The Harrison times. (Harrison, Boone Co., Ark) 1876-1938, 1907-03-02

~HAT washington was very well
off In this worlds goods is a
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 ln-
creased 1t by careful management.
Washington was indeed many sided
man. He could conquer 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 or
his success In both these professions.
Letters and Recollections of George
Washington published by Double
day, Page 4 Co., reveals the business
side of his life In manner calculated
to convince the reader that the Father
of His Country was likely hand at
bargain. 1t required mighty lively
rascal to cheat George Washington in
business deal. He was an able
Judge of men and a severe aralyzer OF
motives. In few words he could de.
lineate the character of q statesman or
draw a correct picture of servant,
and he looked after his servants, both
employee and slave, from the head
overseer on his plantation to the ugli
est sculllon In his kitchen.
The letters mentioned were written
by Washington to his private secre-
tary. Tobias Lear a 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 1891 Washington in
closes several other letters, one of
which he mentions thus:
Another letter from Colo Cannon which
| may venture to say proves him to be,
what l will not call him. and that l need
never look for any Rent from him. I
pray you TO say to him, II he does come
to Philadelphia during my absence-that
his oioH statement given % New York
dc y not Justly his prest repol'St-and
t.asu 4 an too well acquainted with the
prices OF grain & the demand for II las
year IN his own neighborhood. to be i'm
posed upon by such tale as his letter
exhibits. In word mean that / am py
no medus 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 number
of slaves from his Mount Vernon es-
tate to serve in the presidential man
sion. n house rented by the president.
1t appears from the following remarks
in a letter to Mr.. Lear from Richmond
that Washington was worried lest
some of his negroes might obtain their
liberty under Pennsylyania's laws;
The Attorney q Generals case and mine
conceive, from a conversation | had with
him respecting our Slaves. is some what
different He IN order to qualify himself
TOT pIuCAlCe III tue GphFlh OF EthhH1i-
vnnia, was obliged to take the Oaths OF
Citizenship 10 that State: whilst my resi-
dence Is incidental as an Oficer OF Cow
eminent only. but whether among people.
who are In the practice OF enficinO slaves
cuen where there Is no colour OF law foi
II, this distinction will avail. l know
not and therefore beg you win take thu
best advise you can on the subject. and
lni case Il may be found that any OF ms
Slaves may, or any for them shall al
tempt their freedom at the expiration o
sis months. Il In my wish and desire tina
you wou'e send the whole. or such par
~ tl,em as Mrs. Washington may no
muse to keep, home-for although ! q
not think they would be beuenfted by =
change. yet the idea OF freedom ~
too Rrcnt temptation for tho
Al any rate Il might, "
they had right 70
lent Ia state %
Hercules and
hahrx1a