The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-08-19
sstset Mistellamp.
THE ATROCITIES OF SLAVERY.
An Episode in General Buffers Admin
istr9tion Mt New Orleans.


Tho July plumber of the atlantic Monthly
contains a very interesting review of Gen
cral Buffers administration of the Depart.
ment of Louisiana. Among the many per
sonal anecdotes are the following, which
are almost too horrible to be published, but
for the impressive lesson they convey. One
of the incidents was related more briefly by
the General himself, when in New York in
January last. We quote from the writer in
the Ahuntic:
Just previous to the arrival of General
Banks at New Orleans | was appointed
Deputy Provost Marshal of the city, and
held the office for some days after he had
assumed command Ono day during the
last of our stay III the South, a Young wo-
man of about twenty years called upon me
to complain that her landlord had ordered
her out of her house because she was una.
bic longer to pay the rent, and she wished
mo to authorize her to take possession of
one OF her fathers houses that had been
confiscated, he being n wealthy rebel, then
in the Confederacy, and actively engaged in
the rebellion.
The girl was perfect blonde in COM
plcXion; her hair was of very pretty,
light shade of brown, anil perfectly straight;
her eyes clear, honest gray; and her skin
rs delicate and fair rs chtd'S. Her man
ner was modest and ingenious, and her Ian.
guage indicated much intelligence.
Considering these circumstances, | think
was justified III wheeling around in my
chair and indulging in an unequivo ocal stare
of inCrcdulous amazement, when iii the
course of conversation she dropped re-
mark about having been born slave.
"Do YOU mean to tell me" said J. "that
you have any negro blood in your veins p
And | was conscious of a feeling of cmbar-
rassment ut asking question apparently
50 prcpoStcrous.
Yes, she replied, and then related the
history of her life, which shall repeat as
briefly as possible:
"My father" she commenced, sis Mr.. Cox.
formerly u judge of one of the courts in
this city. He was very rich, and owned a
grca: many houses. There is one of them
over there she remarked, naively point
ing TO a handsome residence opposite my
Office on Canal street My mother was one
of his slaves. When | was sufficiently
grown, he placed me at school at the Me-
chanic's Institute Seminary on Broadway
New York. remained there until | was
about fifteen years Of age, when Mr. Cox
came on to New York and took me from the
school to hotel where he obliged me to
live with him as his mistress; and to-day.
at The age of twcnty-onc | am the mother of
a boy five years old, who is my fathers
son.
After remaining some tire in New
York, he took me to Cinyisnati and other
cities at the North, in all of which contin-
ued to live with him as before. During
this soiourn in the Free States. | induced
him TO give me a deed of manumissiOD; but
on our return to New Orleans he obtained
il from me and destroyed it. At this time
| tried to break off the unnatural conncC-
ton, whcrcupon hc caused me to be pub
licly whipped in the streets Of the city, and
then obliged me to marry a cOlUred man;
and now he has run off leaving me without
the least provision against want or actual
and ask you to give INC one of
his houses, that may have home for my
self and three little children"
Strange and improbable as this story ap-
pcared, | remembered, as it progressed,
that had heard it from Go"eruor Shcplcy,
who, as well as General Butler, had imves-
tigatcd il, and learned that it was not only
true i'll every particular, but was perfectly
familiar to the citizens of New Orleans, by
whom Judge Cox had been elected to ad-
justice.
The clerks OF luy office, most of whom
were old residents Of the city, were well in
formed in the facts of the case and attestcd
the truth OF the girls story.
was exceedingly perplexed and knew
not what 10 do i'll the matter, but after some
thought answered her thus:
This Department has changed rulers
aud know nothing of the policy of the new
commander. Ii General Butler were still
in authority, should not hesitate moment
to grant your request, for oven if L should
commit an error of Judgment, am perfect
Iy certain he would overlook it, and APP
plaud the humane impulse that prompted
the act; but General Banks might be less in
dulgent, and make very serious trouble
with me for taking a step he would perhaps
regard as unwarrantab,e.'
| still hesitated, undecided how TO act,
when suddenly happy thought struck me,
aud turning to the girl, | added
To-day is Thursday; next Tuesday !
leave this city with General Butler for "a
land where, thank God such wrongs as
yours can not exist; and, as General Banks
is deeply cngrossed III the immediate bus-
ness at headquarters, he will hardly hear of
my action before the ship leavcs-so am
going to give you the house"
| am sure the kind-heartcd reader will
find no fault with me that took particular
pains to select one of the largest of her
fathers houses, lit contained forty rooms,)
when she told me that she wanted 10 let
the apartments IFS means Of support for
herself and her children.
My only regret in the case was that Mr.
Cox had not been consideratc enough TO
leave carriage and pair Of bays ON my
hands, that | might have had the satislac-
ton of enabling his daughter to disport
herself about the city in style correspond
ing to her importance as member Of so
wealthy and respectable Il family.
And this story that have Just told re-
minds me of another, similar in many rer
spccts.
One Sunday morning late last summer, ,as
came down stairs 10 the breakfast room
was surprised to find large number Of
persons assembled in the library, When
cached the door, a member OF the staff
took me by the arm and drew me into the
room towards young and delicate mulatto
girl who was standing against the opposite
wall, with the meek, patient bearing of her
race, so expressive Of tho system OF repres-
sion 10 which they have been so long sub
ected Drawing down the border Of her
dress, my conductor showed me sight
more revolving than | trust ever again TO
The poor girls back was 1ayed
until the quiyeriug flesh rosembled fresh
beefsteak scorched on gridiron. With
cold chill creeping through my veins,