[251] Niles' Register, April 10, 1824; Oct. 10, 1818.
[252] Jessie Torrey: A Portraiture of Domestic Slavery, p. 57.
[253] Ibid.
[254] Francis Hall: Travels in Canada and the United States, p. 425.
SLAVE "PRISONS," MARKETS, CHARACTER OF TRADERS, ETC.
In all the large towns and cities were slave "prisons" or "pens"[255] in which slaves were kept until enough for a drove or shipment could be collected.[256] The slave prisons ranged all the way from a rude whitewashed shed[257] to large and commodious establishments accommodating hundreds of slaves. A description of one of these—The Franklin and Armfield prison which was in Alexandria—by Andrews is rather interesting:
"The establishment," he says, ... "is situated in a retired quarter in the southern part of the city. It is easily distinguished as you approach it, by the high, whitewashed wall surrounding the yards and giving to it the appearance of a penitentiary. The dwelling house is of brick, three stories high, and opening directly upon the street; over the front door is the name of the firm....