Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1860-07-17
Black Matt;
OR, now SLAVE SOLD MS MASTER.

OR, now \ SLAVE SOLD MS MASTER.
Matthew IIohson-generallv known
as Black Mat" on accoun, of the
darkness of ms compleXlon-was well
known among the inhabitants OF the sen
board of Virginia, some years ago, rs
siave-dealer. and All accomplished b~eai-
er in OF bad flesh. lie once purchased
bright muat;o by the name Of Sam. at
a very low price, on account of his nu-
merous bad qualities, such as lhieyiur.
lying, and drunkenness. sam was in
ielligent with all his fauts-could read
and write, and ape the airs of the mos.
polished gentleman. He was SO far re-
moved, too, from the pure African, tha,
he could scarcely he distinguished from
a white man. On his becoming the
property of the slave dealer, he receiv-
ed several severe adnoniuons. in order
that he might have furetaste of the
temper Of hismaster. Secretly he VOW
ed vengeance Tor these striking proofs
of Mats affection, ana in a short time
an opportunity offered 10 crafty his
vengeance.
Matt made up his gang, and shipped
them at Norfolk. The barque arrived
safely at New Orleans, aud was brought
to the wharf. In order thar Sam might
bring good price, he was logged off in
fine clothes, calG-skin boots, Il sill, hat.
and kid gloves. Mat thought ly this
external show to realize at least $500
for the muiauo, as the body servant of
some rich planter. Sam was couse-
quently allowed to so on shore, in order
to show himself off. He proceeded to
AIhambra, and there struued along
among the best of them Hearing
p)rtIy gentleman e ia !, that he wished
10 purchase good body servant, he
went up to him, and with an independ,
ent swagger, said:
My dear sir, have got just the boy
that viii suit you
"Ha! :" rejoined the planter, Il am
glad to hear you say SO, for | have been
looking for one several days. What do
you ask for hing"
"Nlne hundred dollars, replied Sam,
and cheap as dit al that. He has every
quality, can shave. dress hair, brush
boots, and is besides polished in his
manners l could have got fifteen hun
dred dollars 70. him, bat for one fault
"Ha," calculated The planter, and
pray what kind of a fault is that 2"
Why, sir, ridiculous one. lie IN
AGNES himself white man"
a white man" exclaimed the
planter, laughing, d" that is funny con
ceit indeed; but | can cure him of that
I've had considerable experience in
training gentlemen of color"
"Oh! sir" continued Sam, there is
but liule doubt that he can be cured.
though you may find some trouble at
first"
Well, sir you appear to be gentle
man." said tie planter, who was rather
too anxious and confding {" viii take
him on your recommendation. Where
4 is he now
" On board the barque-yonder, at
the wharf; you can see him al any mo-
ment," replied Sam.
g Good !" exclaimed the planter; " /
am much pleased with your honesty and
candor. and in order to save time here
are The nine hundred dollars-please
give me a bill of sale"
Sam got the clerk to draw up a bill of
sale. signed lhe name of Samuel Hop
kins, pocketed the money, and told the
/ planter to aSk the captain for Black
Mau; he would himself be on board as
soon as he hud closed bargain with
another gen,lenan who was DESTROYS Of
purchasing one of his field hands.
The pursey planter made his way to
the barque. and demanded of lhe Cap
tain TO see he boy Black Mau. The
officer pointed to Matthew Hobson, who
sat on the quarterback, smoking his
cigar, and experimenting the debarka-
ton Of the slaves.
6. Are you Black Mai', my fine fe!-
low ? r" asked the planter, addressing the
slave merchant.
"Folks ca! me 50 al hum" replied
he, "bu: here my name is MAuhew
Ho5son; what Do you wan,z"
"Tll tell you, Matt. what want l
wan, you. You are a fine-Iookiag fell
ow. and will Jus: suit me-
Look ye here, stranger" sad Mat
firing up, may be You dOa'' know wLo
You are speaking to
Yes, l DO. though-you're my prop
erty; / fought you Of master SAMUEL
Hopkins. just now, and
You bought me-" exclaimed Mait,
standing up at fall length before the
planter, I'm white mani.
Come. come now, calmly" satd the
man. "it wout do-I know you-you
can't bumbug me with your ccucejts-
I I'll whip it out OF you, sr-Ili teach
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