Bill of Sale for African-American Slaves Bought from Robert Elam by Daniel Morrison, New Orleans, Louisiana, February 19, 1861

This 1861 document records the sale of four slaves. Before the Civil War, African American slaves were considered property that could be bought and sold -- one of the dehumanizing characteristics of slavery. Months after this transaction war erupted between the Union (free) and Confederate (slave) states. A Union victory and the passage of the 13th Amendment finally led to the abolition of slavery.