Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-03-06
The Voice Of Washington.

We said in one Of our editorials the past win
ter, that if the Free Sollers we're fanatics on
the subject Of slavery. then was Washington a
fanatic. In proof of the assertion we are now
enabled to present nearly all, probably, Of his
recorded sentiments on the subject, they having
been collected by Charles Sumner in a reply to
a charge made against him of vnisrepresenting
them.
So long as Ant, Slavery men can point their
fingers to these decided aad clearly expressed
opinions OF the great and good Washington,
they need not feel disparaged by being called
fanatics and agitators.
OPINIONS OF WASHINGTON ON SLAVERY
" He has nevertheless must | say il? ? Il numer.
ous crowd of slaves but they are treated with
the greatest humanity; well fed, well clothed,
and kept to moderate labor they bless God
without ceasng for having gwen them so good
a master. 1t is a task worthy d SOU so elevated,
SO pure and 30 dlsinterested, TO begin the revo-
luton in Virginia, to prepare the way for the
emancipation Of The negroes. This great man
declared 10 me that he rejOiced al ,0hat pas doing
IN other Stiles on this subject ihat he sincerely
desired The extension Of IL in his Opn country -
but he did uot disselnble that there were still
many difficulties to he overcome that it was
dangerous too strike too vigorously at a p,eju
dice which had begun to diminish; that time,
patience and information would not fail to van
quish it. Almost all the Virginians, added he,
believe that the liberty ofthe blacks cannot soon
become general. This IS the reason ,Dhy then
tOish not to farm Il society which may give dan.
gerous ideas t. their slaves. There is another
obstacle the great plantations of which the
to live SO Dispersed Hat .fsquent meetings. Of a
society ,OOuld be difficult.
replied that the Virginians were in error,
that evidently sooner or later the negroes would
obtain their liberty everywhere. 1t is then for
the interest Of your countrymen to prepare the
way 10 such a revolution, by endeavoring 10 rec
Oneile the restitution OF the rights of the bucks
with the interest Of the whites. The means nee
eSsdry to be taken to This effect can only be The trork
Of a SOCIETY, and it is worthy the Savior Of
America to put himself at their head, nd to o.
pen the door OF liberty 10 three hundred thous.
and unhappy beings of his own State. He told
me that he desired the formation ofa SOCIETY,", and
thot he wOuld second Il; but that he did not think
the moment avcrlble."-COnversation of Wash.
ingtOn, IN the TRAVELS of Brissot de WGp:Ie, IN
U. s. IN 1893, translated and published IN 1872.
81 can only say, that there is not a man liy-
ing, who wishes more sincerely than | do to see
a plan adopted for the abolition of it TSIaverv i
but there is only one proper snd %efectual mode
BY which ii can be accomplished, and that is by
Legislative authority ; and This, as tm as my SUI
fragc uM 60, shall neuer be counting. -Lethr of
Washington TO Robert Morris, ApriI II, 1857.
81 never mean, unless some particular cir
cumstance should compel Inc to it, to possess
another slave by purchase, it being among my
first lcishes to see some plan adopted, by ,ohich sia-
very in Ibis CeMatry may be abolished Gy hw."-
Letter to John F. Mercer. Sept. s., 1856.
"From what ! have said, you will perceive, that
the present prices of land in Pennsyl vaaia are
higher than they are in Maryland and Virginia,
although they are not Of a superior quality, \
among other reasons because thery are lars
here for The gradual abolition Of slavery, which
neither Of the two States above mentioned have
at present, but tUhich nothing is more certain than
thG! they must haze and 0t a period not remote ;
Letter to Sir. John Sinclair, Dec. IIth. 1899,
g Upon the decease Of my wife, it is my desire
that all the slaves which / hoId in INV own right,
shall receive their freedom. To emancipate
them during her life, would, though earnestly
wished by me, be attended with such i~nsupera-
BILE difficulties, on account of their ~intermixture
by marriage with the dover negroes, as to ex-
cite the most painful sensations, if not disagree
able consequence to the latter, while both des-
criptions are IN the occupancy of the same pro-
prie'or, it not beng in my power, under the ten
ure by which the dover negroes are held, to man
unit them. = 4 a And do, moreover, most
pOintedEy and most solemnly enjoin Il upon my er-
ecutorS hereafter named, or the surviUOrs of them 10
see that This clause respecting SLAVES. and eucry
part thereof he retigiOusty fulfilled al The epoch al
'0h'ch 1t is directed to take place, wrthOut euasiOn,
neglect or delay, after the crops which are haryes
ted, particularly as it respects the aged and in
tirn' seeing that a regular and permanent fund
be established for their support, as long as there
are subjects requireing it, not trusting to the
uncertain provisions made by iudlviduals."-
Wash'ngtOn's VII, dated July 9th, I79O--[l7-
99.]