New-York daily tribune., 1856-03-28
4 VIRGINIA SLAVE AUCTION
From ia. co,,.,pondsuce Of The Brooklyn Tine"


PETERSBURG. Val Friday, March o. 1886.
GEsTLLgEs: One of your friends, while IN hch'
mond yesterday, attended an auction sale OF negroes
and being an entirely scene to him. be thought
some account of il would be of interest TO you
Tie sale was in progress when got there. On the
block or stand large and powerful negro in the
prime of life: after several biddngs he was knocked
down at sl, $50. counted fourteen females and
about the same number of males beside two or three
small children, all waiting their tnrn to be sold. Most
of the from 90 TO 35 years old they fetched
from 1900 to 81 lO0 and women, aged from II to 80
brought from $500 IN $780, smart little boy, as
black as Jet, apparently about brought $500 and
some girls aged about -, sold at from $500 TO
$3.50.
The auctioneer had a negro to assist him, who was
very oYeibe aiDg and domineering toward those who
were being Sold One gentleman remarked to me
that he should be glad TO the fellow himself put
the stand and sold. The black assistant had to fetch
the negroes to the stand and exercise them in order to
displsy their points TO the bidders, that they might
Judge of their value and accordingly, soon as
was sC u, he would 90 and bring up another. " Come,
" Sir, move aloDg-hod up your head-get up there
the stand' says the black assistant, as he brings
along another man.
on "A stool ar the block " here is fine boy, men
generally are called boys and women girls, regardless
Of age, and warranted sound and right, clear title,
and is sold for fault In the meantime, the black
assistant, in harsh rough manner, although not the
least objection was shown, has made the negro pull
off biz coat and vest rolled up his shirt sleeves pulled
off bis shoes and sockngs, aud pulled up his panta-
Icons, that the audience may see his limbs. Hold
your mouth, and show the gentlemen your teeth,"
Gays the black assistant. Gentlemen, how much
am l offered ~ asks the auctioneer-" 5000, $3.50,
500, s725, $3.50, and, bids beginning to drag,
" Gentlemen" says the black assistant, you do not
see thi- boy" (Auctoneer meanwhile stoops. g Come
down here" says the assistant, and he walks him
around up and down the room. Walk fast; hold
up your head now get up there again" The auc.
fk.p ~
" Bring that bigger here" calls out some gentleman
from the back part of the room, which the black as
sistant does. The gentleman examines him closely
looks at lis teeth and limbs, asks him various ques
finally sod at some price or other and taken Off makes
room for the next.
Here, gentlemen, il a young lady for YOU" says
the black assistant, be leads along girl woman.
The auctioneer begins again. black assistant rolling
up Ler sleeves all her limbs being or less shown
by him, and examined by the gentlemen, and she goes
through the walking exercise, which was done IN every
care. There, gentlemen" said the aucti0neer. as
one girl was put upon the stand, 4" is n likely girl"
and she good OOking yellow GIRL neatly dressed.
She underwent the examination, limbs and all
the rest and was finally sold for 81 900 or J0O
do no not remember which, but it $3.50 80 more
than any other female sold for.
Bring that nigger here" said near me,
while girl on the stand the examination Of her,
and the questions he asked, | may Wen omit.
remained in the room long enough to see from 90
10 IS sold. All were knocked down singy, except in
one case where a brother and sister were sold foge-
ther Among the groups to be disposed Of were a
man and bis wife, with child six months old;
aid opposite them sat woman with child about
three years old, waiting patiently their turn 70 be
brought 10 the hammer. | observed TO gentleman
IN the room that supposed the law required these
families to be s0d together. His reply that they
usually sold together, although the law did not
absolutely require il. These families not sold al
the time when left. Yours respectfully, ,.