The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1907-02-22
Ole Many Sided
Washington
BY WALTON WILLIAMS

%wN HAT Washington was very well
off in this worlds goods is a
III matter of common knowledge.
The fact that he was exceed
ingly shrewd and thrifty in business
matters is not so widely known. He
inherited much property. and he in
creased it by careful management.
Washington was indeed many sided
man. He could conquer a king or in
crease corn crop with the same fidel-
ity to detail. He looked closely after
the details in farming as well as in
fighting, and therein lay the secret Of
his success in both these professions.
Letters and Recollections of George
Washington" published by Double
day, Page & Co, reveals the business
side of his life in a manner calculated
to convince the reader that the Father
of His Country was a likely hand at
a bargain. 1t required mighty lively
rascal to cheat George Washington in
a business deal. He was an able
Judge of men and a severe analyzer of
motives. In a few words he could de-
lineate the character of a statesman or
draw a correct picture of a servant
and he looked after his servants, both
employee and slave, from the head
overseer on his plantation to the ugli-
est scullion in his kitchen.
The letters mentioned were written
by Washington to his private secre-
tary, Tobias Lear, young man from
New Hampshire, who occupied that
confidential post during the last six
teen years of the great mans life.
In a letter written from George
Town" early In 1871 Washington in
closes several other letters. one Of
which he mentions thus:
Another letter from Colo. Cannon which
l may venture to say proves him to be,
what will not call him, and that need
never look for any Rent from him.
pray you to say to him, If he does come
to Philadelphia during my absence-that
his 0ton statement given at New York
does not justify his prest. report-and
that 1 am too we'll acquainted with the
prices of grain G. the demand for 1t las,
year in his own neighborhood, to be i'm
posed upon by such a tale as his letter
exhibits. In a word 1 mean that 1 am by
no means satisfied with his treatment OF
me-
1t is well known that Washington
provided in his will for the liberation
of his slaves after the death of his
widow. While he lived, however he
took good care to see that his slaves
served him properly and that they did
not permit dreams of liberty to disturb
their equilibrium. When the capital
of the nation was removed to Phila
delphia, Washington took a number
of slaves from his Mount Vernon es
| tate to serve in the presidential man
sion, a house rented by the president
1t appears from the following remarks
in letter to Mr.. Lear from Richmond
that Washington was worried les
some of his negroes might obtain theil
liberty under Pennsylvania laws:
The Attorney Generals case and mine
| conceive. from a conversation 1 had witt
him respecting our Slaves. is some wha
different. He IN order to qualify himsel
for practice in the Courts Of Pennsyl
vania, was obliged to take the Oaths o
Citizenship to that State; whilst my resi-
| Hence is incidental as an officer of Gov
eminent only. but whether among peopl
who are in the practice of CHticiHg slave
ereH where there is no colour of law 70
It, this distinction win avail ! kno,
not. and therefore beg you will take Tn
[ best advise you can on the subject, an
/ in case It may be found that any OF m
Slaves may, or any for them shall at
| tempt their freedom at the expiration @
six months. il o. my wish ard desire TIA