<p>Some people pretend that slaves are indifferent to -their being bought and sold. Upon questioning, I -was told by many slaves who had comparatively kind -masters, that their minds are constantly troubled for -fear of being sold. They would rather submit to the -most cruel treatment at the hands of their masters, -than to be separated.</p> - -<p>A very strong and valuable slave in Mobile assured<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span> -me, that if his master should ever attempt to sell him, -he would jump into the river. His idea of hell, he -said, was a large platform of red hot iron, where bad -people are to be sold. The auctioneer there is the -devil. ‘There is,’ said he, ‘a good deal more white -folks sold there by the devil than black ones.’ If -those poor fellows had no reason like brutes—if they -could not be conscious of their miserable condition—if -they had no rational feeling—they might be less -unhappy; but their reason, their power of intellect, -is frequently superior to that of their brutal and -often drunken masters. When slaves, who have -been raised by kind masters, know that they shall be -sold to men of ill repute, they live in a constant state -of desperation, until they are sold, when they submit -themselves to their deplorable lot, or look out -for some opportunity to run away.</p> - -<p>I shall never forget an awful catastrophe which took -place in a large Southern seaport while I resided -there. A beautiful quadroon slave girl, of about sixteen -summers, with a skin such as many a Spanish -lady would be proud of, and with splendid long black -curls, was bought at auction for $1900 by a confirmed -dissolute rascal, who forced her in the same night to -stay with him.</p> - -<p>Though she was a slave, Raimond Legrand, an -honest young Frenchman, had fallen in love with -her. He had sworn to buy her, and to bring her to -‘la belle France,’ where color of skin is never punished -by imprisonment in the galleys, nor elsewhere. -Unfortunately, he was not in possession of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> -money which her master asked for her. To procure -it, Raimond went to California. During the time of -his absence, the rather good-natured master of Madeline, -(that was her name,) died suddenly, and his -heir put Madeline up at auction. She was bought -by the fellow I mentioned before, and all her happy -dreams and hopes were at once blasted. Her pitiful -cries and groans of anguish, in that horrible night, -were heard for several houses from that of her inhuman -new master. But there was no help for her, -no salvation for Madeline. For the law of the State -says:—‘A slave has to obey in all cases his or -her master.’ In the following morning, a human -chase was seen down the street towards the wharf. A -young and beautiful girl, with flying curls, crying -piteously, and running with all her might, was followed -by a man who shouted, ‘Stop her! stop her!’ -That poor girl was Madeline, and her pursuer was her -new master. A man? No, a demon in human -shape! They arrive together upon the wharf above -the stream. He seizes hold of the dress of his victim, -exclaiming, ‘Mine again! curse you!’ But, in -an instant, she tears herself from the grasp of her -tormentor—she casts one quick despairing glance -upwards—and, uttering the words, ‘Adieu, cher -Raimond!’ she throws herself from the wharf into -the stream, and was seen no more.</p> - -<p>No. 77. Scott, field hand, aged about 19, for $1375.</p> - -<p>No. 78. Campbell, 22 years, for $1500.</p> - -<p>No. 79. Dennis, 26 years, brought $1600.</p> - -<p>Three valuable laborers, healthy and strong men.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span> -They are condemned to ‘hard labor for life,’ as a reward -for their good behavior and diligence.</p> - -<p>No. 80. Frank, field hand, and excellent gardener, -22 years, for $1425.</p> - -<p>No. 81. Gerrard, 24 years, for $1500.</p> - -<p>No. 82. John, 18 years, for $1375.</p> - -<p>No. 83. Betty, a mild-looking young girl of fifteen -summers. But what kind of summers? ‘Driving’ -ones, of course. And what shall be her winters? -We are going to learn it directly.