Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 3, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 September 1859 — political. [ARTICLE]

political.

OPINIONS OF THE “FATUEKS» OF THE REPUBLIC. „ GEORGE WASHINGTON. Writing to Lafayette, in 1783, Washington said: “The scheme, my dear Marquis, which you propose as a precedent to encourage the emancipation of the black people of this country from that state of bondage in which they are held, is a striking evidence of the benevolence of your heart. I shall be happy to join you in so laudable a work.” Writing to John F. Mercer, in 1786, Washington said: “I never mean, unless some particular circumstance compels uie to it, to possess another slave by purchase, it being among my first wishes to see some plan adopted by which slavery in this country may be abolished by law.” Extract from a letter of Washington to Tobias Lear, written from Phi 1 ideiphiu on the 6i.li o! May 1794, while Mr. Lear was in Gre..t Britain, charged with negniatons for the sale ot a considerable [notion ol Washington's landed estate. A ter giving several re sons lor the sale, W ishingtun said: “Besides these, I It .ve mother in live which makes me earnestly wish for these things—it is, indeed, more powerful ttian ail the rest—namely: .to liberate a certain species of property which I possess very re pugnaiitiy to in own feelings, hat which imperious necessity compeiis, until I elm substitute some other expedient, by which expenses n t in my power to avoid, (h w. ver well disposed I may' be to do it.) can he defrayed. ” George Washington, in a h-r.tf r to the Marquis de Li ayelle, in 1793, the year ui his deatli, says: “I agree with you cordially in your views in regard to negro slavery. I have long considered it -a serious evil, bo h socially and politically, and should rejoice in any feasible s home to rid our States of such a burden The Congress of f 787 adopted an ordinance which lorevcr prohibits the exist cnee ol involuntary servitude in our North Western Territory. I consider it a wise measure, and though it was introduced bv a member I rout New England, it, met with the approval and assent of nearly all the members Irum t‘ e States more immediately interested in slave labor. The pr vailing opinion in Virginia is against the spread of slavery into our hew country, and I trust that we shall ultimately have a conlederacy ol free States. I would at any lime gladly relinquish the right of propeity in my own slaves, if a judicious system ot emancipation could be devised.” Washington, in his will, provided for the future emancipation ol his slaves, giving the following impressive injunction to his executors; “And I do, moreover, most pointedly and solemnly enjoin it upon my execu ors heroafter named, or the survivors of them, to see that this clause respecting slaves, and every part thereof, be religiously fulfilled at the epoch ui which it is directed to take place> without evasion, neglect or delay.”