Saturday, February 21, 2009

A Slave Sale in Richmond


A Slave Sale at the Richmond Slave Market written and illustrated by EYRE CROWE
The 3rd of March, 1853, is a date well imprinted on my memory. I was sitting at an early table breakfast by myself, reading the ably conducted local newspaper, of which our kind friend was the editor. It was not, however, the leaders or politics which attracted my eye, so much as the advertisement columns, containing the announcements of slave sales, some of which were to take place that morning in Wall Street, close at hand, at eleven o'clock.

Ideas of a possibly dramatic subject for pictorial illustration flitted across my mind ; so, with small notepaper and pencil, I went thither, inquiring my way to the auction rooms. They consisted, I soon discovered, of low rooms, roughly white-washed, with worn and dirty flooring, open, as to doors and windows, to the street, which they lined in succession. The buyers clustered first in one dealer's premises, then moved on in a body to the next store, till the whole of the tenants of these separate apartments were disposed of. The sale was announced by hanging out a small red flag on a pole from the doorway. On each of these was pinned a manuscript notice of the lot to be sold.

Thus I read : " Fifteen likely negroes to be disposed of between half-past nine and twelve five men, six women, two boys, and two girls." Then followed the dealer's signature, which corresponded to that inscribed over the doorway. When I got into the room I noticed, hanging on the wall, a quaintly framed and dirty lithograph, representing two horsemen galloping upon sorry nags, one of the latter casting its shoe, and his companion having a bandaged greasy fetlock ; the marginal inscription on the border was to this effect : " Beware of what you are about."
I have often thought since how foolish it was, on my part, not to have obeyed this premonitory injunction to act prudently in such a place as this was. The ordeal gone through by the several negroes began by making a stalwart hand pace up and down the compartment, as would be done with a horse, to note his action. This proving satisfactory, some doubt was expressed as to his ocular soundness. This was met by one gentleman unceremoniously fixing one of his thumbs into the socket of the supposed valid eye, holding up a hair by his other hand, 'and asking the negro to state what was the object held up before him.
He was evidently nonplussed, and in pain at the operation, and he went down in the bidding at once. More hands were put up ; but by this time feeling a wish for fresh air, I walked out, passing intervening stores and the grouped expectant negroes there.

I got to the last and largest end store, and thinking the sales would occupy a certain time, I thought it might be possible to sketch some of the picturesque figures awaiting their turn. I did so. On rough benches were sitting, huddled close together, neatly dressed in grey {sic}, young negro girls with white collars fastened by scarlet bows, and in white aprons. The form of a woman clasping her infant, ever touching, seemed the more so here. There was a muscular field-labourer {sic}sitting apart ; a rusty old stove filled up another space. Having rapidly sketched these features, I had not time to put my outline away before the whole group of buyers and dealers were in the compartment. I thought the best plan was to go on unconcernedly ; but, perceiving me so engaged, no one would bid. The auctioneer, who had mounted his table, came down and asked me whether, " if I had a business store, and someone came in and interrupted my trading, I should like it." This was unanswerable ; I got up with the intention of leaving quietly, but, feeling this would savour {sic}of flight, I turned round to the now evidently angry crowd of dealers, and said, "You may turn me away, but I can recollect all I have seen." I lingered in a neighbouring {sic}vacated store, to give myself the attitude of leisurely retreat, and I left this stifling atmosphere of human traffic."Crowe has been very imprudent," Thackeray wrote to a friend afterwards. And, in truth, I soon reflected it was so... (source: With Thackeray in America, 1893 )

37 comments:

  1. Thank you for the good writeup. It actually was once a amusement account it.
    Glance complex to more brought agreeable from you!
    However, how could we communicate?
    My web page > christian louboutin lady daf

    ReplyDelete
  2. Touche. Sound arguments. Keep up the great spirit.
    Feel free to visit my web blog ... nfl sports apparel

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have learn a few just right stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking
    for revisiting. I wonder how so much attempt you set to create this kind of magnificent
    informative web site.
    Review my site ; christian louboutin official website

    ReplyDelete
  4. If some one wants expert view on the topic of running a blog afterward
    i suggest him/her to pay a visit this web site,
    Keep up the pleasant work.
    Also see my web page :: michael kors watches

    ReplyDelete
  5. I believe everything posted made a lot of sense. But, think on this, suppose
    you added a little information? I am not saying your content is not good,
    however suppose you added a post title that grabbed people's attention? I mean "A Slave Sale in Richmond" is kinda boring. You might peek at Yahoo's front page and see how they create news headlines to grab viewers interested.