</p> - -<p>No. 84 and No. 85 are placed upon the stand. Tom, -field hand, about 48 years, and Old Betsy, his wife, -three years older than Tom. Tom is a very honest-looking -man. Perhaps he is a cousin to the celebrated -‘Uncle Tom,’ well known by the brilliant pen of that -truth-loving writer, <span class="smcap">Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe</span>. -Tom dares not to look up, for he feels dreadfully -ashamed to be put up at auction, like a mule or a dog. -He suffers from hernia, a complaint which he contracted -while catching a barrel of molasses, which, rolling -down from a hill, endangered the life of a white infant -child. Tom is therefore entitled to a reward for -saving human life, and particularly white life. Entitled -to a reward? O, yes! There stands Tom upon -the platform of a slave-auction room, and enjoys his -reward—to be sold to the highest bidder for $250!</p> - -<p>I have seen a valuable mule, which, by kicking, -caused the death of a child. This animal was afterwards -sold at auction for the sum of $375, fully $125 -more than our generous Tom!</p> - -<p>No. 85. Who is No. 85? Ay, there we find poor<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> -old Betsy, kind old soul! She labored more than 40 -years in her master’s house. She had sung and -cradled the children to sleep, carefully protecting -them from all harm. She watched over those children -like a mother; and if there were some particularly -fine, golden oranges hanging over the porch, she -had to get them down for her darling boy, her master’s -child. And this very child, now a full-grown -man, is selling her to-day at auction for $100.</p> - -<p>No. 86. John Jones, field hand, (suffers from slight -hernia,) 23 years old, and</p> - -<p>No. 87. Anna Kentuck, 22 years, and</p> - -<p>No. 88. Her little boy, Armstead, 3 years. All together -were sold for $1950. But the stranger who -had the last bid is not able to give the requisite security, -nor is he in possession of cash; and the poor -family is placed again upon the platform, to be resold. -The torture begins anew; they have again to feel the -mortification of being placed in the same category with -cattle. Armstead, the poor little boy, will give you -the best proof that even little children can feel the -atrocity of being thus sold. He begins to cry most -pitifully, and hides his face under the white apron of -his weeping mother.</p> - -<p>No. 89. Louisa, and</p> - -<p>No. 90. Her child, a babe.</p> - -<p>Louisa is a splendid young woman, of about 21. -Her stately form and noble features will make you -believe that she is a descendant of pure royal African -blood. She is, perhaps, the grand-daughter of some -princess, who was stolen from her native country by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span> -some pirate who called himself a Christian! Her -splendid black eyes are proudly surveying the sitting -assemblage, as if scorning the power of those dealers -in human souls. But, suddenly, their flashing light -is gone; she casts them down, and large drops are -falling upon her darling babe in her arms. Picture a -sleeping babe and its mother for sale at auction! To -you, gentle mothers of darling babes, I am now -addressing my simple words. If the heart of man -should be cast of iron, or carved out of granite, a loving -mother’s heart is soft, like pure melted wax, and -always susceptible to every impression of goodness -and of compassion. She alone can tell how great is -the pain to see her darling babe suffer. She alone -can understand the sufferings of other unfortunate -mothers.</p> - -<p>Mothers! which among you could bear to see your -own dear babe torn from your arms? But poor Louisa -is forced to see it! Can she bear the dreadful -thought? Why is she a Christian? Can that faith -be a true one—can it be a just one—when they who -sell her and her babe call themselves Christians? -Can she still believe in the Savior of mankind?</p> - -<p>But, be silent, and take a glance at that poor mother! -Though sold for $1275, she presses her babe closer to -her beating bosom; she raises her large tearful eyes -towards heaven, from whence salvation shall come; -for she believes in her Savior upon the Cross, in that -Savior who shed his blood for the everlasting freedom -of all human beings.</p> - -<p>Reader, a loving mother is a prophetess; and although<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span> -she foresees the dangers that shall befall her -darling babe, she also recognizes its deliverance, -and its final happiness, through the almighty hand of -the Lord, who is the Savior of little babes, as well as -the Savior of men and women.</p> - -<p>No. 91. Yellow John, field hand, 28 years, and his -companion in his life of misery—</p> - -<p>No. 92. Martha. Both were sold for $1800.