Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-06-11


In 1885, James G. Birney, Esq, district at
torney in Alabama, afterward resident in Ken
lucky, emancipated all his slaves, and subse-
quently visited many of the free states, lectur-
ing as he went, to prove that slavery was
bad system, unjust and inhuman toward the
colored race, and curious to the prosperity
of states. In the course of this lecturing
tour, in the spring of 1889, lie wrote to the
editor OF The Emancipator, as follows:-
"Coming from New York to Boston, fell
IN with Gen. Scott who was on his way to
Maine, in consequence of the border difficult
ties there. He is among the most interesting
men with whom it has been my fortune at any
time to meet His views are large and com
prehensve, such as are found only in states
men of superior order. He hears patiently
and imparlially, answers without haste, and
apparently without prejudice. In the course
OF our conversation, l saw that he rightly I'M
derstood the influence of the religious prnci-
pie with men that he had clear perceptions
OF justice and Of right, as rules of action, and
that lie considered them binding upon govern
ments as well as upon individuals. Since the
anti-savery movement has attracted public
attention, he has not had leisure to give his
mind to its examination. But should he, at
any time hereafter, be called to act in relation
TO it, should rely with strong confidence OF
Grafton its importance demands, and on his
arriving at the wise conclusions, TO which,
with such temper, the spirit of truth would
conduct him. While he cannot be called an
abolitionist, neither can he be called slave
holder.
He told me pleasant anecdote about the
emanciation of large number of slaves in
Virginia. of which state you know he is a ma
tive. The substance of the story was as fol-
lows When the General was lad, there
was still living an old Indian woman, named
Hannah, reputed to be slave. She was al
most a centenarian. She had been unusually
prolific, and her descendants, now numbered
by the hundred. were all held as slaves. More
than thirty Of them were held by Mr. Sect,
brother of the General How they came into
hispossession, was not mentioned
SIT began to be whispered round in the
neghborlood, that Hannah's posterty could
not be held in bondage according to the laws
of Virgil Tia, because she was a free Indian
woman, who had taken up with slave, as
the phase is, and lived with him as his wife,
performing servle work on the plantation for
permission to remain there. The slaves cons
cerned instituted suit for their freedom, and
the necessary counsel was employed. The
chief management devolved upon Frank, an
active, intelligent and faithful servant-one of
the number held by Mr.. Scott. Winfield
Scott, now General, became warmly interest
ed for Frank and his co-pIaintitfs He made
memoranda for him on paper, filled up his
blank subpenas, and did all that a young,
unprofessioned scribe could do to assist hi.l in
preparing the cause for hearing. 1t WIS a
difficult matter TO secure the attendance of
witnesses, many of them being old and scat
tered about the country. On this account the
cause was continued through several terms
A short time before the court was 10 be held,
Frank would go to his master, and CONVEX.
saton of this kind would take place:
"'Master, l come to ask leave to go and
serve my subpenas'
"'Certanly, Frank you can go if you
think it is time. With so much at stake, for
yourself and others, you ought to be diligent
| to secure the attendance of your witnesses.
"I may stand in need of little money, sir,
| TO pay terriages and other expenses
every true, Frank. Here are five dollars
for you. But how are you going?
! "Afoot, SIR
| "'You had better take horse, Frank you
will be able to get through your business and
come back sooner. Take Roger ; and as he
must be fed, too, here is as much more money
to pay the charges
'Thankee, MASTER
"'Old Hannah was finally proved never tt
have been legally slave; and, as partus Sc
quitr uentem, all her offspring were declared
free. Frank came home from the scene of tri
umph, and exclaimed, 'Wrn
| oaippd ntir