Washington, George, 1732-1799 to James McHenry re: news of Lafayette, conspiracy to return a slave
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02065 Author/Creator: Washington, George, 1732-1799 Place Written: Mount Vernon, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: [1786/11/11] Pagination: 3 p. + addr 22.9 x 18.4 cm. Order a Copy
Describes his scheme to return a runaway slave to his master William Drayton of Charleston, S.C. After visiting Mount Vernon with his master, the enslaved person escaped and returned to Washington's home. Washington writes that "[t]he fellow pretends a willingness to return to his master, but I think it would be unsafe to trust to this, especially as he has discovered a great inclination to get back to Philadelphia..." Washington notes that he has sent the enslaved person to Baltimore "under the impression of assisting in bringing the Jack and mules home but the real design... is to have him shipped for Charleston...." Slight losses to text and loss of downstrokes in Washington's signature. Date from Fitzpatrick.
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