The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-12-19
HE WAS AN AR0LITIONIST.
A Heretofore Unpublished Letter from the
Father of His Country.


tAudley VA lettcr In the Boston Herald
The letter which follows. selected
from several at the disposal of your
correspondent, thanks TO the courtesy
of Col. Lewis, is given verbatim, and
appears in print for the first time in it's
entirety. 1t is most interesting, and is
addressed to his nephew, Lawrence
Lewis:
MOUNT VERNON, Aug, 1897.
"DEAR SIR: Your letter of the oath
ult. has been received, and / am sorry
TO hear of the loss of your servant, but
1t is my opinion these Opponents will
be much more before they are less fire.
quent; and that the persons making
them should never be retained, if they
are recovered, as they are sure to con-
taminate and discomfort others. l
wish from my soul that the Legislature
of this State could see the policy of n
gradual abolition of slavery. 1t might
prevent much future mischief. When
ever it is convenient to you TO make
this place your home / shall be glad to
see you at it for that purpose; and that
there may not be no Misunderstanding
in the matter, shall inform you be-
forehand that you, servant Of you
bring one). and horses will fare in all
respects as we and mine do; but that
i shall expect no services from you
for which pecuniary compensation will
be made / have already as many on
wages as are sufficient to carry on my
business, and more, indeed than / can
find means to pay, conveniently. AS
both your aunt and L are in the decline
of life and regular in our habits, espe-
cially in our hour of rising and going to
bed, require some person Git and
proper to ease me of the trouble of
entertaining company, particularly of
nights, as it is my inclination to retire
(and unless prevented by particular
company always do retire. either to
my bed or TO my study, soon after
candlelight. In taking these duties
(Which hospitality obliges one to be-
stow on company OFF my hands it
would render me an acceptable service,
and, for little time only to come, an
hour in the day, now and then, devoted
to the recording of some papers which
time would not allow me To complete
before | left Philadelphia, would also
DC uccepUdDle. DeSlueS IneSe, l. KNOW
nothing at present that would re-
quire any portion of your time or atten-
ton, both of which, if you have incli-
nation for it, might be devoted to read
ing, as l have great many instructive
books on many subjects, as well as
amusing ones; or they might be en-
ployed in sporting, there being much
game of all sorts here; or in riding and
visw.ng the management of my farms,
from whence something useful may be
drawn, as / think Mr.. Anderson in
many things could give you useful les
sons and better insight into hus-
bandry than your opportunities have
hitherto presented to you. do not
mean, however, that any of these things
should restrain you from attending to
your own affairs or restrain you from
visiting your friends at pleasure. All l
have in view by making this communi-
cation is to guard against misconc ap-
tion on either side. Your aunt unites
with me in best regards for you, and l
am your sincere friend and affectionate
uncle, G. WASHINGTON.