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.