Slavery in America Essay Example

might lack necessary skills and resort to stealing for sustenance, impacting slaveholders who heavily relied on their labor. In letters to Robert Morris on April 12, 1786 and John Mercer on September 9, 1786, Washington expressed his desire for a legislative plan for gradual abolition of slavery. He reiterated this belief in a letter to Lawrence Lewis on August 4, 1797 (Fitzpatrick v.36,p.2). However strong his words were, Washington did not emancipate any slaves during his lifetime despite facing significant financial challenges upon his return from eight years of military service (Freeman v.6,p.4).Due to Washington's absence, debtors paid him with greatly devalued currency. Furthermore, the British raid in 1781 resulted in eighteen slaves escaping and the need to sell nine others due to financial constraints. However, it is crucial to note that according to Carroll and Ashworth, Washington opposed treating slaves as commodities in the market (Carroll v.7, p.585). Lund Washington, who managed Washington's estate, had no interest in travel or bookkeeping which led to failure in collecting rent from Washington's western lands (Freeman v.6, p.4-5). According to Washington himself, he did not make any money during his nine years away from his Estate and did not bring any with him (Fitzpatrick v.27,p .345). This fact combined with his refusal of a salary as General of the army indicates the poor financial state of the Washington estate. Granting freedom to his slaves would have been a financial disaster as their labor was vital in preventing further debt accumulation for Washington. Although Congress attempted to provide him with a yearly allowance, these attempts were also rejected (Freeman v .6,p .6 ). After dedicating eight years of

unpaid service to the Continental Army, it is unlikely that he would suddenly accept payment from his country; accepting payment at this point would be an insult to his pride as he took pride in serving his country without a salary.The financial difficulties faced by Washington are evident in his correspondence. In a letter to the Earl of Tankerville on January 20, 1784, he acknowledges the heavy workload resulting from neglecting his own estate for almost nine years. On July 8, 1784, he expresses distress over money in a letter to John Mercer. A year and a half later, still struggling financially, Washington writes to Mercer on December 20, 1785 about his urgent needs and unpaid debts. Lund Washington managed the estate during Washington's absence since April 1778 but only received full payment in 1794 when the account was closed. In his Last Will and Testament, Washington plans to emancipate his slaves upon Martha's death. He states that all enslaved individuals under his legal ownership will be granted their freedom after her demise. However, Washington decides not to release them immediately due to their marital ties with dower slaves who can only be freed after Martha's death.Releasing the slaves immediately would have caused significant difficulties and unpleasant consequences for those dower slaves who were married to the freed ones (Fitzpatrick v.37, p.276). Washington did not want to separate husbands from wives or mothers from children. Furthermore, he was concerned that freed slaves with family members still enslaved would help them escape. By waiting until both he and Martha had passed away, Washington ensured that all his slaves and the dower slaves would gain their freedom

at the same time.

In his Will, Washington also made arrangements for the care of elderly or infirm freed slaves who couldn't support themselves as well as young orphaned slaves without parents. He instructed his heirs to provide lifelong sustenance and clothing for the former group while offering education in reading, writing, and training in a useful occupation until age twenty for the latter group.

Washington emphasized the faithful fulfillment of the clause regarding slaves, stating it must be done "without evasion, neglect, or delay." Despite taking until his death to free them, Washington ensured that his slaves would have opportunities to survive independently, even if it meant significant expenses for his heirs. This exemplifies his concern and care for the slaves and solidifies his place in history as a revered figure.Although George Washington owned over 300 slaves at the time of his death, his influential letters and provisions for slave release in his Will played a part in advancing the anti-slavery movement. Despite living in late 18th century Virginia, Washington displayed remarkable enlightenment regarding slavery. However, not enough Southern Americans followed his example, resulting in the institution of slavery causing immense loss of American lives sixty years later. This issue nearly destroyed the nation that Washington had worked tirelessly to build.

The Underground Railroad is widely known but often misunderstood; contrary to its name, it was neither underground nor an actual railroad. The term originated from Tice Davids—a runaway slave—who successfully evaded capture by swimming across a creek and disappearing from sight. His owner speculated that he must have escaped using an "underground railroad." In 1831, Davids—a Kentucky slave—made the decision to seek freedom.

The Underground Railroad played

a crucial role in the ongoing battle against slavery and eventually contributed to the start of the Civil War. It stands as one of our nation's earliest and significant anti-slavery movements. Various versions of its history exist depending on whom you ask.

