In regard to Russian serfdom, Janet Hunter wrote:
> Correct me if I am wrong, but I think it may be important in comparing the
> two situations to point out that (I think) that there was a crucial
> difference between being a Russian serf and an American slave.  The serf
> generally belonged to the land, much like the "house and other appurtenances"
> in Virginia deeds.  He was not the property of the land's owner to sell off
> separately for whatever reason, while he kept the land.

I haven't made a study of serfdom, but I have read Gogol's novel _Dead
Souls_.  In it, the main character makes a project of buying serfs who
have died since the last census -- it's crazy, but the serfs apparently
were still considered part of the estate until the next census showed
they weren't there, and it seems there was no reason why they couldn't
be sold.

                                             John Chandler

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