1847 Mar. 19 Daniel Webster, Washington, D. C. "I have paid $120 for the freedom of Paul Jennings. …
1847; Gale Group;
Autores Resumo
1847 Mar. 19 Daniel Webster, Washington, D. C. 1 "I have paid $120 for the freedom of Paul Jennings. He agrees to work out the sum at 8 dollars a month, to be found with board, clothes and washing." Facsimile. 1 p. 8¼ x 5¾. F.S. Slavery W. 4. A Colored Man's Reminiscences of James Madison 1. In a pamphlet entitled , Brooklyn, N. Y. George C. Beadle, 1865, New York Public Library AGZ p. v. 83, the author, J. B. R., (not otherwise identified) mentions that the above autograph of Daniel Webster turned up on January 10, 1865 among the effects of a certain Mr. Thomas who for many years was a Negro messenger in the House of Representatives. In setting down the reminiscences of Paul Jennings "as nearly as possible in his own words." J. B. R. states that Jennings was the reputed son of an English trader and a slave of President James Madison, who was the granddaughter of an Indian. Jennings was "body servant" to Madisons until the latter's death and then to Daniel Webster, who purchased his freedom from Madison's widow. The reminiscences include an account of the advance of the British upon Washington in the Wa. of 1812, the precipitate flight from the White House and the incident of Mrs. Madison being asked to leave a house in which she had taken refuge because the lady of the house violently disapproved of her. Jennings also mentions Mrs. Madison's pecuniary straits in her later years when he frequently helped her out with small advances. Quotes Madison's famous answer. "I never allow a Negro to excel me in politeness." when a anobbish friend of his raised his eye-brows at Madison's punctilious return of a colored man's salutation.
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