" Laugh an' sing until to-morrow, 'Tis de Darkies holiday!
Chorus. Let's be gay, &c."

NOT a veritable, constitutional, black Governor for the whites, Reader-no-but a chief executive black officer, among the blacks, for themselves! We alluded to the circumstance in our, Article Third on Hartford, but finding it little understood, we cheerfully comply with a request from several sources to explain it.

For many years previous to the American Revolution, throughout this event, and long after-down nearly to 1820, and perhaps a little later-it was the custom of the negroes of Connecticut, in imitation of the whites, to elect a Governor for themselves. This they generally effected on some day, usually the Saturday next succeeding the Election Day of the whites, and they called it their "Lection Day." At this time they were generally assembled in unusual numbers, with their masters, in one of the capitals of the State. They of course made their election to a large extent, deputatively, as all could not be present, but uniformly yielded to it their assent-and their confidence was at times so unlimited, that without any choice by themselves, they readily permitted their existing Governor to assign his office over to another one of his color-as will be seen in a case we shall soon quote.

The person they selected for the office in question, was usually one of much note among themselves, of imposing presence, strength, firmness and volubility, who was quick to decide, ready to command, and able to flog. If he was inclined to be a little arbitrary, belonged. to a master of distinction, and was ready to pay freely for diversions-these were circumstances in his favor. Still it was necessary he should be an honest negro, and be, or appear to be, " wise above his fellows." When elected, he had his aids, his parade, and appointed military officers, sheriffs, and justices of the peace. The precise sphere of his power we cannot ascertain. Probably it embraced " matters and things in general" among the blacks, morals, manners, and ceremonies. He settled all grave disputes in the last resort, questioned conduct, and imposed penalties and punishments sometimes for vice or misconduct. He was respected as " Gubernor," say many old gentlemen to us, by the negroes throughout the State, and obeyed almost implicitly.

His parade days were marked by much that was showy, and by some things that were ludicrous. A troop of blacks, sometimes an hundred in number, marching sometimes two and two on foot, sometimes mounted in true military style and dress on horseback, escorted him through the streets, with drums beating, colors flying, and fifes, fiddles, clarionets, and every "sonorous metal" that could be found, "uttering martial sound." After marching to their content, they would retire to some large room which they would engage for the purpose, for refreshments and deliberation. This was all done with the greatest regard to ceremony. His ebony excellency would pass through the files of his procession, supported by his aids, with an air of consummate dignity, to his quarters, and there receive the congratulations of his friends, and dispense the favor of his salutations, his opinions and his appointments. One of these occasions, in Hinsdale's tavern, on the site now occupied by Hon. H. Barnard, is well remembered by an old gentleman now living, who informs us that Quaw, a negro then belonging to Col. George Wyllys, enacted the Governor at this time to great satisfaction, and was the stiffest and proudest " Darkie" he ever saw.

Another of the black governors at one time was Peleg Nott, who belonged to Col. Jeremiah Wadsworth. Peleg was a " first-rate feller," we are told-remarkable for his exact dress and military bearing. He superintended his master's farm in West Hartford, the same now occupied by Z. Alden, Esq., and was, to use the language of our informant, "the most independent man in the West Division." He drove a Provision Cart in the war while Col. Wadsworth was Commissary. When elected Governor, a curious accident befel him. The place of the election was on the Neck, near the north burying yard. Peleg, after he was chosen, had no sooner mounted his horse, booted and spurred, than his impatient and fiery steed started at once for a pond which then lay a little south of the cemetery mentioned, and plunging headlong into it, bespattered his excellency from head to foot with mud and water. Not long after this occurrence, Peleg met Col. Wadsworth, one day, and the following dialogue occurred. " Massa, me want to be free," said Peleg. " What do you want to be free for?" said Col. Wadsworth. " Oh Massa, freedom's sweet," replied Peleg Well then," said his master, " I'll make you free.'" "When will you make me so?" inquired Peleg. " Now," answered Col. Wadsworth -" you are free from this day." And he became so.

Boston, belonging to a Air. Nichols, who left him a handsome estate, was another of the black governors. He lived in Cole Street, and was a genuine African. He used to boast that the real Guinea negro never stole, but only negroes born in this country. All who remember him, and there are many, concur in giving him the character of " a stable, respectable man." He held his office many years-and when he died, which was about forty years ago, he was buried with funeral honors. With his cocked hat and sword upon his coffin, and followed by a numerous train, he was carried into the South Congregational Church, and there Dr. Flint pronounced a sort of funeral eulogy over his remains, which were afterwards deposited in the Centre Burying Ground. He had a son named Roman, who was crazy, and in his craziness was intolerably filthy. A ludicrous anecdote is told of Roman and Dr: Strong. The latter once employed Roman to hive a swarm of bees. When within about twenty feet of the swarm, it suddenly formed in a solid battalion about six inches deep and three feet long, and poured on directly to wards Roman with such impetuosity that Dr. Strong thought the poor fellow would certainly be kille But the swarm, soon as it approached within two feet of him, abruptly turned off in another direction and left him undisturbed. " The bees," added our informant, "couldn't stand Roman!"

There were many other black governors from other parts of the State than Hartford; from Middletown, Norwich, Wallingford, Peter Freeman from Farmington, &c. Others from Hartford were Cuff and John Anderson.

