The Journal of Negro History, Volume 3, 1918

140

The Philanthropist, July 28, 1837.

141

Ibid.

142

The Philanthropist, June 2, 1837.

143

Cincinnati Morning Herald, June 1, 1844.

144

The Leisure Hour, 1853, II, p. 54.

145

Tyson, Banneker, The Afric-American Astronomer, p. 10.

146

The Atlantic Monthly, XI, p. 80

147

In another particular this same sketch differs from several others, namely, in locating young Banneker at "an obscure and distant country school" with no mention of the oft-repeated assertion that the school was one attended by both white and colored children. The author of the last-mentioned sketch was evidently not sure of these two statements, and therefore did not include them. In fact, he appears not to have been quite sure of the propriety of submitting any sketch at all of this "free man of color" to the distinguished body constituting the Maryland Historical Society, for there was a clear note of apology in his opening declaration that "A few words may be necessary to explain why a memoir of a free man of color, formerly a resident of Maryland, is deemed of sufficient interest to be presented to the Historical Society." But he justified his effort on the grounds that "no questions relating to our country (are) of more interest than those connected with her colored population"; that that interest had "acquired an absorbing character"; that the presence of the colored population in States where slavery existed "modified their institutions in important particulars," and effected "in a greater or less degree the character of the dominant race"; and "for this reason alone," he said, "the memoir of a colored man, who had distinguished himself in an abstruse science, by birth a Marylander, claims consideration from those who have associated to collect and preserve facts and records relating to the men and deeds of the past."—J. H. B. Latrobe in Maryland Historical Society Publications, I, p. 8.

148

Ford edition of Jefferson's Writings, V, p. 379.

149

In the memoir of Banneker, above mentioned, read before the Maryland Historical Society in 1845, and in another memoir of Banneker, read before the same Society by Mr. J. Saurin Norris, in 1854, the estate purchased by Mollie Welsh is referred to as "a small farm near the present site of Baltimore," and "purchased at a merely nominal price." See Norris's Memoir, p. 3.

150

Norris Memoir, p. 4; Williams's History of the Negro Race, p. 386.

151

Tyson, Banneker, p. 10.

152

It is elsewhere given as 7,000, but the earlier record seems to be the correct one.

153

Atlantic Monthly, XI, p. 81.

154

Latrobe, Memoir, Maryland Historical Society Publications, I, p. 7.

155

Ibid., I, p. 7.

156

Banneker would frequently, in answering questions submitted to him, accompany the answers with questions of his own in rhyme. The following is an example of such a question submitted by him to another noted mathematician, his friend and neighbor, Mr. George Ellicott:

A cooper and Vintner sat down for a talk,

Both being so groggy, that neither could walk,

Says Cooper to Vintner, "I'm the first of my trade,

There's no kind of vessel, but what I have made,

And of any shape, Sir,—just what you will,—

And of any size, Sir,—from a ton to a gill!"

"Then," says the Vintner, "you're the man for me,—

Make me a vessel, if we can agree.

The top and the bottom diameter define,

To bear that proportion as fifteen to nine,

Thirty-five inches are just what I crave,

No more and no less, in the depth, will I have;

Just thirty-nine gallons this vessel must hold,—

Then I will reward you with silver or gold,—

Give me your promise, my honest old friend?"

"I'll make it tomorrow, that you may depend!"

So the next day the Cooper his work to discharge,

Soon made the new vessel, but made it too large;—

He took out some staves, which made it too small,

And then cursed the vessel, the Vintner and all.

He beat on his breast, "By the Powers!"—he swore,

He never would work at his trade any more.

Now my worthy friend, find out, if you can,

The vessel's dimensions and comfort the man!

Benjamin Banneker.

We are indebted to Benjamin Hallowell, of Alexandria, for the solution of this problem. The greater diameter of Banneker's tub must be 24.745 inches; the less diameter 14.8476 inches. See Maryland Historical Society Publications, I, p. 20.

157

The Atlantic Monthly, XI, p. 81.

158

The Atlantic Monthly, XI, p. 81.

159

Atlantic Monthly, XI, p. 82.

160

Southern Literary Messenger, XXIII, p. 65.

161

Tyson's Banneker, p. 24.

162

Tyson, Banneker, p. 26.

163

J. H. B. Latrobe's Memoir, Maryland Historical Society Publications, I, p. 8.

164

Atlantic Monthly, XI, p. 82.

165

Tyson, Banneker, p. 51.

