George Mason to John Augustine Washington III, 1859

Containers:

Box 4, Folder 1859.06.29

Creator:

Mason, George, 1797-1870 and Washington, John Augustine, III, 1821-1861

Scope and content:

A.L.S. Spring Bank, Virginia to Mount Vernon. Mason writes describing an incident he had with West Ford on his plantation. This remarkable letter highlights the way Ford, despite being a free man, was still treated like a slave by others: "On the evening of the Monday after Whitsunday, I was about sunset standing at my stable, giving some orders for the morning's work, when there passed within three or four yards of me a Negro man, who I did not know, without touching his hat, or any other recognition of my presence. After he had passed, I called to him asking who he was, and who did he belong to? He walked on, taking no notice, until I repeated the question, when he said 'Washington.' I then said, I suppose you have a name, and can tell me what Mr. Washington you belong to? He replied, 'West Ford.' His manner was insolent and supposing he was drunk, I said to him, there is the road to the gate, go off my place at once… When he got to the corner of the house, he commenced whooping and continued doing so, till he got out of the gate, which I had to send and have closed after him. I said nothing further to him, as he was obviously drunk; but directed one of my servants to go and tell him never to put his foot on the place again… Had he been anyone's servant but yours, I shd. have immediately had him apprehended and flogged for his impertinence; but satisfied that it could only be necessary to report the facts to you, and that you would take measures to prevent his ever coming here again, or repeating it, I have taken no further steps in the matter."

Language:

English.

Names:

Ford, West, approximately 1784-1863
Mason, George, 1797-1870
Washington, John Augustine, III, 1821-1861

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