Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-11-11
Correspondence of the Evening Poet.
The Tender Mercies of Slavery-An
Incident of Life in Washington.

Forty years ago wealthy planter came
from Florida, or Louisiana, to reside in
Washington for time, bringing with him
a son, hne manly boy Of thirteen or
fourteen. At the levees Of his father,
which were then fashionable, he received
the caresses of the ladies and the encour,
agement of the gentlemen that his age,
intelligence and his fathers position nat
urally elected. Of his family, none ac-
companied his father besides this son, in
his visit to Washington. In the course OF
time the boy, on whom his fathers atfee-
tions were evidently centured, was sent
North, and was there educated, graduat-
ing at Harvard or Yale, with an honora-
BILE standing in his class. On his return to
this city he avowsd love for the North
acquired during his college life, which was
not restrained in its expression by his
father, who fostered and encouraged IL
zealousiy, and readily consented to his
permanent residence there. He desired
however, that his son should remain with
him during his own stay. An appoint
ment was procured for him as a clerk in
the War Department, and he entered up
on its duties
Among the acquaintance formed at
this time was a gentleman from Pennsyl-
Yania, and the chief clerk of bureau,
who was the father of girl yet in her
teens, lovable in character, as well as very
beautiful Intimacy begat friendship, and
it was hardly matter Of wonder that love
should follow With the blessings of all,
they were married 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 parlors, the splendor and Joy
which cre"ned the wedding, are vividly
depicted by those who treasure the chron-
icles of society in those days. s-.
The young mans father had bought
and furnished an elegant house for his
children, and they removed at once to
their own establishment. Not long after
the marriage, and while in the full tide of
happiness, the father was called home,
and left his son and daughter, intending
soon to return They received no intelli-
gence from him week after week, which
caused them anxiety, daily increasing to
alarm. At last, one day, when the son
had Just decided to go in search of his
father, carriage dashed up to the door.
q young man stepped out, and, followed
by the sheriff Of the district, walked into
the War Department, and before all his
companions, in the broad light of noon.
arrested the son as the slave of isfather
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 e1ete slaves com
munity Mr. Monroe, then President, and
others high in power. used all the argu-
ment, all the entreaty tongue could utter.
offered money without stint, for the ran
some of one whom all loved and esteem
ed, and whose condition, to that hour, no
one had dreamed But the young man,
possessed of all power in the case, and the
son of an enraged family mocked them
and told them that money was no object,
argument and entreaty alike unavsiiing.
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-
stoyed, and his pet son, in all appearance,
of Saxon birth, with the exception Of
slight sWarthiness, common to all natives
of the extreme South, was taken, chained
as a slave, his house and furniture sold.
and accompanied by his beautiful. heart
broken wife, faithful end unflltering in
this living death, from the fashionable
circles of Washington society, carried to
the plantation to toll in slavery, be-
meath the infuriated lash of vindictiye
family. 81. a.-
Mr. Monroe assured him that situa-
ion should be given him, if he eyer could
prove his manumission or escape.
He never afterward was heard from in
he district, for, az Napoleon said of con-
rents, ''the terrible mysteries OF slave
prisons perish unreyealed."