Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-07-23
CHARLES MCKAY IN 4 SLAVE PEN.

Of Charles Mackay 10 the Lohdoh 1""S-
tated Ne'cs:
On my first arrival at New Orleans, l
fingered for a few moments at the open
door Of slave depot, without daring to
90 in. lest should be suspected Of es2i-
onage. or mere curiosity, and expelled
But seeing among the company an emf
nent merchant Of New York, whose
friendship l had been fortunate enough
10 make. and whom knewto be no slave
dealer or supporter of slavery, walked
in and Joined his party, drawn thither like
myself by curiosity. On one side OF the
room the male slaves with clean linen,and
shining new hats and boots, were arrang-
ed and on the other the females were
djsposed in .heir best attire, most ofthem
exceedingly neat, but some bedizoned
with ribbons. Of color5 more faring and
tawdry thar elegant or appropriate. l
was Immediately beset with entreahes to
purchase.
Buy me said young ncgress, who
spoke French and no English; i am
GOOD cook, and good nedicwoman.-
Buy me.
Buy me, said another, in the same
language; i am accustomed to children,
and can make myself useful in die nur-
sery.'
Ifel. a sensation somewhat similar to
that Of the seasickness to be so addressed
by nv fellow creatures-a feeling OF nau-
sen. as If I were shout to be i'll. I told
the poor women that l was a stranger
who had not come to buy. But they
were incrednous and when at last con
WINGED. they returned to their seats will
q SIGH and an expression Of deep disap
pointment on their dark and good humor
ed features. entertained such hatred
of slavery. that had it been in my power
10 abolish it in Que instant off the face 0
the earth by the mere expression OF NJ
will, at that instant slavery would have
ceased 10 exist.
then walked to the male side Of til.
slave mart, where l was beset By SINH
lar entreaties, urged in every variety Q
tone and manner, aud by almost ever.
variety of tone and manner, and by al
most every variety of laborer and hand
craftsman. Some were accustomed +
the cotton, aud some to the sugar planta
ton; some were carpenters, some gard
ners. some coachmen, some BARRIERS, som
waiters-but all equally anxious to b
sold. One man-whO to my ine2peri
enced eyes seemed as white as myself
and whom l at once put down in my ow
mind as an Irishman of the purest qua
ity, of the county Of Cork-got up fror
his scat as passed, and asked NE TO ba
him.
4 am a good gardiner, yer honor sal
he, with an unmistakable brogue; 4 al
also bit of a carpenter and can loo
after the horses, and do any sort Of g jo
about the house,
But you are joking said I, you al
m Irishman.'
My father was an Irishman, he sal
At this moment the slavcdealer al
owner of the depot came up.
is there not a mistake here?' Iinqr
red. This is a white man..
His mother was 4 Niger he replie
we have sometimes much winter INT
for sale than lie is. Look at his hs
aud lips. There is no mistake abO
him.
Again the sickness came over me, a
Ilongcd 10 get into the open air to breat
a purer atmosphere.
i would like to buy that man and :
him free l said TO one Of our party.
'You would do him 10 good was ;
reply. a manumitted slave has scldC
any selt-reliance Or energy. Slavery
degrades and cliPples the moral facull
Of the negroes that they require I
crutch, even in freedom, and cannot va
alone. They fnd it impossible to co
pete with the poor whites, and if left
themselves, sink into the lowest and n
miserably paid occupations
'You are an Englishman, aud a IT;
cler,' said the siavedealer, and l shor
be much obliged il you would put a
questions to the negroes
What questions ? said I. Shall I
them whether they prefer freedom
slavery?
4 don mean that he replied, a
them whether l do moi treat them wei
whether am not kind TO them-whe
er they do not have plenty to eat I
drink while they are with me?
Z