Slavery

Analyzing the Sources on Slavery

After the reading the many accounts of distraught slaves, a conclusion arose to the writer that the passages had three things in common. These slaves were unfortunately torn away from their families, wives, children, and although it wasn’t an ideal life, their daily routine was messed up as well. The harsh treatment was not received only when they were sold off, but handed to their new masters. The new masters, (as evidenced in Charles Ball’s testimony of his trip down south) hardly fed the slaves. When it occurred to the masters they should feed them, it was in bulk as if “to make up for previous meals” causing the Charles and the rest of the slaves to have malnutrition, starvation, and weakness all which was not their fault.

There appeared to be no way out in all three accounts and one that especially prompted musing was the first one where Mr. Solomon writes about the slave market and how they got ready before it. When one man took an interest in buying him, these are his thoughts: “I very much desired that he would buy me, because I conceived it would not be difficult to make my escape from New-Orleans on some northern vessel.” At first you would think that’s a comprehensible way of thinking and very intelligent as he expresses desire in escaping although he hasn’t been bought yet. Melancholy, it seems the fact that a young man had to escape in such a risky form to be free, and endure hardship no longer. Fortunately many of these slaves did find the means to evacuate cruelty and no longer suffered inhumane treatment after the Civil War.

There have been stories/accounts of slave-owners who did in fact treat their slaves, (their “servants” as they called them), in an agreeable, pleasant way. This shouldn't even be doubted as there are humans with a great heart and soul, the reason the United States has changed for the better as it is today. There is no doubt many slaves were treated differently, some for the better and...