Ok, who was the author? Let's get to that, but first let's clear the air on some debates that have been allowed to linger to simply illustrate the continued inaccuracies in some of those contrary opinions.
The debate over the identities of “Clay, Coles, Jackson, Witcher, and Chief Justice Marshall”....some have repeatedly argued with great romance that these men were of local identity of importance when in fact the author makes clear the opposite when he writes; “This house he conducted for many years, enjoying the friendship and countenance of the first men of the country. Amongst his guests and devoted personal friends Jackson, Clay, Coles, Witcher, Chief Justice Marshall, and a host of others scarcely less distinguished, might be enumerated.” This information has clearly been there all along.
Second, the debate over the importance Richmond and where the party members were from. This also being clearly detailed when the author writes, “but that the gentlemen accompanying him would leave in a few days for Richmond, near which place they resided, ..” This information is describing what would become known as known as Jackson Ward which during the period rested just outside of Richmond proper. Again this information, and by the author's own hand, has been there all along.
Third, that the party consisted of free men of color, this also clearly being detailed by the author when he writes; "In person, he was about six feet in height, with jet black eyes and hair of the same color, worn longer than was the style at that time. His form was symmetrical, and gave evidence of unusual strength and activity; but his distinguishing feature was a dark and swarthy complexion, as if much exposure to the sun and weather had thoroughly tanned and discolored him;..” and this being further described when he adds; “They all appeared to be gentlemen, well born, and well educated, with refined and courteous manners and with afree and independent air, which rendered them peculiarly attractive.”
OK, now that we have these lingering calamities cleared up there can no longer be any doubt that the party consisted of free men of color and that they originated from what is known as Jackson Ward, Richmond, Virginia. Nor can there any longer be any debate over the exact identities of the referenced Clay, Coles, Witcher, Jackson,, and Chief Justice Marshall.” If you still feel compelled to believe otherwise then you are simply cuddling a local romance that will forever leave you rambling along on the wrong roads.
As for the author of the pamphlet, this was Thomas J. Beale of Jackson Ward, Richmond, Virginia, which is about to be fully explained in the following post.
All of this other stuff is pretty meaningless in the big scheme of things.
