Part 4

Kosciusko, the gallant Pole, was young when the news reached his ear that America was endeavoring to release her neck from Britain's yoke. He promptly devoted himself to the service, and displayed a heroism which won universal respect. Washington loved and honored him, and the soldiers idolized his bravery; but his manly heart was saddened to learn that the Colored man was not to be a recipient of those rights--rights, too, which many a sable soldier had fought to obtain, and Kosciusko naturally presumed that when the victory was achieved, all, irrespective of Color or accidental difference, would be freely invited to the banquet.

But this unsophisticated Polish General was doomed to disappointment. Kosciusko, with the feeling that all Americans should have been proud to exhibit--but, sad to tell, few did so--endeavored to render some signal compensation to those with whose wrongs his own had taught him to sympathize; and, as a grateful tribute to the neglected and forgotten Colored man, he appropriated $20,000 of his hard earnings to purchase and educate Colored children. But, by the laws of Virginia where the bequest was to be carried into effect, this generous object was defeated.

On the last visit to the United States of this illustrious donor, the will was put into the hands of Thomas Jefferson, who was appointed Executor, to purchase slaves and educate them, so as, in his own words, "to make them better sons and better daughters." Jefferson transferred the same to Benjamin L. Lear. In 1830, the bequest then amounting to $25,000 was claimed by the legal heirs of the donor. Interested parties subsequently recommended that the fund, if recovered, should be employed by the trustees in buying and educating Slave children, with the view of sending them to Liberia; an object far enough at variance from the donor's intention.

This matter has been in litigation a long time, and I have been unable to learn the conclusion. The chain of circumstances reminds me of the following question, once put to a Florida planter of twenty-five years standing:--

"Has any property left by will to any Colored person ever been honestly and fairly administered by any white person?" Mark his answer: "Such instances might possibly have happened, but never to my knowledge."

Within a recent period, several companies of Colored men in New York City have enrolled themselves "a la militaire." The New York "Tribune" of August, 1852, awards them the following commendation:

"Colored Soldiers.--Among the many parades within a few days we noticed yesterday a soldierly looking company of Colored men, on their way homeward from a target or parade drill. They looked like men, handled their arms like men, and should occasion demand, we presume they would fight like men.

"At the New Bedford celebration August 1, 1851, of British West India Emancipation, the procession was escorted by a Colored Company of Cadets from New York. Among the civilities extended in honor of the day was an invitation to the military and strangers to visit the splendid residence and ornamental grounds of James Arnold, Esq., who, with his family, tendered the utmost kindness and courtesy in exhibiting the beauties of nature and art that so lavishly adorn this New Bedford palace. Rodney French, Esq., also with characteristic courtesy threw open the doors of his hospitable mansion to the military visitors, and a few invited guests. These voluntary manifestations of good will, at once honorable to the donors and grateful to the recipients should be accepted as a harbinger for a better day coming.

"A number of the chivalric portion of Colored Bostonians have also been taking initiatory steps for a military company, and accordingly petitioned the Legislature for a charter, the claims of which were presented by Charles Lenox Remond and Robert Morris, Esq., but like the prayers of the Attucks petitioners, they, too, had leave to withdraw."

"I can wait," were the memorable words of John Quincy Adams when his free speech was stopped on the floor of Congress.

The world will bear witness that we have waited; and oh, how patiently! We have learned how sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong; but though familiar with we shall never grow reconciled to the discipline. "Our hearts, though often times made to bleed, will gush afresh at every wound."

The treatment meted out to us in this country, is but an illustration of hating those whom we have injured, and calls to mind that scene from Waverly, where Fergus Mac Iver replies to his friend on being led to execution. "You see the compliment they pay to our highland strength and courage; here we have lain until our limbs are cramped into palsy and now they send a file of soldiers with loaded muskets to prevent our taking the castle by storm." The analogy is found in the omnipresent and omnipotent influence of American Pro-Slavery in crushing every noble aspiration of the unoffending Colored men.

