The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1855-03-28
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A Slave-Auction.

The following graphic account of a
Slave-A uction, at Richmond in Virginia,
is from Mr.. William Chambers recently
published " Things as they are in Amer
ica"
"An intensely black little Negro, of
four or FIVE years Of age, was standing on
the bench. or block as it is called, with
an equally black girl, about a year
younger, by his side. whom he was pre-
tending to sell by bids to another black
child. who was rolling about the floor.
any appearance did not interrupt the
merriment. The little auctioneer con-
tinued his mimic play. and appeared to
enjoy the joke of selling the girl, who
stood demurely by his sido.
90 Fifty dolla for de gal--6fty dolla
fifty dolla-I sell dis here fine gal for
fifty dolla,' was uttered with extraordi-
nary volubility by the woolly-headed
urchin, accompanied with appropriate
gestures, in imitation, doubtless, Of the
scenes he had seen enacted daily on the
spot. l spoke few words to the little
creatures, but was scarcely understood
so the fun went on as if l had not been
present so l left them, happy in re-
bearsipg what was likely soon to be their
own fate"
He went to another room, and appear
ed among the examiners
While intending purchasers were
proceeding with personal examinations
of several lots, I took the liberty of put
ting few questions to tho mother of
the children. The following was our
conversation: Are you a married wo.
man2' Yes, sir How many children
have you had q Seven Where is your
husband p In Madison county When
did you part from him p In Madison
Wedncsday--two days ago. Were you
sorry to part from him p Yes, sir she
replied with a deep sigh, my heart
was amos broke Why is your mas
ter selling youT Il don't know-he
wants money to buy some land d--- suppose
lie sells me for that
There might no. be a word Of truth
in these answers, for had no means Of
testing their correctness but the woman
seemed to speak unreservedly, and l am
inclined to think that she said nothing
but what, If necessary, could be substan.
tiated ! spoke, also, to the young wo-
man who was seated near her. She like
the others, was perfectly black, and ap.
peared stout and healthy of which some
of the persons present assured them
selves by feeling her arms and ankles,
looking into her mouth and causing her
to stand up. Sho told me she had sew
eral brothers and sisters. but did not
know where they were. She said she was
houseservant, and would be glad to be
bought by n good muster-looking at
me. as if should not be unacceptable
have said that there was an entire
absence Of emotion in the party of men,
women, and children. thus seated prepar.
atory to being sold. This does not cor
respond with tho ordinary accounts of
slave sales, which arc represented as
fearful and narrowing My belief is,
that none Of the parties felt deeply on
the subject, or at least that any distress
they experienced was but momontary-
soon passed away and was forgotten.
One Of my reasons for this opinion rests
on a trifing Incident which occurred.
While waiting for the commencement OF
the sale, one of the gentlemen present
amused himself with a pointer dog
which at command. stood on his hind
legs and took pieces Of bread from bis
pocket. These tricks greatly entertained
the row of Negroes, old aud young and
the poor woman, whose heart three min
utes before was almost broken, now
laughed as heartily as any one"
No sale could be effected here ; tn,
lots were all brought in- At another
room Mr.. Chambers was moro success
full.
"Mingling in the crowd, ! went Il
see what should be the fate Of the maj
and boy, with whom l had already hat
some communication.
@There the pair, the two cousins, So
by the FIRE, just where had left then
an hour ago. The boy VS. put up frs'
"Coms along, my man-jump up
there's good boy said one Of the part
psrs, q hnlky and respectable-lookinI
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