adopted for the abolition of it; but there is only one proper and
effectual mode by which it can be accomplished, and that is by
legislative authority; and this, as far as my suffrage will go,
shall never be wanting."[525]

Although not an active abolitionist Washington did not believe in the
slave traffic, as this part of his letter to John Mercer in 1786 will
show:

"I never mean, unless some particular circumstance should compel
me to it, to possess another slave by purchase, it being among my
first wishes to see some plan adopted, by which slavery in the
country may be abolished by law."[526]

In 1799 he wrote Robert Lewis:

"It is demonstratively clear, that on this Estate (Mount Vernon)
I have more working negroes by a full moiety, than can be
employed to any adventage in the farming system, and I shall
never turn Planter thereon.

"To sell the overplus I cannot, because I am principled against
this kind of traffic in the human species. To hire them out, is
almost as bad, because they could not be disposed of in families
to any advantage, and to disperse the families I have an
aversion. What then is to be done? Something must or I shall be
ruined; for all the money (in addition to what I raise by crops,
and rents) that have been received for Lands, sold within the
last four years, to the amount of Fifty thousand dollars, has
scarcely been able to keep me afloat.

"Under these circumstances and a thorough conviction that half
the workers I keep on this Estate would render me a greater nett
profit than I now derive from the whole, has made me resolve if
it can be accomplished, to settle Plantations on some of my
other Lands. But where? without going to the Western Country, I
am unable, as yet to decide; as the best, if not all the Land I
have on the East side of the Aleghanies are under Leases, or some
kind of incumbrance or another. But as you can give me the
correct information relative to this matter, I now early apply
for it."[527]

The best evidence as to what Washington thought of the Negro may be
obtained from his treatment of his slaves, as brought out by the
following clauses from his will.

"_Item_--Upon the decease of my wife it is my will and desire,
that all the slaves which I hold in _my own right_ shall receive
their freedom--