Details
[WASHINGTON, GEORGE]. HANCOCK, JOHN, son of Ebenezer Hancock, nephew of the Signer. Autograph letter signed to J. Nicholson, Baltimore, 22 May 1799. 4 pages. 4to. Fine condition.
"HE OWNS UPWARDS OF 500 SLAVES AND THEY ARE ALL AS HAPPY AS LORDS"
A striking account of a visit to Mount Vernon at the end of Washington's life: "I have just returned from Mount Vernon, where I have been to pay my best respects to Genl. Washington. He treated me in a very polite manner. I had the honor of dining with him - his Lady is a charming agreeable Woman....You would be delighted with his Seat, and his farm is in the highest state of cultivation. He owns upwards of 500 slaves and they are all as happy as Lords. My friend Col. [Tobias] Lear supposes him to worth a million of Dollars. You would be surprised to find what a uniform life he leads, everything he does is by method and system -- he rises at day break, breakfasts at 7..., dines at 3..., retires to bed at 10. He keeps a journal where he records everything that transpires from day to day, and it is impossible that any action of his can give him the least remorse: he is a model of the highest perfection; let us try to imitate him and each of his Virtues will be a gem of the highest lustre to our Characters....I hand you a list of representatives from Congress elected in Virginia, those crossed are Jacobins [Jeffersonian democrats?], those with a stroke are Trimmers, given me by a Member of Congress...."
"HE OWNS UPWARDS OF 500 SLAVES AND THEY ARE ALL AS HAPPY AS LORDS"
A striking account of a visit to Mount Vernon at the end of Washington's life: "I have just returned from Mount Vernon, where I have been to pay my best respects to Genl. Washington. He treated me in a very polite manner. I had the honor of dining with him - his Lady is a charming agreeable Woman....You would be delighted with his Seat, and his farm is in the highest state of cultivation. He owns upwards of 500 slaves and they are all as happy as Lords. My friend Col. [Tobias] Lear supposes him to worth a million of Dollars. You would be surprised to find what a uniform life he leads, everything he does is by method and system -- he rises at day break, breakfasts at 7..., dines at 3..., retires to bed at 10. He keeps a journal where he records everything that transpires from day to day, and it is impossible that any action of his can give him the least remorse: he is a model of the highest perfection; let us try to imitate him and each of his Virtues will be a gem of the highest lustre to our Characters....I hand you a list of representatives from Congress elected in Virginia, those crossed are Jacobins [Jeffersonian democrats?], those with a stroke are Trimmers, given me by a Member of Congress...."