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Virginia runaways

 

            
             In both of these articles, the runaway slaves in question (both being men) are described as precisely as possible in order to ensure their quick capture and return to their owners. In the first article, the slave is described as an elderly "Negroe" man (exact age is not mentioned) by the name of Cain, which is presumably English. The article also mentions the slave to have a wife who belongs to Major Thomas Hall and seems to be properly dressed seeing as he stole a few dress goods from his master before he ran away. This advertisement does not say if the slave knows how to speak English or of a particular skill the slave possesses except that he used to be his master's coachman. In the second article, the slave is depicted as a young, healthy Negroe man by the name of Ben who is about 5 feet 10 inches tall. Just like the first article, this advertisement fails to mention a specific age of the slave or if the slave knows English. This slave is not said to have a wife or how he is dressed, however, it does mention that he is a very good ploughman and carter and has a "very good knack for telling a story".
             Both articles give few specific clues regarding the fugitives" demeanor or behavior. In both articles the slaves are mentioned to have "smooth tongues" but the slave in the second advertisement is said to have a very good talent at storytelling. No other behavior traits are mentioned except those. Also, none of these slaves are mentioned to have any visible scars which might aid in their capture and return to their owners.
             Both of the slaves in the two articles seemed to have escaped in a similar fashion. They both escaped on horseback since they are said to have stolen each a horse with a saddle. It is also believed that each escaped on his own however it is mentioned in the first article that the slave, Cain, probably followed a Negro woman "which he used to visit as a Wife".


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