“Wait till you are used to handling money. I didn’t come out here for a bagatelle
bagatelle has 2 meanings, one meaning little value or importance, and the other referring to a table game. Either could be used in this sentence, but because they are referring to handling money, I think in this sentence it means that he did not come for something of little value, but instead came for more.
“Then do not waste your time with me—help those that can get well.
This statement from a child so young was surprising. To have an understanding that to render any treatment was taking away from people who had a chance to survive.
ash-hopper
a leach tub used for making lye
It’s a free country, sir; the man’s mine, and I do what I please with him,—that’s it!
To say that it is a free country, but to also say that another man is owned by you clashes. The country is not truly free is anyone is owned by another.
Wilberforce
means "war fortress" or strong willed. The name is from William Wilberforce who Champaign against the slave trade in Britain.
You ought to let him cover the whole balance of the debt; and you would, Haley, if you had any conscience.”
Mr. Shelby was just explaining how trusting Tom was and how much he valued him and his Christian beliefs, but was still willing to treat him as property when he had nothing else to offer.
Captain Price had some fears as to the propriety of taking me near a free State, or a place where it was likely I could run away, with a prospect of liberty. He asked me if I had ever been in a free State. “Oh yes,” said I, “I have been in Ohio; my master carried me into that State once, but I never liked a free State.”
Reading this, first from Brown's side, it was very smart for him to pretend that he had been to a free state, but to also say that he did not like free states. IT seems that he also just stated this without hesitation which helped him eventually escape.From the stand point of Mr Price, it seems obtuse for him to think that someone would not want to be free, and trust that they liked being enslaved.
When I learned the fact of my having been hired to a negro speculator, or a “soul-driver” as they are generally called among slaves, no one can tell my emotions
At this time a "soul-driver" was a white man who purchased slaves at a lower rate hoping to make money from the sale.
I should be a bold man, as well as a vain one, if I should attempt to improve your descriptions of what you have seen and suffered. Some of the scenes are not unworthy of De Foe himself.
This is a reference to a writer named Daniel De Foe. He was known for writing that was realistic and very descriptive. This would be considered a compliment from Quincy towards Brown's writing.