Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-06-14
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From the Petersburg (va) Express.
BLACK MATT; OR, HOW A SLAVE
SOLD HIS OWN MASTER.

uatt, on account OF the QarKneSS OF nls
complexion, was well known among the
inhabitants of the seaboard of Virginia,
some years ago, as slave dealer, and &C,
complished broker in bad flesh. BE once
purchased a bright mulatto by the name Of
Sam at very low price, on account of his
numerous bad qualities, such as thieVing,
lying, and drunkenness. Sam was intelli-
gent with all his faults-could read and
write, and ape the airs Of most polished
gentleman. He was so far removed, too,
from the pure African, that he could scarce
y ybedistinguished from the pure white man.
On his becoming the property of the slave.
dealer, he received several admonitions, in
order that he might have foretaste of the
temper of his master. Secretly he vowed
vengeance for these striking proofs of
Mats affection, and in short time an
opportunity offered to crafty that venge-
ence.
Matt made up his gang, and shipped
them at Norfolk. The barque arrived safe
ly at New Orleans, and was brought to the
wharf In order that Sam might bring a
agood price, he was logged of in fne
clothes-calfskin boots, silk hat, and
hid gloves. Matt thought by this external
show to realize at least $500 for the mulat-
to, as the body servant of some rich plan
tera
Sam was consequently allowed to go on
shore, in order tosshow himself off He
proceeded to the Alhambra, and there strut
ted along among the best of them. Hear
ing a portly clergyman remark that he wish
ed TO purchase a good body servant, he
went up to him, and with an independent
swagger, said ...1.
MY dear sir, 1 have got just the boy
that will suit you
sHa,' rejoined the planter, 81 am glad to
hear you say 80, for I have been booking
for one for several days. What do you ask
for him?' -~
'Nine hundred dollars replied Sam,
tand cheap as dirtat that. He has every
qpality-can shave, dress hair, brush boots,
and is besides polished in his manners. I
could have got fifteen hundred dollars for
him, but for one fault
sHap calculated the planter, 'and pray
what kind of fault is that p
why, sir, ridiculous one. He imagines
himself white man.
"A white man?' exclaimed the planter,
laughing, shat is funny conceit, indeed );
but can soon cure him of that-I've had
considerable experience in training and
managing gentlemen of COLOR
Oh sir, continued Sam, there is but
little doubt that he can be cured though
youAmay find some trouble at first
well, sir, you appear to be a gentleman,
said the planter, who was rather too aux-
ious and con6ding. Il will take him on
your recommendation. Where is he now p
'On board the barque yonder at the
wharf; you can see him at any moment,
replied Sam.
Good! exclaimed the planter, Il am
much pleased with your honesty and candor,
and in order to save time-here are nine
hundred dollars-please give me bill of
SALE
Sam got the clerk to draw up bill of
sale, signed the name of Samuel Hopkins,
pocketed the money and told the planter to
ask the captain for Black Matt; he would
himself be on board as soon as be closed
bargain with another gentleman who was
desirous of purchasing one of his field
hands.
The pursy planter made his way to the
barque, and demanded of the captain to see
the boy Black Matt. The officer pointed
to Matthew Hobson who sat on the quarter
deck smoking his cigar and experimenting
the debarkation of his slaves.
tArs you Black Matt, my fine fellowp
asked the planter, addressing the slave mer-
chant. .
Folks call me so at hum,' was the reply,
'but here my name is Matthew Hobsou.
What do you want?s
'1'll tell you, Matt, what want 1
want you. You're likely looking fellow,
and will just suit me-
Look here, stranger said Matt firing
up, 'may be you don't know who you are
speaking TOP
'Yes do tho'-you're my property; |
bougbtyou of your master, Samuel Hopkins,
just now
You bought me the devil you did, I'm
a white man ! said Matt
Come, come now,' calmly said the man,
sit won't do know you-you can't hum
bug. me with your conceits-I'll whip it out
of you, sir,-I'll teach you
Here Matt drew back and aimed blow
at the ruddy nose of the planter, who seiz,
ed him by the throat and beloved for the
police. An officer happened to be on the
levee-he at the instance of the planter seiz-
ed the slave and bore him to the calabose,
where he remained until evidence could be
procured identifying him as free born white
citizen of the United States.
: Sam, in the mean time, got on board
ship that was just weighing anchor for an
European port, and has never been heard of
since Thus has the rascal had his revenge.
Matt lost bis slave, and the green fat gen.
tleman his money.
BONED TURKEY.
George Coleman and my myself were