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A SLAVE AUCTION IN A
SOUTHERN CITY.
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"I TURNED to look for the
doomed. She stood upon the auction stand. In
stature she was of the middle size, slim, and delicately
built. Her skin was lighter than many a northern
brunette,
and her features were round, with
thin lips. Indeed, many thought no black blood
coursed in her veins. Now, despair sat on her
countenance. O! I shall never forget that
look. 'Good heavens@ ejaculated one of the two
fathers, as he beheld the features of Helen, 'is that
beautiful lady to be sold?'
"Then fell upon my ear the auctioneer's cry, 'How much
is said for this beautiful healthy slave girl - a real
albino - a fancy girl for any gentleman? How much?
How much? Who bids?' 'Five hundred dollars,'
'Eight hundred,' 'One thousand,' were soon bid by
different purchasers. The last was made by the
friends of the merchant, as they wished to assist him to
retain her. At first, no one seemed disposed to
raise the bid. The crier then read fro m a paper
in his hand 'She is intelligent, well-informed, easy to
communicate, a first-rate instructress.' 'Who
raises the bid?' This had a desired effect - 'Twelve
hundred,' 'Fourteen,' Sixteen,' quickly followed.
He read again - ' She is a devote Christian, sustains
the best of morals, and is perfectly trusty.' This
raised the bids to two thousand dollars, at which she
was struck off to the gentleman in favour of whom was
the prosecution. He closed one of the darkest
scenes in the book of time.
"This was a southern auction - an auction at which the
bones, muscles, sinews, blood, and nerves, of a young
lady of nineteen, sold for one thousand dollars; her
improved intellect for six hundred more; and her
Christianity - the person of Christ in his follower -
four hundred more." - Letter in Anti-Slavery Reporter
- How long shall these things be tolerated?
Leeds Anti-slavery
Series. No. 16.
Sold by W. and F. G. CASH, 5,
Bishopsgate Street, London; and by JANE JOWETT, Friends'
Meeting Yard, Leeds, at 1s. 2. per 100.
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