Today in History–March 3–the Library of Congress features the largest recorded slave auction in U.S. history, began on this date in 1859. Referred to as "The Weeping Time", the two-day auction of 436 men, women, and children formerly held by Pierce M. Butler was held pay off Butler's financial losses from the crash of 1857-58 as well as his gambling debts. A journalist's account, What Became of the Slaves on a Georgia Plantation?, includes vivid descriptions of the auction and many of … [Read more...]
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Today in History: Slave Auction
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