George Washington Bequeathed Freedom For His Slaves

It is an interesting coincidence that Black History Month and George Washington's birthday should occur in the month of February -- albeit regrettable that the "Father of our country" does not have his own holiday as does Rev. Martin Luther King, the "Father of civil rights."

Washington decried slavery though he owned 200 slaves outright and commanded another 100 belonging to his wife, Martha, inherited from her first husband.

Contrary to popular belief, slaves generally were treated humanely -- even if worked hard without wages. Slaves were valuable assets to be kept healthy and willing -- in the manner of fine horses if not as human beings. Mistreated slaves shirked and ran away.

Marriage by slaves was mandatory to legitimize offspring as chattels and to minimize competition for sexual favors. Excess teenagers often were sold to other plantations; but children of this age, both black and white, left the family circle at an early age those days.

Washington, by all accounts, was an enlightened slave master who managed his charges amicably.

So far as is known, only one slave ran away from Washington. His name was Hercules, a cook at Mount Vernon.

The first U.S. capital was set at New York City, and President Washington did not enjoy Yankee cuisine. When the capital was moved to Philadelphia, he brought Hercules from Mount Vernon to do the cooking.

Pennsylvania law provided that slaves be given their freedom after six months's residence in the state. To avoid losing the services of his master chef, Washington would send Hercules back to Mount Vernon just before the six months were up. Then, several weeks later, he would have Hercules returned to the capital.

Hercules was a flashy dresser and a favorite with the young, black women of Philadelphia. He also was smart enough to figure out what was going on with his trips back and forth.

One night near the end of Washington's second term, Hercules disappeared. Though greatly disappointed, the president accepted the desertion and made no attempts to find and repossess his valuable slave.

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Washington drew up his last will and testament by hand during the early summer of 1799 -- signing every page on July 9. He noticed a sore throat on December 13 but thought it would pass. Next morning, he awoke with a throat so sore he could hardly speak.

Doctors came and opened a vein to drain a pint of blood -- a common remedy for serious illnesses those days. That evening they returned with plans to bleed the 67-year-old Washington again. Washington waived them away impatiently. At 10 p.m. he died. By his request he was buried four days later in the family vault at Mount Vernon without public ceremony.

In his last will, Washington freed his "Negroes" while commanding his executors to teach them useful occupations and provide care for orphans and the infirm as follows:

"Upon the decease of my wife, it is my will and desire that all the slaves which I hold in my own right shall receive their freedom.

"To emancipate them during her life would, though earnestly wished by me, would be attended with such insuperable difficulties, on account of their intermixture by marriages with the dower Negroes, as to excite the most painful sensations, if not disagreeable consequence from the latter.

"Among those who will receive freedom according to this devise, there may be some who from old age or bodily infirmities -- and others on account of their infancy -- that will be unable to support themselves. Therefore, it is my will and desire that all who come under the first and second description shall be comfortably clothed and fed by my heirs while they live. "If such Negroes have no parents living, or if living are unable or unwilling to provide for them, they shall be bound by the court (ordered care) until they shall arrive at the age of 25 years. "In cases where no record can be produced whereby their ages can be ascertained, the judgment of the court upon its own view shall be adequate and final.

"Negroes thus bound are by their masters and mistresses to be taught to read and write, and to be brought up to some useful occupation agreeably to the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia providing for the support of orphans and other poor children.

"I do hereby expressly forbid the sale or transportation out of the said commonwealth of any slave I may die possessed of, under any pretense whatsoever.

"And I do, moreover, most positively and most solemnly enjoin it upon my executors to see that every part of this clause respecting slaves be religiously fulfilled -- without evasion, neglect, or delay -- after the crops which may then be on the ground are harvested. "Particularly as it respects the aged and infirm, I direct that a regular and permanent fund be established for their support so long as there are subjects requiring it -- not trusting to the uncertain provisions to be made by individuals.

"To my mulatto man, William -- calling himself William Lee -- I give immediate freedom.

"Or, if he should prefer -- on account of the accidents which have befallen him and rendered him incapable of walking or of any active employment -- to remain in the situation he now is. It shall be optional in him to do so.

"In either case, however, I allow him an annuity of $30 during his natural life. This shall be independent of the victuals and clothes he has been accustomed to receive. "This I give him in testimony of my sense of his attachment to me and for his faithful services during the Revolutionary War."

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It is interesting to note Washington's practical bent in requiring growing crops to be gathered before his slaves scattered. William accompanied General Washington throughout the Revolutionary War -- suffering the same hardships at Valley Forge and elsewhere while doing what he could to ease the burdens of his master.

General Washington was tolerant of native Americans also, taking an Indian named Simeon Simon as an aide-de-camp, or personal staff. William became famous after Washington's death and reportedly was "buried" five times -- in North Carolina, Arkansas, Missouri and twice in New York. Each demise was claimed to be that of the original individual.

In Washington's early years as a surveyor, he explored the Northwest Territory and staked out a large claim of land on the Ohio River near what is today's Cincinnati. He gave a portion of this claim later to William who passed it along to his descendents who live there today.

HISTORY BOOK NOTE

Kenneth Mulder, indefatigable historian of early Florida history, has now brought out a new entry in his Days of Long Ago series that I am pleased to recommend for those readers besides myself who are intrigued by pirates.

Piracy Days of Long Ago is lavishly illustrated -- including four magnificent paintings in color by Rick Reeves. The publication contains 72 over-size pages providing a comprehensive summary of pirate literature. And the price is right -- just $10 including postage.

Mulder has not succumbed to the temptation to repeat the outrageous tales of a mythical Gaspar invented at the turn of the century by a fishing guide named Juan Gomez -- and printed by a railroad press agent to romanticize the Gasparilla Inn.

With such reticence, Mulder can be forgiven a page of promotion about Tampa's annual Gasparilla festival. He does not confuse home-town hype with historical fact.

By Lindsey Williams, columnist for Sun Coast Media Group newspapers