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10.03Uncle Tom

Instructions: Read the following excerpt fromA Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

In A Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Harriett Beecher Stowe defends her depiction of slavery. In these excerpts, you will find Mrs. Stowe’s comments in black. The highlighted section is a quote from one of her detractors.

[Mrs. Stowe states] The worst abuse of the system of slavery is its outrage upon the family; and, as the writer views the subject, it is one which is more notorious and undeniable than any other.

Yet it is upon this point that the most stringent and earnest denial has been made to the representations of “Uncle Tom's Cabin,” either indirectly. . . or more directly in the assertions of newspapers, both at the North and at the South.

It was with utter surprise that the author [Stowe] read the following sentences in an article inFraser's Magazine,professing to come from a South Carolinian:—

Mrs. Stowe's favourite illustration of the master's power to the injury of the slave is the separation of families. We are told of infants of ten months old being sold from the arms of their mothers, and of men whose habit it is to raise children, to sell away from their mother as soon as they are old enough to be separated. Were our views of this feature of slavery derived from Mrs. Stowe's book, we should regard the families of slaves as utterly unsettled and vagrant.

We feel confident that, if statistics could be had to throw light upon this subject, we should find that there is less separation of families among the negroes than occurs with almost any other class of persons.

[Mrs. Stowe] But let us open two South Carolina papers, published in the very State where this gentleman is residing, and read the advertisements FOR ONE WEEK. The author has slightly abridged them

COMMISSIONERS’ SALE OF TWELVE LIKELY NEGROES. Fairfield District
R. W. Murray and Wife and others v. William Wright and Wife and others, In Equity
In pursuance of an order of the Court of Equity made in the above case at July Term, 1852, I will sell at public outcry,” to the highest bidder, before the Court House in Winnsboro', on the first Monday in January next,
TWELVE VERY LIKELY NEGROES
Belonging to the estate of Micajah Mobley, deceased, late of Fairfield District.
These negroes consist chiefly of young boys and girls are said to be very likely
W.R.ROBERTSON C.E.F.D.
Commissioners’ Office, Winnsboro’, Nov. 20, 1852. / ADMINISTRATOR’S SALE
Will be sold at public outcry, to the highest bidder, on Tuesday, the 21st day of December next, at the late residence of Mrs. M.P. Rabb, deceased, all of the personal estate of said deceased, consisting in part of about
2,000 Bushels of Corn
25,000 Pounds of Fodder
Wheat – Cotton Seed
Horses, Mules, Cattle, Hogs, Sheep
There will, in all probability, be sold at the same time and place several likely Young Negroes.
The Terms of Sale will be—all sums under Twenty-five Dollars, Cash. All sums of Twenty-five Dollars and over, twelve months' credit, with interest, from day of Sale, secured by note and two approved securities.
WILLIAMS.RABB, Administrator.
LARGE SALE OF REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY.—ESTATE SALE.
On Monday, the (7th) seventh day of February next, I will sell at Auction, without reserve, at the Plantation, near Linden, all the Horses, Mules, Waggons, Farming Utensils, Corn, Fodder,&c.
And on the following Monday (14th), the fourteenth day of February next, at the Court House, at Linden, in Marengo County, Alabama, I will sell at public auction, without reserve, to the highest bidder,
ONE HUNDRED AND TEN PRIME AND LIKELY NEGROES,
belonging to the Estate of the late John Robinson, of South Carolina.
Among the negroes are four valuable Carpenters and a very superior Blacksmith. / GREAT SALE OF NEGROES AND THE SALUDA FACTORY, BY J. & L. T. LEVIN.
On Thursday, December 30, at 11 o'clock, will be sold at the Court House in Columbia,
ONE HUNDRED VALUABLE NEGROES.
It is seldom such an opportunity occurs as now offers. Among them are only four beyond 45 years old, and none above 50. There are twenty-five prime young men, between 16 and 30; forty of the most likely young women, andas fine a set of children as can be shown!!
Terms,&c. Dec. 18, '52

See also the following, from Dr. Elwood Harvey, editor of a western paper, to thePennsylvania Freeman,Dec. 25, 1846:—

We attended a sale of land and other property, near Petersburg, Virginia, and unexpectedly saw slaves sold at public auction. The slaves were told they would not be sold, and were collected in front of the quarters, gazing on the assembled multitude. The land being sold, the auctioneer's loud voice was heard, “Bring up the niggers!” A shade of astonishment and affright passed over their faces, as they stared first at each other, and then at the crowd of purchasers, whose attention was now directed to them. When the horrible truth was revealed to their minds that they were to be sold, and nearest relations and friends parted forever, the effect was indescribably agonizing. Women snatched up their babes, and ran screaming into the huts. Children hid behind the huts and trees, and the men stood in mute despair. The auctioneer stood on the portico of the house, and the “men and boys” were ranging in the yard for inspection.

From the poor negro, exposed to bitterest separation, the law jealously takes away the power of writing. For him the gulf of separation yawns black and hopeless, with no redeeming signal. Ignorant of geography, he knows not whither he is going, or where he is, or how to direct a letter. To all intents and purposes it is a separation hopeless as that of death, and as final.

Next, answer the questions in the grid. You may review the primary source as often as you need.

Question / Answer
Comprehension
What is the main idea Mrs. Stowe states in the first paragraph?
Comprehension
What evidence does Mrs. Stowe use to prove her main idea?
Application
What questions would you ask Mrs. Stowe if you were to interview her concerning this topic?
Analysis
What is the relationship between the main topic and the “For Sale” advertisements used by Mrs. Stowe?
Synthesis
Assess the methods used by Mrs. Stowe to support her main topic.
(i.e. How well did her strategy work?)
Evaluation
What other information would you have used to support Mrs. Stowe’s main topic?