Slavery thrived and expanded in America due to a labor shortage. Plantations were able to efficiently cultivate crops with slaves performing simple tasks, and their cheap acquisition allowed owners to profit without hiring additional workers.Slavery in America sparked a desire for freedom among slaves, driven by various reasons. Some sought independence and craved a life free from dictation. Others were motivated by the fear of being separated or sold away from their loved ones. There were also those who endured severe mistreatment, pushing them to escape for their survival. Since their arrival in America as slaves during the early colonies, they yearned to distance themselves from their imposed circumstances. These aspirations were typically held by individuals who did not experience slavery firsthand, particularly "whites" with different values.

While the North relied less on slave labor due to industrialization and an influx of immigrants filling job positions, the South had fertile land predominantly used for agriculture. This led to the establishment of large plantations that required labor. The inhabitants of this region appeared more refined and less accustomed to arduous work, preferring to give orders rather than execute them themselves.

The Underground Railroad was not confined to a specific location but instead originated in response to independent slave escapes dating back to the 1500s. Its popularity grew among courageous slaves seeking freedom.Slave owners in the South faced significant financial losses due to escaped slaves, leading them to

enact the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793. This act declared that slaves were property and authorized owners to apprehend runaway slaves anywhere in the United States, even in free states. The mistreatment of slaves outraged Northern states, who took action by assisting them through an initiative known as the Underground Railroad. Slaves felt a mix of anger, fear, and confusion but gradually began fleeing with support from this network.
By 1807, importation of slaves was prohibited by law, resulting in an increase in value for those who remained enslaved as agricultural advancements emerged in the states. Abolition Societies and religious groups formed to provide support and aid for slaves seeking freedom. The Underground Railroad was established with secret routes referred to as "tracks." Letters coded with terminology associated with railroads were sent to assist black individuals seeking freedom.
Railroads served as a convenient code for discreet communication. Safe houses along the tracks, known as depots or safe stations, offered shelter owned by conductors for free whites or blacks seeking refuge when not on the run. To avoid confusion, conductors used various signs such as quilts displaying a house with smoke coming from the chimney or chimneys having a white ring of bricks.Safe shops used signs with silhouettes of fleeing individuals as a way to indicate safety. Slaves utilized different signals, such as knocks, animal calls, and lights in windows, to navigate the underground railroad. Moving from one house to another was commonly called "catching the next train." To assist in their journey, slaves were taught specific songs to memorize the route. One of these songs, "Follow the Drinking Gourd," referenced the big dipper constellation to find direction

towards freedom in the north. The song also mentioned landmarks and dead trees marked by charcoal drawings of a peg leg made by Peg-leg Joe, who wrote the song. Another verse stated "Left foot, peg foot traveling on." Slave routes were not direct but followed zigzag paths to avoid capture. Various methods of escape included disguising travel by boat with help from sympathetic Northerners or using disguises like men dressed as women or wearing clothes belonging to free people of color.During the time of slavery, some slaves used various means to escape towards freedom. This included traveling by road on foot or concealed inside carriages and wagons equipped with secret compartments. Taking advantage of railways, certain individuals would disguise themselves as white slaves or hide among luggage and freight. An example is Henry "Box" Brown, who embarked on a journey in a box marked with labels such as "this side up" and "fragile." However, concerns arose when he reported being turned upside down and tossed around during mail service.

Upon successfully escaping, these former slaves had to find ways to assimilate into Northern society in order to live freely. Some reconnected with previously escaped friends and family to establish communities, while others sought refuge with Native Americans or even entered into marriage and started families. During the Civil War, some found protection within the Union Army.

Although they were now free, these former slaves still faced challenges as they needed to work for a living; however, they found happiness in having control over their own decisions. Unfortunately, some died from exposure during harsh Northern winters due to lack of shelter.

The majority of slaves were denied education and

remained illiterate. This made them vulnerable to exploitation by cruel salesmen and employers who took advantage of their ignorance regarding their financial situations.The movement to abolish slavery in the South led those with specific skills to seek employment opportunities in the North. As more slaves escaped, the demand for railroads decreased gradually. Lincoln's signing of the Emancipation Proclamation marked the end of slavery and eventually resulted in the decline of railroad usage. [Bibliography: Carroll, J.A., and M.W. Ashworth.George Washington: A Biography.Vol.7.New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1957.Fitzpatrick, John C., ed.] The Writings of George Washington is a collection comprising 39 volumes published in 1933 by the United States Government Printing Office. A Biography of George Washington was authored by Douglass S. Freeman and is available in seven volumes, with Volume 6 published by Charles Scribner's Sons in 1955.Jared Sparks compiled Correspondence of the American Revolution specifically focusing on Letters to Washington, which was published in four volumes by Little, Brown, and Company in 1853.