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George Washington Could Not Afford To End Slavery In his writings, George Washington felt very strongly that slavery was an institution that needed to be eliminated
George Washington Could Not Afford To End Slavery In his writings, George Washington felt very strongly that slavery was an institution that needed to be eliminated
the Americans could not afford to not let black men from joining the army. After that General George Washington officially reversed his policy about letting "free
forces in 1775. The following year, he forced the British out of Boston, but was defeated when he lost New York City later that year. He revived the patriot cause,
with the help of the French, fought hard against the British army under the leadership of General George Washington. There were many ups and downs in the fighting
Submitted by oppapers on May 11, 2000
Category: American History
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In his writings, George Washington felt very strongly that slavery was an
institution that needed to be eliminated from American society. However, there were
several circumstances that arose following the American Revolution that would prevent
Washington from actively pursuing the elimination of slavery during his lifetime. It is
certainly plausible that George Washington's personal economic short-comings,
forefront in the setting of conflicting political agendas and the nation's revolutionary
climate, prevented this founding father from actively pursuing the nationwide
emancipation of slaves.
Prior and during the American Revolution, little was written by Washington on
his feelings about slavery. In the last year of the war and thereafter, more attention was
spent by Washington on the issue of slavery. On February 5, 1783, Washington received
a letter from Marquis de Lafayette, whom Washington considered both a friend and a
son, that stated, "Let us unite in purchasing a small estate, where we may try the
experiment to free the negroes, and use them only as tenants. Such an example as yours
might render it a general practice..." (Sparks v.3, p.547). It is doubtful that Lafayette
would have proposed this idea unless he knew that Washington had strong views on
seeing the elimination of slavery. Washington wrote back to Lafayette on April 5, "The
scheme... to encourage the emancipation of the black people of this Country from that
state of Bondage in which. they are held, is a striking evidence of the benevolence of
your Heart. I shall be happy to join you is so laudable a work..." (Fitzpatrick v.26, p.300).
Unfortunately, Washington was still in charge of the American troops, and would
be so until December, so he thought it would be best to "...defer going into a detail of...
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