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FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND
STROKES FOR FREEDOM

A Series of
ANTI-SLAVERY TRACTS.

of which
HALF A MILLION.
ARE NOW FIRST ISSUED
by the
FRIENDS OF THE NEGRO

Wilson Armistead
'LAY THE AXE TO THE ROOT OF THE CORRUPT TREE."
---------
LONDON.
W. & E. Cash, 5 Bishopsgate St.
William Tweedie  337 Strand,
and may be had of all 'booksellers.
1858
 

Leeds Anti-slavery Series, No. 16

A SLAVE AUCTION IN A SOUTHERN CITY.

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"I TURNED to look for the doomed.  She stood upon the auction stand.  In stature she was of the middle size, slim, and delicately built.  Her skin was lighter than many a northern brunette,  and her features were round, with thin lips.  Indeed, many thought no black blood coursed in her veins.  Now, despair sat on her countenance.  O!  I shall never forget that look.  'Good heavens@ ejaculated one of the two fathers, as he beheld the features of Helen, 'is that beautiful lady to be sold?'
     "Then fell upon my ear the auctioneer's cry, 'How much is said for this beautiful healthy slave girl - a real albino - a fancy girl for any gentleman?  How much?  How much?  Who bids?'  'Five hundred dollars,'  'Eight hundred,'  'One thousand,' were soon bid by different purchasers.  The last was made by the friends of the merchant, as they wished to assist him to retain her.  At first, no one seemed disposed to raise the bid.  The crier then read fro m a paper in his hand 'She is intelligent, well-informed, easy to communicate, a first-rate instructress.'  'Who raises the bid?' This had a desired effect - 'Twelve hundred,' 'Fourteen,' Sixteen,' quickly followed.  He read again - ' She is a devote Christian, sustains the best of morals, and is perfectly trusty.'  This raised the bids to two thousand dollars, at which she was struck off to the gentleman in favour of whom was the prosecution.  He closed one of the darkest scenes in the book of time.
     "This was a southern auction - an auction at which the bones, muscles, sinews, blood, and nerves, of a young lady of nineteen, sold for one thousand dollars; her improved intellect for six hundred more; and her Christianity - the person of Christ in his follower - four hundred more." - Letter in Anti-Slavery Reporter - How long shall these things be tolerated?


Leeds Anti-slavery Series. No. 16.
Sold by W. and F. G. CASH, 5, Bishopsgate Street, London; and by JANE JOWETT, Friends' Meeting Yard, Leeds, at 1s. 2. per 100.
 

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