The True George Washington [10th Ed.]Ford, Paul Leicester
History
The True George Washington [10th Ed.]
Ford, Paul Leicester
Generals -- United States -- Biography; Presidents -- United States -- Biography; Washington, George, 1732-1799
Another “misbehaving fellow” was shipped off in 1791, and was sold for
“one pipe and Quarter Cask of wine from the West Indies.” Sometimes
only the threat of such riddance was used, as when an overseer
complained of one slave, and his master replied, “I am very sorry that
so likely a fellow as Matilda’s Ben should addict himself to such
courses as he is pursuing. If he should be guilty of any atrocious
crime, that would effect his life, he might be given up to the civil
authority for trial; but for such offences as most of his color are
guilty of, you had better try further correction, accompanied with
admonition and advice. The two latter sometimes succeed where the first
has failed. He, his father and mother (who I dare say are his
receivers) may be told in explicit language, that if a stop is not put
to his rogueries and other villainies, by fair means and shortly, that
I will ship him off (as I did Wagoner Jack) for the West Indies, where
he will have no opportunity of playing such pranks as he is at present
engaged in.”
It is interesting to note, in connection with this conclusion, that
“admonition and advice” were able to do what “correction” sometimes
failed to achieve, that there is not a single order to whip, and that
the above case, and that which follows, are the only known cases where
punishment was approved. “The correction you gave Ben, for his assault
on Sambo, was just and proper. It is my earnest desire that quarrels
may be stopped or punishment of both parties follow, unless it shall
appear _clearly_, that one only is to blame, and the other forced into
[a quarrel] from self-defence.” In one other instance Washington wrote,
“If Isaac had his deserts he would receive a severe punishment for the
house, tools and seasoned stuff, which has been burned by his
carelessness.” But instead of ordering the “deserts” he continued, “I
wish you to inform him, that I sustain injury enough by their idleness;
they need not add to it by their carelessness.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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