The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-08-27
PAUL CUFFE ARD PRESIDENT MADISON.

Many of our readers will remember Paul Cuffe.
who formerly transacted business in this CITY.
some account of whom was given in this paper
year or two ago. He was q colored man,
but possessed much ability for conducting bust.
ness, and was highly respected A correspond.
ent of the Fail Rirer Ners gives the following
incident, which occurred at time when a white
President was not ashamed nor afraid to &C.
knowledge and enforce the rights of his colored
fellow men:
Paul was man of rare ability for a black
man was very active and persevering, of stern
integrity. and was respected by all who knew
him. He had accumulated some $4,000 or
$4,000, part Of which was invested in q
vessel, of which he was commander. The YES
sci was manned by black crew. Capt Cuffe
took in a cargo, aud cleared for Norfolk, Vir.
ginia, and On his arrival there entered at the
custom-house, and deposited his papers. After
Captain CUTIE had settled his out bound voyage
and taken In q cargo, he went to the custom
house for q clearance, and to get his papers !;
but the collector of the port you'd neither clear
him out, nor give him his papers, and abused
him with the most shameful language Capt
Cuffe had no other redress than to go to Wash
ington; and, after getting the necessary proof
as to who he was, where from, &c, repaired
thither. Capt. Cusfe was q Quaker, and used
their plain language, and on being introduced
to President Madison, he said: James, l have
been put to much trouble, and have been
abused and then proceeded to tell the Presi.
dent his story, giving such proof as was needed
in his case and added, I have come here for
thy protection, and have to ask thee to order
thy collector for the port of Norfolk to clear
me ont for New Bedford, Massachusetts,
" President Madison, after hearing Captain
Cuffe's case, promptly ordered the Collector of
Norfolk to clear Capt. CUTIE, with his black
crew, for the above-named port. After Capt
CUTIE returned TO Norfolk, he heard no more
abuse from the Collector, but received his pa
pers and his clearance; and although the Col
ector believed black men had no rights that
white men were bound to respect, yet he was
bound in this instance to respect the right of
Capt. CUTIE.
Thus, President Madison regarded Captain
Cuffe as citizen of the United States, and con.
sidered that he had rights which the President
protect and respect."-NeU Bedford Standard.
LUxURY.-I am no advocate for meanness
of private habitation. would fam introduce
into it all magnifcence, care, and beauty, where
they are possible; but would not have that
useless expense in uunoticed fneries or formal.
tiles; cornicings of ceilings and grainings of
doors, and fringiRg of curtains, and thousands
of such things which have become foolishly and
alphabetically habitual-things on whose com.
mon appliance hang whole trades, to which
there never belonged the blessings of giving
one ray of real pleasure, or becoming of the
| remotest or most contemplate use = things
which cause half the expense of life, and de-
stroy more than half its comfort, manliness, re-.
spectability, freshness, and facility. l speak
from experience know what it is to live in q
cottage with Q deal Aoor and root, and .