The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-10-23

, cent. Knowing thore would be som
trouble about the matter, tho lega
papers were drawn with exceptiona
caro-. John A. Campbell, who resign
ed his place on tho United States su
preme bench when the war began, wa
the attorney; at the Same time he drew
Bon's free papers, with clause il
each that, under certain conditions
the free papers should become null ant
void.
Returning to Brierfield, Montgomery
had all the papers promptly recorded
in the proper offices in Warren County
Miss. Events speedily showed that h(
acted wisely, for in less than a week
aftor Vicksburg fell, in July, 1868, oil
agent OF tho United States treasur,
department appeared at Brierlield tc
take possession of the goods, chattels
and movables on the plantation, pre-.
paratory to formal confiscation IF the
property by the United States. The
agent travelled in state, escorted by a
troop of cavalry, only to be met by
Montgomery, who mildly asked his
| business.
81 have come," said tho agent, " to
and stores on Jefferson Davis plan
tation."
Mr.. Davis owns no plantation in
this section of the country" Mont
gomory rejoined.
"Then to whom does this place be-
long7" queried the astonished officer.
"Theso three plantations" answer
cd Montgomery, calmly, consisting
OF tho Hurricane, Palmyra and Brier-
field estates, are my property"
"You don't suppose that I'll be-
lieve such story as that, do you 9''
asked the agent.
C The story that I have told you is
true in every respect" said Mont
gomery. /" 1t you will come into the
house, will show you all the papers,
and you can decide upon their legal.
ity."
The agent was lawyer, and, when
he looked over the deeds, he saw that
a correct legal transfer had been made.
But he said, in triumph
cat the time this sale was made,
you were slave. You could not hold
real estate in Misslsslppi."
Thereupon Montgomery, with a
smile, handed the agent his free papers,
made out and legally verified four
made out and legally verified four days
before the title to the real estate was
passed. -.
"Now," said Montgomery, " this
country is under the protection of the
United States, is it not ?"
" Why, yes," said the officer, " it
is."
"And, am entitled to all the rights
and privileges Of citizen Of the Unit
ed States, am not7"
"1 suppose you are," was the reluct-
ant reply.
Then, sir, under the II1nancipa-
tion Proclamation of President Lin.
coin, and by virtue of these free papers
made before that proclamation was
issued, l am citizen of tho United
States, with al The rights and prlvi-
leges that any citizen has. You are
especially enjoined by that proclama,
tion to see that l and all of my race are
protected in our legal rights, are you
not 2"
Yes," replied tho officer, who saw
that he was cornered.
property untouched, for otherwise L
shall call upon the President of the
United States to know whether or not
this proclamation is more than an emp
ty FORM"
The agent and his escort went back
TO Vicksburg. Montgomery at once ad-
dressed letter to the commanding Of
liccr at Vicksburg, setting forth that
he was a free man of color, tho legal
owner of certain plantations, which
were specified by name; that an officer
Of the United States had called upon
him and endeavored TO deprive him Of
his property without due process of
| law, and he demanded of the command
ing officer his protection and that of
the United States. STILL, the spoil was
too rich to be relinquished by the treas
ury agents without fight, and in
despair, Montgomery decided upon a
great stroke. He called upon the
Federal commander at Vicksburg and
asked that lieutenant and guard be
put In charge at Brierfeld for ten days
time, and also for leave to travel on q
government boat bound for Cincin.
natl. He bad resolved to visit Wash.
ington, see President Lincoln, and Law
the case before him personally. He
chanccd to know Judge Holt, then
judge advocate of the army. When he
arrived IN Washington, he at once
went to see him, and asked to be taken
to the president.
"I'm a free man, now judge" hi
said. "You have known me for many
years. l want you to take mo to Mr.
Lincoln and tell him what my charac
ter Is, for have important business
with him."
Judge Holt went with Montgomer,
TO Mr.. Lincoln.
Mr.. President" he sald, " this il
Ben Montgomery, who for 80 years
has beon the private secretary Of Jef
ferson Davis"
"Private secretary ?" queried Mr.
| Lincoln.
eyes," said Judge Holt, "that +
3 what said. He ls an honest man
. and what he says is true. He. wishe
a | ~ ooa ,,p,, M k,,o,o,oon ~,