cont'd MDDM historical Washington, part II

[Doug Millison]

http://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/henriques/hist615/gwslav.htm

[...] Perhaps the above description is a bit too harsh. [Limited and
conflicting testimony makes it difficult to assess the situation with
confidence.] Certainly, others wrote in a more positive light, and GW had a
reputation as a comparatively humane and kind master. One French visitor
noted that the "slaves were well fed, well clothed, and required to do only
a moderate amount of work" while another Frenchmen observed the
approximately 50 slaves on River Farm quarters were "warmly lodged chiefly
in houses of their own building." The Polish visitor who criticized the
poor housing still noted the gardens and chickens and averred that
Washington treated his slaves "far more humanely than do his fellow
citizens of Virginia. Most of those gentlemen give to their Blacks only
bread water and blows." If a part of Washington disliked spending money on
things like clothes, blankets, medicine, and food, [and he was
characteristically careful of how he spent money in all aspects of his
life], strong paternalistic elements also influenced his outlook and
actions.

 

While Washington never referred to his slaves as his children, he did refer
to them as part of his family. [And virtually never as slaves - they were
usually my servants or my Negroes or my people or my black labourers]
Washington recognized that slaves experienced the same range of emotions as
the unenslaved and attempted to make accommodations where possible.
Whatever their legal status as human chattel, Washington knew they were
human beings. He recognized the validity of slave marriages and became
increasingly concerned for slave families and their personal relationships
and in his dislike of splitting up slaves who had established such personal
and familial ties. [In his words, "To disperse families I have an
utteraversion." Or again, "It is against my inclinationŠ to hurt the
feelings of those unhappy people by a separation of man and wife, or of
families."] In short, Washington realized a paternalistic relationship
involved mutual obligations.

 

Throughout his adult years, George Washington was always very concerned
with his reputation as a man of honor and fairness and how people viewed
him. His orders to his farm managers make apparent that he was eager to
avoid any legitimate criticism of his conduct as a master. In writing to
one plantation manager, he was crystal clear: "In the most explicit
language I desire they may have plenty; for I will not ... lye under the
imputation of starving my negros and thereby driving them to the necessity
of thieving to supply the deficiency." [GW said he would give more, but if
he did so, they would sell it, not consume it]

 

Dennis Pogue, MV's archaeologist has studied the remains found in the slave
quarters and concludes, "Taken together, the archaeological evidence of the
slave life at MV suggests a possibly less-controlled existence than
indicated by the usual stereotypical view of slavery. The diet was more
diverse, and therefore probably more healthful, than previously believed.
Bones of such wild fowl as quail, duck, goose and turkey, such wild animals
as deer, squirrel, rabbit, and opossum and such non-schooling fish as
pickerel, gar & bluegill were recovered. The slaves were able to hunt [at
least some were], fish, raise poultry and tend gardens to supplement their
food allotment." It might surprise modern readers to learn that GW allowed
some his slaves to own firearms - and even provided ammunition for them
[undoubtedly to hunt game for his table.]

 

Washington was also sensitive on the issue of working slaves when they were
ill. He insisted, "I never wish my people to work when they are really
sick." Writing his manager, he stated, "It is foremost in my thoughts, to
desire you will be particularly attentive to my Negroes in their sickness,
and to order every Overseer positively to be so likewise; for I am sorry to
observe that the generality of them view these poor creatures in scarcely
any other light than they do a draft horse or ox, neglecting them as much
when they are unable to work instead of comforting and nursing them when
they lie upon a sickbed."

 

The stereotypical image of slaves moving in lock step to bellowed commands
does not apply to Mount Vernon. Throughout his life Washington remained
particularly thinned skinned and sensitive to criticism - even to
criticisms made by his African-American slaves. It led him to act in ways
one might not expect the Lord of the plantation to act. For example, he
wanted certain things given to the slaves because he did not want his
feelings "hurt" by slave complaints which he admitted would make him
"uneasy." During 1787, his need for a bricklayer made him buy Neptune only
to find that "he seems to a great deal disconcerted on account of a wife
which he says he hasŠ.This also embarrasses me, as I am unwilling to hurt
the feelings of anyone." While others were discontinuing the practice of
providing rum at certain times, GW declared, as his "people have always
been accustomed to it, a hogshead of rum must be purchased." He commented
that his people were still at the races - as if there isnot much he could
do about it. [Note implications of reciprocal obligations] There are
examples of the blacks successfully resisting pressure to move their houses
on the outlying farms, and they persuaded GW, against his desire, to raise
more corn because as GW put it, they "cannot do without it." Once low on
sweet potatoes, GW purchased some from his slaves. One former slave, a
carpenter by the name of Sambo, [who had deserted to the British in 1781
but was recaptured after Yorktown in Philadelphia] recalled that while GW
was his master, he would still not borrow Sambo's small boat without asking
permission and would always put it back exactly in the spot from which he
borrowed it even if the President had to drag it 20 yards due to a change
of tide. Such vignettes reveal the complexity and ambiguity of relations
between GW and his bondsmen. They were people and as such an accommodation
of some sort must be reached.

 

Washington recognized the power of the slaves to influence the whites
around them. He complained about an early farm manager [Anthony Whiting]
who "finding it troublesome to instruct the Negros, and to compel them to
the practice of his modes, . . . slided into theirs." He wanted to keep
poor whites "as separate, and as distinct as possible from the Negroes, who
want no encouragement to mix with, and become too familiar (for no good
purpose) with these kinds of people." He warned Sally Green, the daughter
of one of GW's long-time white servants, not to open a store if she wanted
continuing support from him as he feared it "would be no more than a
receptacle for stolen produce, by the Negros."

 

The Master of Mount Vernon worked closely with his slaves and knew them
well -at least at a surface level. When a group of four slaves escaped from
Mount Vernon in 1761, he provided the newspaper with surprisingly detailed
information about the fugitives, noting such things as scars, clothing,
speech patterns, etc. He was particularly close to some of the house
slaves, most of who were mulattos. Briefly introducing a few of them:
William "Billy" Lee; Ona Judge; Hercules; and Christopher Sheels may help
illustrate how complex the relationship might be between master and slave.
While sometimes showing Washington in a less than favorable light, it
allows us to see his black servants as individuals whose desires sometimes
led to conflict with their Master. [...]