Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-08-18


rare generosity of Aime Pernard, united il
a letter thanking him in warm terms fo
what he had done, and inviting him to par
them a visit at his earliest convenience, tina
they might in person point out to him the
evidence Of the good he had done. We arr
permitted to print his reply:
CARoNDELET, Aug /, 1850.
To Mrs Jabez C. Howe, Mary French, Carrie !
hingman, and others
LADRs;-0wing to absence from home
did not receive your favor of the llth anC
18th ult, Immediately upon its arrival here
hence the tardiness Of my reply.
The receipt Of such beautiful and unex.
pected letter from the fair ladies of Clifton.
with many Of whom have not yet had the
pleasure of personal acquaintance, giving q
spontaneous and disinterested expression OF
their feelings in regard 10 single act Of
kindness, is indeed gratifying, and, / assure
you, will ever be source Of the most pleas-
ant recollectons to me-
Living, as | do, in a slave State, | have,
during the greater part of my residence
here, had family Of negroes to assist me in
the cultivation of my small farm, and to at
tend TO the affairs Of my household. They
have worked with me, side by side in the
corn-feld, and have shared with me the
profits and benefits of our labor.
Whether l have been regarded by them
more in the light OF a father and benefactor,
than in the capacity Of a cruel and heartless
master, can best be attested by themselves.
have never sold slave for cannot traffic in
human flesh and blood. l have, however,
made many of that family happy, by placing
them in condition where they might work
for themselves and their posterity in a climate
of their own choice.
James did wrong in leaving my house
without informing me of his intentions. He
ought to have known that he had no reason
to fear my course had he frankly avowed 10
me his wishes to settle in Illinois. He left
my home some five years ago, and although
have often been told of his whereabouts. |
never took the slightest steps to recover him,
concluding that if he thought he could do
better elsewhere, than with me, he was well
come to the change. Upon his being brought
back TO me, l was strongly urged to sell him,
which I positively refused ts do, believing
that the money thus obtained, would poison
my pockets. At his request, I gave him
ft-1i NAAsNh AAN AAkAAb bN EudDlEu 10 6tLLle his
affairs, and gather his crops at Clifton.
lnasmuch as his return was the cause of so
much jOyto his wife as well as satisfaction to
the neighborhOod, and being now fully con-
vinced from your letter, that he would prefer
to remain at his present home in Illinois, than
live again in Missouri Ihave determined to
place no obstacle in the way of his future
happiness.
shall, at the next September term of our
Circuit Court acknowledge the necessary pa
oers, and deed Of manumission, giving James |
oalter his freedom unconditionally. This |
will relieve him from all anxiety.
In conclusion, ladies' permit me to tender
7ou my grateful acknowledgements for the
lind invitation you have extended to me. 7
rust | shall not be accused of a want of
yaliantry, if claim a postponement of my
'isit until lshall have obtained the papers
lbOve referred to. In the meantime I re-
main truly your obedient servant.
ADIE PERNARD.
A noble letter. such an one as a Missouri
Republican might be expected to write. The
ct which it records, will be a source of un-
liling consolation to its author as long as he
ives; and who does not believe that when
e lies down 70 die, the consciousness that he
as not blood-money on his soul will give
is spirit an easy and buOyant flight?
jim, now his own master, has gone back to
be farm on which he was at work; and
lough before one of the truest and best of
len, has gained new and admirable quail
les in the exercise OF the right to own him
Elf He feels that he has new character 10
lstain-that the responsibilities of freedom
re upon him.
One cleud lowers over him. That wife
IT whose sake be originally fed like himself I
industrious, and affectionate,
under the ban that slavery entails. A
orker, in, her sphere, of rare intelligence,
nd the poSsessor Of moral gifts that ali
light envy, good wife and an afectionate
iend,-she has no right to herself. Her
other was black and a slave. For long d
me released from the yoke of personal SER
tude, she is at any time liable to be borne
1 by legal arrest or the kidnapper's
rec. Jim has sent her away-where we
now not-intO a safe place, until such time y
the fruits of his labors ard hers, and the
snerOsity of friends, enable him to call her
s wife, not a MissOurian's chattel.