</p> - -<p>The kind reader will please enter a magnificent castle, -situated in a romantic province, upon the charming -borders of the river Seine. The noble Count is -sitting upon a richly gilded fauteuil, leaning with his -arms upon a small table of rosewood. A golden goblet -and two sealed bottles of the first quality of old -‘Chateau-Haut-Briou’ are placed before him upon the -table. A footman, dressed in glittering livery, is -awaiting his orders. But the Count remains silent; -his eyes are wandering out through the arched window, -until they are fixed upon the sublime scenery -before them. The setting sun is casting its mild rays -upon the beautiful landscape. The soft waves of the -river are reflecting the light with the brilliancy of an -ocean of diamonds. The deep blue sky is partly -painted with purple, green and violet, shining with a -celestial splendor. Droves of cows and flocks of -sheep are descending the fair hills, and are making -for home. Bright and lovely maidens, wearing upon -their black, curled hair beautiful wreaths of flowers, -are dancing like so many fairies upon the green, -flowery turf of the pasture ground, above the stream.</p> - -<p>Sir Count! do you not enjoy the lovely scene before<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span> -your eyes? Are you not a happy man, to be -the owner of so much beauty?</p> - -<p>But the Count hears nothing—sees nothing; his -mind is absent; he is dreaming of by-gone days. -Suddenly, his face seems to be troubled with a strange -thought—his lips are audibly uttering the words, ‘La -Louisiane! Mon Dieu, que j’étais fou! Pauvre -Jeannette! Comment? Non, non, c’est impossible! -Ça se ne peut pas!’</p> - -<p>What is he saying? Is he not speaking of Louisiana? -He says: ‘My God, what a fool I was! Poor -Jane! How? No, no, it is not possible—it cannot -be so!’</p> - -<p>What cannot be so? Who is Jane? Didn’t they -call John’s mother Jeannette, or Jane? Yes, Count! -Indeed, it can be! Noble Count, while you are living -in riches and plenty, master of a proud and magnificent -castle, your son—yes, Count! your only son, -is a miserable slave! He is standing, this very hour, -upon the platform of a slave-auction room! He, your -own flesh and blood! Listen, O Count! listen to -the terrible story! He—your son—is sold to the -highest bidder like a brute!</p> - -<p>Count! if your heart is able to feel—if you are not -a lump of ice, like the heart of yonder unfeeling -slave-driver—fly from your splendid castle, and go -to parts unknown; for the terrible vision of the dreadful -calamity that awaits your only son will haunt you -from the saloon to the sleeping apartment, and from -the garden to the pinnacle of the tower.</p> - -<p>But John, the young Count of Chateau-Brillant,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span> -is forced to await the orders of his new master—for -he is a slave!</p> - -<p>No. 93. Moses, field hand, 35;</p> - -<p>No. 94. Matilda, 30;</p> - -<p>No. 95. Richard, 9;</p> - -<p>No. 96. Mike, a bright little boy of 6.</p> - -<p>Again a splendid family, all the members of which -are ‘very likely’; so says the auctioneer. ‘Superior -to all sold heretofore.’ Moses, a strong, healthy and -intelligent-looking man, is standing upon the platform, -with the feelings of a father whose dear ones and -himself are disposed of like dogs. See, he is strong; -he is able to fight for his freedom, and no doubt -could overpower half a dozen of those sickly-looking -slave-drivers. Well, why don’t he fight to gain his -liberty, and, consequently, be regarded as a man, and -not as a mule? Because he is well aware that he -has no power as a single man, and that he cannot -combine with his other unfortunate brothers to break -the yoke, as did his great namesake of old several -thousand years ago. Is he afraid of death? O no, -for he knows perfectly well that his body is not his -own; that the bodies of his beloved ones do not belong -to themselves. Who then would suffer, in case -of his death, but his money-making master? But -Moses has two reasons for not avenging himself. The -first is, he is sure that the attempt to excite his -brothers in bondage to revolt against their masters, -would not only imperil their lives, but in all probability -subject them to an awful death upon the burning -wood-pile. Moses is not afraid of any wood-pile,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span> -whether burning or not; but he has a good-natured -disposition, and therefore shrinks from involving his -brethren in so awful a catastrophe. He will continue -to suffer under the whip, rather than cause the death -of his fellows upon the funeral pile.