The History of Enslaved People at UA, 1828-1865

Basil Manly, Seventeenth Annual President's Report, 1854 (Purchase of Isaac)

Item

Title

Basil Manly, Seventeenth Annual President's Report, 1854 (Purchase of Isaac)

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The University of Alabama Libraries W. S. Hoole Special Collections

RG. 010, Acc 20061831, Box 001, President's Reports 1838-1864, Basil Manly, Seventeenth Annual President's Report, 1854

transcript

“The number of students exceeding 100 the first term, the faculty thought it expedient to procure additional service for the dormitories and the laboratory; and after considering the probable rate of servant-hire for the year 1854, they requested me to invest the proceeds of the sale of Sam in the purchase of another servant. Accordingly, after making trial of a servant than offered for sale by Morgan Chambers and Co. Traders, on the 5th day of December 1853, with the approbation of the faculty, I purchased the man, Isaac, about 25 years of age, and took the bill of sale and warranty of the said Morgan Chambers and Co. The price of the man was $1300. Of this amount $993.20 were supplied by the proceeds of the sale of Sam; and the residue $306.80 was paid out my draft, by the Treasurer
[2] Mr. Snow.
The man in all his dispositions, and in intelligence, proves an admirable servant, thus far. His general health, too, is good. But within the last few weeks, a slight rupture, call inguinal hernia, has appeared on the right side. The wearing of a truss, selected by Dr. R. Haywood, has induced the protuber once; and the boy has never lain by a day. Yet the faculty have seen fit to modify his work, - so as to exempt him from carrying heavy buckets of water into the upper rooms of the dormitories. It is not known whether recourse can be had to the sellers, and indemnity obtained. But, -if this slight rupture should not in any way obstruct his capabilities no servant we can procure is better adapted to our purposes. - We considered his price very high; not relatively, - for negros were then selling at [unreadable] rates. But those whom we consulted thought that negroes would no sell lower; and that this purchased was the best that we could do.”

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Purchase of Isaac - Close - Page one

Purchase of Isaac - Close - Page two