, 1880-11-12
The Election in caIifornia.
Slave Market in Constantinople

The headquarters of the white slave
trade IN Constantinople are in the Bos-
tandchl quarter, which comprises a num-
Der of small, narrow streets between
Pera, Galata and Tophane. The trade
is conducted almost exclusively by a
tribe of Circassans known as Tessird.
CHS. Families generally work together
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. Nego.
tiations with purchasers are conducted
through the intermediary of the Arab
brokers, who call regularly on their pat
rons to inquire if they were wanting
anything in black eunuchs or white girls.
The rendezvous Of these gentry is
coffee house in the Bostandchi quarter,
the entry to which is strictly forbidden
to all save the followers of the Prophet.
A white boy, in good health, from
eight to fourteen years old, costs $3.50 to
5000; ii he has any requirements, such,
for instance, as knowledge of cookery
or other housework, he will command
twice as much. A girl under ten years
old may be had for 81 90; while maiden
between twelve and sixteen, especially
if she can read and write and strum a
little on the zittar, is worth $4,000. A
female slave of exceptional beauty,
young, white and virgin--the style
most in vogue are blondes with black
eyes fetches from $4,400 to $4,000.
For very choice specimen, with
smattering of French, and able to play
a few airs on the piano, rich amateur
has been known to pay as much as $l2,-
200. But as may be supposed, the de-
mand for articles Of this description has
greatly fallen off since the halycon
time OF perpetual loans and profuse ex-
penditure.
Black slaves, who are brought prin-
cipally from Africa, are either sold di-
rect by the importers to the proprietors
of harems, or to dealers, two OF whom
have extensive private marts in Stam-
boul. These two generally keep on hand
one hundred to one hundred and twenty
slaves each. There are also depots in
Scutari and in several villages on the
Bosphorus. A strong black slave sells
for about 800; black maiden, $67 to
$75; full eunuch $3l5 to $400; half
eunuch, $l35 to 1925.
Not the least interesting part of the
account from which we quote is the
writer's description of his visit TO
slave dealers den in the neighborhood
of Scutari, the exact locality of which
he has sworn not to reveal. His COM
panion was an Arab broker, whom he
had to backsheesh heavily for his SER
vices He assumed the character and
presented himself in the garb of Hun
garlan renegade officer in the Turkish
army, the ostensible object of his visit
being the purchase of halaiks or house
slaves. The slave dealers warehouse is
large wooden building; the slave
dealer himself dignifed Turk of the
old school, bearded, turbaned, and loftily
polite. Pipes and coffee were, Of course,
produced, and, after due interchange
of complimentary phrases, business be.
gan. The dealers head man, Hassan,
gigantic Nubian, was summoned, and
told to bring forth number Of slaves
for the inspection of the broker and his
friend. Thirty negro women of various
ages and number of boys were then
led into the room. These the broker,
who had really commission to buy two
or three slaves, looked carefully over,
made them open their mouths, punched
their ribs, tried their wind, and exam
ined their "points" as horse dealer eX-
amines the points Of an animal which
is offered to him tor SALE In the end
two women and one boy were selected
for their purpose Then began long
and almost intermlnable wrangle. The
dealer asked 5000. The broker laughed
him to scorn and offered $50. Whereup.
on the Turk waXed scornfulIy indignant,
but in consideration of the rank of his
guest offered tocome down to S22. Then
more coffee and fresh pipes were Or
dered, and after a tremendous palaver
and an immense consumption of tobacco
the lot was knocked down for 500. The
purchase, it was agreed, should be sent
for and she dealers little bill settled on
the following day.