</p> - -<p>His second reason is, because he is a Christian.</p> - -<p>Every slaveholder knows perfectly well that a -Christian slave is worth much more than one who -has no faith at all. Many of them are sagacious -enough to teach their slaves the gospel, and particularly -those words of the apostle Paul: ‘Servants, be -obedient to them that are your masters, according to -the flesh, with fear and trembling.’ Ephes. vi. 5. -Here and there, a slaveholder will forbid his slaves to -attend religious exercises; but he is a fool, and he -will surely suffer for it.</p> - -<p>I happened once to get acquainted with a Frenchman, -an owner of slaves, who said to me, ‘Doctor, -I will be obliged to you if you will teach my slaves -your religious opinions; for though they are to me -ridiculous, I know very well that my slaves, once believing -in your nonsense, will be worth more to me -than they are now.’</p> - -<p>Alas! poor Moses will remain a slave until death -shall break his chains! But, no! His chains shall be -broken before! God grant it!</p> - -<p>No. 94. Matilda, wife of Moses, (though she is never -regarded as a wife by the slave code,) seems to be a -very good creature. While she is weeping silently, -she presses her last-born, her darling boy, her Mike, -close to her bosom. Poor child! Bitter, yes, very<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> -bitter are the tears thy unfortunate mother is weeping -over thee! Alas! she fears that thou mayest be -sold to a man whose gospel is ‘money.’ O Mike! -will he order you to his infamous gambling saloon? -Will you learn his tricks, and will he poison your pure -innocent heart with his blasphemies? Is it his intention -to make you a deceiver, a thief, a robber, a murderer? -Dreadful thought! that child of affliction -and of prayers shall perhaps become a candidate for -the gallows! And why? For money’s sake! Yes, -to fill a villain’s pockets with money!</p> - -<p>And Richard—the noble, the smart, the truth-loving -boy, with those clear innocent eyes—what shall -become of him when his new master shall prove to -be man of dissolute habits?</p> - -<p>Mourn again, reader! for virtue and justice shall -succumb, and crime shall be triumphant. That family -brings a good price. These Christians are sold for -$3000; and with them their hope, their virtue, their -faith, all that they possess in this world. The curtain -falls—the tragedy closes.</p> - -<p>No. 97. Jerry, field hand, 42 years, and</p> - -<p>No. 98. Molly, 40 years. An old looking couple, -but a kind, a true-hearted one.</p> - -<p>‘Gentlemen,’ says the auctioneer——. But before -I proceed, the reader will give me permission to -mention that the four ladies, present at the commencement -of this auction sale, did not bid, nor did -they remain for more than half an hour. For the -honor of their sex, I am bound to mention that they -(though most probably themselves owners of slaves,)<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span> -seemed to feel very uneasy while present. I believe -that there is a certain natural feeling with the great -majority of the gentler sex, which is more just, and -more open to the truths of the gospel, than we of -the masculine race are able to comprehend.</p> - -<p>‘Gentlemen,’ says the auctioneer, ‘Jerry and Molly -are the last couple to be sold to-day; for it is late, -and we have to close. To-morrow at 12 M., the rest -of the slaves, belonging to this gang, fifty-one very -valuable, sound and likely negroes, will be sold to -the highest bidder for cash and approved paper.’</p> - -<p>I intend,—<i>Deo volente</i>,—to delineate at some future -time the proceedings of ‘the sale of to-morrow.’ -Let us close, for the present, with poor Jerry and unfortunate -Molly, who were sold to a not very kind -looking man for $1125.</p> - -<p>The chattels are sold. There were ninety-eight -large and small articles—Christian goods—bringing -to their former owner the snug little sum of $80,890. -Will that sum be sufficient to buy ninety-eight souls -of men, baptized in the name of the Father, of the -Son, and of the Holy Spirit? Friends! eighty millions -will never buy them from their Father in heaven, -for they have been ‘bought with a price’—with -the precious blood of the Son of God!</p> - -<p>Surely, if we are convinced that the institution of -slavery is a great wrong against humanity, and a -heavy curse to Christianity, we shall seek to abolish -it without delay.