The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1850-11-11
Circassian Slave.

Col. Webb Of the N. Y. Courier and
Enquirer recently returned from Europe,
furnishes the following in bis paper af
Tuesday:
3 "Mr, Brown, the American Dragomun
at Constantinople; who is now accompany.
ing the Turkish envoy through the United
States, says that the female Circassian
slave markets continue in fhll blast at
Constaniinople. Mr.. B. affirms that the
prices range from 5000 to. $4,000, ac-
rording to their rge and personal charms,
and that the slaves are sold in what is
called the Circassian part Of the city,"
q The above paragraph is going the
rounds Of the papers, but is quite incor-
rect. We have the best reason to be.
lieve that the statement Of Mr.. Brown was
inaccurately reported, since it does NOT
correspond either with what he himself
told us eighteen months since, or with our
own personal knowledge. There are no
circnssian slave.markets, nor any other
slave markets in Constantinople. The
former have not existed for great mum.
Der years; the latter were abolished by
order ofthe Sultan in l646. 1, is true
that slaves continue to be sold, but it is nl-
Ways done privately, though not secretly
There are 2 and but 2 districts in or neur
the city, where Circassians are kept for
salssphd there only al private houses
The principle one is in the suburb oi
Tophnna; the other is in the city near the
famous "Burnt Column in the street Of
Adrainop!e. Here they are taught the
Turkish language, and made familiar with
all,he peculiar Turkish accomplishments.
A Mahometan may at any time obtain nd
mission, and Frank usually by the pay.
ment Of q little buckshecsh. The fair
captives may frequently be seen in the
streets Of Tophuna veiled with the yash.
mac and unattended; and their Circassian
owners, who by the way are frequently
their own fathers, are to be found at the
coffee houses slipping their fayorite bever-
age, and chattering with customers about
the price Of their beautiful merchandise.
This traffic is not disreputable among the
Turks, and those who engage in il are
generally styled "Agas" like other men
Of consideration. The prices stated in the
above paragraph are far too high. An cr-
dinary black slave in Consiantinople gen.
eraIIy brings from $50 to $lLO and IN
ordinrry Circassian from $3.50 to $780,
The prices for them vary not only accord.
ing to their personal attractions, but ac.
cording to their uge, since they are sold
from the Sge ofeight or ten years and up.
wards. Males usually fetch q higher
price than females. Clrcassinn girls Of
unequalled attractions and the rarest nc
complishments occasionally command
$1,000 to Sl400, but they are then only
purchased for the weallhiest in the land.
The virgins purchased for the Sultan's
harem by his mother, the Sultan VALDE
who, in accordance with long custom, pre-
sents him new one, the finest that can
|be possibly procured, every year, never
cost more than 81, 900 piasters, or about
$4,000. But within the last few years,
polygamy has become less fashionable and
prevalent; and, as the Mahometan law
requires that the white females when once
purchased shall become the wives Of their
lords, the demand for Circassians has con.
scquently diminished. The supply also
has become very limited through Russian
interference, Since the capture Of Geor.
gia by the Gar, the explorations of the
Georgiups has been prohibited, and effec,
tually suppressed. The Utmost vigilance
is also exercised at the Black Sea ports tc
prevent tho shipment Of young Circassiaps
but4yet owing to the eagerness of Circas'
sim parents to sell their children fol
|lucre, many succeed in eluding the police
and find their way to Constantinople II
spite of all obstacles. The complete sub.
ljagution Of Circassia by Russia, ifit doe
ever happen, will produce at lcust on,
gratifying result, the total abolition Of on,
Of the most unnatural and revolving iniqul
ties under the sun. ,;a
~ g From Texas.
L BY the arrival of the steamship Portland