The Liberator

MISCELLANEOUS.

SLAVE MARKET AT NATCHEZ.

The following account of the mode of buying and selling slaves at the South, is from a work entitled The South West, by a Yankee.' Hail, Columbia, happy land!

I accompanied a friend, (a planter) to the slave market, which is situated about a mile from the city. It is composed of a cluster of rough wooden buildings, in the angle of two roads, in front of which, several saddle horses, either tied or held by servants, indicated a place of popular resort.

Alighting, we left our horses in charge of a neatly dressed yellow boy belonging to the establishment. Entering through a wide gate into a narrow court-yard, partially enclosed by low buildings, a scene of a novel character was at once presented. A line of negroes, commencing at the entrance with the tallest, who was no more than five feet eight or nine inches in height—for negroes are a low rather than a tall race of men—down to a little fellow of about ten years of age, extended in a semicircle around the right side of the yard. There were in all about forty.

With their hats in their hands, which hung down by their side, they stood perfectly still, and in close order, while some gentlemen were passing from one to another examining for the purpose of buying. With the exception of displaying their teeth when addressed, and rolling their great white eyes about the court, they were so many statues of the most glossy ebony. As we entered the mart, one of the slave merchants approached us, saying, 'Good morning, gentlemen! Would you like to examine my lot of boys? I have as fine a lot as ever came into market.' We approached them, one of us as a curious spectator. the other as a purchaser; and as my friend passed along the line, with a scrutinizing eye—giving that singular look peculiar to the buyer of slaves as he glances from head to foot over each individual—the passive subjects of his observations betrayed no other signs of curiosity than that evinced by an occasional glance. The entrance of a stranger into the mart is by no means an unimportant event to the slaves, for every stranger may soon become his master and command his future destinies. But slaves are seldom strongly affected by any circumstance, and their reflections never give them much uneasiness. To the generality of them, life is mere animal existence, passed in physical exertion or enjoyment. This is the case with the field hands in particular, and more so with the females than the males, who through a long life seldom see any other person than their master or overseer, or any other gentleman's dwelling than the 'great house,' the white house' of these domestic empires in which they are subjects. To this class, a change of masters is a matter of indifference; they are handed from one to the other with the passiveness of a purchased horse. These constitute the lowest rank of slaves, and lowest grade in the scale of the human species.

'For what service particular did you want to buy?' inquired the trader of my friend. 'A coachman.' 'There is one I think may suit you, sir,' said he; 'George step out here.' Forthwith a light colored negro, with a fine figure and good face, bating an enormous pair of lips, advanced a step from the line, and looked with some degree of intelligence, though with an air of indifference, upon his intended purchaser.

How old are you, George?' he inquired. 'I don't recollect, sir, 'zackly—b'lieve I'm somewhere 'bout twenty-dree.' 'Where were you raised?' On master R—'s farm in Wirginny.' Then you are a Virginian negro.' Yes, massa. me full blood Wirginny.' Did you drive your master's carriage?' 'Yes, massa, I drove ole missus' carage more dan four year.' 'Have you a wife?! Yes, massa, I lef' young wife in Richmond, but I got a new wife here in de lot. I wish you buy her massa, if you gwing to buy me.' Then came a series of the usual questions from the intended purchaser. 'Let me see your teeth—your tongue—open your hands—roll up your sleeves—have you a good appetite?—are you good tempered?' 'Me get mad sometime,' replied George to the last query, 'but neber with my horses.' 'What do you ask for this boy, sir?' inquired the planter, after putting a few more questions to the unusually loquacious slave. 'I have held him at one thousand dollars, but I will take nine hundred and seventy-five cash.' The bargain was in a few moments concluded, and my companion took the negro at nine hundred and fifty, giving negotiable paper—the customary way of paying for slaves—at four months. It is, however, generally understood, that if servants prove unqualified for the particular service for which they are bought, the sale is dissolved. So there is in general perfect safety in purchasing servants untried, and merely on the warrant of the seller. George, in the meantime, stood by. with his hat in his hand, apparently unconcerned in the negotiations going on, and when the trader said to him, 'George, the gentleman has bought you; get ready to go with him,' he appeared gratified at the tidings, and smiled upon his companions, apparently quite pleased, and then bounded off to the buildings for his little bundle. In a few minutes he returned and took leave of several of his companions, who having been drawn up into line only to be shown to purchasers, were now once more at liberty, and moving about the court, all the visiters having left except my friend and myself. You mighty lucky, George,' said one congratulating him, to get sol so quick. Oh, you neber min', Charley,' replied the delighted George; your turn come soon too.' 'You know who you' massa be—whar he live?' said another. Not zactly; he lib on plantation some whar her 'bout.' After taking leave of his companions, George came hat in hand, very respectfully, to his purchaser, and said, 'Young massa you neber be sorry for buy George; I make you a good servant. But—beg pardon, massa—but—if massa would be so good as buv Jane— Who is Jane?' My wife since I come from Wirginny. She good wife and good girl—she good seamstress and good nurse—make de nice shirts and ebery ting.' 'Where is she, George?' 'Here she be, massa,' said he, pointing to a bright mulatto girl, about eighteen, with a genteel figure and a lively countenance,, who was waiting with anxiety the reply of the planter. Opposite to the line ot males was also a line of females, extended along the left side of the court. They were about 20 in number, dressed in neat calico frocks, white aprons and capes, and fancy kerchiefs, tied in a mode peculiar to the negroes, upon their heads. Their whole appearance was extremely neat and 'tidy.' They could not be disciplined to the grave silence observed by the males, but were constantly laughing and chattering with each other in suppressed voices, and appeared to take, generally, a livelier interest in the transactions in which all were equally concerned. The planter approached this line of female slaves, and inquired of the girl her capabilities as seamstress, nurse. and ironer. Her price was seven hundred and fifty dollars. He said he would take her to his family; and if the ladies were pleased with her. he would purchase her. The poor girl was as much delighted as though already purchased; and, at the command of the trader, went to prepare herself to leave the mart. Some other negroes were purchased, several of whom appeared merely powerful combinations of bone and muscle, and the only idea suggested in the mind in gazing upon them, was of a remarkable physical energy. In the dull eye and fleshy mouth there was no expression indicative of intellect.