</p> - -<p>But how can we do it? By what means can we -induce the slaveholders in the South to give up their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span> -‘property,’ their ‘wealth,’ their ‘merchandise,’ their -‘valuable goods?’ Shall we invade the Slave States -with a large army, and liberate the slaves by means -of revolvers, knives, swords, and Sharp’s or Minnie -rifles? I know the Southerners too well, not to be -convinced that every one of them would fight to the -death—that they would lose every drop of their blood, -rather than consent to give up their slaves. The -Southerner is no coward; he is brave in battle, and -faces death without fear. But, suppose that the -whole body of the oppressed slaves should rise as one -man, and strike for their liberty—would not their -victory be certain? Yes, but what a victory! Streams -of blood would stain the ever-blooming soil of the -South, and legions of corpses would become a prey -to the vultures. And whose blood would flow? That -only of mean and cruel slave-drivers? Oh, no! -Many thousand corpses of innocent babes would point -up to heaven for vengeance! Thousands of blooming -young maidens would be slaughtered, causing the -blood-stained soil to remain a curse for many centuries!</p> - -<p>No, my friends! No revolver, no rifle, no knife, -no bloodshed nor slaughter shall be necessary to metamorphose -slaves into freemen. No war is able to -abolish the institution of slavery. There is a standard -which is bound to be victorious in the hottest of -battles—a standard, before the glory of which, the -most stubborn of slave-drivers shall be forced to fall -upon his knees, crying, ‘Lord! what shall I do to -be saved?’ That standard is the Cross of the Redeemer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span> -of mankind! If the slaveholders will truly -believe in the powerful supremacy of that standard, it -will be impossible for them to keep any longer -their colored brethren in so shameful a bondage as -Slavery. If the slaveholder of the South would call -himself a Christian, without being a hypocrite, he -will be obliged to do away with Slave laws, Slave -markets, and Slave auctions—in fact, TO ABOLISH -SLAVERY.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak">THE CHRISTIAN SLAVE.</h2> -</div> - -<p class="center">BY J. G. WHITTIER.</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>[In a publication of <span class="smcap">L. F. Tasistro</span>, ‘Random -Shots and Southern Breezes,’ is a description of a -slave auction at New Orleans, at which the auctioneer -recommended the woman on the stand as ‘<span class="smcap">a good -Christian</span>!’]</p> -</div> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="indent3"><span class="smcap">A Christian</span>! going, gone!</div> -<div class="verse">Who bids for God’s own image?—for His grace</div> -<div class="verse">Which that poor victim of the market-place</div> -<div class="indent3">Hath in her suffering won?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="indent3">My God! can such things be?</div> -<div class="verse">Hast thou not said that whatsoe’er is done</div> -<div class="verse">Unto Thy weakest and Thy humblest one,</div> -<div class="indent3">Is even done to Thee?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="indent3">In that sad victim, then,</div> -<div class="verse">Child of Thy pitying love, I see Thee stand,</div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> -<div class="verse">Once more the jest-word of a mocking band,</div> -<div class="indent3">Bound, sold, and scourged again!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="indent3">A Christian up for sale!</div> -<div class="verse">Wet with her blood your whips—o’ertask her frame,</div> -<div class="verse">Make her life loathsome with your wrong and shame,</div> -<div class="indent3"><i>Her</i> patience shall not fail!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="indent3">Cheers for the turbaned Bey</div> -<div class="verse">Of robber-peopled Tunis! he hath torn</div> -<div class="verse">The dark slave-dungeons open, and hath borne</div> -<div class="indent3">Their inmates into day:</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="indent3">But our poor slave in vain</div> -<div class="verse">Turns to the Christian shrine her aching eyes—</div> -<div class="verse">Its rites will only swell her market price,</div> -<div class="indent3">And rivet on her chain.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="indent3">God of all right! how long</div> -<div class="verse">Shall priestly robbers at Thine altar stand,</div> -<div class="verse">Lifting in prayer to Thee the bloody hand</div> -<div class="indent3">And haughty brow of wrong!