During the Colonial Era there was much debate regarding slavery. The north was primarily against slavery while the south was economically dependent on slavery. When colonist started to settle North America they had come from England for religious and political freedom. Many were subsistence farmers (raising just enough food to survive on, with perhaps a little surplus to sell or trade). There was no need for slaves. Later, in Virginia indentured servants were being used by land owners. These people could not pay their own way to the new world, so land owners would pay their way to the new world and the indentured servants would work four to seven years without pay for the person who paid their passage. Later, in the 1600's, fewer indentured servants were coming to the colonies and planters were in need of workers. To solve the problem, planters adopted slavery. Under this system, workers belonged to their owners for life. Plantation owners from the south began buying slaves from Africa in large numbers. There were also some slaves in the northern colonies but, most of the colonist in the north were still subsistence farmers. Religious convictions did not condone one

Washington did treat his slaves well, let them marry, and took good care of their needs, he also let them take sundays off and work for money if they wished. Washington's view towards slavery was conventional, reflecting those of a typical Virginia planter of his time. If he was more concerned about his slaves than other plantation owners regarding the welfare of his slaves, it was due to his interest in their contribution to the economic survival of the plantation. Throughout Washington's life his main concerns were first the economic welfare of his plantations and second the welfare of his slaves. In a letter to Lund Washington (his son) he tells him that he needs to cut costs on the plantation. He suggested that Lund to buy cheaper "linnen" for the "Negroes" without making "the poor Negroes suffer too much (Washington's Writing p.259) in another letter to Lund he writes tell him that he does not approve of selling slaves that are married with children. Washington felt that it was not right to separate families. He goes on to state, "if these poor wretches are to be held in a state of slavery, I do not see that a change of masters will render it more irksome (W.W p. 335)." This is the first statement that I found in which Washington actually show compassion for his slaves who are bond in slavery. Virginia did not recognize slave marriages, but George Washington upheld the bonds of marriage between slaves. During the pre-Revolutionary years Washington is still a slave owner and has made not attempts to speak out against slavery therefore he has made no impact on Black relation other than on his plantation of which is does not condone the separating of slave families, and recognized the bonds of marriages between slaves.

Washington served as President of the United States from 1789-1797. He realized the fragile framework that held the states together. There had not been a successful revolution up until this time. The Russian Revolution and the French Revolution both failed because the people could not agree on how the Government should work or how it should run. Washington was fully aware of the division between states were regarding slavery. During the Constitutional Convention I found no evidence of him speaking out against slavery. Then again Washington never did say much about any controversial subject. All in all there was little support from anti- slavery spokesmen during the Constitutional Convention. In matter of fact the laws that were drafted during the Constitutional Convention were in favor of slavery. There was only one exception, in the trade clause, which guaranteed the right to import new slaves for at least twenty years.

During the early years of George Washington's life there are no documented statements regarding his stance on slavery. The first statement I found in which Washington talks about his slaves is in 1761, four slaves had run away from his plantation in Fairfax County Virginia (Mount Vernon). He writes a description of the four slaves, Peros; 35, Jack; 30, Neptune; 25-30, and Cupid; 23-25. He wants them all returned and is willing to pay a substantial reward for these slaves because he considered them and investment and would loose money on them if they were not returned. The next writing I found was written in 1766. George Washington had written a letter to Josiah Thompson. "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, & bring me in return for him....(Washington's Writings p. 118)." Washington goes on to write a list of goods, and then tells Mr. Thompson that Tom is a "Rogue & Runaway," but he is also healthy and strong. Washington at this time shows no conviction towards slavery and the selling of his own slaves. He also has not spoken out against slavery and therefore I believe at this time he is supporting the institution of slavery.

Griest, Gary. (1996). Yo

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