No. 58. Quash, field hand, aged 17. A black skin he has, like polished ebony, but no doubt his heart is white. How much whiter than the ‘man-driver’ who is going to buy him for the sum of $1400!
No. 60. John Louis, field hand, 24 years, and
No. 61. Fine, his wife—(wife? yes, as long as her master will permit her to remain such!) age 19, and
No. 62. Collar, a plump, little boy of 3 years. The last bid for them is $3050. Hear what the man behind my chair says to his companion:—‘Splendid family that! Very likely girl—fine child—but he paid a good deal of cash for them three black animals.’
‘Yes, Bob,’ says the other, ‘he spends plenty of money, but he will make ’em work! Holy Tschoupitoulas! they will get more lickings than tomatoes and bacon.’
Collar’s mother presses her little boy to her bosom; she casts her tearful eyes towards heaven. But even heaven seems to be closed to her prayers and to her tears. Shall she doubt that there is a just God above the clouds? Must her faith in the precious redemption of mankind, through the Savior, be destroyed in this dreadful hour? Can she still believe in the Lord and Master of her soul, when her tormentors call themselves disciples of this same Lord? Christian reader, will you not mourn while so many thousands of your humble fellow-men are groaning in chains? Can you sing and pray with a joyful heart in the house of the Lord, when you know that the cross of your Savior is trodden upon by the feet of ‘Christian slave-drivers’?
Nations, mourn! for justice is dead, and crime is triumphant!
Let us return to the ‘hall of perdition,’ in mourning apparel.
No. 63. Squire, 28 years, and
No. 64. Gertrude, cook, washer and ironer, age about 21. This fine but sad-looking pair bring $2600.