New-York tribune., 1903-06-28

formerly liquid refreshments dispensed now
serves as a storage room for wagonioads OF
boxes books documents and papers left at the
hoteI by Iong-ago Congressman. There are tons
of interesting old books and documents which
the present proprietor of the hotel says were
handed down to him as a legacy of former days.
and which will increase in value as the years
go by.
A wide areaway extends along the Third and
3 st. sides, and running back under the side
walks which are th.rty-two feet wide, the
brick and stone cells built for housing slaves
Of these cells there are eleven, each one built
to hold twenty-five grown Light and
ventilation were furnished through the bars of
the heavy iron doors. and by means of iron
manholes running up through the centre of the
roof of each cell, but these manhOles were closed
tight at night and locked, as 4 matter of pre-
caution to prevent the imprisoned slaves escap-
ing; but even had one of the unfortunates sue
ceeded in reaching the street the chances are
that he would have been ridded with bullets, as
armed guards were constantly on duty, and the
number increased after nightfall.
1t was the custom of the proprietor to see
that the inmates of the dark cells received exer-
else and at mealtime a certain number would
be permitted to walk around in the areaway
short time and after receiving their meals be
until the owner or owners ready to de-
part with theif human property to their own
plantations or to the slave markets of the South.
There were slave barracoonS in Washington.
but perhaps more of them did 50 large a busi-
ness as the St Charles Hotel, and some of the
older citizens relate interesting stories of slave
trading scenes witnessed around the old house
how New-Oreans slave trader lost two hun
dred likely negroes" in a game of poker with
a man representing Franklin & Armffeld of
Alexandria. who owned large barracoon, and
had sent him over to Washington to buy some
good field hands; but the price couldn't be
agreed on, so they settled the ownership at the
gaming table. This recalls the statement too,
that the proprietor had given it out stand
ing order or rule of the St Charles that gam
bling would not be permitted. but, IF you in
dulge in a game, let it be a gentleman'S game
no cheating, and every bet goes, even if it takes
the last negro in the cells
Henry Lewis. aged colored man, who has
been around the ST. Charles since 1850, when
Mr. Mayne proprietor. occupies portion of
the room formerly used for the cafe his
sleeping room, and being in close proximity to
the of cells. he was asked if he had ever
seen ghosts. Lewis peeped around into of
the cells and answered:
BOSS, during all my years around dis old
times 1 'magines things after KNOWN all does
bout how niggers were kept locked UP in dem
cells. Course, amt seed no ghosts dat knows
Of but sometimes 1 hears moanin' sounds an
rattin like de rattlin' of chains 1 'knowledges,
san, dat it's mighty IcCesOmelike in Dat old
restaurant some nightU an when looks out de
winder an sees de open doors of dem cells.
feels de cold chills creepin' over me. Dis neigh
borhood amt what it to be back in de days
when Mister Mayne run dis hotel an big rich
folks an Senators and Congressman made dis
their home. Dem were high livin' times. sab.
an the folks mighty libral with their change
after you shine their shoes. Times is changed,
sure sah an go roun here in th(
Bowery an get enough whiskey for nickel u
make him see ghosts an everything else. Deed
it's fact sab; but I amt seed ghosts as
knows off,
When the British invaded Washington. sacked
and burned the Capitol and devoured President