The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-08-21
The Traffic in Circassian Women.

AhSio uaS iatcly pecu au unusually
large number of Circassians going about
the streets Of Constantinople. Many of
them, no doubt, belonged to the deputation
which came to petition the Porte that
their country might be taken under the
suzerainty of the Sultan. A considerable
portion, however, the Circassans now in
tue capital have quite another mission than
a political one to fulfil. They are here as
slave dealers, charged with the disposal of
the numerous paroles of Circassan eirls
that have been for some time pouring into
this market Perceiving that when the
Russians shall have reoccupied the coast OF
Caucasus this traffic in white slaves will be
over, the Circassian dealers have redoubled
their efforts ever since the commence.
ment Of the peace conferences to introduce
into Turkey the greatest possible number
of women while the opportunity of doing so
lasted. They have been so successful, not.
withstanding the prohibition Of the trade
by tho Porte, and the presence of so many
of her Majesty's ships in the Black Sea,
that never, perhaps, at any former period,
was white human flesh SO cheap as it is nj
this moment.
There is an absolute glut in the market,
and dealers are obliged TO throw away
their goods, owing TO the extent of the spn.
ply, which in many instances has been
brought by steam under the British flag.
In former times, good middling" Cir.
cassian girl was thought very cheap at
flo0, but at the present moment the same
description OF goods may be had for .f5! in
fact, the creatures are eating their heads off,
and must be disposed of at any sacrifice,
however alarming. Independently of all
political, humane, and Christian objections
to the abominaIle state Of things, there are
several practical ones which have even for.
ced themselves on the attention of the
Turks. With low prices low class of
purchasers come into the market. Former
ly, a Circassian girl was pretty sure of be.
ing bought into good family, where not
only good treatment, but often rank aud
fortune, awaited her; but at the present low
rates she may be taken by any huxter, who
never thonght Of keeping a slave before.
Another evil is, that the temptation to
possess Circassian girl at such low prices
is so great in the minds of the Turks, that
many who canno. afford TO keep several
slaves have been sending their blacks to
market, in order 10 make room for new.
ly purchased white girl. The consequence
is that numbers of black women, after be.
ing rs many rs eight or ten years in the
same hands, have lately been consigned to
the broker for disposal. Not few ofihese
wretchcd creatures are in a state quito I'm.
fit for being sold. | lave it on the au
thoriiy of II respectable slave broker, that
Mt the present moment there have been
thrown ON market unusually large numbers
OF negiess in the family way, some of
them slaves of pachas and men Of rank
lie finds them SO unsaleaLle that he has
been obliged to decline receiving any more.
single observation will explain the reason
OF this, which might appear strange when
compared with the value llat is attached
even to an unborn black baby in some
slave countries. In Constantinople it is
evident that there is very large number
of uegreSses living and having habitual in.
tercourse with their Turkish mas,ers-yet
it is rare thing TO see mulatto. Wha,
becomes of the progeny Of such intercourse!
have no hesitation in saying that it is
got nd of by infaaticide, and that there
is hardly family in Stambou where in.
fanticide is not praelieed in such cases as IA
mere matter OF course, and without the
least remorse or dread.
Cor. London Morning Post.