The following extract from Hinman's American Revolution presents curious facts with regard to these blacks, and to whites also. They will richly reward perusal:

At the early period of the war, (May 14, 1776,) the Americans were jealous and alarmed at the rustling of every leaf, and watchful of every movement. At this time, Cuff was Governor of the blacks in Connecticut. He had held the office for ten years, and on the 11th of May aforesaid, he resigned his office to John Anderson, a negro servant of Gov. Skeen, which resignation and appointment were in the words and figures following, viz:

Hartford, " 1th May, 1776.

"I Governor Cuff of the Niegro's in the province of Connecticut, do Resign my Govermentshipe to John Anderson, Niegor Man to Governor Skene. "And I hope that you will obeye him as you have Done me for this ten years past, when Colonel Willis' Niegor Diyed, I was the next. But being weak and unfit for that office do Resine the said Governmentshipe to John Anderson.

"I: John Anderson having the Honour to be appointed Governor over you, I will do my utmost endevere to serve you in Every Respect, and I hope you will obey me accordingly.

JOHN ANDERSON, Governor over the Niegors in Connecticut.

Witnesses present, The late Governor Cuff, Hartford, Quackow, Petter Wadsworth, Titows, Pomp Willis, John Jones, Fraday."

May, 1776. At this appointment, the citizens of Hartford became alarmed; Gov. Skeen was at once suspected of being concerned in his negro's election, with some design upon the citizens of the state. Therefore the Governor and Council of the colony convened at Hartford, took the subject into solemn consideration, and appointed a committee to investigate the subject, of which Jesse Root Esq., was chairman; the committee took with them a constable and immediately repaired to Gov. Skeen's lodgings, found his door locked, and the governor absent. One of the committee remained to guard his room, while others proceeded after him, and found him returning home, and brought him before the committee, and on enquiry whether he had carried on any correspondence with our enemies, be answered he had sacredly kept his engagements in his parole, and had no papers but his own private papers, and offered his keys to the committee to examine his papers. He was asked if he had any previous knowledge of the negroes electing his servant governor of the negroes, or had any hand in effecting said election-which he denied, except a few words that passed between a Mr. Williams and his negro, which be supposed was mere sport, and had no hand in bringing it to pass, directly or indirectly. He was enquired of if he gave his negro money to make a feast for the negroes-he answered that he gave him a half-joe to keep election, but that he knew nothing of the treat at Knox's; that on Friday be heard his negro was chosen governor, and was fearful it might excite jealousy, and even avoided speaking to him to avoid suspicion, and declared upon his honor he had no papers about him.

" The committee then proceeded to examine the negro governor, who stated that one Sharper, a negro man, first mentioned to him about being governor, and that he informed the negroes, if they would elect him, he would treat them to the amount of $20, and it had cost him $25, but declared that no regular officer or soldier had spoken to him on the subject; that there was no scheme or plot, and that he had done it as a matter of sport, and intended no injury to the country, but had the curiosity of seeing an election; that he had been informed the negroes chose a governor annually and thought he would set up for it. He stated that He got his $25 by going in a vessel on the lakes, where he had certain perquisites of his own.

The committee made many other enquiries of Gov. Skeen and his servants, together with the captain, (Delaplace.) And ex-Governor Cuff' stated that he had been advised to resign his office to Skeen's negro by some of' his black friends and some of the regulars, and that he appointed him without an election, as some of them declared they would not have a tory for a governor. On Friday night after the election, the negroes had a dance and entertainment at Mr. Knox's, in Hartford, at an expense of 50s., which was paid by others, and Gov. Skeen's negroes were not allowed to pay anything. This bill was paid by Majors French and Dermot; which facts were stated to the Governor and Council by Jesse Root Esq., Chairman, May 22d, 1776."

Curious, Reader, is it not? You will laugh and wonder, no doubt-perhaps inquire what on the whole was the influence of the custom under consideration? Well, we are satisfied from all we have heard that this influence was a useful one. "It kept the blacks in good order," say many old gentlemen to us, "while it at the same time innocently gratified their fondness for enjoyment." Their peace justices or Squires, as they were called, really at times entertained important cases, but decided them most generally with a leaning towards severity. Here is a case illustrating this last statement.

A black in Hartford, who had been guilty of thieving, was taken before Jonathan Bull Esq., for trial. " Better carry him down to Squire Nep," said Mr. Bull. It was accordingly done. Now Nep, or Neptune as he was called at length, was a black justice of the peace-a barber by trade, and noted for his integrity, sternness, and influence with those of his own color. He was much respected too by the whites. Squire Nep heard the case, ordered the criminal to give up all his tobacco and his gun by way of restitution, and sentenced him to receive thirty lashes on his bare back. This sentence was carried into effect on the South Green-by candle light. The lashes were put on, says our informant, " most unmercifully"-and though the candle went out two or three times during the process, it was re-lighted, that the sentence might be carried into full effect. A threat to be carried to "old Nep," always operated as a terror to the blacks, and kept them orderly.

We have got a well-behaved set of them now, taken as a whole-it is certain. Many of them are "prime" in a better than a mercantile sense. Our city is in this respect favored. SAEVA.