Founders Online: From George Washington to The States, 8 June 1783
George Washington's note to the country upon his retirement from military service in 1783
At this Auspicious period the United States came into existence as a Nation, and if their Citizens should not be completely free & happy, the fault will be entirely their own.
This is the time of their political probation: this is the moment when the eyes of the whole World are turned upon them—
Founders Online: From George Washington to John Jay, 15 August 1786
What a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves, and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal & falacious! Would to God that wise measures may be taken in time to avert the consequences we have but too much reason to apprehend.
Your sentiments, that our affairs are drawing rapidly to a crisis, accord with my own.
To be fearful of vesting Congress, constituted as that body is, with ample authorities for national purposes, appears to me the very climax of popular absurdity and madness.
Founders Online: From George Washington to Bushrod Washington, 9 November 1787
Washington anticipated changes to the Constitution by future generations right after it was finished being written
I do not conceive that we are more inspired—have more wisdem—or possess more virtue than those who will come after us.
If wisdom is not to be acquired from experience, where is it to be found?
. And as there is a Constitutional door open for it, I think the people (for it is with them to judge) can, as they will have the aid of experience on their side, decide with as much propriety on the alterations and amendments wch shall be found necessary, as ourselves;
The Rules of Civility · George Washington's Mount Vernon
George Washington copied 110 Rules of Behavior when he was about 16 years old. This version translated by the Mount Vernon Society can be shared with students to think about the type of society Washington lived in and how it is similar to and different than the society students live in.
George Washington Papers, Series 1, Exercise Books, Diaries, and Surveys 1745-99, Subseries 1A, Exercise Books 1745-1747: School Copy Book, Volume 1, 1745 | Library of Congress
George Washington's homework - really. This shows how far digitization has come
From George Washington to Robert Lewis, 17 August 1799
In this letter to his nephew, George Washington reveals some of his feelings toward slavery and his own slaves. Instead of asking students that they think of the fact that presidents owned slaves, gain more insight by having them try to determine Washington's feelings about the system of slavery from this letter he wrote much later in his life.
Ona Judge Staines, the Fugitive Slave Who Outwitted George Washington -
New England Historical Society claims that one of George Washington's slaves escaped when she learned that Washington was planning to give her away as a wedding present. This brief articles explains what he did to get her back.
George Washington, Slave Catcher - The New York Times
There are many devils in the details of slavery and this exposes one of them. What is the status of slaves brought to Philadelphia by southern members of Congress after Pennsylvania's "Gradual Act to Abolish Slavery" stated clearly that slaves brought to Philadelphia would be freed after 6 months. This article explains how George Washington found away around this law.
"Runaway Advertisement for Oney Judge, enslaved servant in George Washington's presidential household. The Pennsylvania Gazette, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 24, 1796. "Advertisement. ABSCONDED from the houshold [sic] of the President of the United States, ONEY JUDGE, a light mulatto girl, much freckled, with very black eyes and bushy black hair. She is of middle stature, slender, and delicately formed, about 20 years of age. She has many changes of good clothes of all sorts, but they are not sufficiently recollected to be described—As there was no suspicion of her going off, nor no provocation to do so, it is not easy to conjecture whither she has gone, or fully, what her design is;—but as she may attempt to escape by water, all matters of vessels are cautioned against admitting her into them, although it is probable she will attempt to pass as a free woman, and has, it is said, wherewithal to pay her passage. Ten dollars will be paid to any person who will bring her home, if taken in the city, or on board any vessel in the harbour;—and a reasonable additional sum if apprehended at, and brought from a greater distance, and in proportion to the distance. FREDERICK KITT, Steward. May 23 ["
Ona Judge Escapes to Freedom (U.S. National Park Service)
Reflecting how slavery is remembered in the 21st century, the names of the nine slaves that Washington brought with him to Philadelphia as president are carved into a wall as part of the Independence Park that includes the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. There are also footprints on the sidewalk, they represent the escape of one of those slaves One Judge
Her father was an indentured servant who worked at Mount Vernon, her mother was a slave, making her a slave also. She became a house maid to the First Lady of the United States. When she found out she was to be given as a gift to George Washington's grandaughter as a wedding gift, she ran away to freedom. The runaway slave ad in the Philadelphia newspaper, the attempts by Washington to get her back, including using the Secretary of the Treasury, says much about slavery and the time period. Her story should be a movie
From George Washington to Henry Knox, 28 February 1785
George Washington fears for the future of the United States
and yet, it does not appear to me, that we have wisdom, or national policy enough to avert the evils which are impending—
How should we, when contracted ideas, local pursuits, and absurd jealousy are continually leading us from those great & fundamental principles which are characteristic of wise and powerful Nations; & without which, we are no more than a rope of Sand, and shall as easily be broken.
From George Washington to Henry Lee, Jr., 31 October 1786
The fears of Washington laid bare in this letter, helpful in Shays lessons but also for teachers looking to make connections to today. How much of these fears could be seen in the United States of the 21st Century?
I am mortified beyond expression whenever I view the clouds which have spread over the brightest morn that ever dawned upon any Country.
To be more exposed in the eyes of the world & more contemptible than we already are, is hardly possible.
From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, 18 January 1784
Washington worries about a weak central government
I have no fears arising from this source; in my mind, but I have many, & powerful ones indeed which predict the worst consequences from a half starved, limping Government, that appears to be always moving upon crutches, & tottering at every step.
Mount Vernon has published biographies and descriptions of some of the people enslaved by George and Martha Washington and the Custis family. These are easy to read and therefore accessible to students. The system of slavery however, is very difficult to understand.
Database of Mount Vernon's Enslaved Community · George Washington's Mount Vernon
With drop-down menus to search by event type, person, skill, location, and more, this database can be used for a "free-range" primary source exercise. Have students search through the data base for five minutes, and after coming up with a hypothesis, spend a half hour looking for evidence to prove it