166

Mr. McHenry was not only one of the most prominent men of Baltimore, but was several times honored with positions of trust. He was Senator from Maryland in 1781; and as one of the Commissioners to frame the Constitution of the United States, he signed that instrument in 1787. He was also a member of the cabinet of President John Adams as Secretary of War in 1797.—Tyson, Banneker, pp. 50, 51, 52.

167

Maryland Historical Society Publications, I, 1844-48, I, p. 79.

168

A copy of Banneker's letter to Thomas Jefferson and the statesman's reply were published in the Journal of Negro History, III, p. 69.

169

Catholic World, XXXVIII, December, 1883.

170

Washington Star, October 15, 1916.

171

Georgetown Weekly Ledger, March 12, 1791.

172

Tyson, Banneker, p. 37.

173

Tyson, Banneker, pp. 70-71.

174

Tyson, Banneker, pp. 35-60.

175

Records of the Columbia Historical Society, XX, pp. 117-119.

176

The Atlantic Monthly, XI, p. 84.

177

Tyson, Banneker, p. 31.

178

Ibid., p. 31.

179

Catholic World, XVIII, p. 354.

180

Norris's Memoir, Maryland Historical Society Publications, II, p. 75.

181

Federal Gazette and Baltimore Daily Advertiser, October 28, 1806.

182

Norris's Memoir, Maryland Historical Society Publications, II, p. 64.

183

Ibid., II, p. 73.

184

Tyson, Banneker, p. 72.

185

Records of the Columbia Historical Society, XX, pp. 119-120.

186

He was sometimes called George Sharp.—See Benedict, History of the Baptists, etc., p. 189.

[187] The facts of this article for the most part are taken from letters written about the work of Liele and Bryan and from correspondence concerning them published in London in the Baptist Annual Register.

187

Mr. Moore was an ordained Baptist minister, of Brooke County, Georgia.

188

The Journal of Negro History, I, p. 71.

189

Under the influence of his preaching Liele's wife was converted and baptized at Brunton Land.

190

Ibid., p. 336.

191

The Baptist Annual Register, 1790-93, p. 334.

192

The Journal of Negro History, I, pp. 71-72.

193

The Journal of Negro History, I, p. 72.

194

The Baptist Annual Register, 1790-1793, p. 335.

195

Benedict, History of the Baptists, p. 189.

196

The Baptist Annual Register, 1798-1801, p. 368.

197

The Baptist Annual Register, 1798-1801, p. 366.

[199] Dow, History of the Cosmopolite, p. 124.

198

The Baptist Annual Register, 1790-1793, p. 339.

199

Dow, Experience and Travels, p. 125.

200

The Baptist Annual Register, 1790-1793, p. 340.

201

Ibid., 1798-1800, p. 367.

202

The Baptist Annual Register, 1798-1801, p. 368. Ibid., 1790-1793, p. 339.

203

Benedict, History of the Baptists, pp. 790-791.

204

The most easily available information concerning the history of Howard University is contained in a number of short sketches, speeches, reports, announcements, and the like, in pamphlet form, and a well-prepared volume of three hundred pages by Dr. Daniel S. Lamb giving the history of the Medical Department up to 1900. These with the files and annual catalogs have been freely used in the preparation of this sketch.

205

William M. Patton, The History of Howard University, 1896.

206

Woodson, The Education of the Negro Prior to 1861, p. 228.

207

Albert Bushnell Hart, The Southern South, pp. 289-291.

208

Probably the most famous of these early schools was the normal school for girls opened by Miss Myrtilla Miner, December 3, 1851, and chartered under the name "Institution for the Education of Colored Youth," under the Miner Board. In 1879 it was taken over by the public school system of the District as the Myrtilla Miner Normal School. From 1871 to 1876 it worked cooperatively with the Normal Department of Howard University.

209

Annual Report of the President of Howard University, September 2, 1869.

210

The relationship between the First Congregational Church and Howard University has been very close from the first. Three of its pastors have become presidents of the University, Doctors Rankin, Boynton and Newman. The church building at the corner of Tenth and G Streets has always been available for use for University exercises when needed. For many years the commencement exercises of various departments were held regularly in that auditorium.

211

Danforth B. Nichols, The Genesis of Howard University, 1892, p. 4.

212

Nichols, The Genesis of Howard University, 1892, pp. 5, 6.

213

Dean Robert Reyburn, Address at the Inauguration of President John Gordon, 1904, p. 9.

