We ship the articles for them.

For instance, a negro has several barrels of potatoes; I consign them to my merchants in Saint Louis, and have them sold for his account.
Q.There are no middlemen, really; you transact this business for them?
-- A.

I transact this business for them direct.
Q.Charging them simply the cost of transportation?
-- A.

You are asking me the relationship between the proprietor and the negro.

There are a great many stores on the Mississippi River, and negroes sometimes go and trade directly.