Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-10-30
Tho Tender HIercIes of SIavcry-An Incl
dent OF Life in Washington
WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, is

Correspondence Of the Evening Post.
WASHINGTON, Oct. g. 1868.
Forty years ago wealthy planter came
from Florida, or Louisiana, to reside in Wash
ington for time, bringing with him son,
fine manly boy of thirteen or fourteen.
AT the levees of his father, which were
then fashionable, he received the caresses
of the ladies ald the encouragement of the
gentlemen that his age, intelligence and his
fathers position naturally elected. OF his
family, none accompanied his father besides
this son, in his visit to Washington. In
the course of time the boy, on whom his
fathers affections were evidently centered,
was sent North, and was there educated
graduating at Harvard or Yale, with an
honorable standing in his class. On his re-
turn to this city he avowcd love for the
North acquired during his college life, which |
was not restrained in its expression by his |
father, who fostered and encouraged it zeal |
ously, aud readily consented to his perma.
nent residence there. He desired, however,
that his son should remain with him here |
during his own stay. An appointment was
procured for him as a clerk in the War De- |
parlment, and he entered upon its duties. |
Among the acquaintances formed at this /
time was gentleman from Pennsylvania,
and the chief clerk of bureau, who was
tho father of a girl yet in her teens, lovable
in character, as we'll as very beautiful IN
timacy begat friendship, and it was hardly
matter of wonder that love should follow.
With the blessings of all, they were mar
ried at st. Johns Church, in this city, it
happening to be about the first marriage
that ever took place there; and even now
the long rows of carriages, the fair danes
and rich attire, the music, the crowded par
lors, the splendor and joy which crowned
the wedding, are wildly depicted by those
who treasure the chronicles of society in
those days.
The young mans father had bought and
furnished an elegant house for his children,
aud they removed at once to their own es-
tablshment. Not long after the marriage,
and while in the full tide of happiness, the
father was called home, aud left his son and
daughter, intending soon to return. They
received no intelligence from him week af.
ter week, which caused them anxiety, dai-
ly increasing to alarm. At last one day,
when the son had just decided to 90 in
search Of his father, a carriage dashed mp to
the door, young man stepped out, and,
followed by the sheriff of the district, walk
ed into the War Department, and before
all his companions, in the broad light of
noon, arrested the son as the slave of his
father.
The son solemnly declared that his faith
er had manumitted him, and that he had
seen the will long since, in which it had been
done. This outrage shocked the sensibility
Of even an efete slave community. Mr..
Monroe, then President, and others high in
power, used all the argument, all the en-
treaty tongue could utter, offered money
without stint, for the ransome of one, whom
all loved and esteemed, and whose condi-
ton, to that hour, no one had dreamed.
But the young man, possessed Of all power
in the case, and the son of an enraged fami-
ly mocked them and told them that money
was no object, argument and entreaty alike
unavailing. What he had now obtained
was revenge, Of which nothing should foil
him.
The father had met with sudden death,
the will had been either concealed or de.
stroyed, and his pet SON in all appearance
of Saxon birth, with the exception of a
slight swarthincss, common to all natives
of the extreme South, was taken chained
as slave his house and furniture sold, and
accompanied by his beautiful, heart-broken
wife, faithful ard upfaltering in this living
death, from the fashionable circles of Wash
ington society, carried to the "plantation,"
to toll in slavery, beneath the iufuriated
lash of vindictiye family.
Mr.. Monroe assured him that a situation
should be given him, if be ever could prove
his manumissiou or escape.
He never afterward was heard from in
the District, for, as Napoleon said of con-
vents, "the terrible mysteries of slave prisons
perish unreyealed."