Mississippi: A Slave Society

As the demand for cotton increased, the demand for more enslaved labor followed. Advertisements like these were common in newspapers throughout the South. Though Forks of the Road in Natchez was the second largest market of enslaved people, slave owners and buyers learned of sales through advertisements across the state. 

Pictured: An advertisement for a sale of enslaved people and mules. Text is black on a white background. The top half announces the sale of enslaved people with the headline: “Slaves! Slaves! Slaves” and a dark figure at the top right. The bottom half announces the sale of mules with the headline: “Mules! Mules! Mules!” 

Credit: MDAH