During his visit to the United States, in 1825, he made inquiries for several Colored soldiers whom he remembered as participating with him in various skirmishes.
KOSCIUSKO'S TRIBUTE TO COLORED SOLDIERS.
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."