The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-03-20
From POuls0n's .4mericam Duty .4dUertiscr.
THE OPEN" AT WASHINGTON.

at The Heuera Chpitoi are so engaged with events
and speeches, that they do not give us much in.
formation about the local curiosiiies of the legs-
latve city. l observe, however, in Il late paper
a description of Il building and its uses, which
may help to illustrate the "domeslic institutions
of our country."-QF
The next morning, in pursuance Of the main
object of my visit TO this place, set out for w.
II. Williams .Slave, tactory 1t was a matter of
some doubt TO me, rs went along, whether !
should get in | had been told that if wanted
to get admittdncc, must "let on" that wanted
to my slaves. This of course | could not do :
but made up my mind to be perfectly candid and
practise no kind OF deception. inquired for the
place-and was directed to it by a colored man
and by the way you need never be at n loss TO
find that house, while there is colored man in w.
to inquire of. 1t was i'm Seventh street, between
Pennsylvania and Maryland Avenues, not far
from the centre of the city, and within a short
distance of the stars and stripes of the capitol. 1t
is large, but lonely and desoluted looking house.
l raped ut the door, which, after waiting some
time, was opened by stout, thickset man, dress
ed in pea jacket, coat and fur cap, with large
WhskCrS and stern countenance SIS MIR Williams
at home?" "No, sir; he is in Nachez." "Iiave
you any negroes now on hand ?" eyes, sir, we
have few walk in" 81 don't wish to pur-
chase any p!4rely wish to see your establish
ment-if You have no objection" "None at all,
walk in sir; Mr. Williams is now residing in
Natchcz-l am here asnis agent. We have very
lew slaves for sale of our own-nlost that are
here belong to other people"
While thus talking, he took me in and handed
me seat. After some further conversation, into
which he seemed to enter with much freedom |
again observed that l had no 'utention OF pllr-
chasing, but wished to see, for my own gra!fi.
catior, his establishment if he had no objections"
None at all, SIR and with that lie went to a
window on one side of the room, opened the
shutters-threw up the sash, and invited me TO
look out This is our pen, sir Here contin-
ned he, while l surveyed an area of about 90 #.
square, enclosed partly by the walls of the out
buildings and partly by high Jail walls built for
the purpose, here we allow them to take exercise,
the pen was empty. They were all down in
he cellar, the agent said. ! asked to 20 down
and see them. He accordingly led the way
through winding passage out into n temporary
enclosure which communicates with the pen
lie took out OF his pocket key-opencd the
lock OF huge iron cross-barred gate, which
admitted us into the space within. He then
opened Il door which led us into the 'celler'-
Here, III all apartment of about 25 feet square,
were about 30 slaves ofall ages sizes, and coors.
noticed one youngIgirl of about 10 years Of age,
who seemed quite white; and another II little
child about two years old, of the same shade,
and one of the most beautiful children ever saw.
The very small children were gamboling about,
unconscious of their situation but those of more
age Were the most melancholy looking
beings The wistlul, inquiring, anxious looks
they cast at (presumug, | suppose, that I
came as IA purchaser) were hard to endure.
soon deserted the father and his family that |
saw torn away from their former home, the day
before. 'Where is master taking you p said the
agent to the man i'll answer to Il request of mine
put to him of the same import: TO Alabama, |
believe they call it, said The man in tones of the
deepest sadness. His wife sat beside the stove
amusing her infant, and never once looked up
all The time we were in.
Not feeling at liberty to ask questions of these
poor things-l soon turned away. He then led |
me to two other apartments of about the same |
size one of them not now used the other APP
Droprlated as sleeping apartment to the females. |
Do all of these persons sleep down in that cear?'
Yes, sir-alI the males: they lie upon the floor
each Que has got Il couple Of Blankets But
will that room accommodate nany?' % Lord,
yes, sir, three times as many last year we had
is many as 139 in these three rooms could
hardly see how this was possible without their
ylng on each other. 'WoIl, very few, you say,
Of these persons belong to YOU Only few, sir
most OF them are put here by other gentlemen.
on sec, we can afford TO keep them for cents
'plece cheaper than they can at the jail 'What
S your charger '25 cents day for all except
children at the breast He then showed me
able at one side of the enclosure where their
meals were served up 1t was i'm the open air.
With no other protection than "a covering from
he storm In answer to my inquiries, he told
ne they look tIief h'eais III the open air summer
md winter. But said ], don't they suffer very
much from the cold?' % Lord, no. sir they
quat down and eat in ten minutes. We give
hem plenty of substantial food-herring coffee
weetened with moasses and corn bread' How
many meals do you give them in day?' Two
ir-one at 9 o'clock, and the other at 3.'
After a good many other questions and an
wers which have either forgotten, or deem un-
ecessary to mention, we returned to the room
ITO which | was first introduced, upon coming s
, the house: and taking seats by the fire, we {
ontinucd our conversation.
Mr.. Calhoun, although he is the leader of the
party in the Senate cannot school
is feelings so far to treat the Vice President {
f that body, Col. Johnson, with even the slight f
st respect. An amusing instance of the mani I
2staton of his contempt for Col. Johnson, oc- a
urred few days ago. The Colonel, who is a t
iost awkward and inefficient presiding officer,