1780s
1780s: A detailed account and illustration of a slave auction in Cap-Français, Saint-Domingue, describe the highly organized and competitive nature of the co…
HT-ATST-000256
1780s: A detailed account and illustration of a slave auction in Cap-Français, Saint-Domingue, describe the highly organized and competitive nature of the colonial labor market. Captives were typically displayed in a large courtyard where they were subjected to invasive physical examinations by planters and speculators. The proceeds from these sales were a primary source of wealth for French maritime merchants and the foundation of the colony’s immense productivity. This entry underscores the central role of Cap-Français as the economic heart of the most profitable colony in the Atlantic world.
Source · HT-ATST-000256 · p. 227
Eltis & Richardson, Atlas, 227 / Bates: HT-ATST-000256