rvants were
supposed to enter the precincts, the others often disregarded the
prohibition, to the destruction of the Farmer's flowers and rare shrubs.

From his father Washington inherited ten or a dozen slaves and, as
occasion required or opportunity offered, he added to the number. By
1760 he paid taxes on forty-nine slaves, in 1770 on eighty-seven and in
1774 on one hundred thirty-five. Presently he found himself overstocked
and in 1778 expressed a wish to barter for land some "Negroes, of whom I
every day long more to get clear of[7]." Still later he declared that he
had more negroes than could be employed to advantage on his estate, but
was principled against selling any, while hiring them out was almost as
bad. "What then is to be done? Something or I shall be ruined."

[7] In 1754 he bought a "fellow" for L40.5, another named Jack for L52.5
and a woman called Clio for L50. Two years later he acquired two negro
men and a woman for L86, and from Governor Dinwiddie a woman and child
for L60. In 1758 he got Gregory for L60.9. Mount Vernon brought him
eighteen more. Mrs. Washington was the owner of a great many slaves,
which he called the "dower Negroes," and with part of the money she
brought him he acquired yet others. The year of his marriage he bought
Will for L50, another fellow for L60, Hannah and child for L80 and nine
others for L406. In 1762 he acquired two of Fielding Lewis for L115,
seven of Lee Massey for L300, also one-handed Charles for L30. Two years
later he bought two men and a woman of the estate of Francis Hobbs for
L128.10, the woman being evidently of inferior quality, for she cost
only L20. Another slave purchased that year from Sarah Alexander was
more valuable, costing L76. Judy and child, obtained of Garvin Corbin,
cost L63. Two mulattoes, Will and Frank, bought of Mary Lee in 1768,
cost L61.15 and L50, and Will became famous as a body servant; Adam and
Frank, bought of the same owner, cost L38. He bought five more slaves in
1772. Some writers say that this was his last purchase, but it is
certain that thereafter he at least took a few in payment of debts.

In 1786 he took a census of his slaves on the Mount Vernon estate. On
the Mansion House Farm he had sixty-seven, including Will or Billy Lee,
who was his "val de Chambre," two waiters, two cooks, three drivers and
stablers, three seamstresses, two house maids, two washers, four
spinners, besides smiths, a waggoner, carter, stock keeper, kn