Scramble (slave auction)

A scramble was an early form of slave auction that took place at the height of the Atlantic slave trade in the British colonies of the West Indies in the eighteenth century, so-called because buyers would literally "scramble" to gather as many slaves as they could get hold of.

A slave auction

History

During the height of the trade, demand in the British West Indies was so great that, at an auction, purchasers would literally "scramble" to gather as many slaves as they could. People newly transported from Africa would be herded into a pen, surrounded by eager buyers, often pushing and shoving to position themselves to grab hold of the finest specimens. A starting gun was fired, and the buyers surged into the pen to try and collect the best individuals.[1] Often, fights broke out among the buyers. [2]

Following the scramble, buyer lined up with their "captured" slaves and paid for them. [2]After this, slaves would be branded with the initials of their new owners.[1]

The system had a number of advantages for the slave sellers. A captain arriving in port typically wished to sell the cargo as quickly as possible to realise his profit and, given the possibility of a slave revolt, minimize his personal risk. Slaves were "prepared" for the auction, given food and rum to make them appear strong and healthy. Slave sellers had many tricks up their sleeves to present their cargo in the best possible light. Grey hair might be darkened, damaged skin oiled—even dysentery might be disguised by literally plugging the anus of the unfortunate slave with a cork.[2] Buyers would have little if any time to ascertain the true health of their purchase - only later might disease or infirmity become apparent. [3]

Later, the scramble gave way to the somewhat more organized auction; however, the outcome for the slaves was the same.

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See also

References

Notes
  1. Watkins, Richard Ross, p.37, Slavery: Bondage Throughout History Retrieved June 2012
  2. Emmer, P.C., p.83, The Dutch Slave Trade, 1500-1850 Retrieved June 2012
  3. Kiple, Kenneth F., p.57, The Caribbean Slave: A Biological History Retrieved June 2012
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