But despite the reign of terror inflicted upon us by the combined influences of the Fugitive Slave Law, and the American Colonization Society, we shall manfully contend for our rights, and as hopefully bide our time, trusting that an enlightened public sentiment will soon yield us the Justice so long withheld; so far as in Nature the smiles of summer are made sweeter by the frowns of winter, the calm of ocean is made more placid by the tempest that has preceded it, so in this moral battle these incidental skirmishes will contribute to render the hour of triumph soon a blissful realization. So sure as night precedes day, winter wakes spring, and war ends with peace, just as sure will the persevering efforts of Freedom's army be crowned with Victory's perennial laurels.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the seven years conflict and also the war of 1812, were both dotted by the devotion and bravery of Colored Americans, despite the persecutions heaped Olympus high upon them by their fellow countrymen. They have ever proved loyal and ready to worship or die, if need be, at Freedom's shrine. The "amor patriae" has always burned vividly on the altar of their hearts. They love their native land, "its hills and valleys green." The white man's banquet has been held and loud paeans to liberty have reached the sky above, while the Colored American's share has been to stand outside and wait for the crumbs that fall from Freedom's festive board.

A tribute, by an emancipator, being an extract from the will of A. P. Upshur, a member of President Tyler's Cabinet:

"I make this as my last will and testament:

"1 * * * *--

"2 * * * *--

"3. I emancipate and set free, my servant, David Rich, and direct my executors to give him one hundred dollars. I recommend him, in the strongest manner, to the respect, esteem and confidence of any community in which he may happen to live. He has been my Slave for twenty-four years, during which time he has been trusted to every extent, and in every respect. My confidence in him has been unbounded; his relation to myself and family has always been such as to afford him daily opportunities to deceive and injure us; and yet he has never been detected in a serious fault, nor ever an intentional breach of the decorums of his station. His intelligence is of a high order, his integrity above all suspicion, and his sense of right and propriety always correct and even delicate and refined. I feel that he is justly entitled to carry this certificate from me, into the new relations which he now must form. It is due to his long and most faithful services and to the sincere and steady friendship which I bear him. In the uninterrupted and confidential intercourse of twenty-five years, I have never given, nor had occasion to give him, an unpleasant word. I know no man who has fewer faults, or more excellencies, than he.

Signed, A. P. UPSHUR."

[From the Alexandria, D. C., Gazette.]

A TRIBUTE FROM THE EMANCIPATION, BY WASHINGTON'S FREED MEN.

Upon a recent visit to the tomb of Washington, I was much gratified by the alterations and improvements around it. Eleven colored men were industriously employed in leveling the earth and turf around the sepulchre. There was an earnest expression of feeling about them that induced me to inquire if they belonged to the respected lady of the mansion. They stated they were a few of the many Slaves freed by George Washington and they had offered their services upon this last melancholy occasion, as the only return in their power to make to the remains of the man who had been more than a father to them; and they should continue their labors as long as anything should be pointed out for them to do. I was so interested in this conduct that I inquired their several names, and the following were given me:

"Joseph Smith, Sambo Anderson, William Anderson, his son, Berkley Clark, George Lear, Dick Jasper, Morris Jasper, Levi Richardson, Joe Richardson, William Moss, William Hays and Nancy Squander, cooking for the men--Fairfax County, Va., Nov. 14, 1835."

APPENDIX.

[From Godey's Lady's Book, June, 1849.]

ANECDOTES OF WASHINGTON.

By Rev. Henry F. Harrington.

Primus Hall.--Throughout the Revolutionary war he was the body servant of Col. Pickering, of Massachusetts. He was free and communicative and delighted to sit down with an interested listener and pour out those stories of absorbing and exciting anecdotes with which his memory was stored.

It is well known that there was no officer in the whole American army whose friendship was dearer to Washington, and whose counsel was more esteemed by him than that of the honest and patriotic Colonel Pickering. He was on intimate terms with him, and unbosomed himself to him with as little reserve as, perhaps, to any confidant in the army. Whenever he was stationed within such a distance as to admit of it, he passed many hours with the Colonel, consulting him upon anticipated measures and delighting in his reciprocated friendship.

Washington was, therefore, often brought into contact with the servant of Col. Pickering, the departed Primus. An opportunity was afforded to the Negro to note him, under circumstances very different from those in which he is usually brought before the public and which possess, therefore, a striking charm. I remember one of these anecdotes from the mouth of Primus. One of them is very slight, indeed, yet so peculiar as to be replete with interest. The authenticity of both may be fully relied upon.

Washington once came to Col. Pickering's quarters and found him absent.

"It is no matter," said he to Primus, "I am greatly in need of exercise. You must help me to get some before your master returns."

