A Creole settler at Mobile wrote in 1748, for example, to a friend living on the Mississippi: "I am sending you l'Eveille and his wife, whom I beg you to sell for me at the best price to be had.

If however they will not bring 1,500 francs each, please keep them on your land and make them work.

What makes me sell them is that l'Eveille is accused of being the head of a plot of some thirty Mobile slaves to run away.

He stoutly denies this; but since there is rarely smoke without fire I think it well to take the precaution."[24] The converse of this is a laconic advertisement at Charleston in 1800: "Wanted to purchase one or two negro men whose characters will not be required."[25] It is probable that offers were not lacking in response.
[Footnote 24: MS.

in private possession, here translated from the French.] [Footnote 25: Charleston _City Gazette_, Jan.