Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-09-17
Drro .pondencc Of the Manchester Examiner.
The White Slave Trade.
How IT Is CARRIED ON IN CoNsT,STISoPI

The headquarters of the white slave trade
in Constantinople are IN the Bostandchi quar-
ter. which comprises a number OF small, mar
row streets between Pera. Galata and
Tophane. The trade is conducted almost ex-
clusively by a tribe of Circaesans known as
Tesscrdchis. Families generally work to-
gether. One brother, for example, stops at
home and minds the shop, while the other
goes abroad and purchases and forwards the
raw material Of the commerce Negotiations
with purchasers are conducted through the
intermediary of Arab brokers. who call reg
ularly on their patrons to inquire if they are
wanting anything in black euuuchs or white
girls. The rendezvous of these gentry is a
coffee house in the Bnstandchi quarter, the
entry to which is strictly forbidden to all save
followers OF the prophet.
A white boy in good health, from s to II
years old, costs from $3.50 to $500; if he has
any requirements, such, for instance, as a
knew ledge of cookery and other homework,
he will command twice as much. A girl un-
der ten years old may be had for 800, while
a maiden between II and 10, especially if she
car read and write and strum little on the
zittar, is worth 81, 800. 4 female slave of
exceptional beauty, young, white and vir
gin-the style NEST in vogue are blondes and
black eycs-brings from 81 400 to So, 600.
For n choice specimen with a smattering of
French, and able to play few airs on the
piano, a rich amateur has been known to pay
ms much as Sl2. 200. But, as may be sup
posed. the demand for articles of this descrip-
ton has greatly fallen of since the halcyon
time of perpetual loans and profuse expendi-
ture. Black slaves. who are brought prin-
cipally from Africa, are either sold direct by
the importers to the propretors of harems or
TO dealers, two of whom have extensive marts
in Stamboul. These two generally keep on
hand from 100 to 100 slaves each
There are also depots in Scutari and in sew
eral villages on the Bosphorus. A strong
black slave sells for about 500: black
maiden. SCI to S.J a full eunuch, S3l5 to
$500; and half eunuch. Sl3J to 1925. Not
the least interesting account from which |
quote is the writer's description ot his visit to
a slave dealers den in the neighborhood of
Scutari. the exact locality of which he was
sworn not to reveal His companion was an
Arab broker. whom he had To backsheesh
heavily for his services. He assumed the
character and presented himself in the garb
Of a Hungarian renegade officer in the Turk
ish army the os;cnsble object of his visit
being the purchase of a haaiks or house
slave. The slave dealers warehouse was a
large wooden building; the slave dealer him
self digniied Turk If the old school.
bearded, mrbaned, and lottily polite. Pipes
and coffee were of course produced. and.
after due interchange of complimentary
phrases. business began. The dealers head
nan, liassam, a gigantic Nubian. was sum-
moned. and told to hiring forth number of
slaves for the inspection of the broker and
his friend
Thirty negro women of various ages and a