Slavery and the Constitution Part 9

Does any one, and who does not, feel deep disgust at these recitals? Let us rather feel disgusted at the system which leads to such atrocities!

Let not our indignation rest upon the story of the wrong, but upon the wrong itself and its perpetrators.

Does any one say these are solitary instances of atrocity? Doubtless such advertis.e.m.e.nts are rare, but not unique. Others of the same kind, and still more atrocious, might be adduced. But which const.i.tutes the greater atrocity,--to use men and women as "stallions" and "brood mares," or to speak or print the d.a.m.ning deed? If the latter shows hardened feeling, what does the former prove? If these advertis.e.m.e.nts were the only ones of the kind which could be cited, still they tell a story of brutal outrage, which is happening in this Christian land, every day, hour, and minute, to tens of thousands of human beings! Other advertis.e.m.e.nts, showing the brutality of the examinations to which women are frequently subjected, might be cited. But for these we must refer the reader to other anti-slavery doc.u.ments; for enough of the disgusting details has been exhibited to establish our position.

To obtain any thing like an adequate conception of the brutalizing influence upon the slaves of this trading in their bodies and the bodies of their children, we must first see to what an extent it is carried. We shall confine our attention chiefly to those who make a business of the matter, "to gentlemen dealing in slaves;" leaving almost wholly unnoticed the vast number of instances of buying and selling slaves between private individuals, chaffering between neighbors, for their private ends! Not that this latter kind of slave-trade is any less degrading in its effects, but only because proofs in relation to the other are more accessible, and are amply sufficient for our purpose.

CHAPTER VIII.

"DOMESTIC SLAVE-TRADE."

"The traffic in slaves is irreconcilable with the principles of justice and humanity."--_Treaty of Ghent._

No description of ours can give any adequate idea of the extent of this terrible trade. It is as regular a branch of business as any other that can be named. The city of Was.h.i.+ngton licenses persons to "traffic in slaves for profit"! The trade is carried on between Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Kentucky,--or the slave-raising States,--and Alabama, Mississippi, and the other slave-consuming States. Depots, or private jails, are erected at convenient places.

In the "American Beacon" (published at Norfolk, Va.), Jan. 24, 1848, appear the two following advertis.e.m.e.nts:--

"NEGRO REPOSITORY.--The undersigned has, at a very considerable expense, erected, and fitted up in a style of comfort and convenience, a commodious two-story building on Union-street, second door east of Church-street, for the safe keeping and accommodation of negroes, both male and female (the apartments being entirely separate), which are brought to this market for sale. This building is admirably adapted to the object proposed, having airy and pleasant rooms, and every convenience which could be desired, besides large yards, _walled in high_, a capacious cistern, &c.

which, whilst they secure the comfort of the negro, likewise guarantee the most ample security for his safe keeping.

"In addition to boarding negroes for sale, the undersigned proposes keeping on hand from time to time, for sale, such negroes as may be in demand in this market, embracing every description of house and field-hands, male and female, young and old, that may be called for, and upon terms entirely accommodating.

"Besides the boarding and the selling of negroes, he will also make exchanges, giving or receiving such boot as the difference in age, character, qualifications, and appearance may notify.

"The highest cash market prices paid for negroes of both s.e.xes at all times. WM. W. HALL."

"CASH FOR NEGROES.--I will pay the highest cash for likely young negroes of both s.e.xes, from 10 to 30 years of age. All those that have such to dispose of would do well to give me a call before selling. I will also attend to s.h.i.+pping of negroes to any of the Southern ports, free of charge, when left with me; _as I have a private jail for the safe keeping of servants_. For further information, inquire at my office at Union Hotel, Union-street, or through the post-office. G. W. APPERSON."

The following is taken from a New Orleans paper:--

"SLAVE DEPOT.--J. Buddy.--Slave-yard and boarding-house, 159, Gravier-street, second door from Carondelet.

"House-servants and field-hands for sale at all times. Slaves will be received on board or sold on favorable terms. The building is a large three-story brick house, and _very commodious as a slave depot_. Particular attention will be paid to the health and cleanliness of all slaves placed in this yard."

From the "Missouri Republican," St. Louis, July 13, 1849:--

"REMOVAL.--Blakey & McAfee have removed to No. 93, Olive-street, six doors west of their old stand. They are prepared at all times to pay the highest prices for negroes. _They have also a good secure yard, with a strong jail attached_, and are prepared to board negroes sent to this market for sale. Persons having negroes for sale will please call and see us. Those wis.h.i.+ng to purchase can find what they want at our yard. BLAKEY & MCAFEE, No. 93, Olive-street."

Hon. Horace Mann has described to us the slave-pen in the city of Was.h.i.+ngton; and another member of Congress informs us, that the United States jail in the District of Columbia is frequently used for the purpose of storing human beings for sale! Thus, in the "National Intelligencer" (Dec. 19, 1844), we find the following notice:--

"FOR SALE,--A likely young negro, in the jail of Was.h.i.+ngton. He is a most excellent teamster, and well acquainted with the care of horses. Persons wis.h.i.+ng to purchase will apply to Mr. Ball, at the jail, where the boy may be seen, and further information given."

The activity of this trade may be inferred from these advertis.e.m.e.nts, which const.i.tute but a small portion of what might be produced.

