WASHINGTON, George. Autograph document signed ("G: o Washington"), constituting a detailed list of 40 slaves, headed "A list of Negroes the property of Mrs. French, in possession of George Washington, by virtue of a Contract which is to terminate with the life of the former." Originally enclosed in a letter (not present) to Benjamin Dulany, Mount Vernon, 15 July 1799.
WASHINGTON, George. Autograph document signed ("G: o Washington"), constituting a detailed list of 40 slaves, headed "A list of Negroes the property of Mrs. French, in possession of George Washington, by virtue of a Contract which is to terminate with the life of the former." Originally enclosed in a letter (not present) to Benjamin Dulany, Mount Vernon, 15 July 1799. 4 pages, small folio ( 9 5/8 x 8 7/8 in.). Ruled in three vertical columns labeled: "Names," "Age," and "Remarks"; further divided horizontally into four segments for ["Men"], "Women," "Boys & Girls who work on the crops," and "Children." Partial fold separations, some mended with white paper, a few glue smudges and light browning. FIVE MONTHS BEFORE HIS DEATH, WASHINGTON SEEKS TO DIVEST HIMSELF OF 40 SLAVES LEASED FROM A NEIGHBOR A fascinating record of Washington's difficult endeavor, late in life, to cope with the complications relating to the status of a portion of the slaves at Mount Vernon. In 1786, he had leased two tracts of land on Dogue Run from a neighbor, Mrs Penelope Manley French. The 500 acres known as French's Farm included the labor of Mrs. French's slaves, which he here proposes to return to her control. On 15 July he wrote to Benjamin Dulany, son-in-law and executor of Mrs. French, explaining his motives: "As I grow no tobacco, and probably never shall, I have it in contemplation to make some material changes in the oeconomy of my farms. To accomplish this object, a reduction of the present force on them is necessary..." Might it be "agreeable to Mrs. French -- or to you -- to whom they will ultimately revert, I am induced by a sense of propriety & respect; and from a persuation [ sic ] that every humane owner of that species of property would rather have it in his own keeping, then suffer it to be in the possession of others, to offer you all the Negroes I hold, belonging to that Estate." Washington goes on to propose a plan to insure a fair valuation of those slaves: stipulating that "the whole of them, old, middle aged and the young --be valued by "three disinterested and judicious men" whose judgment shall be conclusive." As a gesture, "that you may be enabled to form an opinion of their usefulness, from the kind of Negroes I am making you an offer of, I enclose a list of them, with remarks, which and their ages, I believe to be accurate..." In conclusion, he politely asks "an answer, as soon as you can conveniently decide upon the measure, would be very agreeable" Writings , ed. D. Towhig, Retirement series, vol.4, pp. 189-190). At some point Washington's cover letter to Dulany and the list of the slaves Washington hoped to sell became separated. The list's whereabouts--until now--have long been unknown. The only other copy of the letter to Dulany, a surviving press copy at the New York Public Library, is spotty and illegible in places ( Writings , ed. Dorothy Twohig, Retirement Series, vol.189-190). The present version -- the recipient's copy--is clear and completely readable. In preparing the list Washington devoted considerable time to observe and document the slaves in question. At the bottom of page 3, Washington tallies the slaves. They are organized into four columns, enumerating nine men, nine women, six "Boys & girls who Work in the Crops," and sixteen "Children," for a grand total of 40. In three ruled columns he records their "Names," "Ages etc.," and, at the right, space for general "Remarks." The particular skills and physical condition of the adult slaves are carefully recorded. The oldest male slave is "Will," recorded as "Old but hearty"; he "looks after the Stock-- Repairs the Fences and keeps them in order." Will and two succeeding slaves are labeled "In his prime." Another slave, 28-year-old "Tom," age 28, is described as "A good Mower and an excellent Ploughman, but unfortunately, from some tumour in his head it is feared that blindness, partial if not entire may ensue.--He has been constantly attended by Dr. Craik
WASHINGTON, George. Autograph document signed ("G: o Washington"), constituting a detailed list of 40 slaves, headed "A list of Negroes the property of Mrs. French, in possession of George Washington, by virtue of a Contract which is to terminate with the life of the former." Originally enclosed in a letter (not present) to Benjamin Dulany, Mount Vernon, 15 July 1799.
