Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-11-08
THE POLK AND DALLAS NEGRO-PEN
AT WASHINGTON

We have seen and heard described one of the
most outrageous establishments that ever disgra-
ced any portion of our country-and which now
exists IN the city OF Washington-the seat OF Gov
ernment 1t goes by the name of " The Siaue- PEN"
1t Is grand gathering place ofSlaves, whence they
are sent OIL for sdle to those parts of the country
where they are most in request, and bring the high
est price. Over this scene of iniQuy and cruelty,
there floats the Loco Foco Flag, bearing he names
OF POLK and DALLAS. The proprietors of the es
adjustment are using their utmost efforts to secure
the election of Loco Foco candidates, with a
shrewd regard to their own nterest-supposing
that such result will lead to the Annexation of
Texas-the diffusion of Slavery and the increase
of the value ofthe human flesh in which thev traffic
Blrney, and Leavitt, and Stanton, are now Loco
Focos. They also, are endeavoring to defeat Mr..
Clay, and to bring about the election of Mr. Polk
They doing all they can, to aid the plans of the
owners of the Polk and Dallas Negro. Pen, at
Washington. We take from the Norwich Conn
Courier, the following extract from letter to zen
teman in that place, giving a description of the
Slave-Pen. Boston .ftiaS.
Extract of Private Letter to a Gentleman in
this place, dated Alexandria, ID. c. 18th Oct 1914
"Would to Heaven every honest abolitionist in
the country could spend one day in this District
before determining to cast his vote for the third
candidate.' ! would have him visit the PEN lately
described by the Washington correspondent of the
New York Express. 1t is gloomy, suspicious
looking cluster of buildings, surrounded by a high
wall, situated in the metropolis OF the nation about
quarter of mile south of Pennsylvania Avenue,
and in full view from the Capitol We'll do | re-
member how was struck with its dreary and p,s,
on-like aspect upon my first visit to Washington,
and never shall | forget the chill of horror with
which heard its uses described and its grated
windows accounted for What said /, is il not a
public prison ?-'Oh no; it is only a negro pen. 1t
belongs to Mr. -, whose advertisements YOU see
in the newspapers offering the highest price for
likely negroes AS fast he procures them, he
caps them In here, and when he has collected a
sufficient number for a droue he takes them of
South And so, indeed, | found it to be.
will not lacerate your feelings, sir by recitine
the tales OF attrocious cruelty and oppression which
have heard in connection with the history of that
"Pen" You can readily conceive of the tear
ing asun1er all the ties of family and kindred
which have been witnessed at its relentless and IN.
exorable gates, and which are common in the &c
cursed traffic. the frenzled shrleks of the separated
wife cithO"t and the crack of the whip subduinn
the husband iOithin!
would have the abotlonist cast his eyes aloft
TO the gay pennant which faunts to the breeze from
the tall Hickory pole planted in the centre of the
"Pen" The few black letters thereon are full Of
meaning. What do they express? One woulc
think the inscription ought 10 be, "Cash paid fol
negroes !" but it is not SO. 1t is "PoLk AND DAL,
Las" aye, Polk AND DALLAS But why, he nigh
ask, should this man, who trailics in human flesh
and may therefore be supposed to have made lucrt
the God of his idoatry-why should he feel SC
much interest in the election of Polk and Dallas
as to raise the Young Hickory emblem from sucl
place us this?
could tell him in reply that nothing could bt
more appropriate, or expressive of the hopes ant
wishes of the large class of negro dealers Il
which he belongs. He and they look TO the i'm
mediate annexation Of Texas as certain if tina
! ticket succeeds, and to the consequent opening o
a new market for slaves, by supplying which the,
hope greatly to increase their gums.
Permit me to describe a scene Witnessed in Thu
city few days ago. Such exhibitions are now rare
but should the slave dealers ticket succeed. AM
Texas be annexed, they would, no doubt, be Of fire
| quent occurrence.
throng of idle men and boys was passing thro
one Of the principal streets, from the midst of whic
arose cries Of keen distress and anguish. Fror