The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-06-01
Black Mat, or How a Slave Sold his own
Master.


Mat, or account of the darkness of his COM
p!exion, was we'll known among the inhabit-
ants of the >eaboard Of Virginia some years
ago as a slave dealer and All accomplished
'breaker in" Ct bad flesh. He once purchas-
ed bright mula,to by the name of Sam at
very low price on account of his numerous
bad qualities such as thieving, lying and
drunkenness. Sam was intelligent with all
HI, fauts-cou.d read and write, and ape the
airs Of tie most polished gentleman. He
was SO far removed from the pure African,
too, that he could hardly be distinguished
from a white man. On his becoming the
property of the slave dealer he received sew
eral severe 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 it.
Mat made up his gang and shipped them
at Norfolk. The balque arrived safely at
New Orleans and was brought up to the
wharf. In order that Sam might bring a
good price he was logged off in fine clothes
calf skin boots, silk hat and kid gloves.
Mat thought by this external show to realize
at least $1,000 for the muatto, as the body
servant of some rich planter. Sam was con
seqnently allowed to 90 on shore, in order to
show himself of. He proceeded to the Al
hambra, and slrutted along there among the
best Of them. Hearing portly gentleman
remark that he wished to purchase good
body servant, he wen, up to him with an IN
dependent swagger, and said:
My dear s:r, have got just the boy that
will suit YOU
la. rejoiueG the planter, 4 am glad to
hear You say 50, for l have been looking for
one for several days. WHAT do YOU ask for
him.
Nine hundred dollars replied Sam, and
cheap as dirt at that lie has every quality
can shave. black boots, brush hair, and Is
besides polished in his manners. could
have got fifteen hundred dollars for him, bu,
for one fault
'Ha" calculated the planter, and pray what
is that .
why, ridiculous one. He imagines him
self Il white man
a white man" exclaimed the planter
laughing, that is a funny conceit indeed, but
| can SOON cure him of that-l've had con-
siderable experience in training gentlemen OF
color.
@ sir continued Sam, there is but little
doubt that he can be cured-though you may
lind trouble at first
Well sir, YOU appear to be gentleman,
said the planter, who was rather too anxious
and contdiug, Il will take him on your re-
COMMUNICATION. Where is he now'
On board the bsrqae-yonder at thu
wharf-you can see him at any time, repliec
Sam.
Good exclaimed the planter, 4 am much
pleased with your honesty and candor, an(
in order to save time here are nine hundred
doIlars-please give NE bill of sale
Sam got the clerk to draw up bill Of salt
signed the name of Samuel Hopkins. peck
eteG the money and told the planter to ash
for Black Mat he would himself be Oh
board as soon as he could close bargain
with another gentleman who was DESTROYS 0
purchasing one of his field hands
The pursy planter made his way to tn
harque and demanded of the captain to Sc
the boy Black Mat The officer pointed .,
Matthew Hobson, who sat on the quartz
deck smoking and experimenting the ds
bark alton of his slaves.
Are YOU Black Mat, my fine fellow ash
ed the planter, addrt ssins the slave me
chant.
Folks call me so to hum was the repl
but here my name is Matthew Hobson.-
What DO you WANT
I'll tell YOU, Mat, what want wal
YOU. You're a like y looking fellow, ard vi
just suit me-.
'Look'yc here, stranger said Mat, tirr
up, 'malbe YOU don't know Who YOU a
speaking %
Yes do, ,hough-youre my property
bought YOU of yonr master, Samuel llopkln
Just now, anl-'
You bought me- exclaimed Mat, stan
ing up at full length before the planter
Hell and the devil, sir-l'm white man.
Come, come. row, calmly said the man,
won't do know you-you can't humb'
me with your concets-l'Il whip it out c
YOU sir-Ill teach you--
Here Mat drew back and aimed blow
the ruddy nose of the planter, who seiz
him bv the throat and beloved for the p
lice. An officer happened to be on the lev
and he at the instance of the planter sez
the refractory slave and bore him to the c;
aboose, where he remained until eviden
could be procured identifying him as fr
born, white citizen of the United States.
Sam, in the meantime, got on board sh
that was just weighing anchor for an Eul
pean port, and never has been heard of SIM
Thus has the rascal had his revenge-M
lost his slave, and the "green" fat gentiem