The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-10-29
JEFFERSON DAVIS
PRIVATE SECRETARY.
The Story of Faithful Slave.

should capture Ficksburg, about the
first property they would confiscate
and plunder would be the Davis
estate. But, if this property belong
ed to negro, freed before the capture
OF Eicksburg, then, under the Eman-
cipation Proclamation, it would be
his, and could not be seized by the
Federal agents. The plan promised
we'll, and the Davis brothers, after
consultation, decided to adopt it..
Jefferson Davis loaned to Ben, for the
purpose Of making the sale, $4,000.
The consideration for the estate was
S3O, ,O00, on 10 years time, with inter-
est at six per cent Knowing there
would be some trouble about the mat
ter, the legal papers were drawn with
exceptional care. John A. Cam pbell i,
who resigned his place on the United
States supreme bench when the war
begun, was the attorney; at the same
time he drew Ben's free papers, with
clause in each that, under certain
conditions, the free papers should be-
come null and void.
Returning to BrierGeld, Montgomc
ry had all the papers promptly record :
ed in the proper Offices in Warren
County, Miss. Events speedily show
ed that he acted wisely, for in less
than week after Vicksburg fell, in
July, 1868, an agent of the United
States treasury department appeared
at Brierfeld to take possession of the
goods, chattels, and movables on the
plantation, preparatory to formal con-
fissation of the property by the United
States. The agent travelled in State
escorted by troop Of cavalry, only to
be met by Montgomery, who mildly ask
ed his business.
- have come" said the agent, "to
take possession of all movable goods
and stores on Jefferson Davis planta-
ton"
"Mr. Davis owns no plantation in
this section of the country" Mont
gomcry rejoined.
"Then to whom does this place be-
long?" queried the astonished officer.
"These three plantations" answer
ed Montgomery, calmly, consisting
OF the Hurricane, Palmyra aud Brier-
field estates. are my property"
"You don't suppose that I'll be-
lieve such q story as that, do your"
asked the agent.
The story that have told you is
true in every respect" said Mont
gomery. IF you will come into the
house, l 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
correct legal transfer had been made.
But he said, in triumph
"At the time this sale was made,
you were slave. You could not hold
real estate in Mississippi"
Tbereupon Montgomery, with a
smile. handed the agent his free pa.
pers, made out and legally verified
four days before the title 10 the real
estate was passed.
Now" said Montgomery, "this
country is under the protection of the
United States, is it uot?'
why, yes. said the officer, "it
is"
"And, I an entitled to all the
rights and privileges Of citizen of
the United States. am not?'
II suppose you are, was the re-
luctant reply.
Then, sir, under the Emancipa-
ton Proclamation of President Lin
coin, and by virtue of these free pa
pers made before that proclamation
was issued, l am citizen Of the Uni
ted States, with all the rights and
privileges that any citizen has. You
are especially enjoined by that procla-
.ion TO see that end all Of my race
are protected in our legal rights, are
you not?"
eyes" replied the officer, who saw
that he was cornered.
"Then [ request that you leave my
property untouched, for otherwise I
shall call upon the President Of the
United States &c know whether or not
this proclamation is more than an
empty form"
The agent and his escort went back
toVicksburg. Montgomery at once
addressed letter to the commanding
officer at Vicksburg, setting forth that
he was a free man of color, the legal