?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 800 - $ 1,200
SELL THE MAN TO A TRADER, KEEP THE WOMEN AND FAMILY IF THEY SUIT YOU (SLAVERY AND ABOLITION--MOUNT VERNON.) [WASHINGTON, JOHN AUGUSTINE.] Autograph Letter Signed from Mr. L. T. Stuart to George Washington's grandnephew John Augustine Washington, regarding the treatment of his slaves. Single folio leaf, written on one side; a few chips, including one small square piece from the top right of the letter. Mt. Vernon, July 26, 1853
After the usual polite salutation and acknowledgment of a letter received, Mr. Stuart wastes no words. 'May I take the liberty of advising you to consult in this case, your own convenience and comfort. If the women and family suit you without the man, keep them; sell him away from them by all means. I never yet heard or knew of a case where one went out of their way to satisfy a Negroe (sic), that such person was not repaid by the most wanton ungratefulness and in gratitude.' He goes on to recount a story where a master bought a young woman, and after her pleadings, he bought the young man whom she'd just married. 'This kind act was repaid with outrageous insolence.' Dr Washington had apparently cited a problem with the husband of one of his slaves. Stuart suggests selling the husband off. 'Now in your case I can't but see that you are doing a service to the woman to sell her husband off. He being, as his conduct proves, to be of no benefit to her and certainly the fact of his voluntary separation is sufficient evidence of want of affection for her. Take my advice and sell the man to a trader. Keep the woman and family if they suit you. She'll have another husband in six months and he'd have a wife in less than a month after he's sold in New Orleans. The letter goes on to say 'Where from Misfortune or necessity I was compelled to sell a set of slaves, I would never separate families even though I lost, but when their act or any of their acts compel me to sell, I regard nothing but satisfaction to myself, any other renders the master and not the negro, the slave. I hold them for my use not that I may toil for them."
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