Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-01-07
MR.. .CUSTIS'S SLAVES.


Subjoined will be found a note from Colonel
Robert Z. Lee, the son-in-l law and executor of
the late Geo. W. Custis, Esq, of this county,
In reference to letter which has appeared in
the Boston Traveller, concerning the slaves be-
longing to the estate of Mr. Custis, which suf
hciently explains itself, and is emphatic in it's
contradiction Of the statements made by the
writer OF the letter referred to. We learn that
the slaves have been tampered with, since the
probate of the will, and made disconten.ed by
the false representations of evil-minded per
sons Such course deserves not only repre-
hensiOn, but the punishment of the law upon
the offenders. As for the will ITSELF its contents
when it was offered for probate, in regard to the
slaves, were published in this paper and IT is
now in the office of the Clerk of the County
Court of this county, on record, open for the in
spectlon OF all; and upon the hOnor and integ-
rlty OF the executors, any human being, bO nd
or free, might cOnfde. Mr.. Washington of
Mount Vernon, received letter few days ago
from Baltimore, acquaintiDg him, for the first
time, of the introduction of his name in the
matter-a matter with which he has nothing in
the world to do. The impertinent intermed-
ding OF OfficiOus persons in such eases, can do
the negroes but harm 1t is these continual
and perSevering annOyances which irritate and
cause the bad feeling which exists between the
different sections of our country
ARLINGTON, Jan. 4, 1855.
My attention has been called to an article
from the Boston Traveller, dated Washington
December "a, published in the New York Times
of the Both, under the caption Of {. The Slaves
of Mr.. Custis.'
1t is there charged that the emancipation of
the slaves will be much retarded if not wholly
prevented by his heirs; that all attempts to
see the will Of Mr. Custis have proved abor-
tive that it is whispered about Washington
that foul play is in progress in regard to the
negroes on his plantations in Virginia; that
they are now being sold South that all of
them will be consigned to helpless slavery un-
less something is done, and that nothing can
be done unless the will is produced, &C., &c.
As 1t is, also, stated that Mr.. Washington, of
Mount Vernon, is the chief among the heirs
who have conspired to suppress the will of Mr.
Custis, and to defraud the negroes of their
rights, L think it proper to state that Mr..
Washington Is not one of the heirs, has no in
terest in Mr. Custis's estate, and so far as my
knowledge extends, is ignorant Of the provi-
sions of his will Mr.. Custis left his property
to his daughter and only child, and her chill
dren. His will was submitted to the Alexan-
dria County Court for probate on the first day
OF It's session, (the 9TH Of December) after the
arrival OF the executor at Arlington, and is
there on record in his own hand writing open
to inspection. There is no desire on the part
of the heirs to prevent the execution of its pro-
VISION IN reference to the slaves. nor is ther
any truth, or the least foundation for the as
sertion, that they are being sold South.
hat Mr.. Custis Is said TO have stated to the
Washington correspondent Of the Boston TRAY
eler, or To his assembled slaves OH his death
bed, Is not known to any member of his fam
lily But it is well known that during the
brief days of his last illness he was constantly
attended by his daughter, grand daughters,
and niece, and faithfully visited by his physi-
clan and pastor. So rapid was the progress of
his disease, after its symptoms became alarm
ing, that therewas no assembling of his serv-
ants, and he took leave Of but one who was
present, when he bade farewell to his family
r. f. LEE, Executor