In some respects the eighteenth century slave was better off than the Negro of today.  As a rule no Negro can now get his name into the leading newspapers unless he commits a heinous crime.  At that time, however, masters in offering slaves for sale and advertising fugitives unconsciously spoke of their virtues as well as their shortcomings, that the public might be fully informed as to the character of the blacks.  Through these advertisements, therefore, we can get at the very life of the Negro when slavery was still of the patriarchal sort and can thus contrast his then favorable condition with the wretchedness of the institution after it assumed its economic aspect in the nineteenth century.  We observe that the eighteenth century slave was rapidly taking over modern civilization in the West Indies and in the thirteen colonies on the American continent.  The blacks were becoming useful and skilled laborers, acquiring modern languages, learning to read and write, entering a few of the professions, exercising the rights of citizens, and climbing the social ladder to the extent of moving on a plane of equality with the poor whites.

To emphasize various facts these advertisements have been grouped under different headings, but each throws light on more than one phase of the life of the eighteenth century slave.  The compiler will be criticised here for publishing in full many advertisements which contain repetitions of the same phraseology.  The plan is deemed wise in this case, however, because of the additional value the complete document must have.  The words to which special attention is directed appear in his own capitals.

LEARNING A MODERN LANGUAGE

RAN away from Austin Paris of Philadelphia, Founder, on the 22do this Instant, A Negro Boy called Bedford or Ducko, aged about Sixteen or Seventeen Years; SPEAKS VERY GOOD ENGLISH wears a dark brown colored Coat and Jacket, a Pair of white Fustian Breeches, a grey mill’d Cap with a red Border, a Pair of new Yarn Stockings, with a Pair of brown worsted under them, or in his Pockets.  Whoever brings him to his said Master, or informs him of him so that he may be secured, shall be satisfied for their Pains, by me.  Austin Paris.

  The American Weekly Mercury (Philadelphia), Jan. 31, 1721.

TO be Sold, Three Very likely Negro Girls being about 16 years of age, and a Negro Boy about 14, SPEAKING GOOD ENGLISH, enquire of the Printer hereof.

   The American Weekly Mercury (Philadelphia), June 20, 1723.