can be usually obtained from secondary works.

Complying with the custom of transporting troublesome blacks to the
West Indies,[513] Washington addressed Captain John Thompson the
following July 2, 1766:

"_Sir:_

"With this letter comes a Negro (Tom), which I beg the favour of
you to sell, in any of the Islands you may go to, for whatever he
will fetch and bring me in return for him.

"One hhd of best molasses
One ditto of best rum
One barrell of lymes if good and cheap
One pot of tamarinds containing about 10 Ibs.
Two small ditto of mixed sweetmeats about 5 lbs. each.

"And the residue, much or little, in good old spirits. That this
fellow is both a rogue and a runaway (tho' he was by no means
remarkable for the former, and never practiced the latter till of
late) I shall not pretend to deny--But he is exceeding healthy,
strong, and good at the hoe the whole neighbourhood can testifie
and particularly M. Johnson and his son, who have both had him
under them as foreman of the gang; which gives me reason to hope
he may, with your good management, sell well, if kept clean and
trim'd up a little when offered for sale.

"I shall cherfully allow you the customary commissions on this
affair, and must beg the favour of you (least he shoud attempt
his escape) to keep him handcuffd till you get to sea--or in the
bay--after which I doubt not but you may make him very useful to
you.

"I wish you a pleasant and prosperous passage, and a safe and
speedy return, being Sir

"Yr Yery Hble. Servt.
"Go. WASHINGTON."[514]

The question as to whether Washington wanted Negroes in the army has
often been raised. Addressing a Committee of Congress January 28,
1778, Washington said in part:

"_Gentlemen_,

"The difficulty of getting waggoners and the enormous wages given
them would tempt one to try any expedient to answer the end of
easier and cheaper terms. Among others it has occurred to me
whether it would not be eligible to hire negroes in Carolina,
Virginia and Maryland for the purpose. They ought however to be
freemen, for slaves could not be sufficiently depended on. It is
to be apprehended they would too frequently desert to the enemy
to obtain their liberty, and for the profit of it, or