WASHINGTON, George. Autograph document signed ("G: o Washington"), constituting a detailed list of 40 slaves, headed "A list of Negroes the property of Mrs. French, in possession of George Washington, by virtue of a Contract which is to terminate with the life of the former." Originally enclosed in a letter (not present) to Benjamin Dulany, Mount Vernon, 15 July 1799. 4 pages, small folio ( 9 5/8 x 8 7/8 in.). Ruled in three vertical columns labeled: "Names," "Age," and "Remarks"; further divided horizontally into four segments for ["Men"], "Women," "Boys & Girls who work on the crops," and "Children." Partial fold separations, some mended with white paper, a few glue smudges and light browning. FIVE MONTHS BEFORE HIS DEATH, WASHINGTON SEEKS TO DIVEST HIMSELF OF 40 SLAVES LEASED FROM A NEIGHBOR A fascinating record of Washington's difficult endeavor, late in life, to cope with the complications relating to the status of a portion of the slaves at Mount Vernon. In 1786, he had leased two tracts of land on Dogue Run from a neighbor, Mrs Penelope Manley French. The 500 acres known as French's Farm included the labor of Mrs. French's slaves, which he here proposes to return to her control. On 15 July he wrote to Benjamin Dulany, son-in-law and executor of Mrs. French, explaining his motives: "As I grow no tobacco, and probably never shall, I have it in contemplation to make some material changes in the oeconomy of my farms. To accomplish this object, a reduction of the present force on them is necessary..." Might it be "agreeable to Mrs. French -- or to you -- to whom they will ultimately revert, I am induced by a sense of propriety & respect; and from a persuation [ sic ] that every humane owner of that species of property would rather have it in his own keeping, then suffer it to be in the possession of others, to offer you all the Negroes I hold, belonging to that Estate." Washington goes on to propose a plan to insure a fair valuation of those slaves: stipulating that "the whole of them, old, middle aged and the young --be valued by "three disinterested and judicious men" whose judgment shall be conclusive." As a gesture, "that you may be enabled to form an opinion of their usefulness, from the kind of Negroes I am making you an offer of, I enclose a list of them, with remarks, which and their ages, I believe to be accurate..." In conclusion, he politely asks "an answer, as soon as you can conveniently decide upon the measure, would be very agreeable" Writings , ed. D. Towhig, Retirement series, vol.4, pp. 189-190). At some point Washington's cover letter to Dulany and the list of the slaves Washington hoped to sell became separated. The list's whereabouts--until now--have long been unknown. The only other copy of the letter to Dulany, a surviving press copy at the New York Public Library, is spotty and illegible in places ( Writings , ed. Dorothy Twohig, Retirement Series, vol.189-190). The present version -- the recipient's copy--is clear and completely readable. In preparing the list Washington devoted considerable time to observe and document the slaves in question. At the bottom of page 3, Washington tallies the slaves. They are organized into four columns, enumerating nine men, nine women, six "Boys & girls who Work in the Crops," and sixteen "Children," for a grand total of 40. In three ruled columns he records their "Names," "Ages etc.," and, at the right, space for general "Remarks." The particular skills and physical condition of the adult slaves are carefully recorded. The oldest male slave is "Will," recorded as "Old but hearty"; he "looks after the Stock-- Repairs the Fences and keeps them in order." Will and two succeeding slaves are labeled "In his prime." Another slave, 28-year-old "Tom," age 28, is described as "A good Mower and an excellent Ploughman, but unfortunately, from some tumour in his head it is feared that blindness, partial if not entire may ensue.--He has been constantly attended by Dr. Craik
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
