Focus Question A: How were slaves transported during the internal slave trade, and what
prevented them from rebelling during this transportation?
The Reverend Isaac Williams, on his Mother Sally’s Experiences as a Slave
IN the slave-coffle were about twenty men, with three women--Sally, the young girl Charlotte and an old
woman named Hagar, whom the speculator had bought at a bargain, and five small children. The men were
chained together, two by two, but Hagar was docile from age and habit, and Charlotte from youth and
inexperience, and there was a kind of dignity about Sally which made her new master dislike to put her in
irons; so that, contrary to the usual custom, all three were left unshackled. The speculators rode in a light
carriage, and a large wagon, drawn by horses, contained the baggage of the company. The children took turns
in riding in the wagon, and now and then the privilege was extended to one of the women. What a hopeless
company it was that dragged its weary way through the pine forests to the far southwest! All had been torn
from home and friends, and were going every hour further from what they hold dear. Is it strange that their
steps were slow, and that every gloomy and evil passion was aroused in their hearts?
When the meal was over, the men were chained to the trunks of trees, and to the wheels of the wagon, and the
women and children lay down beneath the shelter of the tent. So closely were they watched by the overseer,
that they had little opportunity, to speak privately to each other…
Focus Question A: How were slaves transported during the internal slave trade, and how
were they prevented from rebelling during this transportation?
Ben Simpson on the Internal Slave Trade
Boss, I's born in Georgia, in Norcross, and I's ninety years old. My father's name was Roger Stielszen and my
mother's name was Betty. Massa Earl Stielszen captures them in Africa and brung them to Georgia. He got kilt
and my sister and me went to his son. His son was a killer. He got in trouble there in Georgia and got him two
good-stepping hosses and the covered wagon. Then he chains all he slaves round the necks and fastens the
chains to the hosses and makes them walk all the way to Texas, My mother and my sister had to walk. Emma
was my sister. Somewhere on the road it went to snowin' and massa wouldn't let us wrap anything round our
feet. We had to sleep on the ground, too, in all that snow.
Massa have a great, long whip platted out of rawhide and when one the niggers fall behind or give out, he hit
him with that whip. It take the hide every time he hit a n****r. Mother, she give out on the way, 'bout the line
of Texas. Her feet got raw and bleedin' and her legs swoll plumb out of shape. Then massa, he jus' take out he
gun and shot her, and whilst she lay dyin' he kicks her two, three times and say, ‘Damn a n****r what can't
stand nothin'.’ Boss, you know that man, he wouldn't bury mother. Jus' leave her lay in' where he shot her at.
You know, then there wasn't no law 'gainst killin' n****r slaves.
Focus Question B: What role did the expansion of cotton cultivation play in the internal
slave trade?
Table 1: U.S. Production of All Types
Of Raw Cotton, 1790-1860
Year
Pounds
1790
1,567,000
1800
36,572,500
1810
88,819,000
1820
167,189,000
1830
365,726,000
1840
673,116,000
1850
1,066,925,500
1860
1,918,701,000
Table 2: Population of the Southern
United States, 1790-1860
Year
Free Whites
Slaves
1790
1,240,454
654,121
1800
1,691,892
851,532
1810
2,118,144
1,103,700
1820
2,867,454
1,509,904
1830
3,614,600
1,983,860
1840
4,601,873
2,481,390
1850
6,184,477
3,200,364
1860
8,036,700
3,950,511
Focus Question B: What role did the expansion of cotton cultivation play in the internal
slave trade?
Solomon Northup Remembers Life on a Louisiana Cotton Plantation
The hands are required to be in the cotton field as soon as it is light in the morning, and, with the exception of
ten or fifteen minutes, which is given them at noon to swallow their allowance of cold bacon, they are not
permitted to be a moment idle until it is too dark to see, and when the moon is full, they often times labor till the
middle of the night. They do not dare to stop even at dinner time, nor return to the quarters, however late it be,
until the order to halt is given by the driver.
