2. CHAPTER II.
THE NEGRO SALE.
As might have been expected, the day of sale brought an unusually
large number together to compete for the property to be sold. Farmers,
who make a business of raising slaves for the market, were there, and
slave-traders, who make a business of buying human beings in the
slave-raising States and taking them to the far South, were also in attendance.
Men and women, too, who wished to purchase for their own
use, had found their way to the slave sale.
In the midst of the throng was one who felt a deeper interest in the
result of the sale than any other of the bystanders. This was young
Linwood. True to his promise, he was there with a blank bank-check
in his pocket, awaiting with impatience to enter the list as a bidder for
the beautiful slave.
It was indeed a heart-rending scene to witness the lamentations of
these slaves, all of whom had grown up together on the old homestead
of Mr. Graves, and who had been treated with great kindness by that
gentleman, during his life. Now they were to be separated, and form
new relations and companions. Such is the precarious condition of the
slave. Even when with a good master, there is no certainty of his happiness
in the future.
The less valuable slaves were first placed upon the auction-block,
one after another, and sold to the highest bidder. Husbands and wives
were separated with a degree of indifference that is unknown in any
other relation in life. Brothers and sisters were torn from each other,
and mothers saw their children for the last time on earth.
It was late in the day, and when the greatest number of persons were
thought to be present, when Agnes and her daughters were brought out
to the place of sale. The mother was first put upon the auction-block,
and sold to a noted negro trader named Jennings. Marion was next
ordered to ascend the stand, which she did with a trembling step, and
was sold for $1200.
All eyes were now turned on Isaballa, as she was led forward by the
auctioneer. The appearance of the handsome quadroon caused a deep
sensation among the crowd. There she stood, with a skin as fair as
most white women, her features as beautifully regular as any of her
sex of pure Anglo-Saxon blood, her long black hair done up in the
neatest manner, her form tall and graceful, and her whole appearance
indicating one superior to her condition.
The auctioneer commenced by saying that Miss Isabella was fit to
deck the drawing-room of the finest mansion in Virginia.
“How much, gentlemen, for this real Albino!—fit fancy-girl for any
one! She enjoys good health, and has a sweet temper. How much do
you say?”
“Five hundred dollars.”
“Only five hundred for such a girl as this? Gentlemen, she is worth
a deal more than that sum. You certainly do not know the value of
the article you are bidding on. Here, gentlemen, I hold in my hand a
paper certifying that she has a good moral character.”
“Seven hundred.”
“Ah, gentlemen, that is something like. This paper also states that
she is very intelligent.”
“Eight hundred.”
“She was first sprinkled, then immersed, and is now warranted to be
a devoted Christian, and perfectly trustworthy.”
“Nine hundred dollars.”
“Nine hundred and fifty.”
“One thousand.”
“Eleven hundred.”
Here the bidding came to a dead stand. The auctioneer stopped,
looked around, and began in a rough manner to relate some anecdote
connected with the sale of slaves, which he said had come under his
own observation.
At this juncture the scene was indeed a most striking one. The
laughing, joking, swearing, smoking, spitting, and talking, kept up a
continual hum and confusion among the crowd, while the slave-girl
stood with tearful eyes, looking alternately at her mother and sister and
toward the young man whom she hoped would become her purchaser.
“The chastity of this girl,” now continued the auctioneer, “is pure.
She has never been from under her mother's care. She is virtuous,
and as gentle as a dove.”
The bids here took a fresh start, and went on until $1800 was reached.
The auctioneer once more resorted to his jokes, and concluded by assuring
the company that Isabella was not only pious, but that she could
make an excellent prayer.
“Nineteen hundred dollars.”
“Two thousand.”
This was the last bid, and the quadroon girl was struck off, and became
the property of Henry Linwood.
This was a Virginia slave-auction, at which the bones, sinews, blood,
and nerves of a young girl of eighteen were sold for $500; her moral
character for $200; her superior intellect for $100; the benefits supposed
to accrue from her having been sprinkled and immersed, together
with a warranty of her devoted Christianity, for $300; her ability to
make a good prayer for $200; and her chastity for $700 more. This,
too, in a city thronged with churches, whose tall spires look like so
many signals pointing to heaven, but whose ministers preach that
slavery is a God-ordained institution!
The slaves were speedily separated, and taken along by their respective
masters. Jennings, the slave-speculator, who had purchased Agnes
and her daughter Marion, with several of the other slaves, took them to
the county prison, where he usually kept his human cattle after purchasing
them, previous to starting for the New Orleans market.
Linwood had already provided a place for Isabella, to which she was
taken. The most trying moment for her was when she took leave of
her mother and sister. The “Good-by” of the slave is unlike that of
any other class in the community. It is indeed a farewell forever.
With tears streaming down their cheeks, they embraced and commended
each other to God, who is no respecter of persons, and before whom
master and slave must one day appear.
