Washington, George, 1732-1799 to James McHenry

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GLC02065
GLC#
GLC02065
Type
Letters
Date
circa November 11, 1786
Author/Creator
Washington, George, 1732-1799
Title
to James McHenry
Place Written
Mount Vernon, Virginia
Pagination
3 p. : address : Height: 22.9 cm, Width: 18.4 cm
Language
English
Primary time period
The New Nation, 1783-1815
Sub-Era
Creating a New Government

Describes his scheme to return a runaway slave to his master William Drayton of Charleston, S.C. After visiting Mount Vernon with his master, the enslaved person escaped and returned to Washington's home. Washington writes that "[t]he fellow pretends a willingness to return to his master, but I think it would be unsafe to trust to this, especially as he has discovered a great inclination to get back to Philadelphia..." Washington notes that he has sent the enslaved person to Baltimore "under the impression of assisting in bringing the Jack and mules home but the real design... is to have him shipped for Charleston...." Letter also mentions news of Lafayette. Slight losses to text and loss of downstrokes in Washington's signature.

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