The
law provided slaves with virtually no protection from their masters.
On large plantations this power was delegated to overseers.
These men were under considerable pressure from the plantation
owners to maximize profits. They did this by bullying the slaves
into increasing productivity. The punishments used against slaves
judged to be under-performing included the use of the whip.
Sometimes slave-owners resorted to mutilating and branding their slaves.
(1)
Advertisement in the North Carolina Standard (28th July, 1838)
Twenty dollars reward. Runaway
from the subscriber, a negro woman and two children; the woman is
tall and black, and a few days before she went off burnt her on the
left side of her face with the letter M. Her children are both boys,
the oldest is in his seventh year; he is a mulatto and has blue eyes;
the youngest is a black, and is in his fifth year.
(2) St. Louis Gazette
(6th November, 1845)
A wealthy man here had a boy
named Reuben, almost white, whom he caused to be branded in the face
with the words; 'A slave for life.'
(3) Advert in Mississippi
Gazette (23rd July, 1836)
A negro man who says his name is Josiah,
that he belongs to Mr. John Martin, living in Louisiana, twenty miles
below Nathchez. Josiah is five feet eight inches high, heavy built,
copper colour; his back very much scarred with the whip, and branded
on the thigh and hips in three or four places thus:'J.M.' The rim
of his right ear has been bitten or cut off. He is about 31 years
of age. Had on, when committed, pantaloons, made of bed-ticking, cotton
coat, and an old fur hat very much worn. The owner of the above described
negro is requested to comply requisitions of law, in such, cases made
and provided for.
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