Untitled - African American History

1XXX HISTORICAL SKETCH OP SLAVERY.
young, and to retard the appearances of age. 1
They
vaunted loudly the praises of their good qualities. Varro
and Seneca, Pliny and Quinctilian give warnings, to the
purchasers, of these arts, and rules of recommendation
for their protection. Still the sellers succeeded in defrauding,
and finally an edict declared, " that those who
sell slaves must acquaint the purchaser with the diseases
and vices of each, and declare whether he has been a
runaway or vagabond, or the contract of sale will be
avoided. These declarations must be made publicly and
aloud before the sale. If a slave is sold contrary to
these stipulations, or if he does not answer to the things
affirmed or promised when he was sold, the purchaser or
his assigns may rescind the sale. Moreover, if the slave
has committed any capital offence, or has attempted
suicide, or has fought with wild beasts in the arena, it
must be made known at the sale, or it can be avoided." 2
Slaves newly imported, were preferred for labor. Those
who had served long were considered artful. 3 The pertness
and impudence of those born in the master's house
were proverbial. 4 The nativity of the slave gave some
indication of his qualities. Thus, the Phrygian was
timid ; the African vain ; the Cretan mendacious ; the
Sardinian unruly ; the Corsican cruel and rebellious ; the
Dalmatian ferocious; the Briton stupid; the Syrian
strong; the Ionian beautiful; the Alexandrian accom-
and luxurious. 5
plished
Dealing in slaves was, nevertheless, considered a degrading
occupation. They were denied even the name
1
Wallon, ii, 56. Hence, mangozinare, from mangones.
2
Wallon, ii, 57, 8. A vast number of questions arose under this edict
as to what was a defect. For some of them see Wallon, as above. For
the manner in which the auctioneer communicated the vices, but at the
same time covered them up with praises, see Horace, Epist. ii, 2.
3 Terence, Heaut. v, 16.
4 Hor. Sat. ii, 6, 66.
6 Wallon, ii, 64, 65 5 So. Quart. Rev. xiv, 394 ; Juvenal, v. 73 j Cic. ad
Att. Lib. iv, 16.