Warning
The following article contains wording that is offensive to many in the world of today. However, the article is provided unedited for its historical content and context.
Natchez Daily Free Trader [MS], March 3, 1860
For the Free Trader.
Communication.
Editor of Free Trader:–
The earnest appeal contained in the two columns of the Courier in its issue of the 29th inst., in behalf of the much abused negro traders, from its urgent character and potent reasoning, has attracted the attention of all of its readers.
The Courier truly says Natchez has become drowsy and she may, with some little justice, be termed “old fogy.”
When we first commenced the perusal of the article so attractively headed, we fully expected that some great scheme of improvement was about to be suggested, which was destined to arouse the sleeping city from her lethargy. But “Mirabile Dictu,” what was our astonishment to find the remedy prescribed for the somnolent patient was calculated to infuse into the veins a deadly poison; in one word, the city of Natchez must be made a slave depot, or else sink into utter insignificance. Rather than see her revenue derived from this source of commerce, the majority of the people would unhesitatingly say, “let her sink into oblivion.”
The Courier complains that the ordinance prohibiting the sale of slaves within the city limits is still enforced. It argues that such traffic is not a nuisance or dangerous to health, and consequently Natchez should, like other cities, allow and encourage this branch of commerce. We assert that a slave mart in any city or anywhere else is a nuisance. Did any man of any sensibility ever pass one of these slave depots without experiencing a sense of unutterable disgust for the whole trade? we think not; and the experience of those living in cities contiguous to these depots, would testify that they were nuisances, and grievous ones at that. Even driven beyond the limits of the city, located at the convergence of two of the most frequented thoroughfares leading to the city, it is a great nuisance; a nuisance to those gentlemen and their families who are compelled to pass the tempting Bazaar, tastily arranged with the choicest commodities of the slave dealer; a nuisance to the seeker for health and pleasure in his rides over the best of roads in the county; a horrid nuisance to those living in the neighborhood of “Niggerville.”
If, then, it is a nuisance there, how much greater nuisance would it be to some of our merchants. How think you they would like to be next door neighbors of a negro shop. Their lady customers would certainly enjoy the contiguity in their shopping excursions. How think you that the editor of the Courier would like to have one of these establishments adjoining his sanctum. As to a sanitary point, no foresight could prevent the importation of contagious diseases by negroes coming from all sections of Kentucky, Missouri, Virginia and Maryland, even if we were disposed to impose the task of examination upon the health physician. We could cite instance where diseases have been brought even to the Forks of the Road; and it would be exceedingly dangerous to have importations of negroes, one or two hundred at a time, brought into the heart of the city.
Now let us look at the arguments of the Courier: No. 1, The editor of the Courier anticipates a large increase to the city revenue, say in the sum of $3000 or $4000, by the tax on sales of slaves in the city, which sum would gravel and keep in repair all the streets and pay the gas bills of the city. Now, we beg the editor’s pardon, he being City Printer, one of the City Fathers and Chairman of the Gas Committee, for differing with him; we would, however, call his attention to these figures. He must certainly have seen the statement made by the City Clerk of the expenditures and liabilities of the city for the year 1859. In that we find the expenditures, on account of roads and streets, to have been $9318 46; on account of gas, deducting the price of lamps, $3808 70; total, $13,127 16. The $3000 or $4000 would, it seems, fall short of the required amount, particularly as Natchez must renew her youth and be a little faster in future. Again, we would ask the editor of the Courier if he has ever glanced at the Auditor’s tabular statement, found in his report to the Legislature, November 7th, 1859, for the year 1858. The Courier asserts that the amount of slaves sold in the county, per annum, is upwards of two millions of dollars. By reference to the Auditor’s report above referred to, he will see the amount of sales of slaves, horses and mules reached the sum of $25,985.00. That this return is correct, we will not venture to say, but, as these injured slave traders [who are so mercilessly driven into shanties out of the city] make their returns on oath to the Assessor, we must take it for granted it is correct. Certainly there is a great discrepancy between the Courier’s statement and the negro traders. The revenue then to be derived from these sales, at an assessment of three-tenths of one per cent., would amount to about $77 95. What becomes of the Courier’s $3000 or $4000. Where is the revenue to be derived. “O Tempora! O Mores!” figures will not lie.
No. 2, The editor argues that, by receiving and encouraging these slave depots in the city, a great convenience would be afforded the purchasers. True, it would be just as easy to step into the shop and buy a negro as it would a cigar or a drink. We take it that too many facilities are already given to the trade.
No. 3, The editor of the Courier argues that by taxing the sales of slaves with an additional city tax, would reduce the price. Now, we should like to see the editor’s text book on political economy. It is a new principle of that science which teaches that taxation reduces the price of an article.
No. 4, The Courier argues that the sales of slaves in the city would stimulate business, encourage mechanics and the business portion of the community. We venture to assert that not one cent’s worth of trade or building would accrue from this contemplated change. Probably a few shanties might be built, but the merchants sale would not increase one dollar.
No. 5, The Courier argues that, if the ordinance is not repealed, these useful migratory tradesmen that bring so much wealth with them in the Fall, and take away so much more from us in the Spring, will be driven off. We say we would gladly see them go. Then our people would only purchase for themselves at the prices the negro traders buy at. We would not then act contrary to the policy of the South by draining the border States of their negroes and thus weaken their interest in the institution of slavery.
The whole traffic is wrong; I am, Mr. Editor, no freedom-shrieker, as you well know, but a native Mississippian, zealous for the interest of the State. It is against the policy of the extreme Southern States to withdraw the slaves from the border States and thus abolitionize them. We increase our slave population, but not our votes in Congress.
In conclusion, Mr. Editor, we beg pardon for our lengthy letter. The article in the Courier has astonished many, as we considered the editor of that paper an anti-slave trade man.
Yours, &c.,
A Planter.