In the "National Intelligencer," March 28, 1836, three slave-traders in the District of Columbia advertise for _twelve hundred_ negroes, and a fourth offers to buy any number! Here is one of the advertis.e.m.e.nts:--

"CASH FOR FIVE HUNDRED NEGROES, including both s.e.xes, from ten to twenty-five years of age.--Persons having likely servants to dispose of will find it their interest to give us a call, as we will give higher prices in cash than any other purchaser who is now or may hereafter come into the market. FRANKLIN & AMFIELD, Alexandria."

In a later number of the same paper are the following:--

"CASH FOR NEGROES.--I will give cash and liberal prices for any number of young and likely negroes, from eight to forty years of age. Persons having negroes to dispose of will find it to their advantage to give me a call at my residence, on the corner of Seventh-street and Maryland Avenue, and opposite Mr. Williams's private jail. WILLIAM H. RICHARDS."

"CASH FOR NEGROES.--The subscriber wishes to purchase a number of negroes for the Louisiana and Mississippi market. Himself or an agent at all times can be found at his jail, on Seventh-street.

WM. H. WILLIAMS."

In a later number, June 24, 1843, Mr. Richards is not so eager:--

"CASH FOR NEGROES.--The subscriber wishes to purchase twenty or thirty negroes, and will pay the highest market price. Persons having negroes to sell will find it to their interest to give him a call before they sell. I can be always found at my residence, corner of Seventh-street and Maryland Avenue. All communications through the post-office will be promptly attended to.

WM. H. RICHARDS."

In a still later number, July 22, 1843, appears this:--

"CAs.h.!.+ CAs.h.!.+--The subscriber wishes to purchase any number of negroes for the Southern markets. The subscriber will at all times give the highest market price in cash for likely negroes, mechanics and house servants included. Himself or agent can at all times be seen at the corner of Seventh-street and Maryland Avenue. All communications will receive prompt attention. THOMAS WILLIAMS."

The following are samples of some of the advertis.e.m.e.nts of Maryland traders. The original of all of these advertis.e.m.e.nts will be found at the Anti-Slavery office, Boston. We begin with one of Hope H. Slatter:--

"NEGROES WANTED.--Having returned from New Orleans, I will now pay the highest cash prices for all likely negroes that are slaves for life and good t.i.tles. All communications will be promptly attended to. HOPE H. SLATTER, Pratt-street.

"N.B. On the 7th day of June, 1844, Jonathan M. Wilson (my former agent), by mutual consent, withdrew from my employment, and is no longer my agent. HOPE H. SLATTER.

"Baltimore, July 29."

"CASH FOR FIVE HUNDRED NEGROES, at the old establishment of Slatter's, No. 244, Pratt-street, Baltimore, between Sharp and Howard-streets, where the highest prices are paid,--which is well known. _We have large accommodations for negroes, and always buying._ _Being regular s.h.i.+ppers to New Orleans_, persons should bring their property where no commissions are paid, as the owners lose it. All communications attended to promptly by addressing H. F. SLATTER."

"NEGROES WANTED.--I have removed from my former residence, West Pratt-street, to my new establishment on Camden-street, immediately in the rear of the railroad depot, where I am permanently located.

Persons bringing negroes by the cars will find it very convenient, as it is only a few yards from where the pa.s.sengers get out. Those having negroes for sale will find it to their advantage to call and see me, as I am at all times paying the highest prices in cash.

J. S. DONOVAN, Baltimore, Md."

"NEGROES WANTED.--O. C. & S. Y. Harris, of Upper Marlboro', wish to purchase any number of negroes, for which they will give the highest market price in cash. They will be in Port Tobacco once in every week. Any communications left in their absence with Mr. Lyne Shackelford will be promptly attended to."

"NEGROES WANTED.--The highest market prices will be given for negroes at all times. Persons having negroes for sale will please call at my office, No. 26, Conway-street, between Charles and Hanover. Communications promptly attended to.

"Also negroes will be received and kept at twenty-five cents per day. B. M. CAMPBELL.

"April 7, 1846."

"NEGROES WANTED.--Persons wis.h.i.+ng to sell their negroes will find it to their advantage to give me a call before selling elsewhere. _I have all the facilities that the trade will admit of in the New Orleans and other markets._ Such being the case, I can give as much as any one else, which I am determined to do. Any communication addressed to me, either in Baltimore or Port Tobacco, will be attended to immediately. JOHN G. CAMPBELL, "Jan. 1, 1847. Agent for B. M. Campbell."

"TAKE NOTICE.--Persons wis.h.i.+ng to dispose of their servants would do well to give me a call before they sell to the traders. By paying a small commission to an agent, they can get from $75 to $100 more; as _I receive monthly from New Orleans, Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, S.C. the full market prices for slaves_.

"SCOTT'S Intelligence Office, No. 10, Exchange Place."

The following is taken from the "Wilmington (Va.) Journal" of Sept. 3, 1847:--

"NEGROES WANTED.--I wish to purchase a large number of negroes, of both s.e.xes, from the age of 14 to 30, for which I will pay the highest cash market price. As I intend making a long stay in Wilmington for that purpose, persons from the country would find it to their advantage to bring such slave-property to town as they have to dispose of. Also wanted some good carpenters, blacksmiths, coopers, and bricklayers.--Apply to me, at the Carolina Hotel.

ANSLEY DAVIS, of Petersburg, Va.

"Wilmington, May 7, 1847."