    You might add a related video or a picture or two to get readers excited about
    what you've got to say. Just my opinion, it could make your posts a little bit more interesting.
    Here is my blog post sports jerseys

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have read so many articles or reviews regarding the blogger lovers
    except this paragraph is genuinely a nice post, keep it up.
    Here is my website :: michael kors outlet

    ReplyDelete
  7. You're so interesting! I don't suppose I have read anything like that before.
    So great to discover somebody with some unique thoughts on
    this subject matter. Really.. thanks for starting this up.
    This website is one thing that is needed on the internet, someone with a
    bit of originality!
    Also visit my web-site ... cheap nfl jerseys

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have been browsing online greater than 3 hours lately, yet I never discovered any interesting article like yours.
    It's pretty value enough for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made just right content material as you probably did, the web shall be a lot more helpful than ever before.

    my weblog ロレックスコピー

    ReplyDelete
  9. Woah! I'm really enjoying the template/theme of this site. It's simple, yet effective.
    A lot of times it's difficult to get that "perfect balance" between user friendliness and visual appearance. I must say you have done a amazing job with this. Additionally, the blog loads very fast for me on Firefox. Outstanding Blog!

    Here is my blog; ロレックスレプリカ

    ReplyDelete
  10. In fact no matter if someone doesn't know afterward its up to other people that they will assist, so here it occurs.

    Check out my site ... ロレックスレプリカ

    ReplyDelete
  11. I blog frequently and I seriously thank you for your information.
    This great article has truly peaked my interest. I am
    going to book mark your blog and keep checking
    for new information about once per week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.



    Here is my weblog ... 激安オークリー

    ReplyDelete
  12. Keep on working, great job!

    Also visit my web blog - pradasale-shop.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I read this piece of writing completely regarding the difference
    of most recent and earlier technologies, it's remarkable article.

    My weblog オークリー アウトレット

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi there everybody, here every one is sharing these kinds of
    familiarity, so it's good to read this web site, and I used to pay a quick visit this web site everyday.

    Also visit my blog post :: 激安レイバン

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hello! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers?
    My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months
    of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any solutions to prevent hackers?


    My web blog ... オークリー サングラス

    ReplyDelete
  16. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled
    upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your
    blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing
    to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.


    Feel free to surf to my page http://xzxtj.com/plus/guestbook.php

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm extremely inspired together with your writing skills and also with the structure on your blog. Is that this a paid subject matter or did you customize it yourself? Anyway stay up the nice high quality writing, it's rare to look a great blog like this one today.
    .

    Feel free to surf to my blog - oakley サングラス

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google,
    and found that it is truly informative. I'm going to watch out for brussels. I'll be grateful if you continue this in future.

    A lot of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!


    Feel free to surf to my webpage - トリーバーチ

    ReplyDelete
  19. I've been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts in this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this website. Studying this information So i am happy to convey that I've an incredibly excellent uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed.
    I most certainly will make certain to don?t omit this site
    and provides it a look regularly.

    Feel free to visit my weblog :: ミュウミュウ 店舗

    ReplyDelete
  20. I tend not to drop many comments, however I browsed a bunch of remarks on this page "A Slave Sale in Richmond".
    I do have 2 questions for you if it's allright. Is it simply me or does it seem like a few of the comments look like they are coming from brain dead folks? :-P And, if you are writing on other places, I would like to keep up with you. Could you make a list of the complete urls of your social community pages like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?

    my website :: クロエ

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am sure this piece of writing has touched all the internet visitors, its
    really really good article on building up new website.


    Look at my web page ... ルブタン 新作

    ReplyDelete
  22. After looking at a handful of the blog articles on your site, I honestly appreciate your technique of writing a blog.

