LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Apr Books, Manuscripts & Autographs #658  / 

25216

A Signed Manifest for a Slave Ship, 1833

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Paper Start Price:375.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,000.00 USD
A Signed Manifest for a Slave Ship, 1833
<B>(Slavery) A fantastic manuscript Document Signed</B></I> "<I>S. Bissell,</B></I> one page, 15.75" x 38", Alexandria, Virginia , January 1833, a lengthy manifest for a schooner transporting 83 named slaves from Alexandria, Virginia to Natchez, Mississippi. The document bears the heading: "<I>Report and Maifest sic of the Cargo of Slaves on board the Schooner La Fayette of Norfolk Whereof Benj. Bissell is Master, burthen, 130/95 tons bound from the Port of Alexandria in the D.C. for the port of Natches sic State of Missippi sic via New Orleans</B></I>" Below, it lists 83 slaves, and includes: their names, height, age, complexion, the name and residence of the shipper, and consignees. The ages range from 3 months to 30 years with the average age around 20. Both men and women are represented on the list. Under "<I>Complexion</B></I>" they are noted as simply "<I>Black </B></I>" or "<I>Yellow</B></I>". Shipments like this were not uncommon in the early nineteenth century as Virginia planters moved away from labor-intensive crops like tobacco to corn and wheat. While this transition was taking place, the Deep South was becoming the center of cotton production that was highly labor intensive and fueled a ready market for slaves. The abolition of the slave importation in 1808 further increased demand. This is an amazing record of this important demographic shift that would have enormous cultural and social implications for decades to come. According to the document, the shipper of record was Franklin & Armsfield of Alexandria and the consignees were John Heyward & Company and Isaac Franklin. At the bottom, Armsfield has certified that the slaves listed "<I>...are legally held to service or bondage an sic that none of the same have been imported in the United States... subsequent to the first day of January Eighteen hundred and Eight...</B></I>" Partial separation at folds, some repair on verso, light dampstains, else good condition, and certainly worthy of professional restoration. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Small Flat (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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