The day's work over in the field, the baskets are "toted," or in other words, carried to the gin- house, where the
cotton is weighed. No matter how fatigued and weary he may be- - no matter how much he longs for sleep and
rest- - a slave never approaches the gin- house with his basket of cotton but with fear. If it falls short in weight- if he has not performed the full task appointed him, he knows that he must suffer. And if he has exceeded it by
ten or twenty pounds, in all probability his master will measure the next day's task accordingly. So, whether he
has two little or too much, his approach to the gin- house is always with fear and trembling. Most frequently
they have too little, and therefore it is they are are not anxious to leave the field. After weighing, follow the
whippings; and then the baskets are carried to the cotton house, and their contents stored away like hay, all
hands being sent in to tramp it down. If the cotton is not dry, instead of taking it to the gin- house at once, it is
laid upon platforms, two feet high, and some three times as wide, covered with boards or plank, with narrow
walks running between them.
Focus Question C: Was slavery practiced differently in the older slave states than in the
newer ones?
Charles Ball Compares Slavery in Maryland and Georgia
If the proprietors of the soil in Maryland and Virginia, were skillful cultivators- - had their lands in good
condition- - and kept no more slaves on each estate, than would be sufficient to work the soil in a proper
manner, and kept up the repairs of the place- - the condition of the coloured people would not be, by any
means, a comparatively unhappy one. I am convinced, that in nine cases in ten, the hardships and suffering
of the coloured population of lower Virginia, are attributable to the poverty and distress of its owners. In
many instances, an estate scarcely yields enough to feed and clothe the slaves in a comfortable manner,
without allowing any thing for the support of the master and family; but it is obvious, that the family must
first be supported, and the slaves must be content with the surplus- - and this, on a poor, old, worn out
tobacco plantation, is often very small, and wholly inadequate to the comfortable sustenance of the hands,
and they are called. There, in many places, nothing is allowed to the poor Negro, but his peck of corn per
week, without the sauce of a salt herring, or even a little salt itself....
The general features of slavery are the same every where; but the utmost rigour of the system, is only to be
met with, on the cotton plantations of Carolina and Georgia, or in the rice fields which skirt the deep
swamps and morasses of the southern rivers. In the tobacco fields of Maryland and Virginia, great cruelties
are practiced- - not so frequently by the owners, as by the overseers of the slaves; but yet, the tasks are not
so excessive as in the cotton region, nor is the press of labour so incessant throughout the year. It is true,
that from the period when the tobacco plants are set in the field, there is no resting time until it is housed;
but it is planted out about the first of May, and must be cut and taken out of the field before the frost
comes. After it is hung and dried, the labor of stripping and preparing it for the hogshead in leaf, or of
manufacturing it into twist, is comparatively a work of leisure and ease. Besides, on almost every
plantation the hands are able to complete the work of preparing the tobacco by January, and sometimes
earlier; so that the winter months, form some sort of respite from the toils of the year. The people are
obliged, it is true, to occupy themselves in cutting wood for the house, making rails and repairing fences,
and in clearing new land, to raise the tobacco plants for the next year; but as there is usually time enough,
and to spare, for the completion of all this, before the season arrives for setting the plants in the field....
In Maryland I never knew a mistress or a young mistress, who would not listen to the complaints of the
slaves. It is true, we were always obliged to approach the door of the mansion, with our hats in our hands,
and the most subdued and beseeching language in our mouths- - but, in return, we generally received
words of kindness, and very often a redress of our grievances... The mistresses of the great families,
generally gave mild language to the slaves; though they sometimes sent for the overseer and have them
severely flogged; but I have never heard any mistress, in either Maryland or Virginia, indulge in the low,
vulgar and profane vituperations, of which I was myself the object, in Georgia, for many years, whenever I
came into the presence of my mistress. Flogging- - though often severe and excruciating in Maryland, is
not practiced with the order, regularity and system, to which it is often reduced in the South. On the
Potomac, if a slave gives offence, he is generally chastised on the spot, in the field where he is at work, as
the overseer always carried a whip- - sometimes a twisted cow- hide, sometimes a kind of horse- whip, and
very often a simple hickory switch or gad, cut in the adjoining woods. For stealing meat, or other
provisions, or for any of the higher offences, the slaves are stripped, tied up by the hands- - sometimes by
the thumbs- - and whipped at the quarter- - but many times, on a large tobacco plantation, there is not more
than one of these regular whippings in a week- - though on others, where the master happens to be a bad
man, or a drunkard- - the back of the unhappy Maryland slaves, is seamed with scars from his neck to his
hips.
