American Historical Ephemera & Photography, including African Americana

HAYNES, Christopher (1806-1844). Autograph letter signed ("C. Haynes") as Postmaster of Estillville, Virginia. Addressed to Mr. Joseph Meek of Nashville, Tennessee. Estillville, Scott County, VA, 4 April 1835. 3pp, bifolium, addressed on terminal leaf. Free franked by Hayes using his privileges as postmaster.

Haynes writes to Meek, a Tennessee slave trader, regarding a "fine lot" of enslaved persons he has recently purchased and his intent to purchase more. Regarding the market, Haynes states, in part: "Negroes have advanced considerably, since we commenced buying. I do not think however that they are higher now, than you suggested to Mr. Logan he might give....I hope however we will be able to furnish at last one half of the amt necessary for purchasing. We hoe to get at least 40. Perhaps we may get 60.... I am perfectly aware of the exceeding uncertainty attending the prices of this kind of property. I know the value of slaves depends almost entirely on the staples of the South West, or that country where they are used...."

LOGAN, Samuel (1799-1855). Autograph letter signed ("Saml. Logan"). Addressed to Mr. Joseph Meek of Livingston, Mississippi. Abingdon, Virginia. 8 January 1835. 2pp, bifolium, addressed on terminal leaf.

Logan writes to Meek in a detailed letter about the slave trade, the fluctuations in the market, and the profitability of dealing in slaves, and inquires for direction on whether he should be purchasing slaves when offered for sale. The letter reads in small part: "Sometime ago I requested you say to me what I should do when slaves were occasionally offered for sale; whether I should purchase any & at what prices. You have not answered on that subject....If cotton continues up & prospects are good, I have no doubt that by April & May the country will again be overrun with traders who will again raise the prices here, of the few [slaves] that are for sale...I think it would be best for [Mr. Haynes] to quit the practice of law, and devote his whole attention to his trading goods, slaves etc. For law is a poor business in this poor country, & it is getting worse...."

The letters offered here demonstrate the unflinching and unapologetic manner in which enslavers engaged in the brutal business of slave trading. Both Haynes and Logan were Virginia lawyers who simultaneously dealt in slave trading. Interestingly, Samuel Logan may have named a child after the slave trader to which he sent this letter. Joseph Meeks Logan (1836-1869) was born to Samuel Logan and his wife the year after Logan penned this letter to Meeks.