Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-03-18
A Great Slave Auction.

The largest sale of human chattels
that has been made in the United States
for several years, took place on Wednes-
day and Thursday of last week, at the
race course near the city of Savannah,
Georgia. The lot consisted of four hun
dred and thirty-six men, women and
children, being half of the negro stock
remaining on the old Major Butler plan
tations in Georgia and on St. Simon's |
Island. Major Buffers estate, which at
his death was valued at over million
dollars. descended to two sons, John A.
Bntler. sometime since deceased, and Mr..
Pierce NJ. Butler a resident of Phila-
delphia, and the husband of Fanny KEN
ble. Losses in the grand crash Of 1875
and the necessity of realizing funds to
Inay aceruing debts, compelled the sale
of Mr. Buffers property in the South
and the negroes on the plantations were
divided, and Mr.. Buffers portion were
accordingly brought TO the hammer, as
above stated.
The sale was attended by a representa-
tive of the New York Tribune, and be
gives six column account of the affair.
The reporter, of course, did not make
his mission known, but, with catalogue
and pencil in hand, managed to pass him
self off as a purchaser, by making an oc-
casiona bid and very minute inspection
of the property.
The negroes were brought to Savannah
several days before the sale, and remain
ed at the race course stable, for the in
Spection of customers. They were sold
sby families a man and his wife and
: children being called family. The anx-
iety of the negroes to secure what they
: considered good purchasers, and their
= painful earnestness to keep their families
t together by being bought by one party,
= led to many sad aud sorrowful scenes.
: The following is type of many others
Of a similar character:
Elisha, chattel No. ) in the catalogue,
? had taken fancy to a benevolent look
j, ing middle-aged gentleman, who was in
speeding the stock, and thus used his pow
prs of persuasion to induce the benevo-
, lent man to purchase him, with his wife,
boy and girl, Molly, Israel. and Savanda,
. chattels Nos. 6, Z and s. The earnest
! ness with which the poor fellow pressed
his suit. knowing, as he did, that perhaps
the happiness of his whole life depended
on his success, was interesting, and the
arguments he used were most pathetic
He made no appeal to the feelings Of
. the buyer; he rested no hope on his
charity and kindness, but only strove to
show how well worth his dollars were
the bone and blood he was entreating
him to buy
/, Look at me, Masr; am prime rice
y planter; sho' you won't find better mar
den me no better on de whole planta
y ton; not a bit old yet; do mo- worl
den ever; do carpenter work, too, little
On better buy me, Mas'r; Use be good sar
OF want, Mas'r. Molly, too, my wife, Sa, flu
= rate rice hand mos as good as me-
Stan out yer, Molly, and let the gen'lm'l
see.
:: Molly advances, with her hands cross
ed on her bosom, and makes a quicI
short curtsy, and stands mute, lookin
,ir apPealingly in the benevolent mans face
he But Elisha talks all the faster.
NJ Show mas'r yer arm Molly-goo
of arm dat mas'r-she do a heap Of wor
If mo- with dat arm yet. Let good mas
r. see yer teeth Mully-see dat mas'r, teet
nd all reglar, all good-she'm young gal ye
ne. Come out yer Israel, walk aroun' an /,
on the gen'lm'n see how spry you be-
* Then, pointing to the three-year-ol
er. girl who stood with her chubby hand t
ms her mouth, holding on to her mother
lor dress, and uncertain what to make of ii
Ir. strange scene.
nd Little Vandy's on'y a chile YET
as make prime gal by and by. Better bu
air Us mas'r, we'm fus' rate bargain'-and
sx- on, but the benevolent gentleman four
ion where he could drive closer bargai
ia and so bought somebody else"
ar OF the conduct and appearance Of Il
and g stock" while under examination, v
of have minute accounts. The followir
d statement is made in regard to the pc
me slave women:
ou- The women never spoke to Il
hes white men unless spoken to, and tn
ave made the conference as short as possibI
= OF And not one of them all, during /
onS whole time they were thus exposed
we'd the rude questions of vulgar men, spo
IF sf.., Er.+ ,,.,,.,,,,,, 4, q t.. - :. 1 ia.