re summing upRe: MDDM Washington & Gershom & Martha

[barbara100 at jps.net]

Doug wrote:
> I was taught in
> elementary or high school that Washington was a "benevolent" slave owner,
> but not the rather shocking fact that he had his slaves whipped, including
> female slaves, on occasion.

I'm a decade or so younger than you and I don't remember being taught that
George Washington had slaves at all.  I only remember my shock (and maybe
horror) at about age 12 when I visited Mt.Vernon and actually saw the
slaves' quarters. Slaves!  George Washington had slaves!  And they lived
behind bars out in a fucking stable!
You think Pynchon visited Mt. Vernon?  He must have. He saw it too--the
smooth white paint against black iron bars.
It sure shattered my cherry tree illusion.