“To be SOLD for want of Employment, A likely strong active Negroe man, of about 24 years of age, this country born, (N.B. A natural born subject) understands most of a baker’s trade, and a good deal of farming business, and can do all sorts of house-work.—­Also a healthy Negroe wench, of about 21 years old, is a tolerable cook, and capable of doing all sorts of house-work, can be well recommended for her honesty and sobriety:  she has a female child of nigh three years old, which will be sold with the wench if required, &c.”  Here is not the least consideration, or scruple of conscience, for the inhumanity of parting the mother and young child.  From the stile, one would suppose the advertisement to be of no more importance than if it related merely to the sale of a cow and her calf; and that the cow should be sold with or without her calf, according as the purchaser should require.—­But not only Negroes, but even American Indians, are detained in the same abominable slavery in our colonies, though there cannot be any reasonable pretence whatsoever for holding one of these as private property; for even if a written contract should be produced as a voucher in such a case, there would still remain great suspicion, that some undue advantage had been taken of the Indian’s ignorance concerning the nature of such a bond.

“Run away, on Monday the 21st instant, from J——­n T——­, Esq. of West-Chester county, in the province of New-York, An Indian slave, named Abraham, he may have changed his name, about 23 years of age, about five feet five inches.”

Upon the whole, I think I may with justice conclude, that those advertisements discover a shameless prostitution and infringement on the common and natural rights of mankind—­But hold! perhaps the Americans may be able, with too much justice, to retort this severe reflexion, and may refer us to news-papers published even in the free city of London, which contain advertisements not less dishonourable than their own.  See advertisement in the Public Ledger of 31st December, 1761.

“For SALE, A healthy NEGROE GIRL, aged about fifteen years; speaks good English, works at her needle, washes well, does houshold work, and has had the small-pox.  By J.W. &c.”

Another advertisement, not long ago, offered a reward for stopping a female slave who had left her mistress in Hatton-garden.  And in the Gazetteer of 18th April, 1769, appeared a very extraordinary advertisement with the following title;

“Horses, Tim Wisky, and black Boy, To be sold at the Bull and Gate Inn.  Holborn, A very good Tim Wisky, little the worse for wear, &c.”  Afterwards, “A Chesnut Gelding;” then, “A very good grey Mare;” and last of all, (as if of the least consequence) “A well-made good-tempered black Boy, he has lately had the small-pox, and will be sold to any gentleman.  Enquire as above.”