Focus Question C: Was slavery practiced differently in the older slave states than in the
newer ones?
Focus Question D: What effect did the internal slave trade have on slave families in the
older, exporting slave states?
Solomon Northup’s Account of a New Orleans Slave Market
The same man also purchased Randall. The little fellow was
made to jump, and run across the floor, and perform many other
feats, exhibiting his activity and condition. All the time the trade
was going on, Eliza was crying aloud, and wringing her hands.
She besought the man not to buy him, unless he also bought her
self and Emily. She promised, in that case, to be the most faithful
slave that ever lived. The man answered that he could not afford
it, and then Eliza burst into a paroxysm of grief, weeping
plaintively. Freeman turned round to her, savagely, with his whip
in his uplifted hand, ordering her to stop her noise, or he would
flog her. He would not have such work - such snivelling; and
unless she ceased that minute, he would take her to the yard and
give her a hundred lashes. Yes, he would take the nonsense out of
her pretty quick - if he didn’t, might he be d—d. Eliza shrunk
before him, and tried to wipe away her tears, but it was all in
vain. She wanted to be with her children, she said, the little time
she had to live. All the frowns and threats of Freeman, could not
wholly silence the afflicted mother. She kept on begging and
beseeching them, most piteously not to separate the three. Over
and over again she told them how she loved her boy. A great
many times she repeated her former promises - how very faithful
and obedient she would be; how hard she would labor day and
night, to the last moment of her life, if he would only buy them
all together. But it was of no avail; the man could not afford it.
The bargain was agreed upon, and Randall must go alone. Then
Eliza ran to him; embraced him passionately; kissed him again
and again; told him to remember her - all the while her tears
falling in the boy’s face like rain.
Freeman dawned her, calling her a blubbering, bawling wench,
and ordered her to go to her place, and behave herself; and be
somebody. He swore he wouldn’t stand such stuff but a little
longer. He would soon give her something to cry about, if she
was not mighty careful, and that she might depend upon. The
planter from Baton Rouge, with his new purchases, was ready to
depart.
“Don’t cry, mama. I will be a good boy. Don’t cry,” said Randall,
looking back, as they passed out of the door.
What has become of the lad, God knows. It was a mournful scene
indeed. I would have cried myself if I had dared.
Focus Question D: What effect did the internal slave trade have on slave families and
communities in the older, exporting slave states?
Letter of Maria Perkins to her Husband
Charlottesville Oct 8th 1852
Dear Husband,
I write you a letter to let you know of my distress my master has sold albert to a trader on Monday court
day and myself and other child is for sale also and I want to you let hear from you very soon before next
cort if you can I dont know when I dont want you to wait till Christmas I want you to tell dr Hamelton and
your master if either will buy me they can attend to it know and then I can go afterwards.
I dont want a trader to get me they asked me if I had got any person to buy me and I told them no they took
me to the court house too they never put me up a man buy the name of brady bought albert and is gone I
dont know whare they say he lives in Scottesville my things is in several places some is in staunton and if I
should be sold I don’t know what will become of them I dont expect to meet with the luck to get that way
till I am quite heartsick nothing more I am and ever will be your kind wife Maria Perkins.
To Richard Perkins
Focus Question E: What happened at slave auctions, and what role did these auctions
play in the internal slave trade?
