Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-01-27
NEGRO MANS CAREER.

NEGkU MAN'O CAhEEhs
From n Harrisburg Oyster-house
lean CoIored Lawyers Triumph
/ IN = London Trlbunal-Dashing
Display In the chief Capitals OF
Europe.
From the New York Sun.l
The Sun recently mentioned the ap-
pearance of an American colored advo-
cate in case before one of the London
courts, in which he displayed SO much
tact and ability as materially to aid his
client, and save him from death on the
gallows This Mr.. Chester, who thus
appeared as lawyer, has had a.rather
eventful career.in Europe, in which he
has somewhat distinguished himself in a
variety of characters. In 1867 he ap-
peared in St. Petersburg as an agent of
the Freedman's Educational Society,
established in Philadelphia, which then
existed under the presidency Of Mr..
Stuart, an eminent philanthropist of that
city, for the purpose of collecting money
to aid in the education Of the enfran-
chised blacks of the South. His creden-
tials were strong and en- regIe. He had
letters from Senator Sumner, Ben Wade,
Henry Ward Beecher, and many other
shining lights of the Republican party,
commencing him and his mission to the
favorable consideration of all lovers of
free institutions throughout Europe.
General Cassius NJ. Clay, then Minister
of the United States to Russia, to whom
personal letters of introduction were
handed by Mr. Chester received him
kindly, subscribed literally to his fund,
and commended him to Winans and other
wealthy Americans engaged in business
in the empire. They in turn gave freely,
and from the Russian nobility hand
some sum was also collected. Mr. Ches
ter, finding himself living among mill
tary people, adopted the title of Captain,
and was introduced to the Emperor Al
exander, by General Clay, much against
the wishes of the Americans, as an officer
of the United States army. His Majesty
received the American with many marks
of distinction as commissioned repre-
sentative of the Great Republic.
At grand review of eighty thousand
men of the Imperial Guard on the
Champs de Mars of St. Petersburg, Cap
tain Chester was present, riding with the
staff of the Emperor, in one of the most
unique uniforms ever seen on any
of our officers since we enjoyed the
luxury of supporting them. In the abb
sence of a regulation Captains coat, he
wore pea-green coat belonging to some
Russian Colonel. His chapeau was that
worn by General Clay on State occa
sions, and his saber belonged to an
American naval officer, Captain Ches-
ter rode his horse like veteran, and
was at the front at all times. He ma
turally enough attracted attention, and
the quid nuncS in the club were busy for
time in speculating on the character
Of the new Imperial guest. After the
review, the guests of special distlnc-
ton" as the Court Gazette expressed it,
lunched with His Imperial Majesty, and
had word to say to Captain Chester,
who was again the center of all eyes.
The military attaches of the English,
French, Prussian and Austrian Embas-
sizes were deeply chagrined to be kept in
the background, while our American re-
preventative received all the honors OF
the day. fltf1 VffRy
After this martial success the gallant
Captain was the lion of the hour in the
Russian capital. Taking the cue from
the Winter Palace, the nobility, or such
as spoke English, beyond which the
Captains linguistic requirements did not
extend, made the American officer their
particular guest, He was Jeted to his
hearts content.
As funds were abundant, the Captain
| ~, ha
Klee, the best in the city, lived sumptu-
ously, dressed elegantly, wearing the
finest and most costly furs, and carried
himself with all the magnifcence of an
American millionaire He spent many
months in St. Petersburg and at Moscow,
where he made many conquests in money
and heart, but at length suddenly disap-
peared from the fashionable circles, and
reached Paris to attend the Exposition,
after making princely progress through
Germany and the watering places.
At Paris he was tolerably successful.
Subsequently he transferred the scene
of his operations to merry England, in
behalf Of the Freedmen's Educational
Bureau, but with what success is not
known. As he has become barrister-
at-law in England, 1T is fair to presume
that he has made decided impression
upon the sympathies Of the philanthropie
English public, and drawn heavily from
their charitable purses. His future is
now assured, as he has dropped the mil
itary title and become man of peace.
o II is proper to add that Mr. Chester's
elevation from the position of an humble
chief of an oyster house in Harrisburg to
the honored position of practitioner in
the English courts, and guest Of Empe-
rors and Kings, is due to his own pecu-
liar ability. His career in the future
ought to be watched with interest, if not
soHcitude, as he is the first representa-
tive of our colored fellow-citizens whs
has shone with any degree of brillianccy
in court camp, saloon, and in the old
communities Of Europe. Itwould be in
teresting to learn from the officers OF the
institution that dispatched such an
adroit, affable and popular agent abroad,
precisely how much money was added to
the Golfers of the society by the extraor-
binary mission. OF course this merce'
nary view of Mr.. Chesters exploits is
entirely unworthy moments attention,
when we consider the brilliant social
results accomplished by our fellow-citi-
zen in his tour from the frozen Neya to
the sunny fields of France and the dingy
inns of London. So let it pass.
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