| William S. Eskridge, "William S. Eskridge to John H. McCue," May 21, 1858 Summary
Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs in Augusta controlled the disposition of government-seized property, including slaves. Political
intrigue swirled around the business of the sheriff's office and its disposition of highly valuable slave property.
EXCERPT:
". . . had sold another Negro out of Jail taken about paying. The money to the auditor . . . of the former sale, the auditor
said he did not recollect of but one Negro's sale being accounted for. This led to an investigation."
Full-text web version of letter 
Location of original letter
McCue Family Papers (MS 4406), Box 3, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia
Points of Analysis to this Data:
 "White people in Augusta rarely discussed slavery openly and for the most part only did so under provocation when they hoped
to defend their institution."
Citation: Key = E050
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