Franklin's paper the statesman., 1911-08-12

After / had completed my settle
ment with the executor of Mr.. Mel
bourne / made preparations for a
northern tour and In July, 1915.
commenced my journey. | had heard
Mr.. jefferson 80 much talked OF. had
read SO much about him in the news-
papers and so much OF his own writ
ings, OF which / was a great admirer,
that my curiosity was intense TO see
and converse with that great man. At
my request Mr.. Pendleton. member
OF the North Carolina bar. gave me
n letter OF introduction to him which
was the only letter | took with me.
Mr.. Pendleton. according to my ea-
press desire in his communication to
Mr.. jefferson. stated briefly my his
tory, or so inuch OF 1t az was nee
essary to apprixe him that was born
\ slaye and VA 0qEtae0x -AS~ -A3xacan
dsSce1E
travelled by stage-coaca on the old
route to Norfolk In Virginia. In this
city / saw Mr.. st. John: he had be
come corpulent, and was almost in
capable OF locomotion, stupid and bru-
tally senseless. He was n loathsome
monument of intemperance and a
wretched creatures who ought to
serve as beacons to warn young men
against indulgence in idleness. intem-
perance and vice. st. John. | under
stood. was supported by small al
lowance paid to him quarterly by a
brother of his father. He was sunk
SO low as to ask me to lend him
25 cents. l gave hi ma dollar.
ms Tod
daughter of Mrs. Melbourne twhite).
II was not happy marriage for st.
John proved to be n drunkard. a gam
bier and fortune hunter. When
Mrs. Melbourne died. Maria. who be-
came the wife OF Julius Melbourne.
fell into the hands OF st John, who
because of her beauty, looked upon
her with lustful eyes. He refused to
respect Mrs. Melbournes dying wish
that she be set at liberty. Only a
day or two before her death she had
spoken to her lawyer about giving
Maria the companion and friend of
her daughter. her freedom. Julius
married her in spite of the fact that
she was still n slave and in spite of
st. John. The miserable creature
who had begged him for the loan of
25 cents and to whom he gave a dol
lar. f. B.
From Norfolk went to Monticello
and on my arrival there was much
gratified to learn that Mr.. jefferson
was at home. | was conducted to his
study, or reading room. where found
him sitting at table covered with
books and papers. He rose when |
entered and received me with great
instantly found myself at perfect ease
in his presence. Thought he was not
and, presume. never had been.
handsome man, there was such strong
evidence OF high intellectual power IL
his high forehead and in the form of
his face and head that could not fail
OF admiring him. A philosophical
calmness and glow of benevolence
were so visibly expressed in his coun-
tenance, and so distinctly marked
every feature of his face. that while
he was reading Mr.. Pendleton's let
ue and before he had uttered word,
Mas charmed with him and loved
him as an old and familiar friend.
suppose that part of Mr.. Pendleton's
letter which stated that I was born a
slave and was OF African descent ex-
cited his curiosity, for he Immediately
commenced conversation evidently
with view to ascertain the strength
OF my mind and to what degree 1t
had been cultivated. He enquired OF
me whether had seen the building
there lately credited for the Univer-
atty of Virginia and said he intended
II should be free for the instruction
Of ali sects and colors. He expressed
his deep anxiety for the Improvement
of the minds and the elevation of the
character of, ms he was pleased to call
them. "Our colored brethren" He
then spoke of the state OF English and