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="indent3">O, from the fields of cane,</div> -<div class="verse">From the low rice-swamp, from the trader’s cell—</div> -<div class="verse">From the black slave-ship’s foul and loathsome hell,</div> -<div class="indent3">And coffle’s weary chain—</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="indent3">Hoarse, horrible, and strong,</div> -<div class="verse">Rises to heaven that agonizing cry,</div> -<div class="verse">Filling the arches of the hollow sky,</div> -<div class="indent3"><span class="smcap">How long, O Lord, how long!</span></div> -</div></div></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">THE SLAVE MINGO’S POEM.</h2> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p><i>To the Editor of the Boston Journal</i>:</p> - -<p>[The following remarkable poem was sent me from -the South by a friend, who informs me that the author -of it was a slave named Mingo, a man of wonderful -talents, and on that account oppressed by his -master. While in the slave-prison, he penciled this -poetic gem on one of the beams, which was afterwards -found and copied. My friend adds that Mingo did -escape, at night, but was recaptured and destroyed -by the bloodhounds. My friend promises to send other -poems of his, which, he says, are in possession of -Mingo’s aged wife.]</p> - -<p class="right">C. W.</p> -</div> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"> -Good God! and must I leave them now—</div> -<div class="verse">My wife, my children, in their woe?</div> -<div class="verse">’Tis mockery to say I’m sold—</div> -<div class="verse">But I forget these chains so cold,</div> -<div class="verse">Which goad my bleeding limbs, though high</div> -<div class="verse">My reason mounts above the sky.</div> -<div class="verse">Dear wife, they cannot sell the rose</div> -<div class="verse">Of love, that in my bosom glows.</div> -<div class="verse">Remember, as your tears may start,</div> -<div class="verse">They cannot sell th’ immortal part!</div> -<div class="verse">Thou sun, which lightest bond and free,</div> -<div class="verse">Tell me, I pray, is liberty</div> -<div class="verse">The lot of those who noblest feel,</div> -<div class="verse">And oftest to Jehovah kneel?</div> -<div class="verse">Then I may say, but not with pride,</div> -<div class="verse">I feel the rushings of the tide</div> -<div class="verse">Of reason and of eloquence,</div> -<div class="verse">Which strive and yearn for eminence.</div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span> -<div class="verse">I feel high manhood on me now,</div> -<div class="verse">A spirit-glory on my brow;</div> -<div class="verse">I feel a thrill of music roll,</div> -<div class="verse">Like angel harpings, through my soul,</div> -<div class="verse">While poesy, with rustling wings,</div> -<div class="verse">Upon my spirit rests and sings;</div> -<div class="verse"><i>He</i> sweeps my heart’s deep throbbing lyre,</div> -<div class="verse">Who touched Isaiah’s lips with fire.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">To Plymouth Rock, ye breezes, bear</div> -<div class="verse">These words from me, as I would dare,</div> -<div class="verse">If I were free: Is not our God</div> -<div class="verse">Our common Father?—from the sod</div> -<div class="verse">He formed us all; then brothers—yes;</div> -<div class="verse">We’re brothers all, though some oppress,</div> -<div class="verse">And grind their equals in the dust.</div> -<div class="verse">O Heaven! tell me, is this just?</div> -<div class="verse">’Tis fiendish. No! I will not go,</div> -<div class="verse">And leave my children here in woe!</div> -<div class="verse">God help me! Out, bright dagger! gleam,</div> -<div class="verse">And find the coward’s heart, and stream</div> -<div class="verse">With fiendish blood! This night, this night,</div> -<div class="verse">Or I am free, or it shall smite</div> -<div class="verse">The master and his slave, and we</div> -<div class="verse">Will seek the heavenly liberty!</div> -<div class="verse">There will my master’s bloody lash</div> -<div class="verse">No longer lacerate   *   *   *</div> -</div></div></div> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p><span class="smcap">Note.</span> The last line was, from some cause, incomplete; -perhaps his feelings overcame him at the conception. -I concluded to give it as it was.       C. 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