James Redpath, The Roving Editor: or, Talks with Slaves in the Southern States.

auction sales.

by Pulliam & Davis, Auctioneers.

8 negroes.--This day, at 10 o'clock, we will sell 8 likely negroes, Men, Boys, and Girls. may 24.

Pulliam & Davis, Aucts.

Dickinson, Hill & Company, body-sellers and body-buyers, “subject only to the Constitution,” carry on their nefarious business in Wall street — I believe its name is — within pistol shot of the capitol of Virginia and its executive mansion. Near their auction-room, on the opposite side of the street, is the office of another person engaged in the same inhuman traffic, who has painted, in bold Roman letters, on a signboard over the door:

Both negroes and houses, by the laws of Virginia, are “held, adjudged and reputed” to be property! This is Southern Democracy!

At ten o'clock there was a crowd of men around the door of the auction-room, but it was nearly eleven when a mulatto man came out, and vociferously shouted--“This way, gentlemen, this way — sale's ‘bout to begin — sale's ‘bout to begin — gentlemen wishina to buy, please step into the room inside.”

I entered the auction-room. It is a long, lamp,