Custis, George Washington Parke (1781-1857) to W. B. Todd
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04989 Author/Creator: Custis, George Washington Parke (1781-1857) Place Written: Arlington, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 October 1854 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Custis, the adopted son (and step-grandson) of George Washington, writes to Todd in Washington, D.C. Recently read a letter stating, "from a prohibitory Law in the District of Columbia touching the hiring of Negro Slaves from Virginia in the District, there was much probability of said Negroes so hired recovering their freedom." Writes, "I have no desire that any of my Negroes should be getting their freedom otherwise than by my giving it to them. I regret these circumstances as the girl Amanda is hired to you much to my satisfaction, & I have no wish to take her from so good a situation as the one she has in your family, more specifically, as she is contented & happy in your service."
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.