Slaves for Sale
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Introduction When a slave ship arrived in Amenca or the West Indies, the enslaved Africans were fattened up for sale, and their skins were oiled to make them shine. Traders hid sores by rubbing them with rust, and enslaved people with dysentery were 'plugged' with rope dipped in tar.
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Links:
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Slave auctions: BBC Bitesize.
• A short History Channel documentary on
a slave auction as shown in the TV series Roots.
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1 Captain John Stedman, 1773 An extract from The Narrative of a Five Years Expedition against the Revolted Negroes of Surinam (published
1796). Such a resurrection of skin and bones, as … appeared to be risen from the Grave …. walking skeletons covered over with a piece of tanned leather. . |
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2 Anonymous letter, 1838 This description was written "by a young member of the Society of Friends" (Quakers) of a "short visit" to Havana in Cuba. Whilst the author was openly opposed to the slave trade – "the disgrace of the civilised world" – he did not oppose the idea of slavery: "on the contrary, I can bear frequent testimony to the lenient treatment of the enslaved, and their apparent contentment on estates it was my fortune to visit". They were crouched down upon their benches around a large room, during a visit of more than an hour not a word was spoken. They were nearly all naked … with a few exceptions they were but skin and bone, too weak to support their weary bodies... |
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3 Henry Laurens, 1756 Letter from Henry Laurens, a slave trader, to Vernon Brothers, Newport (1756). They seemed past all hope of recovery. God knows what we shall do with what remain, they are a most scabby flock, all of them full of sores – some have extreme sore eyes, three very puny children and add to this the worst infirmity of all with which 6 or 8 are attended (i.e.) Old Age. |
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4 A slave sale in America, 1849 An illustration from The Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb, Written by Himself (1849).
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5 A slave sale, 1853 An illustration from Wilson Armistead, Five Thousand Strokes for Freedom, published by the Leeds Anti-Slavery Society (1853). Armistead, was an active opponent of slavery.
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A Slave Sale: ABOVE: •
Note how Armistead has adapted Bibb's illustration.
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6 Bryan Edwards, 1819 An extract from Bryan Edwards, History of the British
West Indies (1819). They show on being brought to the market very few signs of sadness for their past, or fears for their future, but a great eagerness to be sold ... and appearing disappointed when refused.
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7 Nicholas Cresswell, 1774 An extract from Nicholas Cresswell's Journal (1774-7). Tuesday, September 13th, 1774 Went ashore and saw a Cargo of Slaves land. One of the most shocking sights I ever saw. About 400 Men, Women, and Children, brought from their native Country, deprived of their liberty, and themselves and their children become the property of cruel strangers without a chance of ever enjoying the Blessings of Freedom again, or a right of complaining, be their sufferings never so great... They were all naked, except a piece of blue cloth about a foot broad to cover their nakedness, and appear much dejected. |
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8 Alexander Falconbridge, 1788 British surgeon Alexander Falconbridge served on four slave trade voyages 1780-87 before becoming an abolitionist and writing An Account of the Slave Trade on the Coast of Africa (1788).
As soon as the hour
agreed on arrived, the doors
of the yard were suddenly
thrown open, and in rushed a
considerable number of purchasers,
with all the ferocity of beasts...
Some instantly seized such Negroes as
they could conveniently lay hold of with
their hands. Others, being prepared
with several handkerchiefs tied
together, encircled with these as many
as they were able...
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9 Rev. Richard Bickell, 1824
An illustration taken from Bickell's West Indies As They Are; Or, A Real Picture Of Slavery - But More Particulary As It Exists In The Island Of Jamaica (1824).
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