the same farm, or otherwise in the
possession of the same man.

Hence, we learn that Tom was an old man; that he nursed Shelby when an
infant; that he was a trusty servant; that he had charge of everything
about the place; that he was a pious man, and that Shelby entertained
for him the kindest feelings; and that Mrs. Shelby was warmly attached
to him; and that their son George's attachment to the good old servant
knew no bounds; and that he was the husband of Aunt Chloe, the old
cook; who, (by the by,) is always a great favorite in a Southern
family. But strange as it may appear to those who have never read
Uncle Tom's Cabin, Mrs. Stowe tells us, notwithstanding, that Shelby
sold good old Tom to a negro trader; and that he was again sold to a
gentleman in New Orleans, and that after the death of this gentleman,
he was purchased by an inhumane wretch by the name of Legree.

This man Shelby, nevertheless, according to her tale, was a very
gentlemanly, humane man. I suppose that she would have us to
understand, that he was altogether a pretty fair character for the
South.

I believe the statements of Mrs. Stowe to be untrue, for the following
reasons. First, because Shelby had a number of slaves from whom he
could select; and I know from personal observation, that it is a
universal practice among slaveholders to sell their most worthless and
vicious slaves to negro traders. If they are forced to sell such a
negro as she represents Tom to be, some neighbor who is acquainted
with the slave, will give a higher price for him than a negro trader
will. A negro trader will give as much for a negro who is a rogue, as
he will for one who is an honest man. The negro trader pays no
attention to the character of a negro; for the very good reason that
the character of the negro is unknown to those to whom he expects to
sell. No representation or recommendation whatever, can have any
influence with those to whom they sell. They know nothing about the
character of the negroes whom they purchase, and they have no reliable
means of learning anything about them. Tom was purchased in Kentucky
and sold in New Orleans. Therefore, Haley, the negro trader, would not
have given one dime more for Tom on account of his good qualities. But
Mrs. Stowe tells us, that Shelby was indebted to Haley, and that he
preferred to purchase Tom on account of his good qualities; and that
Shelby expected a high price from him on that account. Haley would
hav