    I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon.
    Please visit my web site as well and let me know your opinion.


    My homepage ... www.cwfrosting.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I have been surfing on-line greater than three hours
    as of late, but I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It's lovely value sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made just right content material as you probably did, the internet can be much more useful than ever before.

    Here is my webpage :: コーチ

    ReplyDelete
  24. Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful article. Thanks
    for providing this information.

    Also visit my web-site; コーチ

    ReplyDelete
  25. I really like what you guys tend to be up too.
    This kind of clever work and coverage! Keep up the amazing
    works guys I've included you guys to blogroll.

    my webpage - クリスチャンルブタン 銀座

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ιncгedible! This blog loоks just like my οld one!
    It's on a entirely different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Wonderful choice of colors!

    my page: Galaxy

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'm extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one nowadays.

    Also visit my webpage: クロエ アウトレット

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks for finally talking about > "A Slave Sale in Richmond" < Liked it!

    Here is my web site プラダ バッグアウトレット

    ReplyDelete
  29. Greate article. Keep posting such kind of info on your site.

    Im really impressed by your site.
    Hello there, You've done a great job. I'll certainly digg it and
    personally recommend to my friends. I'm confident they'll be benefited from this site.


    Also visit my weblog ... サングラス オークリー

    ReplyDelete
  30. It's in point of fact a nice and helpful piece of info. I'm
    happy that you simply shared this helpful info with us.
    Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for
    sharing.

    Feel free to visit my webpage; www.raybanoutlet-sales.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. It's in fact very complicated in this busy life to listen news on TV, so I simply use web for that purpose, and get the most up-to-date news.

    Here is my page - モンスタービーツ

    ReplyDelete
  32. Howeѵer, you may аlso desire to еxρloreBlackbeгry Fіt deаlsfor other avaіlаble dеals.
    Poωеrеԁ by the latest Gorilla Glass
    3.

    my blog; http://axlebook.com/

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thе caps becamе a fashіon еԁitοr,
    who will then convince the potentіal emρloyer.

    Ιt's a great way to keep them and their friends together in a crowded room full of people decidedly not looking in your direction for the entire catalog of Lia Sophia jewelry.

    my page; Blackberry

    ReplyDelete
  34. UGG Australia has produced some unique and fun types in boots for
    girls - Classic Stripe UGG Boots are really a perfect illustration of this.
    People of the class and level can readily get these because
    their price is of every range. What the majority are finding are imitation, fake UGG Boots.


    Also visit my blog post :: www.tsuuhanruivitonsaifu.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. If you disregarded the Ugg guidelines and wore your boots in
    water, otherwise you dropped liquid in your boot, you may have stains along your boots.
    5L models of the "Iridescence" allowance box, in spite of well-designed counterfeit bright Jiuzun
    base, so how the cut apparent just appropriate bright reflects "Iridescence" the cradle of the neon, for your account of Hennessy cheap ugg boot Salon goes to the a lot of admirable
    style. What the majority are finding are imitation,
    fake UGG Boots.

    My webpage ... ルイヴィトン バッグ

    ReplyDelete
  36. Many celebrities have been fascinated with the retro looks
    of for the reason that, as an example, Oprah, Paris Hilton, Pamela Anderson
    and Kate Hudson etc. People of each and every class and
    level can simply get these because their prices
    are of every range. In addition, if you seem at the labels to
    the manufacturing site, you need to bear in mind that the labels which exhibit "Manufactured in China" are
    authentic, and several others are counterfeits.



    my weblog; www.smartsolutions123.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. The nеw tablet lοoκs different as well.
    This іs the main reasοn more and moгe new contendeгs launching their devices.
    Ιt has 128 MΒ of DDR2 RAM, Wi-Fi, 3 G nеtwork support, thuѕ for internet acсess and cloud stогаge.
    So much ѕο it has bееn the hardwaгe; Іntеl
    iѕ a соmpаny fluѕh wіth cash, so
    they can bе lightweight, tablеts are running Andгoid
    2.

    My blog ... may tinh bаng :: chizai-wiki.jp ::

    ReplyDelete

HOME

HOME
Click here to return to the US Slave Home Page