Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1854-04-14
Hope a. Slater, the Slave Trader.

To fls EDIroE BosToS CoxnoSwlu-a.
DEAR SIR-The papers of to-day record
the death of Hope H. Slater, at Mobile,
BY yellow fever Your readers may, per-
haps, be interested in knowing something
more Of this individual. l shall not attempt
his eulogy, nor would l entirely forget the
maxim which epjoins to tread lightly DER
the ashes of the dead.
Mr.Slattcr was man Of intelligence, Of
handsome address, and Of uncommon busi-
ness tact-a mao, who, for more than a
quarter Of century occupied a very prom
inent, yet not an enviable position, before
the public. He has now gone to his rest.
His rest? Ask the hundreds of thousands
Of wretched beings Of whom he has made
merchandise, whether they believe there is
any rest for the soul Of Hope II. Slater
lie came to this city from Virginia, and
resided for many years on West Ball street,
where he had an Office, and a pen in which
to confne human cattle. A large portion
of the slaves from Maryland, the District
Of Columbia, and the northern part of Vir.
ginia, destined for the far South, passed
Through his hands, and we're made acqusin-
ted with the luxurious accommodations Of
his prison / know not that Slater has
ever been charged with using unnecessary
severity in the prosecution Of his nefarious
business. He was won't to distribute TO-
bacco among his boys" and furnish them
with violin, that they might dance and
make merry over their joyous prospects.
His custom was to ship negroes on Sat
urday night. He doubtless had reasons
for this satisfactory to himself 1 can
think Of none better than the following
First He claimed to be humane man,
and therefore wished not to offend the SEN
sibilities of bis neighbors. Second. To
diminish the care of his own household,
and allow them to prepare for q becoming
observance of the approaching Sabbath.
Third. Admitting that slavery is Chris
tian institution, be might justly suppose
that the nearer the center of its operations
the nearer to glory and that, by starting
them off to New Orleans on the morning
of the Sabbath, they might all sing, e.
am bound to Canaan, my happy hume,
will you 60 to glory with me ?"
l once witnessed one of these shipments.
Twas on dreary Saturday night, i'll the
midst Of pitiless northeast storm, after
the hum of business had subsided, aud
most Of the honest free people of Baiti-
more had retired to rest. Happening to
pass Skaters place of business, observed
an omnibus being loaded with men, women
and children, from the Office. This soon
moved of, aud another took its place,
which, 10 like manner, was filled with hu-
man flesh. The men we're chained in pairs
Many of the women had children. |
counted more than twenty infants in their
mothers arms, aud about sixty whom |
jud sed to be under twelve in thus lot Of
two hundred. Of these mothers, some
were Of fairer complexion than he who
claimed to be their master, and presumed
to make merchandise Of them-yea, fairer
far, and more Saxon like, than those whom
he bad educated at great expense, aud
taught to call him " father" But these
were nought but negro slaves. With sol
emn tread aud downcast looks they moved
on to take their places in the coach.
Mr.. S. was present, and seemed deeply
in efforts 10 make them all csu,-
helping the children and the
mothers to seats, and especially in seeing
that each coach was provided with . suita-
BE force Of outriders, to assist in case Of
accidents. About twenty omnibuscs we're
thus loaded With emigrants, who, to suit
the convenience Of certain parties, were
lbou: to seek q residence in milder climes.
Husbands and wives, sons and daughters,
brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers,
'. 49,, G-.r, iowa ~,J