Description:

MAN GIVES FIVE OF HIS SLAVES OVER 100 LASHES EACH FOR ESCAPING AT NIGHT
A disturbing letter raising many questions, 1p. legal folio, Mt. Holyoke, Henry Co., Tennessee, March 7, 1858, in which a brutal plantation owner named James Cowan writes another plantation owner, Thomas Taylor, commenting on the nighttime activities of both their slaves, and their subsequent punishments, in part: "...You have a valuable Boy, John. If you want to keep him so, I would give you such advise as I ought to have taken myself long since. Willis is now 25 years old. In constitution he is 45. Why? Because he has ruined himself by running to George Moores at night when he ought to have been asleep. If Josh is not going the same way I am mistaken. Saturday last he went to William Harts, & from there back home & then to John Harts. Whether he done as my boys did or not I can't say. Mine stole horses and rode, & left here at 9 & 10 o'clock...and back here by daylight, all without my knowledge or counsel, for which 5 OF THEM REC'D. FROM 75 TO 125 NAKED LASHES FOR, WITH A GOOD PROSPECT OF HAVING THE DOSE REPEATED FOR A SMALLER OFFENSE. IN FUTURE JOHN HAD AS WELL KEEP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN HE PASSES THIS WAY...". After admonishing the reader that he should treat his slaves in the same fashion, Mr. Cowan adds the cryptic comment: "...I don't care about catching John, as he knows. I owe him a debt that you know nothing of...". Considering Cowan's severity in the whipping he gave his other slaves, one cannot imagine the "debt" the immune slave John must have acquired from his master. The activities of the blacks are unusual in that they risked so much each night merely to visit and return, without making an attempt to run away. One likely explanation would be that they were visiting family members or sweethearts who had been sold to other plantations. The various elements of this letter make it an unusual slave document indeed. Very good.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipment is sent USPS priority, USPS International Express (for most overseas) or UPS Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. NOTE: large, heavy or bulky items are not shipped by the auctioneer. Client is responsible for arranging shipping for these pieces. Please see "Bidding Procedures" for contact information of recommended shippers. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee.

May 9, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 22.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 + $1,000