18^ beyond that at which Mr. Sumner had purchased him. But these gentlemen having refused to aid and abet a speculation so monstrous, and Mr. Sumner having ascertained that Mr. Lowndes had purchased the family, offered the servant at a price beyond that at which he'had purchased him. Mr, Lowndes finally acceded, having the satisfaction of restoring the father to his family. It is a circumstance worthy of being mentioned that, in replying to Mr. Sumner, Mr. Lowndes, with the feelings which fill the bosom of a slaveholder who feels himself to be the protector and benefactor of his slaves, took the occasion of expressing, in a letter, (which he submitted to Colonel Ashe and myself,) his denunciation of the proceeding in terms that would have aroused a southern gentleman. The above, as far as my memory serves me is a true and unvarnished account of the case to which Mr. Tiffany alluded. The circumstances are impressed upon my memory, from the fact of my having been particularly acquainted with them at th'e time, having been in consultation with Mr. Lowndes, and as events which do violence to one’s feelings are calculated to make an impression. ' I will call upon Mr. Lowndes for a statement of the circumstances, as far as'he recollects them, and I may probably delay this to go simultaneously with his. Jam, dear sir, with esteem and respect, yours truly, WILLIAM B. PRINGLE.* Hon. William Aikkn, House of Representatives. Mr. EVANS. On that letter I have rio comment to make, and here I take my leave of the subject of slavery. Sir, I have been at the North, hhave seen much, very much, there to admire; I have seen some things that I should be glad my countrymen would avail themselves of. I doubt not, if northern gentlemen (I believe very few—nona but invalids and commercial men:—ever visit our country) would come among us.'and see our institutions—if they were to see how practically this form of civil izationoperates there, very much of their prejudice would be removed. There is nothing that I look upon with so much horror as the sectional jealousy which is fanning every day, and will shortly be fanned into a blaze, I feat, between the two sections of the country There is nothing that I could do, consistent with duty and ■ consistent with honor, which I would not do to prevent it. I am no prophet; I would avoid, as far as I can, to look into the dark future which these things seem to indicate. I have often had occasion to say that I am a hopeful man; that I never look upon the dark side of things if I can possibly avoid it; but it is impossible that I should conceal from myself what the poet says, that “Coining events cast their shadows before.” ****** 8iy observation in the course of an experience of upwards of half a century, was one in which Mr. Albert Sumner, the brother of the ^k>n. Charles Sumner, was chief agent. [Applause, and laughter in the galleries.] Mr. STUART. Mr. President, I insist that the Chair shall preserve order. If it is necessary to clear the galleries, I hope it will be effected for ence, so that people may know what belongs to the proprieties of the Senate, If the Senate is to be turned into a theater, let us know it. I would be glad at this time if the Chair would exercise the authority which belongs to him to clear that part of the galleries from which the noise emanated. Mr. WELLERi That would certainly be very unfair. There could not be more than two or three persons engaged in the disturbance, and I should hate very much to see the whole gallery cleared because there happened to be two or three disorderly persons in the Senate Chamber. It is rarely you will find so large an assemblage as this that does not contain some persons who do not know how to behave themselves If the applause had been a general thing, it would be proper to clear the galleries; but it was confined to two or three persons—not more than that—and I hope, therefore, that no notice will be taken of the matter, and that there will be no further disturbance in the Senate. The PRESIDING OFFICER, (Mr. Bigler in the chair.) The Secretary will proceed with the reading of the letter. The Secretary continued, as follows: Upon Mr. Tiffany’s expressing much surprise, I told him that I was present on the occasion ;that if at anytime he should think proper to mention the fact, he might give me as his authority. Being referred to, I will, in conformity with your request, furnish you with the details as far as my memory serves me. In the winter of 1844, Mr. Albert Stunner became entitled by marriage to a distributive share of the estate of Mr. and Mrs. S. Ball, of this State, by a decree of the court of equity in the case of Pell and Ball. At a sale of the negroes, in pursuance of the order of the court, I was present, and remarked that Mr. Sumner was very active in the management and arrangement of the sale. Among the negroes was a man servant remarkable for his fidelity to his former master, who by the oflicerof the court was advertised to be sold, as is customary, with his family. Our friend, Mr. Charles T. Lowndes, proceeded to the sale with the intention of purchasing the’aforesaid family, (for his overseer,) but to- the surprise and indignation of Mr. Lowndes and the other bystanders, it was discovered that' the father had been withdrawn and sold separately from his family, by the direction of Mr. Sumner, under promise, as was understood, of great indulgence in consideration of his I past services. Underthese circumstances he was purchased by Mr. Sumner or his agent at a moderate rate. But in a very short time afterwards he was offered for sale by Mr. Sumner to more than one gehtleman at a price much ; * There are several other letters to the same effect.
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