2005-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2005
A two-page letter dated October 18, 1850 from a man named Lauren Smith in Wheeling, Missisisippi, to his brother in Humphreysville, Connecticut.; 9-3/4 x 7-3/4 in., with integral address leaf. In part: " ... I have swaped my land for a runaway Negro ... a woman ... sold two years ago for six hundred thirty five Dollars .... She had been runaway ten days and had been hunted for a week with a full pack of Negroe' Dogs but could not be caught in twenty four hours after I bought her .... J have had her about six months and she has not attempted to runaway. J could give her twelve hours the start and catch her in six hours with my Dogs and she knows it would be of know use to try it. She is a first rate Negro to work but like all Negroes she needs a little buckskin now and then .... " This is the first letter we have seen about dogs being used to track runaway slaves.
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