The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-04-25
Miscellaneous.
TIE BEAUTIFUL SLAVE.


one of the Mobile banks, who mentions among 9TH
or matters relative to the present distressing times,
some interesting incidents touching The salo of the
effects Of late merchant Of that city, Mr. N.
This gentleman was possessed Of beautiful female
slave, about eighteen years Of age At the North
she would have been taken for brunette; being as
unlike the French creoes possible Irdced it
was said that she had not drop of French and but
precious little African blood in her veins Nevcrthe-
less she was slave at the time of her masters fail
IRE, and as such became the property of his credi
tors. An individual, broker, to whom he owed
some 1000, determined to possess himself Of the
girl, if possible, and il likewise the intention of
the broker to redeem her at all hazards All the
creditors except the broker, agreed that N - might
retain his slave on giving good endorsed twelve
month note for 8 $780, with interest. He alone de-
manded the sale Of the girl under the hammer, and
the unfortunate merchant was compelled to submit
determining however, to have some of his friends
buy her for him. The day of sale having arrived,
Mr. N was under no apprehension but that he
could retain his Martha for something less than
$4,000, and he had made arrangements to meet that
sum in fall, and commissioned one of his friends to
make purchases 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 his friend bid $4,000. The creditor, however,
persisted in over bidding, until the beautiful Martha
was struck off to him at S. 500!
1t was utterly out Of the power Of the merchant to
raise money even FOR the last bid he had made upon
his Martha had it succeeded in purchasing her, and
his creditor would doubtless have still bid him,
had Inc gone higher. He must therefore, loose her
or pay the amount Of the s. 900 debt, which was
impossible for him to do What was then TO be done?
Martha ~oud never consent to part III her muster.
He had purchased her his first arrival at the
South more than eight years ago, at her re-
quest, she then living about twenty miles from Mo-
bile. He had given her every advantage of educa-
ton land brought her up tender though she
his own daughter; and now she would sooner part
with life itself thaRbe slure
Her feelings, on learning her situation, Cor N
had carefully concealed the announcement Of the
sale from her, probably snilur to those which
any proud daughter would experience in like predica
ment; for the fact of her beng slave was known to
but few in Mobile She therefore sent word to her
purchaser that she would not leave her present abode
alive. In answer to this message he sent two Off
to take her into custody. Meantime Mr. N
had encouraged her that she should certainly escape
her doom, land embark for N. York. hthrr he would
join her in short time, again to return and he
wonld there marry her.
Martha was shortly after this placed in the common
mil at Mobile as a stubborn servant; but, fortunately,
The keeper interested himself in her BEHALF and she
enjoyed equal comforts to those Of her masters
house.
Just ten days after this, Martha sgnifed her
sent 10 leave the prison. and take up her abode with
her new master, the heartless creditor of N.
With pleasure and surprise she liberated by the
purchaser, who appropriated handsome apartment
in his house to her use. The night she started
for Savannah per cypress, unknown to my one save
the faithful NJ. One thousand dollars reward
was Immediately offered for her apprehension, and
the discovery of those who aided in her escape and
on the fifth day the reward doublcd-messegers
also having been sent New Orleans, and in several
other directions. fortnight passed, and no tidngs Of
the beautiful slave Martha. Every suspected,
though no one could prore that her former master had
aided in her escape. Mr. N--had now nearly ar
ranged his affairs, and was about to leave Mobile.
His stubborn creditor had tried, by every means in
his pow err TO procure indictment against him, but
without success; when, the evening before Ms de
parture, his friend, at his desire, called upon the
CREDITOR endeavor if possible to purchase release
of the title to Martha. No. Replied the broker, Il
would sooner spend $40, 600 than be tricked by the
internal Yankee." N-took his leave, dcposiling
$500 with his FRIEND which all the spare money
he had, and nsructng him to purchase with it the
rre. dom of Martha, if possible.
Within one month from the time N-leh Mobile
the extensive house Of r.. NJ s Brothers, cotton
brokers, stopped payment; and in due time the sale
Of their personal property devolved upon an auction
eer. Among the living shatleIs disposed of, the title
of the beautiful slave Martha, then absent, who cost
"a 500, was struck off to the friend Of " for
$62!
This narrative is no fctionthe writer OF the letter
first mentioned being the identical purchaser of the
slave Martha. Ills immediate object in writing TO
the gentleman who furnished US with the above WAS
to hear OF the whereabouts Of his fiend N as he
had been unable to hear from him since this impor-
tant purchase though he had Immediately written to
I'M i'm with We hay boen