Three hundred ninety-seven residents of Camden County charge that the 1820 and 1821 laws "directing the time, manner, and place of the Sales of lands and Slaves under Executions levied on by Sheriffs, Constables, and other Officers, are in many cases greatly oppressive and operates much to the injury of many persons particularly to Slave holders, by causing their Slaves to be Sold very often for half, and sometimes for a third or less of their real value." The petitioners maintain that this would not happen if said slaves "were not carried to the Court-house for sale." They further cite that sales conducted at the courthouse incur "an additional expence of prison fees, support of the Negroes, loss of time &c to be added, all of which has a tendency to make it more oppressive and injurious to the Owners." The petitioners therefore pray that said laws cited be repealed.
Or you may view all people.
Repository: North Carolina Department of Archives and History, Raleigh, North Carolina
