, 1862-05-07

known as the seat Of refinement and hospftali~
ty, and there probably has never been gentle
man or statesman Of the old regime who has
not been entertained within its almost CLASSIC
walls,
More than twenty years ago this old and be-
loved citizen died. hequcathing bis entire
wealth and estate to his excellent widow. She
was a woman Of generous nature and Of the
purest riety. Among other property lett her
were large number Of negroes, whom she
always treated with kindness.
During her life her youngest daughter,
lady Of great beauty, was married to Mr. Hor-
ace Lacy. To him, therefore, the property
fell on the death of Mrs. Coaltcr, which hap
pened few years ago at q very advanced age.
Mrs. Coalter had, during many years preSi;-
ous to her death, declared that she should set
her slaves free when she died For this pur-
pose she called In . near relative OF hers.
who was lawyer, and employed him In
writing out her will. Now, this lawyer,
who resides ia Fredericksburg, and Is
well known there. set "isltul eye
upon these negroes: It Seemed to nm
weu-conditioncd chattles going out Of the
| State. But, then, how could they be Of any
| importance 10 him, or to GnY but LIcy: lie
! hit upon this esrcdieut: he persuaded the
| old lady to put it III her will that these ne
| groes might have the choice Of becoming Tree,
| or of selecting masters OF mistresses from
among her blood relltions. There are so
! many bot plowslarrs to be traversed before
| Freedom can be reachcd, that it is not to he
! wondered if the alternative presented itself to
! this lawyer's mind as that Ikellest to betat
| these ninctF-fiye negroes.
| But when the old lady Was dead aud the
| will WIS opened, Lacy was incons01a5le for
| The loss Of these chattels. Until at length
some legal Mephistopheles-and his tribe has
not decreased in Fredericksburg-whisRered
I into Lacy'6 car that all was not lost. These
] negroes we're by the will given their choice Of
freedom or masters; b1t by the laws Of Vir-
gina slave, not being citizen, had no right
| 10 choose,
Incredible as it may seem, this internal
and subvrrted tie lifelong wish Of his mother.
| in-law as to thu Geedo1u of these Slaves.
| Tie writer Of this has heard Mrs. Coalte.
| speak With gratitude OF the affection Of her
slaves, and express her determination to set
them free. The Circuit Court sustained La
| cy's claim, aud the matter was taken up tc
the Supreme Court Of Virginia which alsi
sustained tue Ian Of the case-the ables1
Judge on the bench, R. c, L. Moncure
bringing in minority opinion of great pow
Ct against the Hagrant wrong. His opinion
xas vehement and bold, and vas all the mort
important because lie resided on q farm but {
short distance from Cnatlam-
Wien Lacy had thus defrauded these ninety
five human beings Of tucir freedom, which
without an exception they lad decided TX
| "choose,'' be had to complete the diabo1ica
programme By selling them South, as lie wa:
31ra'd to live within their reach.
It is to the credit OF the FrcdGricksburgian:
that Lacy bec2i,c TerJ unpopular on accouu
Of this transaction. In late effort to b.
elected to the rebel Legislature he was utterl.
def ated, despite his wealth aud connections
H then got III appointment rs -Aid to Gen
Smith. q sh7ewd old lawyer Of Fre1cricksDur,
rcmarking tint it was an illustration Of Dr.
| Johns ou's remark, that patriotism is the las
resort Of scoundrels.''