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Subject Area: Political Theory
Subject Area: War and Peace
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO CAPTAIN JOH. THOMPSON. - George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, vol. II (1758-1775) [1889]

Edition used:

The Writings of George Washington, collected and edited by Worthington Chauncey Ford (New York and London: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1889). Vol. II (1758-1775).

Part of: The Writings of George Washington, 14 vols.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


TO CAPTAIN JOH. THOMPSON.

Sir:

With this letter comes a negro (Tom), which I beg the favor of you to sell in any of the Islands you may go to, for whatever he will fetch, and bring me in return from him

  • One hhd of best molasses
  • One hhd of best rum
  • One barrel of lymes, if good and cheap
  • One pot of tamarinds, containing about 10 lbs.
  • Two small pot of mixed sweetmeats, about 5 lbs. each.

And the residue, much or little, in good old spirits. That this fellow is both a rogue and a runaway (tho’ he was by no means remarkable for the former, and never practised the latter till of late) I shall not pretend to deny. But that he is exceeding healthy, strong, and good at the hoe, the whole neighborhood can testify, and particularly Mr. Johnson and his son, who have both had him under them as foreman of the gang; which gives me reason to hope he may with your good management sell well, if kept clean and trim’d up a little when offered for sale.

I shall very chearfully allow you the customary commissions on this affair, and must beg the favor of you (lest he should attempt his escape) to keep him handcuffed till you get to sea, or in the bay, after which I doubt not but you may make him very useful to you.

I wish you a pleasant and prosperous passage, and a safe and speedy return.1

1767.

[1 ]It was a common practice to transport troublesome blacks. In the Boston Evening Post of August 3, 1761, occurs the following advertisement: “To Be Sold, a Parcel of Likely Negroes, imported from Africa, cheap for Cash, or short credit. . . . Also if any Persons have any Negro Men, strong and hearty, tho’ not of the best moral character, which are proper subjects for Transportation, may have an Exchange for small Negroes.”