Record Data
Source citation
“Visit to Dred Scott – His Family – Incidents of his Life – Decisions of the Supreme Court,” Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, 27 June 1857.
Newspaper: Publication
Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper
Newspaper: Headline
Visit to Dred Scott – His Family – Incidents of his Life – Decisions of the Supreme Court
Type
Newspaper
Date Certainty
Exact
Transcriber
Cara Holtry
Transcription date
Transcriber's Comments
not sure
Transcription
The following text is presented here in complete form, as it originally appeared in print. Spelling and other typographical errors have been preserved as in the original.
VISIT TO DRED SCOTT – HIS FAMILY – INCIDENTS OF HIS LIFE – DECISION OF THE SUPREME COURT.
While standing in the Fair grounds at St. Louis, and engaged in conversation with a prominent citizen of that enterprising city, he suddenly asked us if we would not like to be introduced to Dred Scott. Upon expressing a desire to be thus honored, the gentlemen called to an old negro who was standing near by, and our wish was gratified. Dred made a rude obeisance to our recognition, and seemed to enjoy the notice we expended upon him. We found him on examination to be a pure-blooded African, perhaps fifty years of age, with a shrewd, intelligent, good-natured face, of rather light frame, being not more than five feet six inches high. After some general remarks we expressed a wish to get his portrait (we had made efforts before, through correspondents, and failed), and him if he would not go to Fitzgibbon’s gallery and have it taken. The gentlemen [unknown word] explained to Dred that it was proper he should have his likeness in the “great illustrated paper of the country,” overruled his many objections, which seemed to grow out of a superstitious feeling, and he promised to be at the gallery the next day. This appointment Dred did not keep. Determined not to be foiled, we sought an interview with Mr. Crane, Dred’s lawyer, who promptly gave us a letter of introduction, explaining to Dred that it was to his advantage to have his picture taken to be engraved for our paper, and also directions where we could find his domicile. We found the place with difficulty, the streets in Dred’s neighborhood being more clearly defined in plan of the city than on the mother earth; we finally reached a wooden house, however, protected by a balcony that answered the description. Approaching the door, we saw a smart, tidy-looking [negress?], perhaps thirty years of age, who, with two female assists was busy ironing. To our questions, “Is this where Dred Scott lives?” we received, rather hesitatingly, the answer, “Yes.” Upon our asking if he was home, she said,
“What white man arter dad nigger for? – why don’t white man ‘tend to his own business, and let dat nigger ‘long? Some of dese days dey’l steal dat nigger – dat are a fact.”
While standing in the Fair grounds at St. Louis, and engaged in conversation with a prominent citizen of that enterprising city, he suddenly asked us if we would not like to be introduced to Dred Scott. Upon expressing a desire to be thus honored, the gentlemen called to an old negro who was standing near by, and our wish was gratified. Dred made a rude obeisance to our recognition, and seemed to enjoy the notice we expended upon him. We found him on examination to be a pure-blooded African, perhaps fifty years of age, with a shrewd, intelligent, good-natured face, of rather light frame, being not more than five feet six inches high. After some general remarks we expressed a wish to get his portrait (we had made efforts before, through correspondents, and failed), and him if he would not go to Fitzgibbon’s gallery and have it taken. The gentlemen [unknown word] explained to Dred that it was proper he should have his likeness in the “great illustrated paper of the country,” overruled his many objections, which seemed to grow out of a superstitious feeling, and he promised to be at the gallery the next day. This appointment Dred did not keep. Determined not to be foiled, we sought an interview with Mr. Crane, Dred’s lawyer, who promptly gave us a letter of introduction, explaining to Dred that it was to his advantage to have his picture taken to be engraved for our paper, and also directions where we could find his domicile. We found the place with difficulty, the streets in Dred’s neighborhood being more clearly defined in plan of the city than on the mother earth; we finally reached a wooden house, however, protected by a balcony that answered the description. Approaching the door, we saw a smart, tidy-looking [negress?], perhaps thirty years of age, who, with two female assists was busy ironing. To our questions, “Is this where Dred Scott lives?” we received, rather hesitatingly, the answer, “Yes.” Upon our asking if he was home, she said,
“What white man arter dad nigger for? – why don’t white man ‘tend to his own business, and let dat nigger ‘long? Some of dese days dey’l steal dat nigger – dat are a fact.”