214

"Oliver Otis Howard, the founder of the University, and the one whose name it bears, and who was president from April 5, 1869, to December 1, 1873, was born in Leeds, Maine, November 8, 1830. He was graduated at Bowdoin, 1850, and at West Point in 1854. He was instructor in mathematics at West Point in 1854 and resigned in 1861 to take command of the Third Maine Regiment in the War of the Rebellion, in which he served with distinction. For gallantry at the first battle of Bull Run he was made Brigadier-General, September 3. He lost his arm at Fair Oaks, June 1, 1862, and was in the battle of Antietam. In November, 1863, he was made General of Volunteers. He commanded the Eleventh Corps under General Hooker, served at Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, and was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. In the march to the sea he commanded the right wing of Sherman's army, and was brevetted Major-General in the regular army for gallant conduct in the campaign of Atlanta. He was Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau from March, 1865, to July, 1864, when he was assigned to the command of the Department of the Columbia. In 1877 he led the expedition against the Nez Perces Indians and in 1878 against the Bannocks and Piutes. In 1881-1882 he was Superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point. In 1886 he was commissioned Major-General in the regular army.

"In 1863 he was made A.M. by Bowdoin College, and LL.D. in 1865 by Watervelt College. The same degree was given him by Shurtliff College and Gettysburg University. He was made Chevalier of the Legion of Honor of France in 1884. He published war articles in the Century and some stories that are partly autobiographical; also Chief Joseph and the Life of Count Gasparin. In 1892 he was commander of the Department of the Atlantic, and the second in command of the United States Army. Major-General Howard died at Burlington, Vermont, October 26, 1909."—J. E. Rankin, Presidents of Howard University, pp. 11-12.

215

James B. Johnson, Address at the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of Howard University, 1892, p. 18.

216

William M. Patton, The History of Howard University, 1896, p. 30.

217

The tract as originally purchased may be approximately described as extending eastward to the Soldiers' Home grounds and including almost the entire present site of the reservoir (not including the extreme eastward projection) and running south on its eastern boundary to V Street. Its southern boundary was an irregular line passing south of the Medical School building and including a small part of the ground now occupied by the American League baseball park. Its northern boundary toward the east extended up to and at one point a little beyond what is now Hobart Street, tapering toward the west and meeting Georgia Avenue at Fairmount Street. The western, boundary followed Georgia Avenue to Howard Place, whence it followed Sixth Street to the southern boundary.

218

Daniel S. Lamb, Howard University Medical Department, 1900, p. 2.

219

This park was at one time surrendered to the Federal government for the remission of back taxes and exemption from further taxation. Later, when the new Freedmen's Hospital was about to be erected on that site the ground was transferred back to the University. The ground is now leased by the government from Howard University for a rental of one dollar a year.

220

William M. Patton, The History of Howard University, p. 17.

221

The Freedmen's Bureau was established in 1866 by the Federal government for the purpose of promoting the general welfare of the freedmen. General Howard was made commissioner of the organization and held this office until 1872, when it was discontinued. It was through this relation with the Freedmen's Bureau that the University became the creature and ward of the Federal Government, a relation that has been maintained continuously ever since.

The commissioner of the bureau was granted large powers, including the control of all subjects relating to refugees and freedmen from slave States or from any district or county within the territory embraced in the operations of the army, under such rules and regulations as might be prescribed by the head of the bureau and the President.

General Howard during the existence of the bureau disbursed approximately $13,000,000 in various ways. Much of this was used for educational purposes, including all grades of work. Among some of the beneficiaries of this fund were Lincoln University, Wilberforce University, Berea College, Fisk University, Biddle University, Straight University and Lincoln Institute. In his efforts to enable the people of the District of Columbia to share the benefits of this fund the commissioner offered to erect a building for a certain denominational institution located in Washington at that time, on the condition that it become undenominational. The offer was declined, whereupon the trustees of Howard University immediately made application to receive this Federal aid. Because of the location of the proposed institution at the nation's capital the application was favorably acted upon and liberal appropriations made so that the institution might stand as a monument to the nation's philanthropy.

As these large expenditures for Howard University with the other operations of the bureau brought upon General Howard charges of malfeasance, which led to two investigations, it should be said here that both of the official investigations, one civil, the other military, completely exonerated him.—See Report of Special Committee of the Trustees of Howard University upon Certain Charges, etc., 1873, and Act of March 3, 1865, establishing the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands.

222

It is worthy of note that the magnificent new home of the Myrtilla Miner Normal School of Washington is named in honor of the same noble woman. It stands on a site formerly owned by the University and looks upon Miner Hall several hundred yards away across the campus.

