to
conciliate a more favorable reception would carry off their wagon
horses with them."[515]

The student finds it difficult to determine exactly what was
Washington's attitude toward the enlistment of Negro soldiers. When
that question was extensively agitated Laurens wrote Washington:

"Had we arms for three thousand such black men as I could select
in Carolina, I should have no doubt of success in driving the
British out of Georgia, and subduing East Florida before the end
of July."

To this Washington replied:

"The policy of our arming slaves is in my opinion a moot point,
unless the enemy set the example. For, should we begin to form
Battalions of them, I have not the smallest doubt, if the war is
to be prosecuted, of their following us in it, and justifying the
measure upon our own ground. The contest then must be who can arm
fastest, and where are our arms? Besides I am not clear that a
discrimination will not render slavery more irksome to those who
remain in it. Most of the good and evil things in this life are
judged by comparison; and I fear a comparison in this case will
be productive of much discontent in those, who are held in
servitude. But, as this is a subject that has never employed much
of my thoughts, these are no more than the first crude Ideas that
have struck me upon ye occasion."[516]

Writing to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, July 10, 1782, concerning
his plan to arm Negroes to defend the South, he said:

"_My Dear Sir_:

"The last post brought me your letter of the 19th of May. I must
confess that I am not at all astonished at the failure of your
plan. That spirit of freedom, which at the commencement of this
contest would have gladly sacrificed every thing to the
attainment of its object, has long since subsided, and every
selfish passion has taken its place. It is not the public but
private interest, which influences the generality of mankind, nor
can the Americans any longer boast an exception. Under these
circumstances, it would rather have been surprising if you had
succeeded nor will you I fear succeed better in Georgia."[517]

From his headquarters October 24, 1781, Washington wrote David Ross
the following concerning Negroes who had been recaptured during the
Revolutionary War:

"_Sir_:

"In answer to your Queri