Custis, George Washington Parke, 1781-1857 to W. B. Todd
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04989 Author/Creator: Custis, George Washington Parke, 1781-1857 Place Written: Arlington, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 October 1854 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket Height: 25 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy
Custis, the adopted son (and step-grandson) of George Washington, writes to Todd in Washington, D.C. Recently read a letter stating, "from a prohibitory Law in the District of Columbia touching the hiring of Negro Slaves from Virginia in the District, there was much probability of said Negroes so hired recovering their freedom." Writes, "I have no desire that any of my Negroes should be getting their freedom otherwise than by my giving it to them. I regret these circumstances as the girl Amanda is hired to you much to my satisfaction, & I have no wish to take her from so good a situation as the one she has in your family, more specifically, as she is contented & happy in your service."
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