Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-11-14
The Tender Nacrcics Of ofSIavery---lAn
Incident Of Life in Washington.


The following reminiscence of Washington
life, during the dark and sad days when the
National capital owned the usurpation of
the Slave-power, we find in the corrcspon-
dence of the New York Ercning Post
Forty years ago, wealthy planter came
from Florida or Louisiana, to reside in
Washington for time, bringing with him
son, fine manly boy of thirteen or four
teen. At the lcvecs of his father, which
were then fashionable, lie received the
caresses of the ladies and 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 visits to Washington.
In due course of time the boy, on whom his
fathers affections were evidently centcrcd,
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 a love for the
North, acquired during his college life,
which was not restrained in its expression
by his father, who fostcred and encouraged
it zcalously, and readily consented to his
permanent residence there He desired,
however, that his son should remain with
him here during his own stay. An appoint
ment was procured for him as clerk in the
War Department. and he entered upon its
duties.
Among the acquaintanccs formed at this
time was gentleman from Pennsylvania,
and the chief clerk of IA bureau, who was
the father OF girl yet in her teens, lovable
in character, as well as very beautiful. Init
macy bcgat friendship, and it was hardly a
matter of wonder that love should follow
With the blessings OF all they were married
at St Johns Church, in this city, it happen
ing 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
splcndor and JOY which crowned the we'd
ding, are yiyidly 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 es-
tabishmcnt. 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 intelligence from him for week
after week, which caused them anxiety,
daily increasing to alarm. At last, one dav,
when the son had just decided to 20 in
search OF his father, a carriage dashed up to
the door, young man stepped out, and,
followed by the sheriff of the district walked
into the War Department, and before all his
companions, in Tie broad light of noon,
arrested the son as the slave of his father.
The son sOlcmnly declared that his father
had manumittcd him. and that he had seen
the will long since in which ii had been
done. This outrage shocked the scnsbility
of even an eflcte slave community. Mr..
Monroe, then President, and Others high in
power, used all the argument, all the entfcaty
tongue could utter, offered money without
stint, for the ransom of one whom all loved
and esteemed, and whose condition to that
hour, no one had dreamed. But the Young
man, possessed of all power in the case, ana
the son of an cnraged family, mocked them,
told them that money was no object. argu.
ment and treaty alike unavaiing. 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 destroy
ed, and his pct son, in all appearance Of
Saxon birth, with the exception of slight
sWarlhlnesS common to all natives Of the
extreme south, was taken, chained as a slave
his house and furniture sold and accOmpa-
nicd 10y his beautiful, heart-brokcn wife,
faithful and untaltcring in this living death,
from the fashionable circles of Washington
society, carried to the ''plantation,' to toll
in slavery, beneath the infuriatcd lash of IL
indicative family.
Mr.. Monroe assured him that situation
should be given him if hc ever could prove
his manumission or escape.
lie never afterwards was heard from in
this district, for, as Napoleon said of con
vents, "the terrible mysteries of slave prisons
perish unrevealed"