Solomon Northup’s Account of a New Orleans Slave Market
The very amiable, pious-hearted Mr. Theophilus Freeman,
partner or consignee of James H. Burch, and keeper of the
slave pen in New-Orleans, was out among his animals early in
the morning. With an occasional kick of the older men and
women, and many a sharp crack of the whip about the ears of
the younger slaves, it was not long before they were all astir,
and wide awake. Mr. Theophilus Freeman bustled about in a
very industrious manner, getting his property ready for the
sales-room, intending, no doubt, to do that day a rousing
business.
In the first place we were required to wash thoroughly, and
those with beards, to shave. We were then furnished with a
new suit each, cheap, but clean. The men had hat, coat, shirt,
pants and shoes; the women frocks of calico, and
handkerchiefs to bind about their heads. We were now
conducted into a large room in the front part of the building to
which the yard was attached, in order to be properly trained,
before the admission of customers. The men were arranged on
one side of the room, the women on the other. The tallest was
placed at the head of the row, then the next tallest, and so on
in the order of their respective heights. Emily was at the foot
of the line of women. Freeman charged us to remember our
places; exhorted us to appear smart and lively, - sometimes
threatening, and again, holding out various inducements.
During the day he exercised us in the art of “looking smart,”
and of moving to our places with exact precision…
Next day many customers called to examine Freeman’s “new
lot.” The latter gentleman was very loquacious, dwelling at
much length upon our several good points and qualities. He
would make us hold up our heads, walk briskly back and
forth, while customers would feel of our hands and arms and
bodies, turn us about, ask us what we could do, make us open
our mouths and show our teeth, precisely as a jockey
examines a horse which he is about to barter for or purchase.
Sometimes a man or woman was taken back to the small
house in the yard, stripped, and inspected more minutely.
Scars upon a slave’s back were considered evidence of a
rebellious or unruly spirit, and hurt his sale.
Focus Question E: What happened at slave auctions, and what role did these auctions
play in the internal slave trade?
Henry Watson Recalls Being Sold at Auction
I will attempt to give as accurate an account of the language and ceremony of a slave auction as
I possibly can. "Gentlemen, here is a likely boy; how much? He is sold for no fault; the owner
wants money. His age is forty. Three hundred dollars is all that I am offered for him. Please to
examine him; he is warranted sound. Boy, pull off your shirt--roll up your pants--for we want to
see if you have been whipped." If they discover any scars, they will not buy; saying that the
nigger is a bad one. The auctioneer seeing this, cries, "Three hundred dollars, gentlemen, three
hundred dollars. Shall I sell him for three hundred dollars? I have just been informed by his
master, that he is an honest boy, and belongs to the same church that he does." This turns the
tide frequently, and the bids go up fast; and he is knocked off for a good sum. After the men
and women are sold, the children are put on the stand. I was the first put up. On my appearance,
several voices cried, "How old is that little nigger?" On hearing this expression, I again burst
into tears, and wept so that I have no distinct recollection of his answer. I was at length knocked
down, to a man whose name was Denton, a slave trader, then purchasing slaves for the
Southern market. His first name I have forgotten. Each one of the traders has private jails,
which are for the purpose of keeping slaves in; and they are generally kept by some confidential
slave. Denton had one of these jails, to which I was conducted by his trusty slave; and on
entering I found a great many slaves there, waiting to be sent off as soon as their numbers
increased
Focus Question F: What types of slaves were most often sold in the internal slave trade,
and why?
Minerva Davis Recalls her Father
My father was sold in Richmond, Virginia when he was eighteen years old to the n****r traders.
They had n****r traders and cloth peddlers and horse traders all over the country coming by every
few weeks. Papa said he traveled to Tennessee. His job was to wash their faces and hands and fix
their hair—comb and cut and braid their hair and dress them to be auctioned off. They sold a lot of
children from Virginia all along the way and he was put up in Tennessee and auctioned off. He was
sold to the highest bidder. Bill Thomas at Brownsville, Tennessee was the one bought him. Papa
was a large strong man.