4 
5 
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i! 
CHARAC TE RS. 
as if dealing for a horse, or any 
other brute-animal. Indeed the in- 
delicacy shewn towards the poor 
defenceless Africans, by some of 
_ these dealers in their species, was 
not less unmanly and disgusting than 
it was insulting to humanity. 
We were shocked to observe wo- 
‘men in the room who had come to 
the fair for the express purpose of 
purchasing slaves. Nay, even chil- 
“dren were brought to point the 
ducky finger, and the boy or girl, 
_ thus chosen, was bought by papa at 
_ the request of superstitious mamma, 
_ to give to young massa or missy ! 
The price of these poor degraded 
blacks varied from 600 to 900 guil- 
ders, according to their age and 
strength, or their appearance of 
_ being healthy or otherwise. The 
_ boys and girls were sold for 600 or 
700 guilders—some of the men 
fetched as high as 900—and the 
women were knocked down at 
_ about 800. 
In the course of the sale, a tall 
Bee chust negro, on being brought 
into the auction-room, approached 
the table with a fine negress hanging 
upon his arm. The man was order- 
ed to mount the chair. He obeyed, 
though manifestly with reluctance. 
His bosom heayed and grief was in 
his eye. The woman remained in 
the crowd. <A certain price was 
- mentioned to set the purchase for- 
ward, and the bidding commenced : 
but on the slave being desired to ex. 
hibit the activity of his limbs, and 
to display his person, he sunk his 
_chin upon his breast, and hung 
_ down his head in positive refusal— 
then, looking at the woman, made 
signs expressive of great distress. 
Next he pointed to her, and then to 
the chair, evidently intimating, that 
he desired to have her placed by 
85a 
his side. She was his chosen wife, 
and nature was correctly  intelli- 
gible. Not obtaining immediate 
acquiescence, he became agitated 
and impatient, ‘The sale was inter- 
rupted, and as he could not be pre- 
vailed upon to move a single muscle 
by way of exhibiting his person, 
the proceedings were at a stand. 
He leoked again at the woman,— 
again pointed to the chair,—held 
up two fingers to the auctioneer, 
and implored the multitude in anxi- 
ous suppliant gestures. Upon his 
countenance was marked the com- 
bined expression of sorrow, affec- 
tion, and alarm. He grew more 
and more restless, and repeated signs 
which seemed to say—‘* Let us be 
sold together. Give me my heart’s 
choice as the partner of my days, 
then dispose of me as you please, 
and I will be content to wear out 
my life in the heavy toils of bend- 
age.” It was nature that spake— 
and her language could not be mis. 
taken! Humanity could no Jonger 
resist the appeal, and it was univer- 
sally agreed that they should make 
but one lot. A second chair was 
now brought, and the woman was 
placed at the side of her husband. 
His countenance instantly brighten- 
ed. He hung upon the neck of his 
wife, and embraced her with rap- 
ture—then folding her in his arms, 
and pressing her to his bosom, he 
became composed; and leoked 
round, with asmile of complacency, 
which plainly said ‘* proceed !—I 
am yours, yours, or yours! Let 
this be the associate of my toils, and 
I am ‘satisfied? »” The bidding was 
renewed! They-exhibited marks of © 
health and strength,~and, quickly, 
the two were sold together for 
1650 guilders. 
314 *¢ Rnough” 
