Page:A history concerning the pension claim of Harriet Tubman.djvu/8

 deserving of a pension from the Government for her services as any other of its faithful servants.

Signed very truly yours, Rufus Saxton Bvt. Brig. General U. S. A.

To Mrs. Mary Derby Auburn, N.Y.

When in Washington in July 1865 Harriet was in need of money, and applied to Mr. Sec. Seward to present her claim to the proper Department. Gen'l Hunter being then in Washington, Mr. Seward refered the matter to him in a note, of which the annexed is a copy:

", July 25, 1865.

Harriet Tubman, a colored woman, has been nursing our soldiers during nearly all the war. She believes she has claims for faithful services to the command in South Carolina, with which you are connected, and she thinks that you would be disposed to see her claim justly settled.

I have known her long as a noble, high spirit, as true as seldom dwells in the human form. I commend her therefore to your kind attention.

Faithfully your friend,

Major"

But no pay whatever was obtained—and another attempt has been made since—I believe with the same result.

This letter of Mr. Seward shows the estimate of Harriet Tubman by all who know her—she is known throught this State and New England as an honest, earnest and most self-sacrificing woman. The substance of this statement has been obtained from her lips and in making it up I have before me the original