223

Much credit for the skillful financial management of the institution during these critical times is due to the secretary and treasurer, Mr. James B. Johnson, who was a potent factor in the early struggles of the institution. He was secretary and treasurer for many years, dying while still in service in 1898.

224

William M. Patton, The History of Howard University, 1896, pp. 21, 22.

225

Mag. of Am. History, XVIII, 424.

226

Boutwell, Report, 1446, 1470.

227

Ibid., 608.

228

These letters are taken from E. B. Washburne's Sketch of Edward Coles, Second Governor of Illinois, and of the Slavery Struggle of 1823-1824.

229

Ibid., p. 18.

230

Jefferson's reply was published in The Journal Op Negro History, Vol. III, p. 83.

231

The last paragraph of Mr. Birkbeck's letter cannot but excite admiration. The quotation from Horace applied with great force to the case of Governor Coles:

"Neither the ardor of citizens ordering base things, nor the face of the threatening tyrant shakes a man just and tenacious of principle from his firm intentions."

232

Hening's Statutes, Vol. X, p. 50.

233

Hening's Statutes, Vol. XI, p. 309; Treat, P. J., National Land System, p. 235.

234

Ibid., Vol. X, pp. 35-45.

235

Winterbotham, An Historical Geographical Commercial and Topographical View of the United States, Vol. 3, pp. 156-157.

236

Kentucky Land Grants, Book 13, p. 59.

237

Ibid., Book 8, p. 228.

238

Shaler's Autobiography, p. 33.

239

Michaux (Thwaite's Reprint), Travels to the West of the Allegheny Mountains, Vol. 3, p. 237.

240

Shaler, N. S., Kentucky, p. 196.

241

Greeley, Horace, Writings, Speeches and Addresses of Cassius M. Clay, p. 177.

242

Collected Documents, 1847, p. 581.

243

Stowe, Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin, p. 143.

244

Louisville Weekly Journal, October 17, 1849.

245

Shaler's Autobiography, p. 36.

246

Louisville Public Advertiser, December 24, 1829.

247

Lexington Observer and Kentucky Reporter, February 27, 1834.

248

Louisville Weekly Journal, March 4, 1846.

249

Louisville Weekly Journal, September 3, 1845.

250

Lexington Observer and Kentucky Reporter, Jan. 28, 1835.

251

Ibid., July 9, 1834.

252

Lexington Observer and Kentucky Reporter, Jan. 7, 1835.

253

Louisville Weekly Journal, August 6, 1845.

254

Bairdstown Candid Review, June 20, 1809.

255

Louisville Weekly Journal, May 2, 1849.

256

Louisville Weekly Journal, September 26, 1849.

257

Lexington Western Luminary, June 5, 1833.

258

Blanchard and Rice, Debates on Slavery, p. 133.

259

Louisville Weekly Journal, July 30, 1845.

260

Ibid., July 19, 1848.

261

Ibid., August 14, 1850.

262

Ibid., August 2, 1848.

263

St. Louis Daily Times, October 14, 1852.

264

Louisville Daily Journal, November 23, 1848.

265

Louisville Public Advertiser, November 2, 1825.

266

Ibid., September 13, 1826.

267

Louisville Daily Times, March 1, 1854.

268

Slavery and Internal Slave Trade in the U. S., p. 12.

269

Martin, Asa E., Anti-Slavery Movement in Kentucky, p. 89.

270

Collins, History of Kentucky, Vol. 1, p. 74.

271

Henderson Weekly Commercial, January 29, 1858.

272

Georgetown Gazette, December 23, 1858.

273

Weekly Free South (Newport), April 29, 1859.

274

Debates of the Convention of 1849, p. 73.

275

Little, L. P., Ben Hardin, his Times and Contemporaries, p. 544.

276

Presbyterian Herald, April 12, 1849.

277

Collected Documents, 1847, pp. 581-583; 1853, pp. 401-403; 1860, pp. 241-246.

278

Littell's Laws, 1: 32.

279

Brown, John Mason, The Political Beginnings of Kentucky, p. 229.

280

Littell's Laws, 1: 44.

281

Ibid., 1: 161.

282

Littell's Laws, 2: 113.

283

Littell's Laws, 2: 114.

284

Littell's Laws, 2: 116-117.

285

Littell's Laws, 2: 117-118.

286

Littell's Laws, 3: 403.

287

Ibid., 2: 117-118.

288

Niles' Register, February 2, 1830.

289

Littell's Laws, 4: 223-224.

290

Stroud, Laws relating to Slavery, p. 86. Littell & Swigert, 2: 1066-9; 1060-4.