10 10 Although the transatlantic slave trade was technically outlawed in the early nineteenth century, the barter, sale, and transportation of slaves—the domestic slave trade—continued until the Civil War. Because slaves were legally defined as property, they could be exchanged for land, goods, or services. Slave auctions were advertised in local newspapers to attract potential buyers.
BY HEWLETT & BRIGHT
SALE OF VALUABLE SLAVES (On account of departure)
The Owner of the following named and valuable Slaves, being on the eve of departure for Europe, will cause the same to be offered for sale, at the NEW EXCHANGE, corner of St. Louis and Chartres streets, on Saturday, May 16, at Twelve o’Clock, viz.
1. SARAH, a mulatress, aged 45 years, a good cook and accustomed to house work in general, is an excellent and faithful nurse for sick persons, and in every respect a first rate character.
2. DENNIS, her son, a mulatto, aged 24 years, a first rate cook and steward for a vessel, having been in that capacity for many years on board one of the Mobile packets; is strictly honest, temperate, and a first rate subject.
3. CHOLE, a mulatress, aged 36 years, she is, without exception, one of the most competent servants in the country, a first rate washer and ironer, does up lace, a good cook, and for a bachelor who wishes a house-keeper she would be invaluable; she is also a good ladies’ maid, having travelled to the North in that capacity.
4. FANNY, her daughter, a mulatress, aged 16 years, speaks French and English, is a superior hair-dresser, (pupil of Guilliae,) a good seamstress and ladies’ maid, is smart, intelligent, and a first rate character.
5. DANDRIDGE, a mulatoo, aged 26 years, a first rate dining-room servant, a good painter and rough carpenter, and has but few equals for honesty and sobriety.
6. NANCY, his wife, aged about 24 years, a confidential house servant, good seamstress, mantuamaker and tailoress, a good cook, washer and ironer, etc.
7. MARY ANN, her child, a creole, aged 7 years, speaks French and English, is smart, active and intelligent.
8. FANNY or FRANCES, a mulatress, aged 22 years, is a first rate washer and ironer, good cook and house servant, and has an excellent character.
9. EMMA, an orphan, aged 10 or 11 years, speaks French and English, has been in the country 7 years, has been accustomed to waiting on table, sewing etc., is intelligent and active.
10. FRANK, a mulatto, aged about 32 years speaks French and English, is a first rate hostler and coachman, understands perfectly well the management of horses, and is, in every respect, a first rate character, with the exception that he will occasionally drink, though not an habitual drunkard.
All the above named Slaves are acclimated and excellent subjects: they were purchased by their present vendor many years ago, and will, therefore, be severally warranted against all vices and maladies prescribed by law, save and except FRANK, who is fully guaranteed in every other respect but the one above mentioned.
TERMS:—One-half Cash, and the other half in notes at Six months, drawn and endorsed to the satisfaction of the Vendor, with special mortgage on the Slaves until final payment. The Acts of Sale to be passed before WILLIAM BOSWELL, Notary Public, at the expense of the Purchaser.
New-Orleans, May 13, 1835
Source: Advertisement, “Hewlett and Bright Sale of Valuable Slaves,” New Orleans, May 13, 1835. Copy at the New-York Historical Society.
Ira Berlin and Leslie S. Rowland, eds., Families and Freedom: A Documentary History of African-American Kinship in the Civil War Era (New York: New Press, 1997).
B.A. Botkin, ed., Lay My Burden Down: Folk History of Slavery (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1989).
Vincent Harding, There Is a River: The Black Struggle for Freedom in America (New York: Vintage Books, 1983).
George Rawick, gen. ed.; Jan Milleagas, Ken Lawrence, eds., The American Slave: A Comprise Autobiography (Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Publishing, 1978).