?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 2,500 - $ 3,500
A VERY DESIRABLE NEGRO (SLAVERY AND ABOLITION--MOUNT VERNON.) [WASHINGTON, JOHN AUGUSTINE.] Letter from Henry Hill, noted slave dealer regarding Washington's slave Gabriel (Gabe) * Letter from Joseph Bruin, Henry Hill's business partner to Washington. Both letters single large 4to leaf, written on one side, folded for mailing, but not addressed. Alexandria: August 19, 1845
a pair of rare letters addressed to john washington regarding his slave gabriel, a runaway, presently in the custody of Joseph Bruin, in his 'Jail.' Joseph Bruin and Henry P. Hill were partners in the slave-trade Bruin owned a large brick Federal building in Alexandria, which he called his 'Slave Jail.' Bruin and Hill had captured Washington's runaway Gabriel, and were holding him for Washington to come and claim him. 'I have to inform you of what I am willing to pay for your man, now in my Jail. We will give you $565 neat for him at this time, if the prices should improve we are willing to pay whatever the prices may be, but when you come down I am inclined to think we can trade. If you wish to replace him you can inquire of others what he is worth to satisfy your self about his worth. He is 5 feet 5 inches he's well formed but has some scars on his back and also scars on his arms from burns which are more eye sore, but don't disable him in the smallest degree. He is a very desirable Negro ---to those willing to purchase. I have 2 or 3 more at this time that possibly will suit you, They are young and likely and not sold for any fault.' Hill's letter covers just about the same ground, written a week or so later, and repeats his partner's interest on Gabriel, offering to possibly trade him for a man and wife.letters from slave dealers with this much detail are rare, this pair addressed to john augustine washington, regarding a known mount vernon slave rarer yet. In a late 1861 letter to washington, the slave Gabriel (Gabe) and his wife are mentioned as being the only slaves left at Mount Vernon, after the federal troops had passed through.
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