Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-06-25
Slaucry in its own horrid atrocty' Then VIII
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Esser Transcript
From the Correspondence Buffalo Daily Express Whs
Incidents of Slavery,
LOUISVILLE, (Ky.l April 20, lS46.

LOUISVILLE, (Ny') hPih 49, l0+O'
In to this time had not been able to com
prehend that the hne-looking, intelligent, and
well-drcssed men and women of color that saw
about me were chattels, the subjects of trade and
barter, like my horse or my COW, but public
sale of slaves enabled me to comprehend the
painful reality. A. B. had died, leaving certain
debts to be paid by his administrators, and his
stock of boys and girls (slaves) was brought to
the hammer, according to iaw, in front of tue
Court Houe-the sheriff acting as auctioneer.
Jack is produced, and offered for sale. The
sheriff says, "Gentlemen, the terms Of sale are
cash. | offer you this fine boy, Jackie is
warranted sound and in good health; he is do
Gle and ingenious; he is of good disposition,
v as very devoted 10 his late master once saved
his masters life while drowning, at the risk Of
his own; can't bear an Abolltionist, IA laugh.)
How much am offered for the boy Jack >
Jack, how old are you?" 81 reckon, massa,
am % or 25 years old-dont know, exactly"
The sheriff says, speaking to his mother, "Snow
ball, how old is Jackl" Reckon 20, massa"
We'll Jack is from 20 to 25 years of age
How much is bid! 5000, 200, 200, 225, 225,
$50, $50 Jack is professor of religion
$500 by two bdders.) Religion sells high !
300, 3OO-Jack has no educatiou-can't read
or write" $50. IGNORANCE sells at the same
price $50, $50, 375, 400. 1926, 430, ABS,
440, 440, 440, do hear no more last call );
bid quick, or gone. Gone" Jack is knocked
off to man with broad hat who wears a
heavy gold chain across his bosom, handsome
bowie knife in his vest, and carries huge cane
in his hand.
During this dreadful scene, Jacks mother and
sister stand by awaiting their turn. Need say
to humane readers that they we're overwhelmed
with grief and drowned in tears! Jack watch
ed the bidding as ntently as the victim would
the knife that was either to sever his bonds, or
send him to the other world. When man
bid who was known to be kind master, his
face would light up with joy; and bid from d
different quarter would cover his face with an
expression of anguish that must be seen to be
appreciated. When he was struck off, he turn
ed pale and sank upon the ground picture o
despair | thought could see beneath tina
dark skin white soul wrung by mortal agony
He had been purchased by a slave-dealer VIII,
bought and sold men, women, and children tt
the sugar planters of Louisiana for gain. Hi
new master seized him by the collar and drag
ged him away to Jail, shaking his cane over HI
head and swearing, as only slave-dealer Cal
swear, that he would load him with irons AM
cure him of the Mysteries. The sister, come
ly female Of nineteen years Of age, was next Of
fered, and sold, believe, to kind MASTER
The mother was offered for sale on time, tc
anybody's note without endorsement She wa
sixty-ive years nf ago, or more. She was We
man, aud mother, and Christian, and he
head was white with the blossoms of the grave
"The almond tree had, begun to flourish, an
the grasshopper had become BURDEN" an
there were no bidders. God spare me from al
other such sight
After looking much upon Slavery in its hon
in the South, am free to say that, in genera
the slaves seem to be happy and well treated
Very many kind masters and misresses will NJ
part famies-the humanity of the individual
greater than the humanity of law. The syste
sanctions crueties at which the individual slav
holders revolt 1t is dreadful day for slave
when they are exposed to the tender mercies
the law, when the courts Of justice Justice 70
sooth!) take the place of the humane slaveho
der
The slaves of the South are bois'erous in the
mirth, always laughing, singing, and dancin!
and hence the unthinking observer says that the
are happy, as though happiness was only man
Tested by much noise Let all such go to tn
county Jail, the receptacle of the abandoned an
the wretched, and there he will hear boisterou
lnirth and gee, exceeding even the slaves
And yet prisoners are not happy-the Jail is nc
aParadise hope my next let ter will take m
out of this city, S.
Hhnien Mnrcnlr