Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-08-29

seriPtIOn in support Of a COIOred
school
New York Tribune.
Sir: 1 see you are publishing remin.
iscences of the late President John
son. VIII you let me add one or two?
In 1866 was sent BY the Bishop of
South Carolina to the Ncfth, TO try and
raise money to establish school for
colored children, under the charge Of
the Episcopal Church, to be managed
BY Southern men, and with Southern
teachers. At that time the education
of the colored people was not so popu.
lar at the South, but the Episcopal
Church in this State had always taken
lively interest IN the negro. At the
first convention held after the var,
policy was declared and adopted which
has been followed ever since, and. it
was to carry this out that / was sent to
the North. While In New York / saw
in the papers that the Marine Hospital
in Charleston would probably be con-
demned, and If Congress would order it
sold and the President would sign the
title I hoped to be able to purchase the
building, as it was admirably adapted
to cur purpose. So I went to Wash
ingt0n, and called on Gen. o. o. How
ard. had saved the life of one of his
lieutenants, Lieut.. John A Mcqueen,
of the 18th Illinois Cavalry, and had
taken him IN a buggy from Camden,
South Carolina, to Raleigh, North Car.
DINA, and had him sent through the
lines to Gen. Howard. This was done
In return for kindness shown by the
Lieutenant to my family when Colum-
bia was burned. Gen. Howard took
me to see the President. / told him
that I was what he was pleased to call
"a good rebel" that he had met me in
Columbia, etc. He also told the story
of Lieut.. Mcqueen. Mr.. johnson lis
tened very patiently, and then asked
what he could do for me. / told him
about this Marine Hospital and what
we wished it for, and asked him
to sign the bill as soon as IT
was passed. / entered fully into the
subject of our willingness and anxiety,
not only to accept the results Of the
war IN good faith, but to do our parts
as Christian men to elevate and Chris
tianize these people. When had fin
ished, Mr.. johnson took me by the
hand-yes, by both hands-and said
this was the pleasantest thing he had
heard from the South sincehe had been
in. office; then turning to Gen. Howard,
he said: 81 have often told you so.
Just let these gentlemen alone; they
are honest men, and true, and they will
do full justice; only give them time.
They are the best friends the negroes
have, and it viii be found 50 in the
long run" Then turning to me, he
said: Yes, sir, 1 viii sign the bill as
soon as it passes through Congress.
You had better see some Of the mem
bers Of Congress about 1t, and he
added: when you are ready to buy
1t I viii send you a check for 81 900
my subscription to the good work"
The bill was passed, and the building
was bought, and Mr.. johnson did send
me his own check for $1,000 for the
first large public school established by
SOutheruers at the South for the edu-
cation Of the colOred chiidren-which
school has continued to this time, and
the Home Commission for colOred peo-
pie Of the P.sE Church has paid its
expenses annually.
This was in 1866. Soon after that
visit, drew up a petition for the par
don Of Mr.. G. A. Trenholm, eX Secre- /
tary Of the Treasury Of the COnfede-
rate States. l got Gen. Sickles, then
in command of Charleston, TO recon-
mend it. Gen. Howard signed it; also,
Mr.. A. a. Low, Mr.. Cyrus Curtis, Mr.. |
Edwards PierTepont, and one or two |
others. These names l obtained |
through the aid of Dr., now Right |
Rev. A. n. Littlejohn, D. D., Bishop |
of Long Island. With this paper l
went to Washington, and waited at |
the door Of the Presidents room for |
two days. At last about o'clock IL |
the afternoon, I got into his presence; !
be recognized me, took my papers, and |
told me to call IN the morning, direct !
Ing the porter to announce me as soon |
IS 1 appeared. At $50 A. n. l was at
his Office. AS l met the President, he
put out MS hand, saying: Il have sign
ed your papers, and have done so
with pleasure" There were a half |
persons in the room when he
said aloud, you, sir, are the proper
person to have this matter in charge,
as the pastor Of Mr.. Trenholm. 1 am
glad you came for this pardon, for /
know there is no money iR thtS case; a |
great many have hurt their cause here |
by sending money agents; / am deter
mined no man shall make any money
ont of this business # I can help it."
He called his son Robert and told him
to 90 with me through all the Offices
and not to leave hepaper, but to have
it signed and delivered to mein person.
THIS he did, and if am not mistaken
thus procured the first pardon Of a
member of the Cabinet Of the COnfed-
crate Government. If you think this
of sufficient interest, yOumayrely upon
the statement Respectfully,
a. TooMER PORTER,
Rector of the Church of the Holy Com
munion.
AiLs, G T. AuO 2 1879.