Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-08-01

Year after year Robert Jackson has been the
second waiter at the Grand Union; but care
less crowds that frequent the mammoth hOstery
have not known that through his veins courses
the proudest Virginia blood. Robert is a small,
well-made quadro0n, fashioned, perhaps, in about
the same mould as Stephen A. Douglas, for his
head closely resembles that Of the Little Giant.
His grandfather was Gen. Harry Lee of reyolu-
tionary lighthouse cavalry fame, and his mother
was slave woman named Jenny maid of Mrs.
Lee. Soon after the birth of William jackson,
the head walters father, Jenny was sold TO Col.
Stewart of Frederick county, Maryland. The
boy William showed extraordinary intelligence,
and became pet of his master, and on the death
of Col. Stewart found himself free by clause in
the will. William went Immediately to Washing
ton, where he had been many times with his mas
ter. There he met John Mclean, postmaster gen.
eral under Martin Van Buren,, and friend of his
Old master Judge Mclean appointed him mes
senger in the post-offce department at salary of
5000 per annum While messenger in the post
office department, William jackson met beauti-
full long-haired octOroon, the slave of old Judge
John Stewart of Baltimore The slave girls
name was Rachel, and she came to attend Miss
Stewart, one of the fashionable Baltimore bellies
at one of President Van Buren's receptions.
William lost his heart with the dusky maid and
soon went to Baltimore to get Judge Stewart
who owned her, to consent to their marriage
No, sir," said the Judge Indignantly; "Rache
is a slave, and she must marry slave. If she
marries a free niger she will be running away
herself; and besides, don't know when may
want to sell her to the New Orleans traders"
"Then can never marry her? "Never, until
somebody buys her from me" replied the Judge
Rachel was sent to Frederick county farm, and
thither William went in the night to hold con-
sultaton with her. First it was resolved to run
away. But there was no chance Of success
The fugitive slave law was in effect; passes were
required by the slaves on the plantation, and
n NXyaa m ha Trrbf ,.oftY al
and then dreadful whipping followed. "What
can we dop' sobbed Rachel. 81 know" replied
William, 81 will buy you myself" "But you
have no money" 81 can work and earn il" re.
piled the determined lover. "HOw much will
you take for RacheP' he asked of Judge Stew.
art the next day. "Well, a thousand dollars
will buy her" replied the hard-hearted judge
William went to wOrk-every cent was saved
he even going on foot into Frederick county by
night to see Rachel, where they held solemn con-
situations, and hoped only for the time when he
could buy her and own her and make her his
wife. Think of that, mercenary beauX, heart
less fortune hunters of Congress hall-think of
toiling night and day, and think of paying your
last cent for the love of Il woman. Two years
rolled around, and nine hundred dollars glad
dened the sight of William jackson. Christmas
came. 'What shall give you for Christmas
this year, Williamp asked the good old post
master general of his trusty messenger. "Any-
thing Mr.. Secretary" "But what would you
like most?" Then William told the story of his
and RachePs troubles-how he was afraid she
would be sold, how he loved her dearly, and
how he lacked still hundred dollars to buy
her. The old postmaster general took off his
specs, wiped his eyes, and then put them on
again. Then he fumbled in his pockets. Give
-ten-twenty-thirty, he counted, and then he
handed William hundred dollars. Too happy
to live, William started for Judge Stewards
Here, Master john, said he, with bis eyes all
aglow with joy, "here is the S1OO0-now want
Rachel" "My Godl William, you don't tell me
sol" exclaimed the judge. "Why, | cold Rach-
ell yesterday for $1,000, to go TO Mobile" When
is she going? asked William, nervousy
shes gone already-went yesterday. She'd
be in LynchbuTg in three days, by the boat"
Broken-hearted and crushed in spirit, William
hurried back to Judge Mclean in Washington.
The judge heard his story. Daniel Webster
and John G. Calhoun were in the Judges room
and they both took a deep interest. "Leps
raise the money and send William after her"
said the generous Webster. "He would be
seized a dozen times as a fugitive" said the
judge, land they'd sell him, too" ''Pll send
my private secretary" said Mr.. Webster, and
so he did. There was no telegraph then, no
cars, but the secretary took the Potomac river
boat, and with $1,000 contributed by William
Jackson's friends in the department. overlook
Rachel, showed Mr. Calhoun's letter, endorsed
by several Virginians, bought her and brought
her back. Calhoun, Webster and Judge Nc
Lean saw them married the next week. Robert
jackson afterward waited on Webster and Cal
houn in their old age at the old Indian Queen
hotel in Washington, now called the Metropo-
tan, where in 1884 he met Mrs. Joseph C. Luther
present habitue of Congress hall, on her wed
ding tour. Mrs Luther took Robert to Swan
sey, Mass, instructed him, and few years af-
terward he made an engagement at the Union
hotel. During the winter he catered for those
eccentric bachelors in New York, Mr. T. H.
Faile, Mr. Edward Penfold, or Mr.. Robert Me
Coskry. Only the former survives. He caters
for New Workers in the winter at 206 Waverly
place. Robert has perhaps the largest acquaint-
anee of any one in Saratoga. He knows old
presidents and sciOns of royalty, knows dis
tingushed savants, poets, statesmen and histo-
rians. He lives in beautiful vine clad cottage
on Washington street, in Saratoga, where the
guests of Congress hall frequently call upon his
wife, who is one of the neatest housekeepers in
Saratoga to ". Y. Com. ADJ.