dey hasn't much to eat, and ain't decent [not decently clothed], like we is."
When the hunters take a negro who has not a pass, or "free papers," and they don't know whose slave he is, they confine him in jail, and advertise him. If no one claims him within a year he is sold to the highest bidder, at a public sale, and this sale gives title in law against any subsequent claimant.
The form of the advertisements used in such cases is shown by the following, which are cut from North Carolina newspapers, published in counties adjoining the Dismals. Such advertisements are quite as common in the papers of many parts of the Slave States as those of horses or cattle "Taken up" in those of the North:—
WAS TAKEN UP and committed to the Jail of Halifax County, on the
26th day of May, a dark coloured boy, who says his name is Jordan
Artis. Said boy says he was born free, and was bound out to William
Beale, near Murfreesboro, Hertford County, N.C, and is now 21 years of
age. The owner is requested to come forward, prove property, pay
charges, and take the said boy away, within the time prescribed by law;
otherwise he will be dealt with as the law directs.
O. P. SHELL, Jailer.
Halifax County, N.C., June 8,1855.
TAKEN UP,
AND COMMITTED to the Jail of New Hanover County, on the 5th of
March, 1855, a Negro Man, who says his name is EDWARD
LLOYD. Said negro is about 35 or 40 years old, light complected, 5 feet
9-1/2 inches high, slim built, upper fore teeth out; says he is a Mason by
trade, that he is free, and belongs in Alexandria, Va., that he served his
time at the Mason business under Mr. Wm. Stuart, of Alexandria. He was
taken up and committed as a runaway. His owner is notified to come forward,
prove property, pay charges, and take him away, or he will be dealt
with as the law directs.
E. D. HALL, Sheriff.
