Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-06-12
A SLAVE AUCTION IN VIRGINIA.

A correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette
writes
In my wanderngs about the city, I also called
Mt one OF the auction rooms for selling slaves
These are rough looking establishments. come.
thing like our horse auctions, with only such differ
ences in tho arrarEen eut to adapt them to
showing off bipeds instead of quadrupeds. When
entered they were about putting up a woman
with q child at the breast as this was the fret
time l had ever seen human being sold as
chattel, watched the proceeding with great in
terest Two large mUustached mulattoes; a shade
or two darker than the auctioneer, who passed for
white man, | presume, acted grooms, and
performed the part of showing off the chattel and
her offspring who were placed on the block SO
that the bystanders could have full view of tho
property to be sold. They exposed the arms 20
the shoulders, to the quality and quantity
OF muscle; then the legs were shown as high the
knees in like manner ; then directions were given
to show the teeth and condition of tho mouth, by
opening it wide enough to be examined. Whether
defective or good teeth were considered as the
most desirable did not learn.
1t is probable that the amount of corn and bacon
they were capable of devouring was an element
in estimating their value az economy in feeding
would no doubt diminish the expenses, and in this
way add to the net product yielded by the invest
mont. She was then directed to get down and
show her agility and the quality of her movement,
by walking rapidly up and down the room in the
presence of those interested in the purchase,
while the grooms were calling out, "Gentlemen,
please notice this acoman" Poor fellows, they
had not read the Dred Scott decision, or they
would not have said ac0mdn, but "this piece of
property."l During this performance the auc-
toneer was crying at the top of his voice the bids
as Trey were received, and asserting that this
girl had neither scar nor blemish;' finally the
highest price was supposed to have been reached.
and the "grP and her baby changed owners.
The next one brought to the block was light
mulato woman, with her little girl (of lighter
complexion) four or five years old. The same
process was gone through in showing her physical
qualities, as in the proceeding case but, in adj
dition, she was declared to be five or six months
advanced in pregnancy Whether this enhanced
her value did not discover, but supposed it did.
In about half an hour some half dozen fe-
males were disposed of, at prices ranging from
eight hundred to something over one thousand
dollars piece, including their children. After
the women were disposed of, man was brought
out, said to be forty years of age Of most power.
full muscular development. He also had to roll up
his sleeves to show the quantity an1 quality Of
muscle of his arms, while at the same time his
feet and legs relieved of his shoes and o.
quantity of rags which were wrapped around
them. With bare arms and rolled up pants, he
was ordered to step quickly backwards and for
wards before the audience, to show his powers of
movement and locomotion, occasionally stopping
to show the condition of his mastcating appara,
tus by widely opening his mouth 1t occurred to
me, from his oountenance, that he was hard Gus.
toner to manage, and have 20 doubt it some.
times crossed his mind that his muscles might be
used to n better purpose in making tracks towards
the north STAR and in ''the manly art of self de,
fence" neither of which, however. he dared to put
into execution. For some son he sold for con-
siderable lees than thousand dollars. Disgust
ed with the siSSat, left the spot, remarking that
tais was my first visit 10 a slave auction, and
never wished to see the like agais.
IL is proper to state that these auctions IRE held
in utter detestaon by the better class Of citizens,
who are fully aware Of their revolving character
and they seldom allow themselves to come within
hearing of the vQce Of the auctioneer. or even to
think Of this blot upon the reputation Of their
city. Excepting for the curse Of slavery, this
would be pleasant city as residence, and
have no doubt profitable one, both for the mer'
chant and manufacturer. The people are mostly
kind polite. hospiable, and intelligent, As in all
Southern cities. there is less hurry and hustle than
in the Northern; and if we can judge from the
easy manner in which the cares of the world seem
to rest upon the people, they ought to be long
lived.
OHIO.