New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-09
Ntm:4lork pailu Iibn,re
NE1V PUBLICATIONS..
,NrI. SLAVERY BOOKS,

OPP
THE fnf' PIANTfRs VICTIM limo, PIP. S6i PAiade-
mia: Nm White Smith.
F. .GE RxG-PICKERi Or Bound AND FREE. limo, Pr.
eSsTE. By SYDNEY A. STORY Ir. i2no:, PIP so: Boz
ton: PhiiJs Samson Co. NewYort; J. c. Derby.
We must make rapid work with the above batch
Of Anti.Slavery publications, which have long
waited for the favorable moment TO receive the at
t.ption due both to their subjects and their i'm.
portance.
In the "Colored Patriots Of the Revolution"
Mr. Nell has attempted to furnish illustration of
the patriotic virtues of the downtrodden race to
which he belongs. He treats the subject according
10 the order of the States adducng examples from
saeh Of the old Thirteen, which were united in re-
x;stauce TO British aggression. The first martyr
in the cause of American liberty was Crispus At
>usks, muattO who was slain in the massacre of
,dareh, 5, 1770, while leading band of BOstOnians
aaajnst the British soldiers under Capt. Preston.
Mr.. Nell brings ample historical proof in vindica-
ton of the character Of Attacks, who has within
few years been accused of being mere turbulent
incendiary. The volume abOunds with curious
anecdotes illustrative of the negro idiOsyncracy,
many Of which are decidedly readable For in
stance: here is one credited to Godey's Lady's
Book. from the pen of the Rev. Henry f. Har
EngtOn.
Throughout the Revolutionary war PLimus Hall wa
The body servant of Col. Pickering OF Massachusetts.
He was free and communicative ed dehghted 10 slt
down with an interested listener and pour out those
stories Of absorbing and exciting anecdotes with which
his memory was stored. 81,
IL is wen known that there was no ofhcer IN the
whole American army whose memory was dearer 10
Washington and whose counsel was more esteemed
by him, than that of the honest and patriotic Col;
Pickering. He was intimate terms with MN, ana
pnbosomed himself to him with a. little reserve a.,
perhaps to any cOnfdant in the army. Whenever he
vas stationed within such distance az to ADMIT OF II,
he passed many hours with the Colonel consulting
him upon anticipated measures and delShtng III MS
YeciprOcated friendship.
Washincton was therefore often brought into con-
tact with the servant of Col Pickering, the departed
Primus An opportunity was afforded TO the negro 10
note him, under circumstances very olhereht Ir1Ii
those in which be is usually brought before the public,
and which possess therefore, a striking CHARM re-
member two of these anecdotes from the mouth OF
Primus One of them is very. slight indeed, yet so
peculiar as to be repete with interest. The anthem
ticity Of both may be fully relied upon.
Washington once came to Col. Pickerings quarters,
and found him absent.
at is no matter" said he to Primus 81 am greatly
IN need Of exercise You must help me to get some
before your master returns. .
ITdcr Wasbington's directions the negro busted
himself in some simple preparations A stake was
driven into the ground about breast high, rope tea
10 it. and then Primus was desired to stand at some
distance and hold it horizontally extended The boys
the country over, are familiar with TINS pan OF getting
sport With true boyish zest W asmngton ran1orwaIu
ard backward for time Jumping over the rope Us
be came and went until he expressed himself satiseu
with the exercise.
Reneatedly afterward, when favorable opportunity
offered he would say: "COme, Primus am in need
Of exercise" whereat the negro would drive down the
stake and Washington would jump over the rope until
he had exerted himself TO his content.
On the second occasion the great General was en-
gagged in earnest consultation with Col. Pickering IN
bis tent until after the night had fairly set in. Head
quarters were at considerable distance ana wash
mgton signifed his preference to staying WIN the
Colonel over night, provided he had spare blahke
and straw.
30 yes" said Primus who was appealed to- "pen-
Nv of straw and blankets-plenty."
Upon this assurance Washington continued his con-
ference with the Colonel until it was time to retire 10
pest. Two humble beds were spread side by SIDE IN
the tent and the officers laid themselves down. WINE
Prmus seemed TO be busy with duties that required MS
attention before he himself could sleep He worked,
or appeared to work. until the breathing o the pros
trate gentlemen satisfied him that they were sleeping
and then seating himself upona box or STOOL ne leaned
his head bis hands to obtain such repose as 80 III
convenient a position wOuld allow. In the middle OF
the night Washington Ike. He looked about ana
deserted the negro he sat- He gazed at him awhile,
PrmusW said he, calling; "Primus!'
Primus started up and rubbed his eyes. "What,
General" said he. ,
washington rose up in his bed. "Primus," said he,
and straw enough Here you have gwen up your
blanket and straw to me, that may sleep comfortably
while you are obliged to sit through the night"
"It's nothing, General, said Prmus' III
nothipg I'm well enough. Don't trouble yourself
about me- General, but go to sleep again. No matter
about me. | sleep very good
but il is matter-it is matter said washington,
earnestly 81 cannot do it, Primus. IL either Is 10
SIT up will. But think there Is no need OF either
sitting up. The blanket wide enough for two. Come
and lie down here with me.
"Ono, Generaw said Primus starting, and pro
,esting against the proposition. mo- let me SIT here
In do very well on the stool. -, .,,,
AZ saw. come and lie down here" said Washington,
suthortativey. "There is room for both, and insist
pponit !"
N one side Of the straw. Prmus processes to have
been exceedingly shocked at the idea OF lying under
The same covering with the Commander-n-Cmef, Dut
L tone was 80 resOlue and determined that he could
not hesitate. He prepared himself therefore, ana aid
himself down by Washington, and on the same straw
and under the same blanket, the General anu the me-
gro servant slept until morning.
Beside its Revolutionary notices the volume
contains sketches of several distinguished colored
persons, and brief survey of thepresent condition
and prospects of the race in this country.
A North-Sde View of Slavery is devoted to
an account of the colored population OF Upper
Canada, with several narratives of the escape OF
fucitiyes into that land ofFreedom. Few persons,
probably, are aware of the number OF slaves who
have found home in Canada. In 1852, the census
Of Upper Canada showed thirty thousand colored
people, of whom nearly all the adults and many OF
the children were refugees from bondage in the