His Excellency: George Washington

Slavery is an unquestioned fact of life for Washington growing up—it has existed as an institution in the southern colonies for more than a century. In his early years, Washington shows no moral discomfort with slavery, dealing with the slaves at Mount Vernon much as he would any piece of property. However, as he matures, Washington develops finer moral feelings about the issue. Ellis sees a “clear long-term evolution in his thinking toward the recognition that human bondage was a moral travesty” (259). 

During the war, proposals are made to let slaves enter the army and grant them freedom in return for their service. The proposal is rejected by the South Carolina legislature, which Washington takes as a sign that revolutionary passions are on the wane. However, in 1775 Washington accepts free blacks into the Continental Army, with the result that he commands the first and only racially integrated army in America until the Korean War.

Part of Washington’s growing objection to slavery is based on practical rather than moral considerations. He comes to believe that maintaining a slave labor force is inefficient and costly for his style of farming at Mount Vernon. In fact, Washington and his black workforce have become “trapped together in a network of mutual dependency” (166), and it has become cost-prohibitive for him to support his slaves. For this reason, he decides to eventually replace slaves at Mount Vernon with hired workers (164).

However, there is also a strong moral component to Washington’s growing opposition to slavery. The Marquis de Lafayette and Quaker leader Robert Pleasants urge Washington to pursue emancipation because slavery is inconsistent with the ideals of the revolution. Washington concurs with their sentiments, vowing never to purchase another slave or sell his slaves in a way that would break up families (a conviction he has held from early on). He further declares his intention to institute a program that would gradually end slavery in the United States. Washington insists, however, that the only way to implement such a program is through Congress.

When the slavery issue comes up before that body during Washington’s presidency, Congress rules to postpone any further debate at the federal level about emancipation until 1808 and to make slavery a state rather than federal issue. Washington concurs with this decision; he does not want the slavery issue to tear the country apart at a time when national unity is crucial.

Washington eventually frees his own slaves in his will, effective on his death. Ellis sees this postponement as reflecting Washington’s desire for control, especially control over his own property and financial affairs; in effect, Washington has deferred emancipation until his own financial independence is secure (159). This desire for control may also lie behind Washington’s insistence on recapturing escaped slaves, including two of his own, Hercules and Ona. For Washington, slavery is still an institution in force, and he believes that slaves should be loyal to their masters. Washington sees to it that his slaves at Mount Vernon are well cared for. For example, when his trusted valet Billy Lee injures both his knees, Washington provides a generous income for him in his will.