Trafficking Slaves in Antebellum Tennessee Via Wagon Driven by a "Black Man", 1841 Manuscript Letter

[Slavery] [Tennesee] Letter documenting the trafficking of slaves in the antebellum South by wagon from Fayetteville, Tennessee, to Bolivar, Tennessee. 10 December 1841. 2 pages, on bifolium, 6.75" x 9" in. Address panel on terminal leaf postmarked at Fayetteville, TN. Written by E. M. Ringo to Major John H. Bills, a prominent Tennessee planter and enslaver, the letter provides specific instructions to have a black man drive the wagon..."the Reason I send this Black man I have more confidence in him than any White man a bout [sic] heare [sic] that is a driving of a waggon or at least that I could get to go. I beleave [sic] him to be Strickly honist."
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Ringo writes: "I rec'd your letter of Date Nov. 18th in good time, & was glad that you would let me have Elizabeth's & William's Negroes by the 20th of the month. I have this day started a waggon [sic] to Bolivar for them & expect it will get there on the 17 or 18th day of the month." This passage reveals a prearranged agreement between the two men regarding the transfer of enslaved people. Ringo expresses concern about overloading the wagon and dictates that certain enslaved individuals must walk: "I wish you if you please to see that the Black ones do not bring more than they can well do with, as I do not want the waggon too heavy loaded. I intend that as many of the women & children to ride as can conveniently & the Men & Boys must walk."
A particularly notable passage details Ringo’s choice of a Black wagon driver over a white one: "I Send a Black man to drive the waggon & intend that him & French to have the entirely controle [sic] of the trip, the Reason I send this Black man I have more confidence in him than any White man a bout [sic] heare [sic] that is a driving of a waggon or at least that I could get to go. I beleave [sic] him to be Strickly honist [sic]."

Ringo then outlines provisions for the journey, directing Bills to supply food and drink: "You will please to furnish the Negros with what Meat and & Bread that you may think will do them...allso [sic] furnish them with three or four dollars worth of Shugar [sic] & Coffee that is if they want it, & if they choose it, let Conna parch & grind it before they start...& furnish them with a fine looking vessels & tin cups if it is necessary." He continues, emphasizing a strict schedule: "Charge French that I want them to eat their breakfast by daylight So that the waggon may start by Sunup." The letter concludes with instructions for financial record-keeping and final arrangements for the transaction: "Capt Saml. Todd will be at Bolivar a bout [sic] the time my waggon will get there & he will if needed assist in getting the Negros off."
While there is little biographical information available on E. M. Ringo, his recipient, Major John Houston Bills (1800-1871), was a well-documented Tennessee merchant and planter. According to the 1860 Slave Schedule, Bills owned 80 enslaved individuals ranging in age from one year old to 60 years old. His accumulated wealth, consisting of real estate and enslaved labor, was valued at $195,000 by 1870. The letter remains in very good condition, with clear handwriting and minor wear along the folds. The address panel retains its original postmark, and the ink remains legible. A disturbing yet historically significant document, this letter sheds light on the inner workings of the domestic slave trade and the routine dehumanization of enslaved individuals in the American South. (Inventory #: 21528)