Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-10-30
WHOLE NO. 406.
The Tender Mercies of Slavery
AN INCIDENT OF LIFE IN WASHINGTON.


can, upon occasions, recall scenes and
events Of the various administrations, and
the men who have fourished under them,
that to this day form most interesting top
. les of conversation. From the multitude
of incidents entailed in their daily life by
a system of slavery, they can relate sto-
ries Of its operation that even now excite
sympathy and cause feeling people to
Il wonder that such transactions should ev-
u er have been tolerated at tbe seat of gov
ernment of a republic whose liberty was
its proudest boast.
Forty years ago a wealthy planter
came from Florida or Louisiana, to re-
side in Washington for time, bringing
with him a son, a fine manly boy of thir-
teen or fourteen. At the levees of his
father, which were then fashionable, he
received the caresses of the ladies and
the encouragement Of the gentlemen that
his age, intelligence and his fathers po-
sition naturally elected OF bis family
none accompanied his father besides this
son, to his visits to Washington. In due
course of time the boy, on whom his fa--
theirs 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
return to this city he avowed love for
the north, acquired during his college life,
which was not restrained in its express
sion by his father, who fostered and en-
couraged it zealously, and readily con-
sented to his permanent 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 Department,
and be entered upon its duties.
Among the acquaintance formed at
this time was a gentleman from Pennsyl-
vania, and the CHEF clerk of bureau,
who was the father of girl yet in her
teens, lovable in character, as we'll as
very beautiful. Intimacy begat friend
ship, and it was hardly a matter of won-
der that love should follow. With the
blessing 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 at
tire, the music, the crowded parlors, the
spIendor aud joy which crowned the we'd
ding, are vividly 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, 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 in
telligence from him for week after week,
which caused them anxiety, daily in-
creasing to alarm. At last, one day,
when the son had just decided to go in
search for his father, carriage dashed
up to the door, young man stepped out,
and followed by the sheriff of the dis
trict, walked into the War Department,
and before ali his companions, in the
broad light of noon, arrested the son as
the slave of his father!
The son solemnly declared that his
father had manumitted him, and that he
had seen the will long since in which it
had been done. This outrage shocked
he sensibiity Of even an effete slave
Mr.. Menroe then Presi-
lent, and others high in power, used all
he argument, all the entreaty tongue
could utter, offered money without stint,
or the ransom of one whom all loved
md esteemed, aud whose condition, to
hat hour, no one had dreamed. But the
'oung man possessed of all power in the
Ease, and the son of an enraged family,
nocked them, told them that money was
10 object, argument and entreaty alike
What ne had now obtained
vas revenge, of which nothing should
oil him. The father bad met with sud-
len death, the will had been either con-
.ealed or destroyed, and his pet son, in
II appearance of Saxon birth, with the
onplexion of a s ght swarthiness
ommon to all natiTes OF the extreme
south, was taken, chained as a slave, his
ouse and furniture sold and accompa-
led by bis beautiful, hesrt-broken wife,
aithful and unfaltering in this living
cath, from this fashionable circle of
Washington society, carried to the "pIan-
ation,' to toll in slavery, beneath the in
uriated lash of an vindictive family.
Mr.. Monroe assured him that a situa-
ion should be given him if ne ever
;ould prove his manumission or escape.
He never afterwards was heard from
n this district, for, as Napoleon said of
onvents, "the terrible mysteries of slave