Under Washington's directions the Negro busied himself in some simple preparations. A stake was driven into the ground about breast high, a rope tied to it, and then Primus was desired to stand at some distance and hold it horizontally extended. The boys, the country over, are familiar with this plan of getting sport. With true boyish zest, Washington ran forward and backward for some time, jumping over the rope as he came and went, until he expressed himself satisfied with the "exercise."

Repeatedly afterward, when a favorable opportunity offered he would say--"Come, Primus, I am in need of exercise," whereat the Negro would drive down the stake and Washington would jump over the rope until he had exerted himself to his content.

On the second occasion, the great General was engaged in earnest consultation with Col. Pickering in his tent until after the night had fairly set in. Headquarters were at a considerable distance and Washington signified his preference to staying with the Colonel over night, provided he had a spare blanket and straw.

"Oh yes," said Primus, who was appealed to, "plenty of straw and blankets--plenty."

Upon assurance, Washington continued his conference with the Colonel until it was time to retire to rest. Two humble beds were spread side by side, in the tent, and the officers laid themselves down, while Primus seemed to be busy with duties that required his attention before he himself could sleep. He worked, or appeared to work, until the breathing of the prostrate gentlemen satisfied him that they were sleeping; and then, seating himself on a box or stool, he leaned his head on his hands to obtain such repose as so inconvenient a position would allow. In the middle of the night Washington awoke. He looked about and descried the Negro as he sat. He gazed at him a while and then spoke.

"Primus!" said he calling, "Primus!"

Primus started up and rubbed his eyes. "What, General?" said he.

Washington rose up in bed. "Primus," said he, "what did you mean by saying that you had blankets and straw enough! Here you have given up your blanket and straw to me, that I may sleep comfortably, while you are obliged to sit through the night."

"It's nothing, General," said Primus. "It's nothing. I'm well enough. Don't trouble yourself about me, General, but go to sleep again. No matter about me. I sleep very good."

"But it is matter--it is matter," said Washington, earnestly. "I cannot do it, Primus. If either is to sit up, I will. But I think there is no need of either sitting up. The blanket is wide enough for two. Come and lie down with me."

"Oh, no, General!" said Primus, starting, and protesting against the proposition. "No; let me sit here. I'll do very well on the stool."

"I say come and lie down here," said Washington, authoritatively. "There is room for both and I insist upon it!"

He threw open the blanket as he spoke, and moved to one side of the straw. Primus professes to have been exceedingly shocked at the idea of lying under the same covering with the commander-in-chief, but his tone was so resolute and determined that he could not hesitate. He prepared himself, therefore, and laid himself down by Washington; and on the same straw, and under the same blanket, the General and the Negro servant slept until morning.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND AUTHORITIES.

John G. Whittier's Letter to the National Era. July, 1847.

Botta's History and Hewes' Reminiscences. Boston Transcript, March, 1851.

Ramsay's History of the American Revolution, Vol. I.

Speech of Hon. Anson Burlingame, October 13, 1852.

Suffolk Probate Record, published in the Liberator, February, 1847.

Speech of Hon. Wistam Burgess, January, 1828.

Speech of Geo. Eustis, December 12, 1820.

Thatcher's Military Journal, August 3, 1777.

Speech of Dr. Clarke in N. Y. Constitutional Convention, 1821.

Speech of Congressman Martindale, January 21, 1828.

Sketch of Rev. Theodore Parker.

Certificate of Mayor Matthew Clarkson, of Philadelphia, June 23, 1794.

Burlington (N. J.) Gazette.

Speech of Hon. Charles Pinckney, of South Carolina.

Lancaster (Ohio) Gazette, February, 1849.

Speech of Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, September, 1850.

General Andrew Jackson's First Proclamation, September 21, 1814.

General Jackson's Second Proclamation, December 18, 1814.

The Pennsylvania Freeman, March 10, 1851, (quoting from New Orleans Picayune.)

Boston Christian Register, (quoting from the N. Y. Observer.)

Speech of Dr. J. W. C. Pennington, September 8, 1852.

Marquis de Lafayette's letter to Clarkson.

General Kosciusko's Will.

New York Tribune, August, 1852.

Will of Hon. A. P. Upshur, Member of President Tyler's Cabinet.

Alexandria (Va.) Gazette.

Godey's Lady's Book, June, 1849.

Transcribers Notes:

Italics are shown thus: _sloping_.

Small capitals have been capitalised.

Punctuation has been preserved as it appears in the original publication.

Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved.

Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.

Obvious typos were silently corrected.