The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-09-16
Charles MackaY in a Slave Pen.

The following is from recent letter of
Charles Mackay to the London Illu,tra
ted News:
On my first arrival at New Orleans,
fingered for few moments at the open
door of slave depot, without daring to
20 in, lest .hould be suspected of es-
pionage, or mere curiosity, and expelled.
But seeing among the company an emil
nent merchant OF New York, whose frird-
ship had been fortunate enough to make,
and whom knew to be no slave dealer
or supporter of Slavery. | walked in and
joined his party, drawn thlther, like my
self, by curiosity. On one side OF the
room the male slaves, with clean linen
aUd shining new hats and boots. were ar
ranged; and on the other the females
were disposed in their best attire. most
Of them exceedingly neat, but some be-
dizened with ribbons, of color- more fa
ring aud tawdry then elegant or aPpro
priate, | was Immediately beseset with
eutreaties to purchase.
Buy me-" said young negress, who
spoke French aud no English; 81 su a
good cook aud good Deedlewoman.-
Buy me-"
Buy me-" said another, in the same
language; Il am accustomed to children,
and eau make myself useful In the nur-
sery.'
felt sensation somewhat similar to
that of the 6'st qualm of sea-sickness to
be so addressed by my fellow creatures
"a feeling of nausea. as if were about
to be i'll. told the poor woman that
was a stranger, who bad not come to buy.
But they were incredulou~; aud when at
last convinced, they returned to their
seats with sigh and an expression -of
deep disappointment on tLeir dark and
good humored features. | entertained
such hatred of Slavery that had it been
in my power to abolish it in one Instant
off the face of the earth by the mere ex-
preston of my will. at that Instant Sia-
very would have cea-ed to exist.
| then walked to the male side of the
slave mart, where | was beset by similar
entreaties. urged in every variety OF tone
or manner. aud BY almost every variety
of laborer and handicraitsmaD. Some
were accustomed to the cotton and some
to the sugar plantations; some were car
penters, come gardeners some coachmen,
sone BARRIERS, some walters, but al equal
ly anxious to be sold. One man-who TO
my inexperienced eyes seemed as white
as myrelf, aud whom at ouce put down
in NV own mind as an lrishu an of the
purest quality of the county Of Cork-got
up from his seat as | passed and asked
me to Luy bin.
II am @ood gardener, Jour honor.
said he, with an uuWistakable brosue; IL
am also bit of carpenter, and can look
after the horses. and do any sort OF JOB
about the house,"
"But sou are joking" said l, you are
an Iri,hman
"My father was an Irishman," he said
At this moment the slave dealer aDd
owner of the depot came dp.
as there not u mistake here = l en-.
! ouired. "Tbis is white man.
"His mother was a niger" he replied.
ave haze sometimes much wblter men Tor
sale then be is. Look at bis bair and
lips. There is no mistake about him.'
Again the sickness came over NE, and
| lonsed to get into the open air to
breathe purer atmosphere.
Il would like to buy that ran aud set
him free" said to one OF our party
"You would do him no good, was the
reply. "a manumitted slave has seido"
any self reliance or energy. Slavery SO
degrades and eripples the moral faculties
of the negroes that they require the crutch
even in freedom, and cannot walk aloue'
They fud it impossible to compete With
the poor whites, and IT left to themselves,
sink into the lowest and most miseratly
paid occupations"
.You are an Englishman and atravel-
er, " said the slave dealer, 'anh | should
be much obliged to you IT you would