About This Book
A former slave recounts personal memories of serving the president and household life, describing daily duties at the presidential residence, interactions with political and military figures, and specific episodes during the war including the approach of British forces, the evacuation and looting of the capital, and the burning of public buildings. He records anecdotes about cabinet debates, reviews of militia and naval detachments, Mrs. Madison's hurried flight and efforts to save valuables, and the experiences of enslaved and free Black attendants. The narrative closes with later reflections on freedom, employment in government service, and the persistence of memory about these events.
About the Author
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