Hence, we learn that Tom was an old man; that he nursed Shelby when an infant; that he was a trusty servant; that he had charge of everything about the place; that he was a pious man, and that Shelby entertained for him the kindest feelings; and that Mrs. Shelby was warmly attached to him; and that their son George’s attachment to the good old servant knew no bounds; and that he was the husband of Aunt Chloe, the old cook; who, (by the by,) is always a great favorite in a Southern family.  But strange as it may appear to those who have never read Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Mrs. Stowe tells us, notwithstanding, that Shelby sold good old Tom to a negro trader; and that he was again sold to a gentleman in New Orleans, and that after the death of this gentleman, he was purchased by an inhumane wretch by the name of Legree.

This man Shelby, nevertheless, according to her tale, was a very gentlemanly, humane man.  I suppose that she would have us to understand, that he was altogether a pretty fair character for the South.

I believe the statements of Mrs. Stowe to be untrue, for the following reasons.  First, because Shelby had a number of slaves from whom he could select; and I know from personal observation, that it is a universal practice among slaveholders to sell their most worthless and vicious slaves to negro traders.  If they are forced to sell such a negro as she represents Tom to be, some neighbor who is acquainted with the slave, will give a higher price for him than a negro trader will.  A negro trader will give as much for a negro who is a rogue, as he will for one who is an honest man.  The negro trader pays no attention to the character of a negro; for the very good reason that the character of the negro is unknown to those to whom he expects to sell.  No representation or recommendation whatever, can have any influence with those to whom they sell.  They know nothing about the character of the negroes whom they purchase, and they have no reliable means of learning anything about them.  Tom was purchased in Kentucky and sold in New Orleans.  Therefore, Haley, the negro trader, would not have given one dime more for Tom on account of his good qualities.  But Mrs. Stowe tells us, that Shelby was indebted to Haley, and that he preferred to purchase Tom on account of his good qualities; and that Shelby expected a high price from him on that account.  Haley would have given several hundred dollars more for a man who was about twenty-five years of age, than he would have given for poor old Tom; though the young man might have been as vile a rogue, as ever went unhung.  No man of common sense can fail for one moment, to discover the truth and justness of the above reasoning.  Thus we see that falsehood is indelibly stamped on Mrs. Stowe’s narrative at the very outset.  What is it that enhances the value of negroes in the estimation of the negro trader?  And what is it that recommends them, or enhances their value in market?  First,