Since my last to you
from Mount Vernon, your letters of the 3d. and 5th. Instant have been recd.,
the last at this place where I arrived yesterday to dinner.
If the case is as
you suspect, it is expedient and proper to remove Washington to a School in
which he will make some progress in his learning; and that it is so, I have had
suspicions for some time, principally on account of his fondness of going to
the College. Boys of his age are better pleased with relaxed discipline—and the
inattention of their tutors, than with conduct that brings them forward. It
would have been highly pleasing to me (for the reasons, which I have often
expressed) to have continued Washington at the College, but, if after the
enquiries you have made, it should appear, that there is either incompetency in
the masters from the number of boys in the School, or from other causes, I will
not waste his time in compliment to that Seminary,—but before you finally
decide on this matter, it is my wish as Colo. Hamilton, Genl. Knox and the
Attorney-General have sons in the same predicament (if they are not removed)
that you would consult and act in Concert with them; & I shall be satisfied
in whatever is done in consequence of it. And should like to have him at the
same School that Hamilton's son goes to.
The
Attorney-General's case and mine I conceive, from a conversation I had with him
respecting our Slaves, is some what different. He in order to qualify himself
for practice in the Courts of Pennsylvania, was obliged to take the Oaths of
Citizenship to that State; whilst my residence is incidental as an Officer of
Government only, but whether among people who are in the practice of enticing slaves even where
there is no colour of law for it, this distinction will avail,
I know not, and therefore beg you will take the best advise you can on the
subject, and in case it shall be found that any of my Slaves may, or any for
them shall attempt their freedom at the expiration of six months, it is my wish
and desire that you would send the whole, or such part of them as Mrs.
Washington may not chuse to keep, home—for although I do not think they would
be benefitted by the change, yet the idea of freedom might be too great a
temptation for them to resist. At any rate it might, if they conceived they had
right to it, make them insolent in a State of Slavery. As all except Hercules
and Paris are dower negroes, it behoves me to prevent the emancipation of them,
otherwise I shall not only loose the use of them, but may
have them to pay for. If upon taking good advise it is found expedient to send
them back to Virginia, I wish to have it accomplished under pretext that may
deceive both them and the Public;—and none I think would so effectually do
this, as Mrs. Washington coming to Virginia next month (towards the middle or
latter end of it, as she seemed to have a wish to do) if she can accomplish it
by any convenient and agreeable means, with the assistance of the Stage Horses
&c. This would naturally bring her maid and Austin and Hercules under the
idea of coming home to Cook whilst we remained there, might be
sent on in the Stage. Whether there is occasion for this or not according to
the result of your enquiries, or issue the thing as it may, I request that
these Sentiments and this advise may be known to none but yourself & Mrs. Washington. From
the following expression in your letter "that those who were of age might
follow the example of his (the Attorney's people) after a residence "of
six months"—it would seem that none could apply before the end of May—&
that the non age of Christopher, Richmond & Oney is a bar to them.
I offer Mrs. Lear
the child and yourself my best wishes—and with Sincere Esteem I am
Your Affecte. friend
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