The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-04-16
NEESCEElHI ANXIOUS.
MR.. BlRNEY AND GEN. SCOTT.
The following is an account given by Mr. Biz


ney of an interview with Gen. Scott.
In my last, You will remember ] told you, that
in coming TO Boston Tell in with Gen Scott,
who watson his way to Maine,-and he had Civ
e n me Il pleasant history ofthe emancipation OF
a large number of slaves in Virgna-and That
made something like promise TO tell it you.
Before doing SO however, let me say-judging
from this interview, in connection with his pub
lie lIfe--he is aincng the most interesting men,
with whom il has been my fortune, at amy time
to meet. His views are large-comprelensive-
snch as are found only in statesmen of u superb
or order. He hears patiently-iinpartiall lily; an.
swers wthou, haste, and, apparently without
prejudice When, in the course Of converse
ton, Il saw, that he rightly understood the relig
ous principles of men-that he had clear percep-
tons of jIsiice--o right, rules of action,
binding, us well on Governments as on indivdu-
als,-and heard from him that in discharging his
late delicate and critical official duties along our
northern frontier, he had appealed 10 his fellow
citizens through these great principles-the Sc
cret of his eminent success was fully revealed.
Whilst General Scott cannot he called an ub-
oonst. neither can he, stakeholder. He hns
not had leisure since the anti-slayery movement
attracted much of the public attention to give his
mind to its examination. But should he at any
time hereafter, lie called to act in relation to il, i
should rely with strong confidence on his giving
TO the suhIec: the impartial consideration its i'm
portance demands, and on his arriving at the
wise conclusion, to which, with such "A temper,
the spirit of truth would conduct him. But,
TO The narrative-which, substantially is as fol-
lows:
When the General was lad, there was yet
liying-almost II centenarian--an Indian woman,
called Hannal repnied IA slave. Hannah had
been unusually prolific in early life, and her
d, s.endants all held as slaves--were now mum
bered bv the Hundred. More than thirty ofthem
were held by Mr. Scott, the Generals brother.
The manner in which they came into his hands
was not mentioned. 1t began TO be whispered
about in the neighborhood, That Hannall's pos
teri,y were unlawfully held in bondage,-as she,
instead of having been made slave unier the
Virginia law, which authorized the ensaving of
hostile Indian captives, had only "taken up" Ito
use slave phrase for ma'rtage) with slave,
with whom she lived as wifr,--remaning on the
plantation, and-for the permission to ito so,-
performing servile work. The establishment Of
This fact was oil the court of the State requr-
ed for the liberation Of all her descendants.
suit was Instituted by the slaves concerned,
for their freedom, AMI inc necessary council
enj,,loycd The chief outdoor management
such as finding the known witness-searching
out olher--serving the subpsenas; NC. &c. de
volved OH FRANK, an active. intelligent, ana
faithful servant of the number held by MI Scott.
The General--as all the boys in the South used,
in such eases, TO feel twenty or thirty years ago
became warmly interested for Frank and his
&C. planlitfs. He would make the proper memo
,anda for him on paper--ilfup his blank sub
penas--and do torhm all that young and un-
professional scribe could, to assist him prepur-
inc his case tor hearing. t.a..ry
Most of the wi,nesses-as might well be sup
posed--being very old. and scattered about the
country it was matter of no small difficulty to
secure the attendance OF all of them ut any one
term of the court. Owing to their non-aitend-
ance. lhe cause was continued several terms. A
short time before the court was to be held, Frank
would go to his master, and a conversation oil
Ibis kind would take place:
Master, come to ask leave to go and serve
my subp@nas. .f RAJ, ~
Certainly, Frank you can go, if you tfink II $ $
time. With SO much at stake for yourself and
others Frank, you ought to he dgent to secure
the attedance OF your witnesses"
81 may stand in need OF a little money, sir, 10
pay ferrlages and other expenses occasionally.
aTruo, Frank, you may; and here are =, hve DOL
lars for you. But how are you gong
'Afoot, SIR"
"Would it not he BETTER Franz, to take
holse2 You will he able TO do your business
and get back quicker There's Kodger-taEe
him; and as lie must be fed too, Frank, mere
as much more money us will pay his charges.
'Thank'ee MASTER (erit Frdnk.) F ~
AT last, however all tue Witnesses were tofln
coming, were exanined-old Hannah was PROV