American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-08-22
A NEGRO SALE AT DEMARARA.

A NEGRO SALE All DEMARARA.
The following account of a Sale OF Negroes, is ia
ken from Dr. Pinckatds late publication, cnli-
lied, Notes on the West lndies.,'
A few days ago, / had the opposuniy Of being
present at more regular sale or market oil slaves
than had before and here Witnessed all
the heart rending distress attendant upon snch
scene. ] saw numbers of our fellow beings trgu-
laily bartered for geld. and transferred like cattle,
or any common merchandise, from one possessor
10 another. 1t was sight which European Curl
osly had rendered me desious to behold, although
had anticipated from it only painful qualification
may now say, have seen ii -and while nature
animates my breast with even the ieeblsst spark OF
humanity, can never forget it
The poor Africans. who were 10 be SOLD, were
exposed naked in large empty building, like an
open barn. Those who came with intention TO
purchase. minutely inspected them handled them
made them Jump, and stamp with their feet. and
throw out their aims and their legs, turn them
about, looked into their mouths, and according to
the usual rules OF traffic with respect to CATTLE ex
amned them, and made them show themselves in
a variety OF ways, to try If they were sound and
healthy. All this was distressful as humiliating,
and tended to excite strong aversion and disgust |;
bu, wound, still more severe, was inflicted on the
feelings by some Of the purchasers selecting only
such as their Judgment led them to prefer, regard
less oil the bonds. of nature and affection !! The
urgent appeals of friendship and attachment were
unhe eded --sighs and tears made no impre sson,-
ard all the inploripg looks and penetrating expires.
sons Of g,ief were unavapg Hungry COM
merce oded the golden chains of affection,
and sorJid interest burst every tie of nature
der. The husband was taken away from the wife,
children separated from their parents the compan.
ion was bought away from his friend, and the bro.
ther not suffered 10 accompany the sister. In one
part OF the building was seen wife clinging to her
husband and beseec hing, in the strongest eoquence
of nature, not TO be left behind him Here a
sister hanging upon the neck OF brother; and
with Tears, cptreang to be led to the home Of
captivity There stood two brothers, EMBODIED in
each others arms mutually bewailing their threat
ened separation. In other parts friends, rela-
tives, and companions praying to be sold TO the
same master using signs to signify that they
would be content with slavery, might they but toll
together Silent iears deep sighs and heavy la
menlations bespoke the universal sutferlngs Of
these poor blacks, and proved that nature was ever
true to her feelings Never was scene more dis
tressful! Among these unhappy degraded Afri
cans scarcely was there an unclouded countenance! !
Every feature was veiled in the silent gloom of wo,
and sorrowing nature poured forth in all The bitter
ness of afIliction. A whole host Of painful ideas
rushed into my mind at the moment. In sad con
temptation, all the distorted images of this abhor
rent traffic presented themselves to my recollection
The many horrors and cruellies, had so often