Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-08-31
MISCELLANY
THE BEAUTIFUL SLAVE

A gentleman Of fortune, in this city,
has lately received Q letter from his
brother, who is President Of one Of the
Mobile Banks, who men.ions, among
other matters relative 10 the present
distre ssing times, some interesting in
, cidents touching the sale Of the effects
OF late merchant Of that city, Mr..
N'''. This gentleman was possessed
OF beautiful female slave, about Is
yeafs Of age. Al the nor,h, she would
have been taken for bruneite-being
as unlike the French creoles as posi-
BILE. Indeed. il was SAID that she had
not drop Of French. and but precious
little African blood in her veins. Ne
vertheless, she was 4 slave al the time
Of her masters failure, and IS such be-
came the property oil his creditors. An
individual, "a broker,J to whom he
owed some $4,000, determined to
possess himself Of the girl. If possible;
and it was like wise The intention Of the
broken merchant 10 redeem her, al ell
hazards. All the creditors. except the
broker, agreed that n. might retain his
slave, on giving good endorsed twelve
month"; note for $500. with interest.
He also demanded the sale Of the girl
under the hammer; and the unfortuna ate
merchant was compelled to submit
determining. however. TO have some
Of bis friends TO buy her for him. The
day OF sale having arrived, MIR. N. was
under no apprehension but that he
could retain his Martha for something
less than $4,000; and he had made ar
Engagements 10 meet that sum in full,
and commissioned one Of his friends 10
make the purchase for him. But what
was his surprise and indignation, to
see his refractory creditor make the
first bid $500 He was not thus to
be banked. and under instructions, his
friend bid $4,000. The creditor, how
ever. persisted in Overlooking, until
the beautiful Martha was struck off TO
him at $500
II was utterly out of the power Of
the broken merchant, TO raise money
even for the last bid he had made upon
his Martha, had it succeeded in pur-
chasing her, and his creditor would
doubtless have still oveTbid him, had
he gone higher. He must therefore
lose her. or pay the full amount Of the
$40. 900 debt, which II was impossible
for him 10 do. What was then to be
done Martha would never consent
10 part with her master. He had pur-
chased her. on his first arrival al the
south, more than eight years sgo--at
her own request-she then living about
twenty miles from Mobile. He had
given her every advantage Of educa-
ton, and brought her up as Iendefly as
though she were hts own daughter,
and nov she would sooner part with
life itself, than become SLAVE 10 ano-
Their.
Her feelings, on learning her situa-
ton, (foE ". had carefully concealed
the announcement Of the sale from
herr were probably similar to those
which the PROUD daughter OF any ciu-
zen would experience in like pTedie-
ament; FOE The fact other being a slave
4 was known to but fev IN Mobile -
She, therefore, sent Eord to her pur-
chaser, that she would never leave her
present abode alive Ia answer to this
message, be sent two officers to take
her into custody. Meantime, Mr. ~
he'd encouraged her, that she should
esrtsinly escape her doom, snd embark
for New York-thiiheF he would join
her in a short time, never again 10 re-
turn; and bo would there marry aeF.
Martha was. shortly after THIS, placed
I in = common jsil at Mobile. as = stub
born servant; but. foFtuns.sly. che
keeper interested himself in her behalf
and she enjoyed equal comforts to those
Of her masters house.
Just ten days sflsr this, MaFths signi.
fed her consent 10 leave the prison
and take up her sbodo With Der new
master, the hssrilsss creditor Of NJ
, With pleasure snd surprise she wa
liberated by the purchaser, who appro
Driated q handsome apartment IN hii
) house 10 her Use. The came night
she started foF SavaBnsh, per express
, unbeknoWn 10 any ons, save the faith
I ful NJ. One thousand dollars rewagr
vas Immediately offered for her sppFe
hepsion, and detection Of those wbs
bad aided 10 her escape; aad % To-
5sh day the reward was doaoisd-
messengers also having been seat e
New Orleans. snd IN several other d.
reeti0ns. A fortnight Passed, aed ~
J, tidings 81 TIE bsaalifal slave Martha
Every oss eaRects3, tA0oRh noas
eosid Psos. ll.ss l'ss te..ass :. @ssssF e.