Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-10-22
BUSHROD WASHINGTON.
MOUNT VERNON,
October 20, 1903.

Some time in September last, think
about the 18th of the month, happened to
be on visit at Mount Vernon with Major
Blackburn. After having been there two
or three days, | proposed on a morning to
Major B. that we should return to his fa-
theirs. This, he declined doing, and at the
same time informed me, that he should be
: Obliged on that day to see Anderson, who,
he was informed had on the preceding
night, in wanton and violent manner, and
without cause, assaulted and beaten one of
his negroes.
Major Blackburn and myself having
gone to Mount Vernon together in my car
riage, as. he declined leaving it that day, /
consequently resolved to defer my depar-
ture till the day following.
Immediately after breakfast, our horses
(viz. Judge Washington's, Major Black
burns and mine) were brought as was
usual to the door for us to ride. 1t is my
constant and uniform practice in the pa
fridge season, to take my gun and pointer
with me when ride, and this circumstance
/ believe is known to all who know me.
Judge w. followed us to our horses and
was Just about to mount his, when pro-
posed tohim to take his gun, as expect-
ed in the course of our ride over the farms
certainly to meet with game. He accord
I ingly returned into the house, and brought
out his gun. After we had left the house,
and not before, the Judge was informed of
Major Blackburn's intention of calling on
Mr.. Anderson, and the purpose of the VIZ
sit. When this circumstance was first ina
parted to Judge w. he made not com.
ment thereon, and preserved silence on the
subject until after riding mile, we arrived
at gate through which the way.led to one
ofhis farms. Just as we were passing the
gate, Major B. addressing himself to
Judge w. said. Well, don't let me take
you from your business" The Judge re-
Piled. /" will go with you to the mill, ;"
(meaning the place of Anderson's resi-
dence,) and then observed, that if Mr..
Anderson had really committed the out
rage complained of, the only proper and
most efectual way to punish such an of
/ fence, would be to institute an action for
damages. He enjoined Major B. earnest
ly to refrain any passionate procedure, and
strongly recommended a temperate and
careful investigation Of the matter, remark
ing, that if Mr.. Anderson was guilty, he
would probably make confession thereof,
and that we should be good witnesses in
the.sa against him--to all which Major
B. unequivocally consented. 1t may not
beimproper here to observe, that from the
manner in which this advice was suggest
ed, my impression then was, as my convic-
ton now is, that it proceeded solely from
wish to soften the ire of Major B. and to
preventthe interview between him and An
dersonfrom issuing il violence.
We had advanced but a short distance
farther, when we met a Wagon driven by
young man who Major b. understood to
be Anderson. He instantly enauired of
him, if ne was the person who had beaten
his slavee The other acknowledged that he
was, and went ON to justify the act. "A
conversation ofsome length ensued, in the
course of which warm and indignant Ian
guage dropped from Major B. At length,
when | supposed the conversation had end